Hubert Davis reveals which North Carolina player's lock-down defense is a 'major luxury'

Hubert Davis knows defense is an integral part of a successful team. So for that reason, the North Carolina coach believes having Leaky Black on his side is a major luxury.

The 6-foot-8 Tar Heels forward averages just five points per game, but his value comes from his ability lock down multiple positions. In his press conference Wednesday before an NCAA Tournament matchup against Marquette, Davis addressed how much that means for UNC.

“That’s a major luxury,” he said. “One of the things I wish I could do is slice him in half in pieces so that I can have him guard multiple players. But I’m just so proud of Leaky. He’s had a terrific season. And not just defensively but, you know, he has the best assist to turnover ratio on our team. So he’s the guy that can distribute the basketball and also take care of it. He’s shot the ball so much better from the perimeter. And he’s just a great teammate and great leader for our team and our program. And I’m just really excited about the year that Leaky has had. And it is a great benefit and a luxury to have somebody that’s a lockdown defender that’s also versatile.”

Black has taken on several opposing stars this season ranging from Duke forward Paolo Banchero to Virginia point guard Kihei Clark. In the ACC Tournament quarterfinal, Black held Clark to just nine points on 3-for-9 shooting as North Carolina claimed a 63-43 victory.

Before dropping their ACC semifinal game to eventual tournament champions Virginia Tech, the Tar Heels won six consecutive games and after blowing out Duke in the regular season finale. This is to say North Carolina has been hotter than ever heading into March Madness.

The Tar Heels lost in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last season to Wisconsin but brings more experience into this season. In addition to the defense of Black, Hubert Davis also has first team All-ACC selection Armando Bacot and his 12.5 rebounds per game on his side.

North Carolina and Marquette tip off at 4:30 p.m. ET live on TBS. The winner will face Baylor in the Round of 32 on Saturday.