Caleb Love
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Lucas: Michigan Rapid Reactions
December 1, 2021 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
Quick takeaways from the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
By Adam Lucas
1. What a second half showing from Carolina in a 72-51 win over Michigan. The Tar Heels outscored the visitors 43-24 in the second half.
2. That was a win--and a performance--the Tar Heels needed. Carolina shot well, rebounded well, but most importantly, defended well.
3. That defense limited the Wolverines to just 35.1 percent from the floor, and only 33.3 percent in the second half. In a game played almost completely in the halfcourt--there were only a combined eight fast break points scored in the entire game--the Tar Heels had to bear down and guard the ball. They did it better than they have all season.
4. Michigan came into the game having been very effective in the paint, as they were one of the best teams in the country on two-point field goals. They were just 13-for-36 on two-point shots on Wednesday.
5. Part of those struggles were because Armando Bacot played his former AAU teammate, Hunter Dickinson, into severe foul trouble. Dickinson was whistled for his fourth foul at the 18:27 mark of the second half. By the time he returned with 8:03 remaining, Carolina had built a 15-point lead. Bacot finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
6. The other offensive standout was Caleb Love, who had one of the best non-Duke games of his career--perhaps the very best. The sophomore guard put up 22 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 4-for-7 from the three-point line. He played under control and was the most effective perimeter player in the game.
7. Great job by the Tar Heels taking care of the ball. Carolina committed just six turnovers, meaning Michigan had to generate virtually all of its offense in the halfcourt rather than getting run-outs.
8. Basketball mojo caught Michigan freshman Moussa Diabate. The rookie started hot, making his first five shots, and was letting everyone in the building know about it in the first half. But after his fifth make, he fell on his backside while woofing his way back down the court. He was 0-for-4 with an airball the rest of the way.
9. We continue to learn about Hubert Davis' style and preferences. The Tar Heel head coach called his use-it-or-lose-it timeout with 29.3 seconds left in the first half and Carolina with possession and 22 seconds on the shot clock. Juwan Howard, to his credit, changed up his defense in the stoppage and came out in a zone that turned into man to man...and all of this strategy made absolutely no difference when Caleb Love hoisted a 24-foot three-pointer that swished through for a 29-27 halftime lead--just the third time in seven games the Tar Heels have led at the break.
10. The tough injury luck continues for Puff Johnson, who had a couple very good practices recently after getting healthy. Unfortunately, he was back on the sideline on Wednesday night, wearing a boot as a precautionary measure. The good news is that he was out doing limited shooting before the game. Johnson has flashed an ability to get to the offensive glass in practice and would be another offensive weapon for the Tar Heels.
11. Some only-in-the-Smith-Center star power: There were five National or ACC Players of the Year in attendance on Wednesday night. The group included Tyler Zeller, Tyler Hansbrough, Phil Ford, Mitch Kupchak and Antawn Jamison. Jamison was honored at halftime for his recent induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and received a huge ovation from the Smith Center crowd. The crowd also included bestselling author John Grisham and, of course, Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams plus UNC assistant coach Sean May, Tar Heel Sports Network analyst Eric Montross and fellow 1993 national champion Brian Reese. The home crowd was by far the best of the season and made a difference in the game.
12. Also in attendance: Dick Vitale, who did the game for ESPN in his first return to the Smith Center since battling cancer over the summer and fall. Vitale, who has been a tireless fundraiser for cancer research, was recognized before the game on the Smith Center video boards. Carolina also honored Stuart Scott during a timeout.
1. What a second half showing from Carolina in a 72-51 win over Michigan. The Tar Heels outscored the visitors 43-24 in the second half.
2. That was a win--and a performance--the Tar Heels needed. Carolina shot well, rebounded well, but most importantly, defended well.
3. That defense limited the Wolverines to just 35.1 percent from the floor, and only 33.3 percent in the second half. In a game played almost completely in the halfcourt--there were only a combined eight fast break points scored in the entire game--the Tar Heels had to bear down and guard the ball. They did it better than they have all season.
4. Michigan came into the game having been very effective in the paint, as they were one of the best teams in the country on two-point field goals. They were just 13-for-36 on two-point shots on Wednesday.
5. Part of those struggles were because Armando Bacot played his former AAU teammate, Hunter Dickinson, into severe foul trouble. Dickinson was whistled for his fourth foul at the 18:27 mark of the second half. By the time he returned with 8:03 remaining, Carolina had built a 15-point lead. Bacot finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
6. The other offensive standout was Caleb Love, who had one of the best non-Duke games of his career--perhaps the very best. The sophomore guard put up 22 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 4-for-7 from the three-point line. He played under control and was the most effective perimeter player in the game.
7. Great job by the Tar Heels taking care of the ball. Carolina committed just six turnovers, meaning Michigan had to generate virtually all of its offense in the halfcourt rather than getting run-outs.
8. Basketball mojo caught Michigan freshman Moussa Diabate. The rookie started hot, making his first five shots, and was letting everyone in the building know about it in the first half. But after his fifth make, he fell on his backside while woofing his way back down the court. He was 0-for-4 with an airball the rest of the way.
9. We continue to learn about Hubert Davis' style and preferences. The Tar Heel head coach called his use-it-or-lose-it timeout with 29.3 seconds left in the first half and Carolina with possession and 22 seconds on the shot clock. Juwan Howard, to his credit, changed up his defense in the stoppage and came out in a zone that turned into man to man...and all of this strategy made absolutely no difference when Caleb Love hoisted a 24-foot three-pointer that swished through for a 29-27 halftime lead--just the third time in seven games the Tar Heels have led at the break.
10. The tough injury luck continues for Puff Johnson, who had a couple very good practices recently after getting healthy. Unfortunately, he was back on the sideline on Wednesday night, wearing a boot as a precautionary measure. The good news is that he was out doing limited shooting before the game. Johnson has flashed an ability to get to the offensive glass in practice and would be another offensive weapon for the Tar Heels.
11. Some only-in-the-Smith-Center star power: There were five National or ACC Players of the Year in attendance on Wednesday night. The group included Tyler Zeller, Tyler Hansbrough, Phil Ford, Mitch Kupchak and Antawn Jamison. Jamison was honored at halftime for his recent induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and received a huge ovation from the Smith Center crowd. The crowd also included bestselling author John Grisham and, of course, Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams plus UNC assistant coach Sean May, Tar Heel Sports Network analyst Eric Montross and fellow 1993 national champion Brian Reese. The home crowd was by far the best of the season and made a difference in the game.
12. Also in attendance: Dick Vitale, who did the game for ESPN in his first return to the Smith Center since battling cancer over the summer and fall. Vitale, who has been a tireless fundraiser for cancer research, was recognized before the game on the Smith Center video boards. Carolina also honored Stuart Scott during a timeout.