So, is this team growing on you yet?

On Dean Smith’s 91st birthday, the Tar Heels engaged in a game so similar to those Smith used to coach when his teams took the opponents best punch, hung in there and still survived.

Syracuse out-shot Carolina in every category behind a career-high 36 points from senior Cole Swider on 14-of-21 shooting that included seven 3-pointers. The Orange led with 1:13 to play before Carolina came back to force overtime, where the Heels pulled away.

They displayed swift ball movement against the ‘Cuse zone that resulted in 21 assists on 29 made baskets. They did it by pounding the glass on both ends that while not pretty was plenty effective.

They won it by relying on Brady Manek on his UNC “Senior” night until Armando Bacot came to life and notched his 23rd double-double (17/18) to tie Brice Johnson for the UNC season record.

Manek was fabulous in his 43 minutes, making half of all his shots and breaking free for crucial dunks when it appeared the game might be slipping away. The Heels needed all his 22 points.

At the end, cold Caleb Love got red hot late to score 14 of his 21 points, with his dramatic long 3-ball giving UNC its last lead of the second half. His 8 in OT helped secure the 88-79 win that assures UNC won’t play until Thursday of the ACC tournament.

Hubert Davis called his team long on fight with a short 6-man rotation that played almost all the entire 225 minutes. No one got into foul trouble, which helped limit the Orange to eight 8 free throws (5 in regulation). “I’ve said it before, but I’m so proud of this team,” Hubert said.

The most courageous warrior was Leaky Black, playing what could be his last game at the Smith Center (fans chanted “One More Year!” during the pre-game senior ceremony, referring to Black’s option to return for a COVID-allowed fifth season).

Coming off a hyperextended right knee in the win over State on Saturday, Black’s availability would be in question. But he started and played the most minutes (44) on the team and logged the final line that read 8 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks and a steal.

“One More Year!” I’ll vote for that. It’s taken Leaky four years to truly grow on us, and now he’s taking his team along for the blooming.

 

Photo via Todd Melet.

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