Lucas: BYU Rapid Reactions

By Adam Lucas

1. BYU executed very well down the stretch to pull away with a 78-76 win over Carolina in exhibition action. The Cougars got points or free throws on seven of eight trips in the decisive closing minutes, as the UNC defense struggled in the final 4:30.

2. Overall, that was a pretty even matchup between two teams that hope they'll be in the national discussion as the season progresses. Neither had a dramatic edge in any category. Both had solid individual performances. It was just a good basketball game.

3. It also did exactly what it was supposed to do: give us a fun, entertaining matchup between two teams with star power early in the year. The Caleb Wilson-A.J. Dybantsa matchup is one we'll likely see at various levels for years to come. The game was a financial win and also just an overall productive night of college basketball. The next step: finding TV room for games like this. On a Friday night with college football action, the game was relegated to ESPN+.

4. The Wilson (22 points and 10 rebounds)-Dybantsa (18 points and eight rebounds) battle will get plenty of well deserved headlines. But the most impactful player in the decisive minutes was BYU point guard Robert Wright. The Baylor transfer is so quick and very skilled at using his body to create contact. He shot just 4-for-13 from the field but had five assists and made seven trips to the line. The Cougars wanted the ball in his hands late.

5. Carolina played without import Luka Bogavac, who is awaiting full clearance to compete in actual competition. Bogavac, who has showed a nice shooting touch and good all-around skill, was with the team in Salt Lake City but did not dress out.

6. Top 25-type exhibition games are a fairly new addition to the college basketball calendar. This type of game should pay dividends this year, though, as this is the first UNC team since 2005-06 that Carolina doesn't return a player who started at least half the previous season's games. It was a nice late October chance to see what Carolina has on the roster.

7. Part of the value of these games is the chance to figure out what you want to do when you need a basket. The Tar Heels had two subpar trips with a four-point lead and four minutes left, once getting a Henri Veesaar travel in the post and the other a missed midrange Wilson jumper. The Heels also had a chance after a timeout with the ball at halfcourt and 5.5 seconds remaining with a two-point deficit. They got a great look with Veesaar feeding Seth Trimble--who had scored 17 points--going to the rim, but the senior couldn't finish at the basket. Being able to run that play in a live arena against an opponent that doesn't know what is coming is a huge plus, and the Heels got exactly what they wanted.

8. An area Hubert Davis is certain to emphasize: the Heels have to do a better job of defending without fouling. BYU was in the bonus midway through both the first and second halves. The Cougars converted 19 of their 26 free throw chances. They also have to do a better job on the defensive glass. The Cougars got 18 offensive rebounds off 38 missed field goals, meaning nearly half the time they missed a shot they recovered it. Carolina did do a good job on the offensive boards, however. They grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, including six from Henri Veesaar and four from Wilson.

9. Veesaar didn't have a great stat line, if you call 14 points and eight rebounds not great. But he's a very important part of what Carolina is going to do this season. His length makes him a defensive presence, and he contests nearly every miss for offensive rebounds. He's going to play all the minutes his conditioning can handle this season.

10. One of the features of this year's team is improved depth. Carolina needed it on Friday. They were already without Bogavac, and then Kyan Evans picked up two quick fouls and spent most of the rest of the first half on the bench. Both Zayden High and James Brown got some backup post minutes; both struggled with fouls in the first half, including Brown's two moving screens that created turnovers.

11. Evans had a rough couple early minutes but came back and had five assists against just one turnover.

12. Partially due to Evans' steady play, Carolina did a much better job creating tempo in the second half. The Tar Heels converted 12 fast break points in the final 20 minutes after getting just five in the first half. Carolina's guards did a great job of playing with their head up, and the Heels also created some chances with steals.

13. The visit to Salt Lake City was only Carolina's first in almost 40 years. The Heels also played here in the NCAA Tournament in 1988; that means it was the site of one of Dean Smith's most masterful coaching performances, as Carolina dismantled a high-octane Loyola Marymount attack to advance to the Sweet 16.

14. Carolina will return home tonight and go back to practice this weekend in preparation for the only home exhibition game Wednesday night against WSSU (a reminder to season ticket holders: that game is on the season ticket package). The regular season opener is Nov. 3 at the Smith Center against Central Arkansas and then an immediate test follows in the second game of the year when Kansas comes to Chapel Hill.

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Luka Bogavac

James Brown

Kyan Evans

Zayden High

Seth Trimble

Henri Veesaar

Caleb Wilson

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