GoHeels Exclusive: Ohio State Notebook

By Pat James, GoHeels.com

Speaking with reporters Tuesday afternoon, Roy Williams rattled off a list of things he'd like North Carolina to do better coming off its trip to The Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis.

There were, however, some things he liked from UNC's 2-1 showing. Among them was how the seventh-ranked Tar Heels responded to their 73-64 loss to now-No. 4 Michigan by beating now-No. 13 Oregon the next day.

"I think we were really all-in in the Oregon game for the first time this year," he said, "of being excited, being together, trying to take care of everybody, trying to take care of your teammates, playing harder. So, I liked that, there's no question."

When asked if having so many players in new roles was a reason why Carolina hadn't been all-in in any of its previous games, Williams said his team's effort against Oregon "speaks to the fact that you got your tail beat the day before." Armando Bacot confirmed that.

After the Michigan game, Bacot said UNC held a players-only meeting, led by Garrison Brooks and Brandon Robinson. That helped fuel the team's performance against Oregon.

"I feel like us just losing our first game, we realized we weren't invincible and that we could lose," the freshman said. "After that game, we had a team meeting and knew we had to play for each other and not ourselves. So, I feel like we came out there (against Oregon) unselfish and I feel like that made a huge difference for us."

Here are four more notes from Tuesday's availability:

A primary concern
Among the things he didn't like last week, Williams referenced the Tar Heels' poor shooting. In seven games, they're shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 30.3 percent on 3-pointers. They were 81-for-194 (41.7 percent) from the field and 13-for-50 (26 percent) from behind the arc in The Bahamas.

He also said Carolina still hasn't played at the pace he wants to play at, and he pointed out two reasons why it hasn't.

"We haven't created as many turnovers," he said. "Of course, you're going to play at a faster pace, score easier and shoot a higher percentage if you turn turnovers into baskets. … We're not running effectively enough by getting an initial threat against the other team by a strong low post presence. Tyler Hansbrough, front of the rim and just tried to kill people, and then that sucked everybody back in and good shooters made a bunch of shots."

Bacot said he and Garrison Brooks have been focusing on doing a better job of getting to the rim in the secondary break, but it's something they still need to work on.

"We know the offense starts with us running at the front of the rim," Bacot said. "It's something I feel like we did better against Oregon, but it's something we've still got to get a lot better at in order for us to get our pace back to what it usually is and for us to put up a lot more points."

'Working together well'
Bacot said he and Brooks hang out away from the court almost every day. The relationship they've developed is also paying dividends on the court.

"He's definitely simplified the game a lot for me," Bacot said. "For instance, on certain plays, just leaving my man on my back and staying in that position and having him sealed just makes it easier for me to score. Also, being in a better position on the screens, being above it versus trying to chase behind a screen has put me in an easier position for me to hedge. Just little stuff like that. He's made the game a lot easier for me."

Williams said it's evident that the two big men are forming a strong bond.

"Garrison is really trying to help Armando a great deal every day, every play, every second, with everything that goes on at practice," he said. "Talking to him all the time and trying to lead by example. They're working together well, they talk well, and I think it's something that's really, really good. And you admire Garrison for being willing to do that, too."

Injury updates
Williams said Cole Anthony (ankle) and Leaky Black (toe), who both got banged up in the Oregon game, would be limited in Tuesday's practice. Meanwhile, he said Brooks, who wore protective glasses against Oregon due to a corneal abrasion in his right eye, is OK.

Williams also provided an update on Jeremiah Francis and Anthony Harris, who are continuing to recover from high school injuries.

"They're still basically still doing half-court stuff," Williams said. "We're trying to get them into more of the half-court stuff. They're doing full-court dummy, five-on-zero, but not anything full-court live."

'A very well-rounded team'
UNC (6-1) welcomes No. 6 Ohio State (7-0) to the Smith Center on Wednesday night. The Buckeyes are the first of three top-10 opponents – the others being No. 5 Virginia and No. 9 Gonzaga – that the Tar Heels face in their next four games.

Ohio State is outscoring opponents by an average of 25.6 points per game, the largest scoring margin in the country. Its most impressive wins have come against Cincinnati and Villanova, which scrimmaged against Carolina in the preseason.

"Villanova hit us in the mouth in our scrimmage here early," Williams said. "I mean, they dominated us for the first 20 minutes. So, we know what they're capable of doing. I think 25 or whatever it was at the end of the game; it might have been even more than that earlier in the game. So, it scares you a little bit.

"Their win against a good Cincinnati team is something you see. They shoot the ball better from regular field goal percentage, 3-point line and free-throw line. Their defense in each one of those categories is probably better (than us), as well. So, they're a very well-rounded team. They have a positive rebound margin, maybe not quite as much as ours, but it shows they have size and box out. They're playing at the same pace as we are when you look at the numbers … and yet we're trying really, really hard to play at a lot faster pace; they're being more successful playing at their pace than we are trying to play at ours."

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Players Mentioned

Cole Anthony

Armando Bacot

Leaky Black

Garrison Brooks

Jeremiah Francis

Anthony Harris

Brandon Robinson

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