Hubert Davis on chemistry of North Carolina: ‘It’s here now’

Hubert Davis was pretty blunt when asked about North Carolina’s team chemistry following an 81-66 win over Virginia.

The Tar Heels won their third game in a row to improve to 17-11 this season, unlocking something not evident in the beginning of the year. They’ve also won four of five games.

Davis was asked why this type of basketball wasn’t there earlier in the season to which he replied, well, we’ll let you read for yourself.

“Who cares? It’s here now,” Davis said.

Davis expanded upon the growth of the team over the last two wins, both by double digits. That’s despite RJ Davis struggling from the field.

“I think we have a number of guys that are playing confident out there and just making impactful plays on both ends of the floor,” Davis said. “Ven-Allen has been playing really well. Drake, we talked about J-Whit. Ian comes in, and he gives us a boost and J-Wash and Cade the last couple games. And so we’re getting impactful plays from a number of different parts. That’s what helps out when you know the rare times that RJ, percentage wise, isn’t shooting the ball the way that he’s usually able to.”

RJ Davis put up 12 points on three of 14 shooting, but nailed six of seven free throws in the win over the Cavaliers.

Hubert Davis realized North Carolina had more joy in their basketball which could lead to some banner results in the postseason.

“That puts the biggest smile on my face, because there’s nothing better than seeing them smile and being happy,” Davis said. “I talked about the quietness of this team, the level of quietness, the noise has gone up like just in shoot around today. They were in shootaround today and they were yelling and jumping around. And at the beginning of the year, I had to start it. Today, I just got to sit and watch it. And so the joy of being here, the joy of being together as a team and trying to become the best that we can be, has really gotten better. 

“And as I said before, it’s always been a group that has enjoyed being together and being a team. From the start, the chemistry is a 10 out of a 10. They just love being around each other.”