Lucas: Game Changer

By Adam Lucas

Carolina is different in more ways than just Anthony Harris since the last time the Tar Heels faced NC State.

But it sure feels like Harris is the most obvious—and perhaps impactful—difference.

The Carolina redshirt freshman played just 11 minutes in Saturday's 86-76 win over the Wolfpack, but that was just enough time for him to show off exactly why he's going to be so valuable as the Heels move into the meaty part of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule.

Here's how he contributed to the box score against the Pack:

6:52 left in the first half: Made a three-pointer to break a 26-26 tie. Harris isn't as good a shooter as, say, Kerwin Walton. But he's made two of his three three-point attempts since his return at Florida State, and if he can make enough to keep opposing defenses honest, it's going to open up the middle for Carolina's powerful post players.

11:48 left in the second half: Grabs a steal from Braxton Beverly. Originally guarding Beverly, Harris was hit with a ball screen. But instead of giving up, he stayed in the play and showed his savvy by reaching into the passing lane to prevent a pass from Beverly to the screener. This is when it gets even better. Instead of being content just to knock the ball away, Harris immediately dribbles up court, finds very little resistance, and pushes it all the way for an easy layup and a 12-point Carolina lead.

"I'm in a decent spot on defense most of the time," Harris said. "I can communicate with the guys, I let them know where I am and we're on the same page."

(Some advice: watch C.B. McGrath's segment on ball screen defense in today's Rapid Reaction video postgame show to get even more insight into the value of communication on plays like this one.)

📺 » Rapid Reactions pres. by @Bojangles

Join @JonesAngell & @jadamlucas as they talk @UNC_Basketball's win over NC State, plus:
🔹 Coach Williams' presser
🔹 Interview w/ Anthony Harris
🔹 @cbmcgrath24 breaks down some film#GoHeels x #CarolinaFamily https://t.co/qAkbVvZRlI
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) January 23, 2021

10:17 left in the second half: With Devon Daniels playing him to take an outside shot—perhaps due to the earlier three-pointer—Harris drives baseline. With Day'Ron Sharpe providing a nice clear-out and Garrison Brooks drawing shot-blocker Manny Bates away from the rim, Harris makes a very athletic up and under layup to push the lead back to a dozen.

Remember, this is a player leaping on two reconstructed knees. Roy Williams is still playing him in short bursts; he never played more than four minutes at a time on Saturday.

2:36 left in the game: In what felt like one of the game-sealing plays, Carolina was trying to burn a little clock while also getting a good shot. It ended with Caleb Love hoisting a long three-point shot. Remember back to the first meeting against State when the offense wasn't always very fluid, and some late clock possessions ended in an ugly fashion? That's what this could have been…except Harris recognized Love was going to have to force a shot, drifted towards the rim, and was in perfect position to grab the ball out of the air and drop it in as the shot clock was one tick away from zero.

You can try to coach that type of play. But it will never be as effective as a player who does it instinctively. That's what Harris provides for Carolina, the type of natural basketball IQ that makes every squad better. "I worked to get in the right spot," Harris said.

Freshmen are supposed to require a learning curve, but Harris has felt like a veteran even going back to his limited appearances last season as a true freshman. His addition two games ago instantly added three qualities this year's team needed: toughness, on the ball defense and a shrewd way of playing the game. It's pretty simple: it feels like Carolina plays better, smarter basketball when he is on the court. That's an important weapon to bring off the bench. Opponents are going to get tired of finally getting a break from Leaky Black's defense…only to be greeted with Harris, who never, ever takes a possession off.

The Tar Heels were getting better even before Harris returned. But his addition has enhanced the upgrade. It's not a coincidence that even playing limited minutes, Williams still had him on the floor for 3:09 of Saturday's final 3:26--and has been forced to ponder even more.

"Ten minutes, ten points," Williams said as he examined Saturday's box score. "Maybe I should play him 40 minutes next time."

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Leaky Black

Garrison Brooks

Anthony Harris

Caleb Love

Day'Ron Sharpe

Kerwin Walton

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