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Hubert Davis upset with North Carolina's early turnovers vs. Wagner

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•03/21/24
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Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 seed North Carolina opened up an early 31-21 lead on No. 16 seed Wagner in the first half, but not before some early shakiness in the contest.

Coach Hubert Davis wasn’t thrilled with his team’s first 10 minutes, speaking to CBS sideline reporter Allie LaForce about what he was seeing in the opening stanza.

“We’ve got to take care of the basketball,” Davis said. “I mean we’re doing a great job defensively, and then we’ve had three unforced turnovers. That just can’t happen.”

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With about seven minutes remaining in the first half at the time of this writing, North Carolina had turned it over four times. Wagner had yet to turn it over. The Seahawks had scored five points off Tar Heels turnovers.

North Carolina clearly has the size and the skill to impose its will on Wagner, typical of a matchup between a one seed and a 16. And as the first half wore on, that became evident.

“We did a good job rebounding, getting the ball,” Davis said. “Let’s take care of it on the offensive end and let’s get shots.”

RJ Davis thrilled to be back in the Big Dance

After missing the NCAA Tournament a year ago, North Carolina players were elated to be back in the Big Dance. Not only back, but back as a No. 1 seed, in excellent position to make a deep run.

“First and foremost, I’m glad to be back,” said RJ Davis, a senior. “Just playing in March, especially in March Madness, is a great feeling. It’s the type of feeling that you’ve always wanted, you’ve dreamed of as a kid. You kind of just watch the half-court shots, game-winners.”

Davis is certainly capable of producing those. He’ll enter the NCAA Tournament as one of the most feared players, an All-American who is averaging 21.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

He’s playing for his program, but also for the state of North Carolina.

“Just to be back in this position, it feels great not only for us but for the program, just to get Carolina back onto the map,” he said. “We’re hungry to win.”