WATCH: Hubert Davis fired up at UNC effort in first half of championship game
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis was fired up and showed his emotions as he spoke about his team’s first-half effort of the NCAA Championship. The Tar Heels started slowly against Kansas to begin the game, but an incredible effort on defense and offensive rebounding built a 22-18 lead by the second timeout of the half.
Hubert Davis on UNC’s first half of championship game
“Pretty fun game, isn’t it?! We’re competing out there,” shouted an animated Davis. “It’s live action, Tracy. It’s live action out there. I thought we were nervous at the beginning then we started to settle in. We got better defensively, now we’re attacking the basket — we’re ready to go.”
Davis was asked how he felt about Armando Bacot’s performance in the game as he battles injury, and his coach kept the same level of enthusiasm for his big man.
“He’s doing terrific, I’m so proud of him,” said Davis. “I told you, 15 [or] 2 percent — him on the floor is good news for Carolina basketball.”
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North Carolina’s offensive rebounds proved to be the difference early, as they scored on each of their first six offensive boards for 14 points. As they began their run, defense played its part as well as they held Kansas to a stretch of three minutes without scoring. As the second timeout of the game was called immediately following a Kansas turnover, Davis could be seen on the sideline cheering harder than anyone else at his team’s terrific effort.
His energy translated directly to his team, as North Carolina put together a 16-1 run to blow open the game and entered the half with a 40-25 lead. The Tar Heels led by as many as 16 points in the first half, against a Kansas team that had never trailed by even seven points all tournament long. R.J. Davis and Bacot led the way for North Carolina with double digit points, as Brady Manek contributed nine points on three made three-pointers.