Hubert Davis reveals moment where he noticed the energy change for North Carolina

North Carolina has been a streaky team all season, putting together as many as five straight wins as well as stretches of four straight losses. The Tar Heels were coming off of a three-game losing stretch, being questioned by their fan base and even their own players in the midst of their rough patch.

But on Saturday they bounced back with a dominant victory over one of the conference’s top teams, Clemson, defeating the Tigers at home 91-71. The Tigers stood at the top of the ACC standing for the majority of the season, but the Tar Heels didn’t flinch, putting together their highest scoring output in conference play this season.

Head coach Hubert Davis after the game was asked if there was any specific moment where he felt things started clicking for his team and highlight a moment in the first half where the Heels placed a premium on ball movement.

“It was midway through the first half and we were just sharing the basketball and then we got the ball out of the post but somehow it got to Caleb (Love),” Davis said. “And then crowd was going crazy, and also the one with Caleb and Puff (Johnson) missed it but he threw it to Puff in the corner, it was in the first half also. Even Pete’s miss in transition he was running the floor.”

Pete Nance didn’t score a single basket for the Tar Heels on Saturday, yet Davis felt the need to give him his flowers after the game for being a catalyst in the teams impressive ball movement and scoring display. The Tar Heels ended the game with 17 assists, winning that battle along with the turnover and rebounding battle as well.

They did all of the little things right as well as the biggest thing, scoring. North Carolina’s leading scoring trio of Love, RJ Davis, and Armando Bacot combined for 59 points on a day where the Dean E. Smith Center oozing with energy from their fans.

“And then the crowd, and I was just really really proud of them. I like them, I like to see them having fun, I like to see them being celebrated and supported. And in that first half I felt like they were having fun, they were being celebrated and supported, and I was really proud of them and I really liked it,” Davis said.

North Carolina’s best game of the season couldn’t have come at a better time, as there are only six games left in the season and the stakes regarding tournament play are rising. Hopefully for the Heels, they can keep their newfound momentum going as they face No. 15 Miami at home on Monday at 7:00 p.m. ET in a primetime game being featured on ESPN.