Hubert Davis emphatically criticizes North Carolina defense vs. Duke

Hubert Davis didn’t seem too happy with his North Carolina team’s defense early on against Duke. During his in-game interview at the under-8 minute media timeout, he made that clear.

Davis specifically called out the Tar Heels’ paint defense. The Blue Devils scored most of their early points in the paint, and they had their way with North Carolina the last time the two teams played in March.

He offered a blunt assessment of what UNC needs to do to keep up with Duke.

“Something better change,” Davis told TBS’ Tracy Wolfson. “They had 52 points in the paint in the second game, and even though we had success, that’s not sustainable. We’ve got to do a great job of taking care of the points in the paint. Got to do a better job of that.”

To do that, Davis said North Carolina needs to pack the paint more. Then, he further called out his players.

“Better individual defense,” Davis said of how to control the paint. “Have some pride and toughness to keep them away from the basket.”

Saturday marks the first time Duke and North Carolina face off in the NCAA Tournament. The stakes couldn’t be higher, either. The winner advances to the national championship. But for Mike Krzyzewski, a loss would mean the end of his long and decorated coaching career.

Hubert Davis discusses road to the Final Four in first season

First-year North Carolina basketball head coach Hubert Davis sat down with ESPN’s Rece Davis ahead of a historic Final Four game against Duke. The journey from the beginning to the season to now has not been conventional, but that is part of the joy the Tar Heels have found.

During the interview with Rece Davis, Hubert Davis discussed the starting point he found at North Carolina and how he guided the ship into a Final Four in year one.

“Not only them, but I was tired of the narrative of this team and this program,” said Davis. “Over the last two or three years, I felt like this North Carolina wasn’t relevant and wasn’t talked about. One of the things that we needed to do was draw the line in the sand and develop a level of toughness and perseverance and resiliency that will translate out there on the floor.”

When he took over, Davis had a vision. He shared that vision with his players and it has already paid off by provided them tangible goals on the way to New Orleans all year.