They finally did it. On Saturday afternoon, the North Carolina Tar Heels beat a ranked basketball opponent.
UNC came back from yet another double-digit deficit – in the second half – to beat 18th-ranked UCLA, 76-74. Ian Jackson enjoyed the game of his life in his hometown, with North Carolina’s star freshman guard scoring a career-high 24 points, on 8-of-13 shooting.
In the Tar Heels’ season-saving win, however, they turned the ball over 18 times. Normally, this would be bad for any team – but not UNC.
In an odd stat provided by college basketball analytics expert Evan Miyakawa, North Carolina is now 3-1 in games under Hubert Davis, in which it turns the ball over exactly 18 times.
We obviously want to see the Tar Heels take better care of the ball, but their aggressive, up-tempo offense will lead to turnovers. UNC struggles to make the perimeter shot, so driving to the basket – especially with its backcourt – is the way to get points.
Final: North Carolina 76, UCLA 74.
UNC has life! And they might be the best team in the country if they only played in the 2nd half.
North Carolina's 18 turnovers matches the most they've had in a game under Hubert Davis. They are 3-1 under Hubert with 18 turnovers 😂
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) December 21, 2024
North Carolina only turned the ball over once in the final five minutes, a big reason it was able to come back against the hot Bruins (10-2). In the Tar Heels’ loss to Florida in the Jumpman Invitational, turnovers cost them the game late.
UNC gets Christmas Week off, then will treat fans to a Holiday Special on Sunday, December 29 at 8 p.m., as it welcomes Campbell to the Dean Dome. North Carolina and the Camels (5-7) will be meeting for the first time.
I feel confident North Carolina takes better care of the basketball against the Camels, but if they struggle, can they have 18 turnovers?
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