Lucas: Rapid Reactions

By Adam Lucas

1. That's the peril of playing a small lineup if there isn't a lot of scoring coming from the wing. Carolina labored offensively in an 80-69 loss at Virginia Tech.

2. "Sense of urgency" is something that's frequently on the Tar Heel scouting report for a game like this. Virginia Tech had more of it on Monday night. The Hokies seemed to be first to every loose ball, were active for all 94 feet, won the rebounding battle 36-35 and tied 10-10 on the offensive glass (usually an area of strength for the Tar Heels) and made everything difficult for Carolina. It's pretty simple: the Tar Heels just got outplayed. Before you go too far off the deep end, keep in mind that this was the second game in three days, and playing on the road in the back half of that arrangement has proven to be difficult across the league.

3. Credit the Hokie defense for making Carolina into a one-on-one offensive team in the first half. The Tar Heels, usually an assist-happy club, had just five assists on 13 field goals in the first 20 minutes. The Hokies' active hands were constantly in the passing lanes and no pass was conceded. What's more, Virginia Tech managed to do it without fouling, as Carolina attempted just four free throws in the game. The Hokies were called for 11 fouls in the game.

4. Virginia Tech's 18-4 spurt at the end of the first half completely changed the game. The Hokies averaged 1.91 points per possession on their final 11 trips of the first half, after scoring just 0.72 points per possession on their first 21 possessions. Four different players made a three-pointer in that stretch for that home team, which also picked up an old-fashioned three-point play.

5. The Tar Heels basically got offense from two sources: Luke Maye and Joel Berry. Those two players were 19-for-35 from the field, while the rest of the team was 8-for-28. Berry and Maye had 46 of Carolina's 69 points. Even Berry's 23 points required 19 shots to do it, and his five turnovers clearly frustrated the senior.

6. Virginia Tech ran the ball back at the Tar Heels as hard as anyone this season, both after makes and misses. The Hokies outscored Carolina 5-0 in fast break points in the first half and 11-4 for the game. Other than a quick three-possession spurt led by Jalek Felton midway through the second half, the Tar Heels did not score a fast break point.

7. The Carolina bench rotation continues to evolve. On Monday, Brandon Robinson was the first Tar Heel off the bench, and Garrison Brooks was the first of the freshmen big men into the game. Solid minutes continue to be available for any reserve who makes solid consistent contributions. Felton had good minutes midway through the second half, but then struggled when he was inserted later in the period, and Williams quickly had to turn back to Berry.

8. Kenny Williams' ACC shooting struggles continued. Williams is now 4-24 from the three-point line in his last four games. He had company, as Cam Johnson was 1-for-9 from the field. That means the Tar Heels got a combined 2-for-15 from that duo, enabling the Hokies to focus their defense elsewhere.

9. Despite his shooting problems, Williams continues to be an essential part of the Carolina rotation. He drew a pair of charges on Monday, and when he was saddled with four fouls and had to leave the game early in the second half, the Tar Heels were -9 with him out of the game.

10. That stretch highlighted the continuing struggles for Carolina in finding production from the bench. Roy Williams simply hasn't been able to develop the type of depth he'd like to have. Brandon Robinson has been fairly consistent with his effort, and Andrew Platek made what felt like a big three-pointer at the time, but other than that, there simply wasn't a lot there on this particular night.

Players Mentioned

Garrison Brooks

Jalek Felton

Luke Maye

Andrew Platek

Brandon Robinson

Kenny Williams

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