Hubert Davis explains why UNC lost against Kentucky

North Carolina fell 87-83 to Kentucky Saturday and it was quite the gut punch for Hubert Davis and crew. The head coach explained the little details that made the difference.

Basically, it came down to toughness in the paint and the Wildcats were tougher Saturday. Davis could chalk up every close game to those situations.

If UNC can’t be tough down low and do the dirty work, it might not get over the hump.

“We got out rebounded by 10, that’s why they got 18 offensive rebounds,” Davis said. “It just is what it is. Kentucky was tougher than us in the trenches. And in order to win games like that you have to win the battle in the paint, whether it’s rebounding loose balls finishing around the basket. You have to win those individual battles and we did not in terms of rebounding and that’s why we lost the game.”

Despite that, Davis thinks his team has plenty of fight in them.

“The team has always had fight. That’s never been a question or a concern at all,” Davis said. “I love this group and I love their competitive fight.”

North Carolina did so much right against Kentucky to come back and be in position multiple times. RJ Davis and Cormac Ryan combined for 47 points on 53% shooting, including seven of the team’s eight three pointers. They also, as an entire team, outshot the Wildcats by knocking down 47.4% of their attempts.

Even so, as Davis noted, his team didn’t do some of the more important, smaller things that add up to wins.

They lost the rebound battle for just the third time this year. It was also the second straight game where they lost it by double-digits. The 11-board difference versus Kentucky, specifically due to the offensive glass, was the largest margin of their season. The Wildcats also had a better outing when comparing the assist-to-turnover ratios.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Tar Heels now. UNC takes on No. 7 Oklahoma Wednesday night before Charleston Southern to end the calendar year.

Then it’s time for ACC play. And heck, No. 18 Clemson is right around the corner. So if it’s toughness and rebounding Davis is talking about, you better fix it fast.

Whether it’s rebounding or fight, North Carolina needs both to get back on the winning end of things.

Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report