GoHeels Exclusive: Late Night Notebook

by Pat James

CHAPEL HILL—Joel Berry II was on the verge of tears.

At least that's what it looked like to Luke Maye on Friday night at the Smith Center, where the men's basketball team unveiled the 2017 NCAA championship banner at Late Night with Roy, shortly after a video montage.

"We were all a little emotional," Maye said. "He blamed (Eric) Hoots for that because he didn't expect it to have the video at that point. It was really special, a really cool moment with all of the fans there supporting us. We've just got to move forward and move on to next year."

Here are a few notes from Friday's festivities, hosted by former Tar Heel National Player of the Year, two-time NBA champion and current Turner Sports analyst Kenny Smith.

Williams looks healthy

After missing the final 14 games of last season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee and then undergoing surgery on it July 7, Kenny Williams said he's been going 100 percent in practice, although his reps are still being monitored.

Williams said he spent all summer in Chapel Hill going through rehab. And this past week, he started feeling like his old self with his conditioning.

"We've just been trying to get the strength back in the leg," he said. "After two surgeries, I lost some of my strength that I had in that leg. It's been a lot of single-leg things, just things to get the strength back even as much as I could."

Recreating history

The signature skit of the night celebrated four of the greatest shots in UNC history.

Each team received three chances to replicate Michael Jordan's game-winner in the 1982 national championship game, Walter Davis' buzzer-beater against Duke in 1974, Ty Lawson's running 3-pointer against Florida State in 2009 and then Luke Maye's against Kentucky last season.

Both teams combined to go 1-for-7 during the simulation of Maye's. Cameron Johnson made his attempt, and Maye went 0-for-2 – receiving an extra try after missing his first.

"I was really firing that night," Maye told the crowd when asked about his misses Friday.

Fresh faces

Eight new Tar Heels – six freshmen, Johnson and K.J. Smith – introduced themselves to fans Friday night.

During the scrimmage, freshmen Garrison Brooks, Brandon Huffman and Sterling Manley showed flashes of the athleticism that could make them key contributors in the front court.

"Garrison just works hard, is really athletic," Maye said. "Sterling is huge, long. He blocked my shot out there – I was kind of disappointed in myself that I didn't pump fake. And then (Huffman) is just freakishly gifted. He has long arms, is athletic. He loves to just get out and bring energy."

Johnson, a graduate transfer from Pittsburgh, has looked sharp offensively in his last two appearances at the Smith Center. After scoring a game-best 24 points on 9-for-13 shooting in UNC's 80-78 win over the Panthers on Jan. 31, he led all players with 13 points Friday.

"Cam is a great shooter and a great offensive player in all," Williams said. "When he's aggressive, when he's knocking down his shots and looking for his shot, he's a really good player. I think we all know what he did in here during ACC play.

"He likes this gym, he loves this gym. So hopefully he can carry it into the season."

K.J. Smith, the son of Kenny Smith, transferred to UNC after playing one season at Pacific. With him sitting out this season because of NCAA transfer rules, Friday marked the only time fans will see his play this season.

During the re-enactment of Davis' shot, K.J. Smith went first and banked his attempt in.

"Oh, my gosh, K.J.," Kenny Smith said, "you've got a lot to live up to."

Other notes

·      Joining this year's players and coaches on the floor for the banner ceremony were Kennedy Meeks and Nate Britt.
·      It was difficult to overlook the play of Janelle Bailey during the women's basketball team's scrimmage. Bailey, a McDonald's All-American, scored the first points of the game on a putback and later made an impressive hook shot after faking inside and then spinning toward the baseline.
·      For the first time since 2013 and seventh time ever, the volleyball team kicked off Late Night with a match at the Smith Center. The Tar Heels defeated Virginia Tech, 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16), in front of 19,246 fans – setting a new all-time NCAA volleyball attendance record.
·      Berry and Williams served as ball boys for the first 2 1/2 sets of the volleyball match. At one point, Theo Pinson walked over to Berry and appeared to instruct him on what his proper form should be when rolling a ball to Williams on the other side of the court.
·      During a brief timeout before the men's basketball team's scrimmage, it was announced that the first fan who entered the Smith Center arrived at 5 p.m. Thursday. He was awarded with a Dunkin Donuts gift package.

Players Mentioned

Joel Berry II

Nate Britt

Garrison Brooks

Brandon Huffman

Cameron Johnson

Sterling Manley

Luke Maye

Kennedy Meeks

Theo Pinson

K.J. Smith

Kenny Williams

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