UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis talks Hawaii trip, Maui Invitational
Ahead of UNC basketball’s trip to Hawaii, head coach Hubert Davis previewed the Tar Heels’ trip to Hawaii, which includes the Maui Invitational.
CHAPEL HILL — UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis expects freshmen Ian Jackson and James Brown to be available for the Tar Heels’ game at Hawaii on Friday (12:30 a.m., ESPN2).
Jackson and Brown, two of UNC’s players in the 2024 recruiting class, were day-to-day with lower-leg injuries and missed the 12th-ranked Tar Heels’ rout of American.
UNC coach Hubert Davis said on Monday during a press conference at Smith Center that Brown and Jackson were able to practice “fully” on Sunday. When asked if he expects that duo to be good to go against the undefeated Rainbow Warriors (5-0), Davis said, “Yeah, I anticipate that.”
Drake Powell’s MJ-like play vs American
Jackson is averaging 7.5 points and 13.5 minutes through two games. The Bronx guard had 10 points in 15 minutes in the loss at No. 1 Kansas (4-0). Brown saw his first action against the Jayhawks, tallying two points and two rebounds in two minutes. He was also credited with firing up the Tar Heels with a speech at halftime of that game.
With his freshman teammates in warmups on the UNC bench against American, Drake Powell had seven points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in a season-high 26 minutes.
Following their game at Hawaii, the Tar Heels will head to the Maui Invitational for an opening game against Dayton (4-0) on Nov. 5 (11:30 p.m., ESPN2).
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
