UNC seals the deal in the final minutes against Syracuse

By Jeremiah Artacho

UNC By The Numbers For Each Player Against Syracuse 

Starters

R.J Davis -  34 MIN, 9 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL, 4-9 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-2 FT
Caleb Love - 31 MIN, 15 PTS, 1 REB, 5 AST, 4-7 FG, 3-5 3PT, 4-6 FT

Leaky Black - 36 MIN, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 2-7 FG, 0-3 3PT

Pete Nance - 40 MIN, 21 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK, 6-17 FG, 1-2 3PT, 8-10 FT 

Armando Bacot - 32 MIN, 18 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 8-15 FG, 2-3 FT 

Bench 

Tyler Nickel - 12 MIN, 3 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT  

Jalen Washington - 6 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 REB, 1-1 FG

D'Marco Dunn - 5 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-0 FG, 1 BLK

Seth Trimble - 4 MIN, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0-0 FG, 0-2 FT 

An Improved Game For Caleb Love 

Caleb Love has been in a slump recently, but tonight, as the Heels went up against the zone defense of Syracuse, he was able to find a groove in his shot, knocking down his first 3 attempts beyond the arc. 

 

Love finished the game with 15 points, a rebound, and 5 assists on the stat sheet while shooting 4 for 7 from the field and 3 for 5 from downtown. Adding on 4 of 6 from the free throw line. 

 

Hopefully, this was enough to break Love's slump, as his production has gone down recently during the new year. 

Pete Nance Was Aggressive Against The Zone 

Coach Davis inserted Pete Nance in the middle for the most part of Syracuse's zone, as he roamed around looking for entry passes to either take a mid-range jumper near the free throw line or find an open teammate for the assist.

 

Nance was terrific nonetheless, as he was able to score while also seeking out his teammates for the bucket.

 

He finished the game with a team-high 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and a block, converting 6 of 17 from the field, 1 of 2 from deep, and 8 of 10 from the charity stripe.

 

Amazing performance by the fifth year senior, as he was told by Coach Davis to be more active and look for his shot more during games.

R.J Davis Leaves During Final Moments Of The Game 

Within the final seconds of the game, R.J Davis exits the contest due to an elbow to the face around the 10.7 mark from Syracuse's freshman guard, Judah Mintz.

 

Davis was defending Mintz on a drive to the basket and stepped in front of him for a charge, but unfortunately got banged up on the play during the process. The score favored the Tar Heels, 69-68, and the officials decided to head to the monitor in order to reevaluate the play. Eventually, after further review, the call was changed from a common foul to a flagrant 1.

 

This sent Caleb Love to the free throw line, where he knocked down 1 of 2.

UNC ends the game defeating Syracuse by a score of 72-68. 

 

Let's hope that Davis will be healthy and ready to play in UNC's next outing.

North Carolina Will Take A Break Before February 

The Tar Heels will get some rest before opening up the schedule for the month of February. 

 

They will not play again until February 1st, next Wednesday, at home against Pittsburgh.

 

UNC looks to get some revenge and shut the door next time around against the Panthers, as in their last match it seemed the game was all-in for the guys wearing Carolina blue.

 

The tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. on ACCN.