University of North Carolina Athletics
Postgame Notes
November 29, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2004
NORTH CAROLINA POSTGAME NOTES vs. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
November 28, 2004
With Sunday's 97-65 win over Southern California, Carolina has won four consecutive games for the first time since opening the 2003-04 season 6-0. The Tar Heels also remain unbeaten in seven all-time meetings with the Trojans. Sunday's 32-victory margin was the largest in the series.
With 97 points Sunday, the Tar Heels have scored 90-plus points in three straight games for the first time since Dec. 21-27, 2001. That season, Carolina tallied 92 points versus St. Joseph's, 104 against North Carolina A&T and 92 versus Texas A&M in consecutive wins. This year, Carolina scored 94 in the win over Tennessee and 106 against Iowa before tallying 97 against USC Sunday. The Tar Heels have scored at least 85 points in four straight games for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
Over this same four-game stretch, Carolina has trailed for only 20 seconds of play (also for just one possession). The Tar Heels trailed early in the first half in the win over Tennessee.
The Tar Heels outscored the Trojans, 56-28, in the first half. Over the last four games, Carolina is averaging 53.5 points in the opening half and has held an average halftime lead of 24.3 points.
For the second consecutive game, Carolina had five players with double-figure scoring totals. Jawad Williams (21), Sean May (17), Marvin Williams (14), Jackie Manuel (14) and Rashad McCants (13) all scored at least 10 versus USC.
Jawad Williams scored a season-best 23 points on 9 of 11 shooting. He connected on both three-point attempts and also pulled down five rebounds. Williams has now scored in double-figures in each game this season and 65 times in his career. He has scored 20 or more points 12 times at Carolina.
Raymond Felton handed out a season-high 12 assists versus USC. He now has 12 career double-digit assist games and needs just one more to tie Kenny Smith for third on the all-time Carolina list with 13. Felton has at least nine assists in each of the last three games. The 12 assists are the most for Felton since he set a school record with 18 versus George Mason on Dec. 7, 2003.
Freshman Marvin Williams scored a career-best 14 points and added six rebounds versus the Trojans. He has scored in double-figures in each of the last two games.
Jackie Manuel had a season-high 14 points on six of 12 shooting. He also added four rebounds.
Sean May scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and 16th of his career. May now has 20 career double-digit rebounding games.
