"Tar Heel of the Game" for the UNC basketball program's victory over Hawai'i

The UNC basketball program had a harder time getting past Hawai'i than the final score would indicate. The Rainbow Warriors were the beneficiaries of some Charmin soft foul calls, two of which were divvied out to point guard Elliot Cadeau in the opening three minutes. Coach Hubert Davis sat the sophomore floor general to prevent a catastrophe, and Hawai'i took advantage.

Yesterday's "Tar Heel of the Game" is named for not just for what he did on the court but for what happened to the team when he was off the court.

Elliot Cadeau

The first half saw North Carolina play at a slower pace, helped by the 'Bows combining a three-quarters court press with a 2-3 zone defense. It kept the Tar Heels from attacking the paint effectively, and Cadeau wasn't there to unlock the defense.

Hubert Davis brought Cadeau back onto the floor with 4:23 left in the first half, and UNC nursing a five-point lead. Hawai'i would score in fits and spurts, but they were stymieing Carolina in their halfcourt sets. Cadeau immediatley made his precense felt, scoring a lay-up off of a turnover, plus the foul.

In the second half, Cadeau took over. He was extremely efficient, scoring 12 points on five-of-five shooting, and hit both of his free throws. He also had three assists and generally got the gears of the offense oiled and running smoothly again. It was a night-and-day difference how UNC operated with Cadeau behind the wheel.

Moving forward, it will be critical for Cadeau to stay out of foul trouble, which he had been better about early in this season. Hopefully he got that bug out of his system before moving on to Maui.

Tar Heel of the Game Recipients (2024-2025 Season)

Elon- RJ Davis (1)
Kansas- Seth Trimble (1)
American- Jalen Washington (1)
Hawai'i- Elliot Cadeau (1)