UNC basketball player interviews after Tar Heels’ Blue-White scrimmage
UNC basketball’s Ian Jackson, Drake Powell, Cade Tyson and Elliot Cadeau spoke with media members after the Tar Heels’ Blue-White scrimmage.
Something needs to change for UNC basketball.
That much is clear after back-to-back losses to conclude the Tar Heels’ three games at the Maui Invitational in Hawaii.
In their 94-91 overtime loss to Michigan State on Wednesday, the 12th-ranked Tar Heels (4-3) faced a double-digit deficit in the first half for the third straight game at the Lahaina Civic Center, and the fourth time in seven games to start the season.
Across its three games in the three-day tournament, UNC’s average halftime deficit was nearly 12 points. The Heels were down 14 in the first half to the Spartans (6-2) before climbing back to force overtime.
During his postgame press conference, head coach Hubert Davis referenced two key points that led to the Tar Heels’ latest tumble: Michigan State shot 54% and the Spartans scored 50 points in the paint.
“I definitely think this gives time to be able to look and do a deep dive in terms of doing something. Maybe tweak, a little pivot, alter or maybe even change. Because what we’re doing defensively is not sustainable, especially against the good teams,” Davis said.
“. … We’ve got a game next week, and we’ve got a full week to really take a close look at some things that we’re gonna have to change. Or maybe stay the course and work even harder to be able to put us in a position to do better consistently for longer periods of time on the defensive end.”
Should Drake Powell be in UNC basketball’s starting lineup?
One change seems inevitable.
In order for the Tar Heels to shake their first-half woes, it might be time for Davis to shake up the starting lineup. If the start that led to a loss against Michigan State proved anything, it proved the Tar Heels need to change the players surrounding the circle for the opening tipoff.
Freshman wing Drake Powell seems like the best player to provide the Tar Heels a reset in how they start games. Showing off his athleticism, length and energy against Michigan State, Powell got after it defensively and led UNC in scoring with 18 points.
“Yeah, we do come out flat and just put ourselves in a hole into where we’re trying to come back the whole game,” Powell said with Davis and Elliot Cadeau seated beside him in the press conference.
“Like Elliot said, I think it’s just the toughness. … We have to do all the dirty work, and I think we’ll do that continuing forward.”
The Tar Heels lacked that toughness for the second night in a row as Michigan State followed Auburn’s lead by pounding the paint to the tune of 50 points and winning the rebounding battle by eight.
UNC has allowed 50 points in the paint in two of its seven games this season, losses to Kansas and Michigan State. Duke was the only team to do that to the Tar Heels last season.
While Michigan State’s primary frontcourt options feasted, particularly 6-foot-11 center Xavier Boozer (12 points, 7 rebounds), UNC’s primary players in the post — Jalen Washington, Jae’Lyn Withers and Ven-Allen Lubin — accounted for 17 points and 14 rebounds. Washington and Withers are starters.
The Tar Heels will continue to lean on their strong guard trio of RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble, but UNC needs more of that “dirty work” throughout its roster to put together more consistent efforts for 40 minutes.
Powell seems like the perfect candidate for change. With No. 9 Alabama (6-1) up next, it might be time for Powell to slide into the starting lineup for a shot at helping the Tar Heels get off to better starts.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
