Lucas: Rapid Reactions

By Adam Lucas

1. Sometimes you just can't figure out basketball. The Tar Heels looked like a gang of struggling shooters three days ago in Portland. Wednesday night, they nearly matched Michigan three-pointer for three-pointer on the way to a 86-71 win. Against Michigan State, Carolina managed just one three-pointer and shot a program-worst percentage from the field. Wednesday night against Michigan, they made seven trifectas and shot 54.8 percent from the field.

2. The 1993 team that was honored at the first timeout likely enjoyed the brand of basketball that included 16 UNC assists on 20 baskets in the first half and 24 assists on 34 buckets in the game.

3. Nice game from Seventh Woods. The sophomore point guard had four assists against zero turnovers in the first half, and also drained a couple of midrange jumpers. While the freshman big man battle has gotten most of the early season attention, the competition between Woods and Jalek Felton at backup point guard has been equally fluid. Wednesday night, Woods got the better of it.

4. Roy Williams made the point at his radio show this week that Theo Pinson needs to have better shot selection. Looks like he also made that point to Pinson, as the senior attempted just one three-pointer. That contributed to an overall stellar game for Pinson, who had eight points, a team-high six assists and a team-high seven rebounds in 33 minutes.

5. Luke Maye has scored in almost every possible way so far this year, and he did it again against Michigan, with 27 points and six rebounds. But one of his most impressive hoops of the year came in the second half, when he posted up on the left block and then spun to the rim lightning-fast around Isaiah Livers, scoring through contact for the potential three-point play. That was a play that will go on opposing scouting reports, which will make his turnaround even more effective.

6. Michigan's perimeter-heavy offense was a nice warmup for Friday's trip to Davidson. The Wildcats are even more three-point happy than the Wolverines, and every Tar Heel will have to defend the perimeter in that game.

7. The 1993 national champions got most of the attention, but it was nice to also have multiple members of the 1957 champions on hand. That group was honored at halftime and got a nice hand--including from the members of the '93 team.

8. Garrison Brooks had a quiet west coast trip, but he was more productive back at home. The freshman finished with eight points and four rebounds in 24 minutes, including a powerful dunk over Charles Matthews.

9. The Tar Heels might need to start getting a little more production from the bench. Continuing a trend that began in Portland, Roy Williams leaned heavily on his starters. No reserve scored more than four points. Of course, part of that equation will be solved by the return of Cam Johnson, who will push a current starter to the bench, which will have the byproduct of boosting the subs.

University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Garrison Brooks

Jalek Felton

Luke Maye

Theo Pinson

Seventh Woods

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