When seemingly nothing could go right for the North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday night, as they lost 94-91 to Michigan State in the Maui Invitational’s Third Place game, Drake Powell rose to the occasion.
Powell, UNC’s star freshman who played high school ball just 20 minutes south of the Dean Dome, set two career-highs in just his seventh collegiate game.
In the 33 minutes head coach Hubert Davis gave Powell off the bench, Powell scored 18 points – on 7-of-9 shooting and a 4-of-6 mark from the perimeter. Powell has the 3-pointer in his arsenal, but he’s been able to rely on his defense and ability to drive the line – until Wednesday.
Seemingly anytime Powell got the basketball in his hand, he was scoring or making the next pass to points. Powell only had one rebound, assist and block apiece, so Wednesday was a clear sign that 99 percent of Powell’s statistical contributions came offensively.
We witnessed flashes of Powell’s talent in North Carolina’s first six games, but Wednesday brought out the true, 5-star McDonalds All-American who Hubert recruited.
Drake Powell was awesome tonight for UNC. 18 points off the bench and 4-6 from three with some big plays down the stretch
The freshman is always finding ways to produce whether it’s on offense or defense. One guy that should see his minutes increase 📈 pic.twitter.com/4NU4h6QA2X
— Jacob Rhymer (@Rhymetime05) November 28, 2024
Powell wasn’t the only freshman with a big game against MSU, as fellow McDonalds All-American Ian Jackson added 14 points off the bench.
Coming into Wednesday, Powell had just 26 points in his first six games. What Powell didn’t generate in the scoring department those outings, he generated on the boards (25 rebounds, including career-best 11 against American).
It’s still super-early in the season, which means the Tar Heels have plenty of time, to discover the lineup combinations that work best for them.
There’s one thing I do know, though: I would be shocked if Powell isn’t starting for UNC on Wednesday, Dec. 4 against Alabama.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.