Aftermath Against Virginia: Cormac Ryan Leads #10 UNC to Victory over the Cavaliers
(Photo Courtesy Jim Hawkins/Inside Carolina)
By JEREMIAH ARTACHO
Charlottesville, Va. --- Armando Bacot and RJ Davis did not have their usual high-level scoring performance against Virginia yesterday afternoon, despite #10 UNC pulling out a 54-44 win for the first time at the John Paul Jones Arena since February 25th, 2012. However, a new face to this season's roster but familiar to the ACC conference itself bolstered the offense when Coach Davis and everybody else on the sidelines needed it the most. Cormac Ryan or Stephen Curry?
The continuation of a slow, low-scoring, and ugly between UNC and UVa happened once more. Both teams brought two extremely different styles of basketball, as Coach Davis looks to have his team pushing the pace whenever and however, no matter the situation at hand during the game. On the opposite end, Coach Bennett for the Cavaliers preaches a slow-oriented brand of basketball where at times his players use up the entire shot clock to draw up a play, pressuring teams to guard for the entire 30 seconds. Cormac Ryan coming into Chapel Hill was highly sought after for his ability to knock down the three-ball at a high clip. Back during his junior year at Notre Dame (for more context, this is the season where UNC reached the Final Four against Duke), Ryan averaged 41% from behind the arc as he completed that campaign, making 57 of his 140 attempts. The New York native ended up averaging nine points per game, five rebounds, and two assists on the year. Against the Wahoos, Ryan scored 18 points, splashing six made 3s, as those were his only buckets across the 34 minutes he entered the court. One after the next, it was as if Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors was wearing the historic Carolina blue uniform. The first half belonged to the Notre Dame transfer, who cashed in five of his six three-pointers before the 20 minutes were completed. Especially when RJ Davis could not get his usual shots to fall (1-14 FG) and Armando Bacot dealt with foul trouble during the first half, picking up two by the 12:39 mark before heading into the locker room. There is no better time than now for an elite three-point specialist such as Ryan to get it going as the month of February concludes this coming week, beginning the most beloved time of the year for college basketball fans all around. Absence of UNC's Star Duo
RJ Davis and Armando Bacot finished the contest with a combined 19 points, which is only 35% of the team's total scoring output. Davis did not lose his confidence, presumably so, but the usual makes just did not fall. Bacot spent most of his time on the bench as he watched his teammates duke it out amidst the low-scoring affair. Fortunately, aside from the help of Cormac Ryan, Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington got it done on the defensive end. Trimble applied the on-ball pressure along the perimeter while Washington picked up four blocks in paint. It was an ugly win, but one thing is for sure: this team has grit and heart.
Virginia Cavaliers
Jordan Minor and Reece Beekman led the scoring duties for Virginia in this contest, as Minor contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds and Beekman had 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. There were so many opportunities for the Wahoos on the offensive end, but the ball never really found its way through the rim. Coach Bennett's team shot a total of 28% FG (16-58) and 14% from deep (2-14). All the way up until the 3:01 mark, the Cavaliers were only able to muster eight points. Courtesy of Jordan Minor's made layup to end that scoreless skid. Throughout the first half for Virginia, they fell into many droughts, one beginning at 18:08 until 10:20 as they were able to add another bucket to bring them from four to six points. Then they dug themselves into another hole, not scoring again until a pair of Reece Beekman's free throws lifted them to eight. Around the rim, mid-range, and behind the three-point line, UVa had a hard time trying to get a rhythm going on the offensive end. However, it was their pack-line defense that kept them close from the beginning to the end. During the final three minutes of the first half, North Carolina led by 13, 21-8. Slowly but surely, the Cavs started to creep in on the scoreboard, lowering the deficit to as much as seven points after freshman Elijah Gertrude knocked some free throws, making the score 21-14. Despite not having the best shooting performance, UNC finished the half with 26 points, keeping the game within arm's reach heading into the break. The second half started to pick up for UVa as they shortened UNC's lead to six points with 14:51 left to go, as the score stood at 33-27. As the game made its way to the conclusion, the Cavaliers saw themselves within five points, at 1:04, after a made jumper by Gertrude. Although fouls and free throws kept the distance between Virginia and North Carolina far apart, UNC was rewarded with another tally in the win column.
Who's Next?
The Miami Hurricanes (15-13, 6-11 conference) makes an appearance in Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels.
Last time out between these two teams on February 10th at the Watsco Center, North Carolina escaped with a 75-72 victory as RJ Davis accounted for 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists playing almost the entire game for Coach Davis.
This matchup begins a three game home stand for North Carolina and the final moments of Armando Bacot playing in front the Carolina faithful at the Dean Smith Center.
Charlottesville, Va. --- Armando Bacot and RJ Davis did not have their usual high-level scoring performance against Virginia yesterday afternoon, despite #10 UNC pulling out a 54-44 win for the first time at the John Paul Jones Arena since February 25th, 2012. However, a new face to this season's roster but familiar to the ACC conference itself bolstered the offense when Coach Davis and everybody else on the sidelines needed it the most.
Cormac Ryan or Stephen Curry?
The continuation of a slow, low-scoring, and ugly between UNC and UVa happened once more. Both teams brought two extremely different styles of basketball, as Coach Davis looks to have his team pushing the pace whenever and however, no matter the situation at hand during the game. On the opposite end, Coach Bennett for the Cavaliers preaches a slow-oriented brand of basketball where at times his players use up the entire shot clock to draw up a play, pressuring teams to guard for the entire 30 seconds.
Cormac Ryan coming into Chapel Hill was highly sought after for his ability to knock down the three-ball at a high clip. Back during his junior year at Notre Dame (for more context, this is the season where UNC reached the Final Four against Duke), Ryan averaged 41% from behind the arc as he completed that campaign, making 57 of his 140 attempts. The New York native ended up averaging nine points per game, five rebounds, and two assists on the year.
Against the Wahoos, Ryan scored 18 points, splashing six made 3s, as those were his only buckets across the 34 minutes he entered the court. One after the next, it was as if Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors was wearing the historic Carolina blue uniform. The first half belonged to the Notre Dame transfer, who cashed in five of his six three-pointers before the 20 minutes were completed.
Especially when RJ Davis could not get his usual shots to fall (1-14 FG) and Armando Bacot dealt with foul trouble during the first half, picking up two by the 12:39 mark before heading into the locker room.
There is no better time than now for an elite three-point specialist such as Ryan to get it going as the month of February concludes this coming week, beginning the most beloved time of the year for college basketball fans all around.
Absence of UNC's Star Duo
RJ Davis and Armando Bacot finished the contest with a combined 19 points, which is only 35% of the team's total scoring output.
Davis did not lose his confidence, presumably so, but the usual makes just did not fall. Bacot spent most of his time on the bench as he watched his teammates duke it out amidst the low-scoring affair.
Fortunately, aside from the help of Cormac Ryan, Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington got it done on the defensive end. Trimble applied the on-ball pressure along the perimeter while Washington picked up four blocks in paint.
It was an ugly win, but one thing is for sure: this team has grit and heart.
Virginia Cavaliers
Jordan Minor and Reece Beekman led the scoring duties for Virginia in this contest, as Minor contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds and Beekman had 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
There were so many opportunities for the Wahoos on the offensive end, but the ball never really found its way through the rim.
Coach Bennett's team shot a total of 28% FG (16-58) and 14% from deep (2-14). All the way up until the 3:01 mark, the Cavaliers were only able to muster eight points. Courtesy of Jordan Minor's made layup to end that scoreless skid.
Throughout the first half for Virginia, they fell into many droughts, one beginning at 18:08 until 10:20 as they were able to add another bucket to bring them from four to six points. Then they dug themselves into another hole, not scoring again until a pair of Reece Beekman's free throws lifted them to eight.
Around the rim, mid-range, and behind the three-point line, UVa had a hard time trying to get a rhythm going on the offensive end.
However, it was their pack-line defense that kept them close from the beginning to the end.
During the final three minutes of the first half, North Carolina led by 13, 21-8. Slowly but surely, the Cavs started to creep in on the scoreboard, lowering the deficit to as much as seven points after freshman Elijah Gertrude knocked some free throws, making the score 21-14.
Despite not having the best shooting performance, UNC finished the half with 26 points, keeping the game within arm's reach heading into the break.
The second half started to pick up for UVa as they shortened UNC's lead to six points with 14:51 left to go, as the score stood at 33-27.
As the game made its way to the conclusion, the Cavaliers saw themselves within five points, at 1:04, after a made jumper by Gertrude. Although fouls and free throws kept the distance between Virginia and North Carolina far apart, UNC was rewarded with another tally in the win column.
Who's Next?
The Miami Hurricanes (15-13, 6-11 conference) makes an appearance in Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels.
Last time out between these two teams on February 10th at the Watsco Center, North Carolina escaped with a 75-72 victory as RJ Davis accounted for 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists playing almost the entire game for Coach Davis.
This matchup begins a three game home stand for North Carolina and the final moments of Armando Bacot playing in front the Carolina faithful at the Dean Smith Center.
Starters
Elliot Cadeau - 27 MIN, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 6 AST, 2-8 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FTR.J Davis - 37 MIN, 12 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1-14 FG, 1-8 3PT, 9-10 FTCormac Ryan - 34 MIN, 18 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 6-12 FG, 6-11 3PT, 0-0 FTHarrison Ingram - 34 MIN, 7 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 3-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-3 FTArmando Bacot - 34 MIN, 7 PTS, 13 REB, 2 AST, 4-7 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT
Elliot Cadeau - 27 MIN, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 6 AST, 2-8 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FT
R.J Davis - 37 MIN, 12 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1-14 FG, 1-8 3PT, 9-10 FT
Cormac Ryan - 34 MIN, 18 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 6-12 FG, 6-11 3PT, 0-0 FT
Harrison Ingram - 34 MIN, 7 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 3-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-3 FT
Armando Bacot - 34 MIN, 7 PTS, 13 REB, 2 AST, 4-7 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT
Bench
Seth Trimble - 14 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FTJae'Lyn Withers - 12 MIN, 2 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FTJalen Washington - 12 MIN, 1 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FTPaxson Wojcik - 3 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FTJames Okonkwo - 1 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
Seth Trimble - 14 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
Jae'Lyn Withers - 12 MIN, 2 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT
Jalen Washington - 12 MIN, 1 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT
Paxson Wojcik - 3 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
James Okonkwo - 1 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
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