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The Tar Heels are the best second-half college team in America.
According to the website TEAM RANKINGS, Carolina averages more points in the second half than any other in the country. The Heels are scoring almost 48 points per second half through 12 games and also 48 points in the second half of away games.
So what does that say about the first half, when UNC is 81st in the country scoring 37 points per game and 35 away from the Smith Center. We all know that is the case with some of the worst starts and halftime deficits we have ever seen.
Carolina was down 15 at the half at Kansas after shooting 35.5 percent only to make 50 percent in the second half of the eventual three-point loss. In the comeback win over Dayton in Maui, it was 41 percent in the first half and an 18-point deficit at the break, then a reverse in the second half when the Tar Heels rallied to win by shooting 59 percent.
In losses, when they shot better for both halves, like to Auburn and Michigan State, something else occurred as both teams hit almost the same percentages from the floor and 3-point line. In the 13-point loss to Auburn, it was rebounding. In the overtime loss to the Spartans, giving up offensive rebounds and second-chance points did them in.
Alabama won in the Smith Center by outshooting Carolina by 10 percentage points that gave the Crimson Tide a nine-point lead and eventually a 15-point win. In the 3-point win over Georgia Tech, the Heels held off the Jackets by shooting 45 percent in the second half.
The loss to Florida was forged in the first half by shooting 30 percent from the floor that included 2 of 16 from outside. Finally, Carolina shot well enough in the second half (57 percent) against UCLA to win in the final seconds after trailing by 16 points.
So what are the reasons for starting cold and having to heat up considerably to create a close game down the stretch? Opponents are locked in on defense to start the game? They get a lead and are shooting with house money? Their fans are also into the game, big time?
It is not unusual for teams behind at the half to take the initiative, play like they have nothing to lose, shoot more freely, show desperation and give the ball to their best players to try to bring them back. We’ve seen that in the Carolina comebacks, be it R.J. Davis or Ian Jackson.
In many cases, they make gallant efforts and play well enough to make it close but usually not good enough to win. So the mystery of slow starts goes on, even if they do pull it out like the Tar Heels did against the Bruins. But the message should be clear: play from the tip-off.
Featured image via Todd Melet
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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