Five things to know about the North Carolina Tar Heels

Out with the Ohio State Buckeyes, in with the North Carolina Tar Heels. In a last-minute scheduling change, the Kentucky Wildcats will now face the blue blood program out of Raleigh in the CBS Sports Classic, the second consecutive season the two teams have met in the event as a result of late COVID-19 adjustments.

Toss out everything you know about the Buckeyes; it’s time to start learning about the Tar Heels. Here are five things to know about Kentucky’s new opponent, North Carolina:

Hubert Davis’ first game vs. Kentucky

Roy Williams is out at UNC, leaving the program after racking up 900 wins and three national titles over the course of 18 seasons in Raleigh and 33 years as a head coach. Now, former Tar Heel and longtime assistant Hubert Davis has taken over as head coach, his first season in the role.

Davis played for legendary coach Dean Smith at North Carolina from 1988 to 1992 before spending 12 years in the NBA. Following his time in the league, Davis worked for seven years at ESPN as an analyst and co-host of College GameDay. 

To open his head coaching career, the 51-year-old has his Tar Heels out to a 8-2 start, with wins over Loyola, Brown, College of Charleston, UNC Asheville, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Elon and Furman. UNC’s two losses came against Purdue (93-84) and Tennessee (89-72).

Five players averaging double figures

What do the Tar Heels have to work with? Well, balance in the starting line-up to start — but that’s about it.

All five starters average double figures in points, led by Caleb Love with 16.2 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting and 42.9 percent from three. From there, Armando Bacot averages 14.3 points per game, followed by R.J. Davis at 13.1 points per game, Brady Manek at 13.0 points per game and Dawson Garcia at 12.2 points per game.

Beyond those five, no player on the team averages more than 5.0 points per contest (Leaky Black). Only seven players total average over 18 minutes per game.

Four high school All-Americans

They may not be deep, but they’re certainly top-heavy.

Love, Bacot, Davis and Garcia were all high-profile recruits out of high school, with all four being selected to the McDonald’s All-American Game, among other honors.

• Caleb Love – 2020 McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, Iverson Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.
• Armando Bacot – 2019 McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic
• R.J. Davis – 2020 McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, Iverson Classic and BallisLife All-American Game
• Dawson Garcia – 2020 McDonald’s All-American, Team USA gold medalist

All four players were considered four- or five-star prospects out of high school, with each listed as top-50 recruits.

Still a strong frontcourt

North Carolina rolled out a twin-tower lineup last season, one that included the 6-10, 240-pound Bacot and 6-9, 230-pound forward Garrison Brook. Off the bench? 6-9, 265-pound center Day’Ron Sharpe and 7-1, 245-pound forward Walker Kessler.

The two tanks starting down low combined for 25 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks against Kentucky last season, with Sharpe and Kessler adding nine points and 12 rebounds off the bench. Meanwhile, UK’s frontcourt of Isaiah Jackson, Olivier Sarr, Jacob Toppin and Lance Ware combined for just 13 points and 18 rebounds — a 21-point, eight-rebound difference.

As most teams experienced this offseason, the transfer portal gave and took away for the Tar Heels. They lost Brooks to Mississippi State and Kessler to Auburn, but added Garcia from Marquette and Manek from Oklahoma.

Garcia is a 6-11, 235-pound forward averaging 12.2 points (48.8% FG, 47.8% 3PT) to go with 6.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest. He’s already managed three games of 20-plus points this season. As for Manek, a 6-9, 230-pound forward himself, he’s averaging 13.0 points (50% FG, 36% 3PT), 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.

Much was made about the Ohio State frontcourt and its talent and physicality, but make no mistake about it, North Carolina has plenty to work with down low, too.

They can shoot, too

Hoping for a team that struggles from deep? You’re looking at the wrong replacement opponent. This North Carolina group knocks down 40.9 percent of its shots from three, good for No. 7 in all of college basketball. And they’re doing it on 20.3 attempts per contest.

The Tar Heels’ starting backcourt in Love and Davis both shoot over 43 percent from deep on at least four attempts per game. Manek and Garcia combine for 7.2 attempts from three per game, with both shooting over 36 percent. The only real non-shooter in the rotation is Bacot, who has not made a shot from deep this season.

A rough resume

North Carolina scores a lot of points (80.4 PPG), hits shots, and thrives in the post. So, uh, why are the Tar Heels not ranked? And why aren’t they seen as more of a threat this season?

For starters, their resume — like Kentucky — stinks. UNC’s best win is against a 6-4 Michigan squad that has also suffered losses to Seton Hall, Arizona, and Minnesota. They’ve also beaten a 5-4 Georgia Tech team that has lost to Miami (OH), Wisconsin and LSU.

Beyond those two, North Carolina’s wins have come against Loyola, Brown, College of Charleston, UNC Asheville, Elon and Furman. With losses to Purdue (93-84) and Tennessee (89-72), the Tar Heels’ current resume is abysmal, making it hard to figure out just how good they are this season.

Tomorrow’s contest will be a battle of teams with bad resumes looking to add quality wins.