With an 87-69 Saturday victory against Hawai’i in their back pockets, the North Carolina Tar Heels now turn their attention to the Dayton Flyers, with both teams kicking off their Maui Invitational slate against each other 11:30 p.m. Monday.
UNC only led the Rainbow Warriors by seven at halftime, then pulled away with a balanced second half. RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble and Ian Jackson all scored in double-digits, while North Carolina truly made the difference with its 44-26 points in the paint advantage, despite being outrebounded by 13.
Dayton is 5-0 through its first five games, all home victories against Saint Francis (Pa.), Northwestern, Ball State, Capital University (Ohio) and New Mexico State. The Flyers don’t have the likes of Koby Brea, who transferred to Kentucky in the offseason, but they’re finding ways to win ballgames.
The Tar Heels and Dayton have faced each other three times in the past, with Dayton holding a 2-1 advantage. The Flyers beat UNC in the 2010 NIT Championship, but UNC won – in the Dean Dome – when the Flyers visited on New Year’s Eve in 2006.
North Carolina and Dayton are just two of eight teams in a stacked Maui Invitational field, which includes Auburn, Colorado, Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan State and back-to-back National Champion UConn. You might be wondering what’s after Tar Heels-Flyers: if UNC wins, it’ll play the winner of Auburn-Iowa State. If North Carolina loses, it’ll play the Auburn-Iowa State loser.
Let’s hope the Tar Heels can overcome Dayton, easily their toughest opponent since Kansas. A Maui Invitational title is UNC’s ultimate goal, but it needs to focus its energy on the Flyers first.
Key to victory for UNC
Nov 15, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; American University Eagles guard Colin Smalls (3) shoots as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Drake Powell (9) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
If the Tar Heels want to open their trip through the Maui Invitational with a victory, they have to rebound the ball better.
Hawaii out-rebounded UNC, 40-27, in the wee morning hours on Saturday. Luckily for North Carolina, it offset that disadvantage with a 44-26 points in the paint advantage.
Dayton has a ton of height on its roster, led by 7’1″ center Amaël L’Etang. Isaac Jack (6’11”) and Jacob Conner (6’10”) round out the three tallest Flyers. Jalen Washington and James Brown are each 6’10”, but Washington starts and Brown doesn’t play a ton of minutes.
Granted, height is only one piece of the rebounding puzzle. Point being, the Tar Heels have to rebound better if they want to beat Dayton.
Something to watch for UNC
Nov 8, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) drives against Kansas Jayhawks guard Zeke Mayo (5) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Ian Jackson was encouraging in his return from a 1-game absence against Hawai’i, providing 11 points as the lone UNC reserve with double-digit scoring off the bench.
North Carolina has a very deep bench as a whole this year, with 12 Tar Heels playing in the win over Hawai’i. UNC counts on its Davis-Cadeau-Trimble guard trio for most of its scoring, so knowing guys like Jackson can step up provides a huge relief.
What you need to know
What: North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1) vs. Dayton Flyers
When: Monday, November 25 at 11:30 p.m. ET
Where: Lahaini Civic Center in Lahaina, HI
TV: ESPN2
Line: N/A
Last Meeting: Dayton 79, UNC 68 on 4/1/2010 in the NIT Championship
All-Time Series: Dayton leads, 2-1
Statistical Leaders
Nov 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jae’Lyn Withers (24) attempts a reverse layup in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Points
- North Carolina: RJ Davis (17.9 points per game)
- Dayton: Enoch Cheeks (15 points per game)
Rebounds
- North Carolina: Jae’Lyn Withers (6.8 rebounds per game)
- Dayton: Enoch Cheeks (8.3 rebounds per game)
Assists
- North Carolina: Elliot Cadeau (6.8 assists per game)
- Dayton: Malachi Smith (5.6 assists per game)
UNC basketball schedule
Nov 15, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) scores in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Oct. 12: Blue-White Scrimmage (Blue 62, White 53)
Oct. 15: Exhibition @ Memphis (W, 84-76)
Oct. 27: Exhibition vs. Johnson C. Smith (W, 127-63)
Nov. 4: vs. Elon (W, 90-76)
Nov. 8: at Kansas (L, 92-89)
Nov. 15: vs. American University (W, 107-55)
Nov. 22: at Hawai’i (W, 87-69)
Nov. 25: vs. Dayton (Maui Invitational)
Nov. 26: vs. Auburn or Iowa State (Maui Invitational)
Nov. 27: vs. Colorado, Connecticut, Memphis or Michigan State (Maui Invitational)
Dec. 4: vs. Alabama
Dec. 7: vs. Georgia Tech
Dec. 14: vs. La Salle
Dec. 17: vs. Florida (Jumpman Invitational)
Dec. 21: vs. UCLA (CBS Sports Classic)
Dec. 29: vs. Campbell
Jan. 1: at Louisville
Jan. 4: at Notre Dame
Jan. 7: vs. SMU
Jan. 11: at NC State
Jan. 15: vs. California
Jan. 18: vs. Stanford
Jan. 21: at Wake Forest
Jan. 25: vs. Boston College
Jan. 28: at Pitt
Feb. 1: at Duke
Feb. 8: vs. Pitt
Feb. 10: at Clemson
Feb. 15: at Syracuse
Feb. 19: vs. NC State
Feb. 22: vs. Virginia
Feb. 24: at Florida State
March 1: vs. Miami (FL)
March 4: at Virginia Tech
March 8: vs. Duke
March 11-15: ACC Tournament (Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC)
