In any team’s first game of the college basketball season, there’s expected to be a little – or a lot – of rust.
When you’re the North Carolina Tar Heels, an expected ACC contender playing against Elon at home, you’re hoping for a big blowout win.
UNC almost suffered an extremely embarrassing loss against the Phoenix on Monday night, but rallied late for an 90-76 victory.
Preseason ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis was THE X-factor in North Carolina’s ability to pull away, scoring five consecutive points to give his team the lead for good, then later draining his third and final 3-pointer to unofficially put the opener out of reach (85-73 with 1:45 to go).
The Tar Heels gave nearly everyone in their rotation playing time – and it paid off. Jae’Lyn Withers recorded a double-double in extended action, grabbing 10 points and 10 rebounds. Seth Trimble initially led UNC with 12 points, then Davis and Elliot Cadeau later surpassed him. Drake Powell, Ian Jackson and Cade Tyson struggled offensive in their North Carolina debuts, but they found other ways to contribute.
The Tar Heels will figure out their rotation as their season progresses, but if they want to challenge Kansas on Friday, they’ll need to figure out something quick.
Regardless, UNC is 1-0 and we can all finally breathe. Let’s take a dive into the college basketball world and get people’s take on tonight’s result.
Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) and forward Jalen Washington (13) react in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Every UNC basketball fan should be extremely thankful for RJ Davis deciding to return for a fifth year.
Tonight, Davis showcased why he’s the reigning ACC Player of the Year and preseason ACC POTY pick. With North Carolina down two late to Elon, Davis hit a jumper to tie the game at 71 – then a go-ahead 3-pointer – that gave the Tar Heels a 74-71 lead they never relinquished.
Davis finished with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-19 shooting, plus a perfect, 7-of-7 mark from the free throw line.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 04: Sam Sherry #4 of the Elon Phoenix rebounds against Cade Tyson #5 and Ven-Allen Lubin #22 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of the game at the Dean E. Smith Center on November 04, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
When you have a nearly-entirely new post made up of Jalen Washington, Ven-Allen Lubin, Cade Tyson and Jae’Lyn Withers, there’s bound to be growing pains.
UNC suffered those growing pains in the form of missed layups and dunks. At one point, North Carolina was 7-of-18 on layups in the second half.
Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jae’Lyn Withers (24) shoots as Elon Phoenix center Matthew Van Komen (22) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
I didn’t expect to see power forward Jae’Lyn Withers in UNC’s starting lineup tonight. Instead, I imagined Cade Tyson or Ven-Allen Lubin starting at the four.
Withers delivered in his first start for the Tar Heels, recording a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. More impressive about Withers’ performance: six of his points were from perimeter makes.
Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Elon Phoenix forward Isaac Harrell (12) reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
UNC led by 13 points in the second half, before Elon took a 71-69 lead on TJ Simpkins’ two made free throws.
North Carolina let the Phoenix back into the game, though, on its perimeter shooting. Elon shot 44.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) and guard RJ Davis (4) on the fast break in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
North Carolina might’ve blown a 13-point second half lead, but it wasn’t due to turnovers. One could even argue UNC won tonight due to its ability to take care of the ball, turning the ball over just six times to Elon’s 16.
There’s a good chance Kansas will play a more suffocating style of defense than Elon, but if the Tar Heels can continue making smart decisions on offense, they’ll have a chance at an upset.
