Lucas: Rapid Reactions

By Adam Lucas

1. It goes without saying that Carolina will need to play much better than that on Sunday against a rugged, big Texas A&M team. The Tar Heels played well enough to beat Lipscomb, but that was about it.

2. All five UNC starters finished in double figures as Carolina spread out the scoring. Theo Pinson had his seventh double-double in his last 16 games, coupling his scoring (15 points) with ten boards. Pinson came very close to the third triple-double in program history with his seven assists. Had the game been closer, he very well could have done it.

3. The standout individual, at least in the scoring column, might have been Kenny Williams, who in his first meaningful NCAA Tournament action (he had eight career NCAAT minutes) scored 18 points. He drilled four of his five three-pointers and was tough on defense.

4. Carolina simply wasn't very careful with the basketball. The Bisons (yes, it has an 's') didn't apply a ton of defensive pressure, but the Tar Heels tried some questionable passes and rarely completed them. UNC coughed it up 18 times, just one short of the team's season high of 19.

5. Some really good minutes from Sterling Manley, who made use of his size advantage to pick up seven rebounds in just six minutes of first half action, and also work free for a couple of dunks. The Tar Heels even went with a combination they have rarely used, with Manley and Garrison Brooks in together for a stretch (during which Carolina was +4). Manley finished with a strong ten rebounds, his most since pulling down 13 against Bucknell (basically, whenever the opposing mascot has something to do with Bison, watch out for Sterling Manley).

6. Luke Maye had a rough offensive day but, as usual, kept plugging on the boards. Maye started 1-for-8 and finished 2-for-9 while looking a little rushed offensively, but did secure eight rebounds.

7. Perhaps the best thing about Friday's game could be found in the minutes played column. Roy Williams was able to work in several substitutes with Sunday's game looming (the tip-off time will be announced later tonight by the television networks). Maye played just 22 minutes and Cameron Johnson logged just 29, with Kenny Williams playing 25.

8. The Tar Heels were fortunate Lipscomb had a cold night from the perimeter. The Bisons hit just six of 26 three-point attempts.

9. Remember that the first round NCAA Tournament games are rarely very artistic. The 2016 team beat Florida Gulf Coast by 16, the 1997 team beat Fairfield by eight, the 1995 team beat Murray State by ten--there are numerous other examples, and all three of those teams went to the Final Four.

10. Strong turnout of Tar Heel basketball alums in Charlotte. Among those on hand were King Rice, JR Reid, Julius Peppers, Antawn Jamison, Michael Brooker, Shammond Williams, Jeff Denny, Jason Capel, Al Wood, Phil Ford and Mitch Kupchak. Football standout Dre' Bly was also in the stands.

11. One of the most incredible stats going in college basketball that gets very little attention was extended on Friday. Roy Williams-coached teams are now 28-0 in the first game of the NCAA Tournament. In an era when upsets happen all the time, that's simply incredible.

Players Mentioned

Garrison Brooks

Cameron Johnson

Sterling Manley

Luke Maye

Theo Pinson

Kenny Williams

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