UNC Basketball Benefits From Unmistakable Elliot Cadeau Leap

Date:

Not everything went smoothly for Hubert Davis’ fourth UNC basketball team in Monday night’s 90-76 home win over the Elon Phoenix in the Dean E. Smith Center. A 14-0 Elon run to take a 71-69 lead with 6:48 to play highlighted the No. 9 Tar Heels’ concerns in their regular season opener.

ALSO READ: Priority 2025 Tar Heel Target Teases Major List Cut

But one clear-cut positive for UNC is the apparent advancements that starting floor general Elliot Cadeau has made in his game since his freshman campaign.

Most notably, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound New Jersey native, who shot 18.9 percent from 3-point land last season, finished 3-for-4 beyond the arc against the Phoenix after shooting a combined 3-for-5 from downtown in the Tar Heels’ two exhibition outings.

“I feel a lot more confident,” Cadeau said after knocking down three 3-pointers for the first time as a Tar Heel. “I feel like I’ve put in a lot of work. It’s cool to see. I’m very comfortable behind that 3-point line now.”

Plus, Cadeau appears to have further refined his electricity and efficiency as a playmaker. In orchestrating an offense that committed only six turnovers, the lowest recorded total by any UNC basketball squad in a season opener, the 20-year-old delivered eight assists, the most by any Tar Heel in a season opener in his lifetime.

Add in the fact that Cadeau tallied 17 points, two shy of his career high, as the Tar Heels improved to 8-0 when he scores 10 or more.

For good measure, he even added a career-high two blocks. That’s not to mention his four rebounds and three steals.

With all of the above in mind, despite the closer-than-expected final score, it’s no surprise that Cadeau posted a career-high plus/minus of +28 across his 32 minutes of action.

Elliot Cadeau and the Tar Heels next face a road battle against No. 1 Kansas (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) at 7 p.m. ET Friday (ESPN2).

ALSO READ: UNC Recruiting Prize Coming to Nearby Prep Showcase

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

Share post:

Popular

More like this
Related

Hornets center Nick Richards out indefinitely with fractured rib after leaving loss to Celtics early

Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards will be sidelined indefinitely...

Jason McCourty has message for Patriots players after slow start to season

Jason McCourty has message for Patriots players after slow...

Skip Schumaker’s next move after stepping down as Marlins manager: Rangers front office

Skip Schumaker was one of the most attractive managerial...

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente amazed by Barcelona starlet as call-up beckons

Long-term injuries to Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Marc...