University of North Carolina Athletics
Nassir Little feels he's playing more instinctively on defense as opposed to dwelling on the fundamentals.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Progress Made As ACC Play Looms
January 3, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers
by Pat James, GoHeels.com
Kenny Williams doesn't remember exactly when he learned how starkly different ACC play is from nonconference play, a realization the North Carolina senior reached as a freshman three years ago.
But when asked Wednesday to reminisce about his memories from his first few conference games, he immediately thought about former Virginia star Malcolm Brogdon. And he recalled the challenges Brogdon presented.
"(He was) so strong, an old guy, a veteran, and he knew his spots," said Williams after the Tar Heels' 77-57 win over Harvard, their final nonconference opponent of the regular season. "Coming in as a freshman, it was hard for me to keep him off his spots. He was really strong, and the physicality in the ACC is just a different level; it's amped up a little bit."
Williams is well versed in that now. But his freshman teammates – Leaky Black, Nassir Little and Coby White – aren't quite yet.
All three will learn how grueling league play can be over the next 10 weeks. One moment, or maybe one player, might help them grasp that. Perhaps they'll even come to understand that as soon as Saturday, when UNC visits Pittsburgh to open its ACC schedule.
No matter when that realization occurs, though, Little said the trio feels prepared.
"We're excited," he said. "I think we're ready. (The older players) believe in us, and they think we're going to be ready to perform when it comes to ACC play. … This is what I came to Carolina for, to play against the best competition in the world in regard to college basketball."
Before then, the Tar Heels needed to overcome the Crimson. And in doing so, Black, Little and White all showed signs of the progress they made during nonconference play.
White finished with 13 points, four assists and two steals. He also committed just one turnover after tallying three or more in each of his previous three games. Most importantly, though, he displayed an improved recognition of when to push the ball up the floor and when to settle for the secondary break.
Black scored five points, his most since recording five against UCLA on Nov. 23, on 2-for-2 shooting. He also added two assists and two steals. Averaging nine minutes over his previous five games, he played 12 against Harvard and continued showing he could be a valuable reserve during ACC play, largely because of his defense.
After finishing with 10 points against Davidson on Saturday, Little had 12 on 4-for-7 shooting Wednesday, marking the first time he's scored in double figures in consecutive games since a four-game streak from Nov. 16-23. But he especially shined on defense and the glass.
With seven boards, Little matched his season high and led UNC in rebounding for the first time, along with Luke Maye. He also showed he's making strides on defense, an area that Roy Williams said "has been a weakness for (Little), no question." Little said he's playing more instinctively on defense now as opposed to dwelling on the fundamentals.
"When you're trying to learn things, everything's a thought process," Little said. "You're trying to take what you learn and trying to apply it to the game directly. I've had talks with people and I've just had to turn my mindset to more of stop being a robot and just playing my game. I've been playing basketball for a while and I'm an elite player, so I've just got to play."
Roy Williams would surely like to see all his players do that as ACC play begins. Asked about the improvements Carolina needs to make, he said "we've got to play smarter, we've got to play better defensively and we've got to stop turning the ball over."
Wednesday, it was the Tar Heels' poor shot selection that helped keep the score close into the second half. But after Harvard cut its lead to 44-39, UNC responded with a 22-3 run that put the game out of reach. Black, Little and White combined for 17 points during that stretch.
"This is about the time you want everything to slow down and you can see and pick your spots," Kenny Williams said. "They were all big (tonight). It's been nice to see them grow throughout the season so far."
But there's still room for improvement as the competition stiffens.
As of Wednesday night, Kenny Williams hadn't told any of the freshmen what to expect during conference play. He said he'd harp on that during Thursday and Friday's practices. But he already knew what he'd tell them.
"Every second that clock is ticking, you've got to be ready," Williams said, "or somebody is going to hit you in the mouth."
Kenny Williams doesn't remember exactly when he learned how starkly different ACC play is from nonconference play, a realization the North Carolina senior reached as a freshman three years ago.
But when asked Wednesday to reminisce about his memories from his first few conference games, he immediately thought about former Virginia star Malcolm Brogdon. And he recalled the challenges Brogdon presented.
"(He was) so strong, an old guy, a veteran, and he knew his spots," said Williams after the Tar Heels' 77-57 win over Harvard, their final nonconference opponent of the regular season. "Coming in as a freshman, it was hard for me to keep him off his spots. He was really strong, and the physicality in the ACC is just a different level; it's amped up a little bit."
Williams is well versed in that now. But his freshman teammates – Leaky Black, Nassir Little and Coby White – aren't quite yet.
All three will learn how grueling league play can be over the next 10 weeks. One moment, or maybe one player, might help them grasp that. Perhaps they'll even come to understand that as soon as Saturday, when UNC visits Pittsburgh to open its ACC schedule.
No matter when that realization occurs, though, Little said the trio feels prepared.
"We're excited," he said. "I think we're ready. (The older players) believe in us, and they think we're going to be ready to perform when it comes to ACC play. … This is what I came to Carolina for, to play against the best competition in the world in regard to college basketball."
Before then, the Tar Heels needed to overcome the Crimson. And in doing so, Black, Little and White all showed signs of the progress they made during nonconference play.
White finished with 13 points, four assists and two steals. He also committed just one turnover after tallying three or more in each of his previous three games. Most importantly, though, he displayed an improved recognition of when to push the ball up the floor and when to settle for the secondary break.
Black scored five points, his most since recording five against UCLA on Nov. 23, on 2-for-2 shooting. He also added two assists and two steals. Averaging nine minutes over his previous five games, he played 12 against Harvard and continued showing he could be a valuable reserve during ACC play, largely because of his defense.
After finishing with 10 points against Davidson on Saturday, Little had 12 on 4-for-7 shooting Wednesday, marking the first time he's scored in double figures in consecutive games since a four-game streak from Nov. 16-23. But he especially shined on defense and the glass.
With seven boards, Little matched his season high and led UNC in rebounding for the first time, along with Luke Maye. He also showed he's making strides on defense, an area that Roy Williams said "has been a weakness for (Little), no question." Little said he's playing more instinctively on defense now as opposed to dwelling on the fundamentals.
"When you're trying to learn things, everything's a thought process," Little said. "You're trying to take what you learn and trying to apply it to the game directly. I've had talks with people and I've just had to turn my mindset to more of stop being a robot and just playing my game. I've been playing basketball for a while and I'm an elite player, so I've just got to play."
Roy Williams would surely like to see all his players do that as ACC play begins. Asked about the improvements Carolina needs to make, he said "we've got to play smarter, we've got to play better defensively and we've got to stop turning the ball over."
Wednesday, it was the Tar Heels' poor shot selection that helped keep the score close into the second half. But after Harvard cut its lead to 44-39, UNC responded with a 22-3 run that put the game out of reach. Black, Little and White combined for 17 points during that stretch.
"This is about the time you want everything to slow down and you can see and pick your spots," Kenny Williams said. "They were all big (tonight). It's been nice to see them grow throughout the season so far."
But there's still room for improvement as the competition stiffens.
As of Wednesday night, Kenny Williams hadn't told any of the freshmen what to expect during conference play. He said he'd harp on that during Thursday and Friday's practices. But he already knew what he'd tell them.
"Every second that clock is ticking, you've got to be ready," Williams said, "or somebody is going to hit you in the mouth."
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