Make it four straight wins for the ninth-ranked UNC men’s basketball team, which went on the road to Atlanta on Tuesday and took care of business with a 77-54 victory over the scrappy Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
A little over two weeks ago, the Tar Heels (16-4, 6-1 ACC) suffered a 21-point loss to Louisville that represented the worst home loss they’ve ever had during the Roy Williams era—leaving many people wondering if this team had the ability to compete atop the ACC.
Since then, however, UNC has improved defensively, freshman point guard Coby White has taken his game to another level and the team has played some of its best all-around basketball of the season.
Tuesday was no different against Georgia Tech (11-10, 3-5 ACC), as White led the way with 19 points and eight assists while the defense held the Yellow Jackets to just 34 percent shooting from the floor.
Graduate transfer Cameron Johnson also contributed a team-high 22 points, and was the only other Tar Heel to score in double figures.
UNC led by just seven at halftime, but used a 34-11 run over the first 10 minutes of the second half to build a 30-point lead and erase any doubt over what the game’s final outcome would be.
UNC had little trouble dispatching Georgia Tech on the road Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
With the win, the Tar Heels improved to 6-1 during ACC play and remain just a half-game behind first place Duke.
“Four in a row, and they’re four ACC wins which anybody would take,” Williams said afterwards. “But I’m always telling them I didn’t start the season talking about winning today at Georgia Tech or at home against Notre Dame.
“I talk about getting better the entire season,” he continued. “And I think we’re doing some of that, but we didn’t show it today on the offensive boards for sure.”
Coach Williams has admitted in recent weeks that he still has no clue what the identity of this particular Tar Heel team is, but it’s definitely clear that this group—while inconsistent at times–is also capable of demolishing its opponent on any given night when the shots are falling.
After making a season-high 16 three-pointers in last Monday’s blowout win over then-No. 10 Virginia Tech, the Tar Heels made 13 of their 27 attempts from long-range on Tuesday.
Following the Louisville loss, Williams challenged his team to find ways to win ugly—when the shots aren’t falling. They did that in a tight home win over Notre Dame that began this current streak.
It remains to be seen, however, if UNC can do the same thing in games against the top-ranked teams in the league.
But if the Tar Heels continue to make shots and improve defensively at this current rate the question will become how much they need to do it rather than if they can do it.
The next time that day comes, though, Williams knows his team will have to rebound the ball better than it has during the current streak. That starts this Saturday when UNC has a chance to avenge that ugly loss to Louisville.
“I think we’re a little more confident,” Williams said. “But we had a couple guys that didn’t play worth a darn today.
“We’ve got to play a complete game to win at Louisville,” the coach added. “We know that. They beat us in our building. Beat us handily. That’s one of the very few games—and I mean very few—that I’ve ever coached that I sat there and didn’t realize who was my team.”
Up Next:
The Tar Heels’ game against No. 15 Louisville on Saturday is set to begin at 2 p.m.
Game Notes:
- UNC freshman guard Leaky Black was helped off the floor in the second half after rolling his ankle underneath the basket. He did not return.
- Georgia Tech made just two of its 16 three-point attempts.
- Johnson and White were the only Tar Heels to score in double figures. Freshman wing Nassir Little the third-leading scorer on the team with nine points off the bench.
- Tar Heel senior forward Luke Maye was held to a season-low four points while also committing five turnovers. It was just the third time in 20 games this season he has not scored at least 10 points.
Cover photo via Associated Press
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