Coming off a dominant 91-67 win against Temple in their first game of the regular season, the No. 1 ranked Tar Heels look to continue their stellar play on Sunday—as they host the Fairfield Stags at the Dean Dome in the year’s first real home game.

Junior forward Kennedy Meeks led the way against Temple with 25 points and 11 rebounds, showing off a slimmer frame and some nice touch around the basket–but still his head coach, Roy Williams, would like to see more from his big man as the season progresses.

“He is more explosive, there’s no question about that,” Williams said after Friday’s game. “Other than [his] first shot, I thought he had great choices on his shot selection. He could have passed it out a little quicker out of the double team and re-posted.

“I keep challenging him, I’m not gonna anoint him. Because it was 25 points and 11 rebounds–and they had one true post player playing most of the game.”

A majority of Meeks’ points came in transition as the Owls struggled to keep up with the athletic ability of UNC’s big men.

Sophomore guard Joel Berry says that’s part of the team’s overall strategy, and is something that will likely carry over into Sunday’s game with the Stags—another team likely to concede a significant size advantage.

“Get the ball out and run,” Berry said. “That’s what we wanted to do, that’s what we like to do. Kick the ball ahead and let our big men go down and pin their big man under the rim.

“And that’s how Kennedy was able to get some easy baskets,” he added.

Meeks’ effort was part of a collaborative team goal to have everyone step up their level of play while senior point guard Marcus Paige remains on the sidelines with a broken hand.

“That’s our main focus right now while he’s gone, is just to come together and be even stronger while he’s out,” Meeks said. “He’s a great player, great leader—we miss him—but as of right now we have to focus on Fairfield next.”

Related Stories
‹
No. 1 UNC Overcomes Lack of Energy to Beat Fairfield in Home Opener
In their home opener at the Dean Dome on Sunday afternoon, the No. 1 ranked UNC men’s basketball team improved to 2-0 on the year with a sluggish 92-65 victory against the over-matched Fairfield Stags. Winners of just seven games last season, Fairfield has now opened this year 0-2. However, the Stags didn’t go down […]
Roy Williams Listed as a Presenter for Upcoming ESPY Awards
Former UNC head men’s basketball coach Roy Williams is listed as a scheduled presenter for this year’s ESPY Awards, which will take place on Saturday night. Williams retired following the conclusion of UNC’s season back in March after a wildly successful career in which he won 903 games during his time at both Kansas and […]
Four-Star Guard Seth Trimble Announces Commitment to UNC Men's Basketball
New UNC head men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis landed his second high school commitment for the Class of 2022 on Wednesday evening: four-star point guard Seth Trimble announced his intentions to join the Tar Heel program. Trimble — the younger brother of former UNC guard J.P. Tokoto — hails from Menomenee Falls, Wisconsin and is […]
Former UNC Forward Walker Miller Transferring to Monmouth
After previously announcing his intentions to transfer from the UNC program back in late March, graduate forward Walker Miller revealed Thursday that he will play out his final year of eligibility next season at Monmouth University. The 6-foot-11 forward — who is the younger brother of current Cincinnati head coach and former UNC player Wes […]
Former UNC Star Coby White Cuts Signature Hairstyle
Former UNC star point guard Coby White–a Goldsboro native now with the Chicago Bulls–revealed Tuesday night on Instagram that he has cut the signature floppy hairstyle that helped make him a fan favorite in Chapel Hill. The move comes after White wrapped up his second season in the NBA on Sunday night, scoring 19 points […]
Brandon Robinson to Join UNC Men's Basketball Staff as Graduate Assistant
A familiar face to Carolina basketball fans is set to return to the bench this fall, as a coach instead of a player. UNC head men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis told 97.9 The Hill’s Art Chansky in a recent interview that Brandon Robinson is returning to the program as a graduate assistant. “Brandon Robinson is […]
Hubert Davis: 'We’ve Got Armando Bacot Coming Back' to UNC
As a guest on the College Hoops Today podcast with Jon Rothstein on Monday, new UNC head coach Hubert Davis said he thinks forward Armando Bacot is returning to the Tar Heels next season. “We’ve got Armando Bacot coming back next year,” Davis told Rothstein. “He led our team in points and rebounds — he’s […]
Pat Sullivan Joins UNC Men's Basketball Coaching Staff
Another former Tar Heel player has joined the new men’s basketball staff under head coach Hubert Davis, as it was reported Monday evening that Pat Sullivan will join the team in a support role. Sullivan was teammates with Davis during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, and is one of eight Tar Heels to ever play […]
Men's Basketball: UNC Adds Oklahoma Transfer Brady Manek
After landing Virginia transfer Justin McKoy this past weekend, new UNC head coach Hubert Davis scored another incoming transfer on Friday with the addition of former Oklahoma forward Brady Manek. The 6-foot-9-inch, 231-pound senior averaged 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season for the Sooners, while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range. Manek, […]
Garrison Brooks Announces Transfer to Mississippi State
Former UNC forward Garrison Brooks shared plans to transfer to Mississippi State to complete his final year of NCAA eligibility next season. Brooks, who has an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, announced the decision on Instagram Thursday. He will join the team where his father, George Brooks, is an assistant coach. Brooks […]
›