University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Rapid Reactions
February 14, 2016 | Men's Basketball
By Adam Lucas
1. What a passing (and therefore offensive) performance from the Tar Heels. Carolina handed out 26 assists on 32 field goals on the way to shooting a blistering 59.3 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from the three-point line. In all, it might have been the best collective team offensive effort of the season, as it produced a relatively easy 85-64 win over Pitt.
2. Pitt appeared to enter the game intent on running some clock and making the Tar Heels play 30 seconds of defense, a strategy that has worked well for multiple opponents this year, including last weekend at Notre Dame. But the Carolina defense was unwilling to play at that pace, forcing the tempo with a variety of traps that puzzled the Panthers. About the only thing the UNC defense didn't do was finish the defense with a box out, as Pitt hauled in 19 offensive rebounds. That will continue to be a point of emphasis from Roy Williams to his team this week. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, got just one offensive rebound; Williams called the discrepancy "mind-boggling" after the game.
3. The Carolina offense is so much more dangerous when Justin Jackson is in rhythm. The lanky sophomore is a matchup nightmare, and when he's making three-point shots (he made two against Pitt, meaning he has four in the last two games after making four in the previous 14 games) he's very difficult to defend. In addition, he always runs the floor hard and handed out four assists. Jackson finished the game with three three-pointers, hitting three of six, just the second time all season he's made three three-pointers (the other was Northern Iowa).
4. The Panthers had tinkered with a 3-2 zone in recent weeks, but the Tar Heels carved it up on Sunday. They beat it both with dribble penetration and with quick, decisive passing. Jamie Dixon never really found a defense that worked consistently.
5. It's hard to have a better scoreless game than the one Theo Pinson had against the Panthers. Pinson missed his only field goal attempt but also handed out six assists, committed just one turnover, and drew a charge to snuff out a Pitt 3-on-2 fast break opportunity.
6. One of the best games of the year from a fan perspective is when Carolina has a home game during NBA All-Star Weekend. That means the Tar Heels in the NBA have a free weekend if they aren't involved in the festivities, and it was nice to see Tyler Zeller and Kendall Marshall (along with Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen) at the Smith Center on Sunday.
7. That sets up what should be a lot of fun on Wednesday night when Duke comes into the Smith Center. The Blue Devils have won four in a row and are one of the hottest teams in the league, Carolina is trying to stay on top of the conference, and...well, never mind. You don't need all that. It's Carolina-Duke. It can't get here soon enough.
