Tag: Hubert Davis

Hubert Davis sees the lineup staying “guard heavy” in the future

If the forwards aren’t working, just start four guards. Could Hubert Davis really do it?

North Carolina finally picked up a huge quad-one win that will go a long way toward their NCAA Tournament resume. However, the phantom that has been haunting UNC basketball still showed up in this game despite the win.

They fell down double digits in the first half and had to fight back in the second half. At one point, UCLA held a lead of 16 points.

However, they did it. They fought back and won a tough game. Since the start of the season, Hubert Davis has always started two forwards. Whether that combination was Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers or some mixutre of them and Ven Allen Lubin or Cade Tyson.

That might be changing though. The lineup that brought North Carolina back in the second half of the CBS Sports Classic was a four or five-guard lineup.

Davis told the press after the game via Inside Carolina that he will stick with that lineup going forward.

Yes. The lineup change that we made in the second half, I just felt like they were just loading up on RJ, and Ian got it going offensively as well in first half. So just having multiple scorers out there, I thought, would be really good for us because it puts teams in a situation. You want to go big, or do you want to match up with us? And then extending that pressure. You know, we may not have tremendous size, but we do have athleticism. And so when you pick up full court, it speeds teams up. We can get steals and deflections, and we get the pace that we want.

Davis will get that opportunity to start four guards when Campbell comes to the Dean Smith Center on December 29th.

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Hubert Davis on “little details” contributing more to the Florida loss than “three-point shooting”

Hubert Davis says the team has bigger issues than three-point shooting that is contributing to losses.

North Carolina suffered its fifth loss of the season and fourth to an AP-ranked top-10 team on Tuesday. The loss to Florida felt different than the rest though as UNC basketball held the lead with just under two minutes remaining in regulation.

After several miscues, turnovers, and missed rebounding opportunities, the undefeated, No. 7-ranked Florida tied the game, took the lead, and hit several clutch free throws to pull away and take their 11th win of the season.

As a team, the Tar Heels finished 5-for-28 from the three-point line with double-digit turnovers and a 10-rebound deficit throughout the 40 minutes.

Hubert Davis told Inside Carolina that there was more than just three-point shooting that contributed to the team’s heartbreaking loss against Florida.

Yes, 5-for-28 (on 3-pointers), that would be great if we shot a better percentage. But we were up by four with four minutes to go. It’s all about the little details that make big things happen, box outs, rebounding, making free throws, that’s what it comes down to. So there’ll be games when we’re shooting the ball extremely well from 3. We didn’t do it tonight, but that wasn’t the factor which led us to losing the game. There were a number of (times) where we just didn’t rebound the basketball, especially down the stretch.

Regardless of what the real reason is for UNC’s struggles, things are going to have to change and change quickly. Hubert Davis will get another shot at a top-25-ranked opponent on Saturday in New York as the team battles with No. 18-ranked UCLA.

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Hubert Davis praises the “level of play” in practices leading up to Florida showdown

Hubert Davis had high praise for the UNC basketball practices ahead of another tough matchup.

The Tar Heels head to Charlotte on Tuesday with a 6-4 record overall and a 1-4 record against teams currently ranked inside of the AP Top 25.

Mediocrity has been the sentiment of the ball team throughout the better part of the first month and a half of the season. In only two wins this season (American and La Salle), the team looked overly confident.

In all the other games, they dropped to double-digit deficits early and either climbed back out to secure a win or failed to every comeback. However, is that changing?

Hubert Davis told 247 Sports that UNC basketball has stepped up their game in the practices leading up to their Jumpman Invitational showdown with top-10-ranked Florida.

There were some good things that we can build on, that we emphasized and we talked about over the last two days of practice. And honestly, the last two days of practice have been the best practices all year. For the first time all year, I went home and I was like, ‘Wow, we’re getting better, we’re improving.’ … I’ve talked to you guys about getting to that level and staying at that level, and I felt like the last two days of practice, we started and we stayed there. And so we’ll see if we can translate that to tomorrow night against Florida.

We will see if that level of play transpires on the court in front of the nation. The Tar Heels match up with Florida at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center on Tuesday night, airing on ESPN.

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North Carolina just outside of top 25 in first NET rankings

Where the UNC basketball program lands in the first NET rankings of the 2024-25 season.

The holiday weekend is over and with multiple big college basketball tournaments wrapping up, we will start to get into more non-conference play as well as conference play in December. But before that, the first NET rankings of the year have dropped.

For North Carolina, the Tar Heels leave the month of November with a 4-3 record after a disappointing showing in the Maui Invitational with a comeback win over Dayton followed by losses to Auburn and Michigan State. The Tar Heels’ third loss was at No. 1 Kansas.

With that record, the Tar Heels are just outside of the top 25 in the NET rankings, checking in at No. 26. That ranking makes sense as UNC is 1-3 in Quad 1 games this season.

Here’s a look at the top 10:

As for the Atlantic Coast Conference, Duke leads the way at No. 4 followed by No. 5 Pitt, and No. 18 Clemson.

North Carolina’s next opponent, Alabama, checks in at No. 13 which gives the Tar Heels a big Quad 1 opportunity on Wednesday. UNC also faces off against No. 6 Florida and No. 16 UCLA later in December as well, providing some tough tests for the program.

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UNC sets team-best points total under Hubert Davis in blowout win over American

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The UNC men’s basketball program is one of the country’s best at executing the up-tempo offense – and turning that into extremely-high point totals.

Particularly since Hubert Davis took over for the legendary Roy Williams as North Carolina’s (2-1) head coach, it seems like the offense is even more dangerous.

Under Hubert, the Tar Heels have now scored 100 points in a game eight times, most recently reaching 107 in Friday night’s blowout victory over American. Elliot Cadeau and Jalen Washington scored 18 points apiece to lead UNC, Seth Trimble and RJ Davis each added 13, while Cade Tyson rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11 points.

North Carolina led the visiting Eagles (1-3) just 43-34 at the half – and its defense was susceptible to hot shooting early – but North Carolina made a quick imprint on its victory with 64 second-half points.

Not only was the Tar Heels’ second-half scoring output its most in a half under Hubert, but its 107 total was also the most in a game during the Hubert era.

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Defensively, UNC limited American to just 21 points and 14.7 percent shooting in the second half.

“For this team to play at that pace, it is all tied to defense,” Hubert said. “I mean, it was the same way in the second half against Kansas. I mean, we got stops, and when you get stops and you finish it with the rebound, we’re pretty good in transition. I said at the beginning of the year, in order for us to be good in transition, one, you’ve got to be in the best shape of your life. And, two, there needs to be a full commitment. And there’s been a full commitment with these guys in regards to sprinting to offense and just the unselfishness of pitching the ball ahead, seeing the open guy and having multiple guys when you pitch the ball ahead that actually can attack the basket and do something with it. I just think it’s a huge benefit for us.”

North Carolina was clearly the better team in every area Friday night, but like Hubert alluded to, the game was largely decided offensively in fast break points. The Tar Heels held a whopping 23-0 advantage over the Eagles, who entered Friday’s non-conference matchup as one of the country’s slowest teams.

UNC’s previous points high under Hubert was 105, when it beat Charleston Southern, 105-60, two days before New Year’s Eve last year. They also beat Syracuse 103-67 on Jan. 13 this year, College of Charleston 102-86 on Veteran’s Day in 2022, lost 103-101 to Alabama on Nov. 27, 2022, beat Tennessee 100-92 in Chapel Hill on Nov. 29 last year, dominated rival NC State 100-80 on Jan. 29, 2022 and The Citadel 100-67 on Dec. 13, 2022.

Just how many more times can North Carolina reach the century-point threshold this season?

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Hubert Davis praises rebounding from freshmen in first game

How did Ian Jackson and Drake Powell fare in their first collegiate basketball game?

The North Carolina Tar Heels barely avoided a massive upset in their 2024-2025 college basketball opener, thanks to their top returners and some needed defense late.

RJ Davis showed why he is the country’s best player, draining the tying jumper and, moments later, giving UNC the lead for good on one of his three 3-pointers. To no one’s surprise, Davis led all scorers with 24 points.

One of North Carolina’s key storylines entering the season was how much playing time their star freshmen: Drake Powell, Ian Jackson and James Brown, would get. Preseason predictions had Jackson in the starting lineup, with Powell playing plentiful minutes off the bench.

In Monday’s victory against Elon, Powell and Jackson didn’t have a massive impact on the scoresheet. They did, however, impress head coach Hubert Davis in their collegiate debut.

“I thought they did some really good things, both Ian and Drake,” Hubert said in the postgame press conference. “You know, one of the things that they just keep getting better every practice and every game. One of the things that I think people lose sight of is just to transition from high school to this level is real. And so you can be a McDonald’s All-American and still playing at this level, it takes time. I really love how they have bought in defensively. They do a good job, not particularly on the stat sheet, but they do a really good job of rebounding the basketball. And then on the offensive end, they can create, make shots, and so they’re going to play a ton of minutes this year. We need them to step up and be big. And I’m so glad that they’re here.”

Both Powell and Jackson came off the bench, with Powell seeing 17 minutes of action and Jackson seeing just 12.

Powell scored five points (2-of-8 shooting), recorded two rebounds, dished out two assists, stole the ball once and blocked a shot. Jackson also scored five points (2-of-7), plus he recorded a singular rebound.

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Projected UNC basketball starter named to Karl Malone Award Watch List

Cade Tyson, arguably UNC’s greatest addition from the college basketball transfer portal, earned some major preseason recognition on Halloween.

I was a little concerned when the college basketball offseason started, as the North Carolina Tar Heels struck out on several, high-profile transfer portal targets to replace production from last year’s veterans.

With the regular season starting in just a couple days, though, that concern is no longer.

Not even a month after the NCAA Tournament ended, UNC head coach Hubert Davis landed sharp-shooting power forward Cade Tyson, the in-state junior who played his first two seasons of college ball at Belmont University.

Tyson hasn’t played a game yet in Carolina Blue, but he’s already gaining some well-deserved preseason recognition.

On Halloween (Thursday, Oct. 31), Tyson was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List. Tyson is one of 20 total honorees, plus just one of two from the ACC (Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin)

If you’re a fan of the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers or simply just basketball in general, you’re likely familiar with the Award’s namesake, as Malone is one of the best power forwards to ever play the game.

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Tyson is exactly the kind of player who fits the Tar Heels’ roster. He’s 6’7″ and can play at either the 3 or 4, possibly even the 5 in smaller lineups, sort of like a Brady Manek-type star.

More importantly for UNC, Tyson can shoot – and make – 3-pointers. His numbers at Belmont were unconscious: a career 44.6 percent mark from beyond the arc, highlighted by a season-high of 46.5% last year.

North Carolina isn’t always known for its perimeter shooting, so Tyson fills an immediate void. Tyson’s also the type of Stretch 4 that helped the Tar Heels to their surprise, 2022 NCAA Title Game run, with the only difference being his name isn’t Brady Manek.

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Hubert Davis earns spot in Top 25 coach rankings

Where does UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis rank in the CBS Sports coach rankings?

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis is heading into his fourth season in charge of the Tar Heels, making two Sweet 16 appearances, a Final Four appearance and has won an Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title.

As Davis goes into his fourth year, the expectations are high again for the program. And he’s considered as a top 25 coach for the upcoming season.

David Cobb of CBS Sports ranked his Top 25 and 1 coaches for the upcoming season, and after not being on the list last year, Davis is No. 22 this season. Here is what Cobb said about Davis as he’s going into his fourth year:

North Carolina won the ACC outright by two games in 2024, marking Davis’ first league title in three seasons on the job. With All-American guard RJ Davis back for a fifth season, the Tar Heels are poised to challenge for league supremacy again. Succeeding a legend like Roy Williams is a tall task, but Davis is handling it with a deft touch. (N/A)

The notable coaches that Davis is behind in the rankings include No. 1 Dan Hurley, No. 2 Bill Self, No. 5 Nate Oats, No. 9 Rick Pitino, and No. 17 Jon Scheyer. You can see the full list here.

Davis still has a lot to prove going into this season but he has a talented roster again that is motivated by a Sweet 16 loss a year ago.

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Hubert Davis praises closeness and passion of this year’s team at ACC Tipoff

Despite UNC having a roster filled with underclassmen and transfers, head coach Hubert Davis is ecstatic about who he has to work with this coming season.

Entering his fourth season as head coach of the UNC men’s basketball team, Hubert Davis will have one of his youngest rosters to work with.

North Carolina welcomes freshmen James Brown, Drake Powell and Ian Jackson. Powell and Jackson are expected to have multiple starts between them, while Brown is part of a suddenly-deep rotation at center with juniors Jalen Washington and Ven-Allen Lubin.

Other underclassmen on the Tar Heels also have sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau, freshman guard Dante Mayo Jr., sophomore Russell Hawkins and freshman John Holbrook.

Rounding out UNC’s roster is reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, defensive ace Seth Trimble, junior transfer Cade Tyson, fifth-year Jae’Lyn Withers and senior Elijah Davis, who is Hubert’s son.

Despite North Carolina’s new look, Hubert spoke highly of his players – both old and new – at the ACC Tipoff event on Thursday in Charlotte, N.C.

“I’ve been really pleased with this group in terms of their commitment and wanting to be a team,” Hubert said at the Tar Heels’ press conference during ACC Tipoff. “It’s not just on the court, but off the court. Everyone goes to the meal room, where they will move individual tables together so everybody’s sitting at one table. I know that sounds small and insignificant, but it’s of tremendous significance for us – to become a team and having a desire, a passion and a thirst to be one – and to be the best that we can be. Also, something that sticks out is just the way that each one of the players has valued the gifts and talents that others have brought to the table. We always say you have to acknowledge it, you have to celebrate it and our guys do that every day, whether it’s practice or off the court. That’s just going to be huge for us.”

There’s just under a month until UNC’s first regular-season game, when it welcomes in-state opponent Elon to the Dean Dome on Monday, Nov. 4 for a 9 p.m. tip-off. Hubert still has plenty of time to figure out which rotations work best for him, but luckily for Hubert, he has the good issue of talent sprinkled across the roster.

North Carolina’s off-the-court actions might not seem like a big deal to fans, but trust me, it’ll help big-time on the court.

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UNC basketball sophomore praised highly of offseason work

Could a huge sophomore leap be in store for this UNC basketball player? Hubert Davis thinks so.

Elliot Cadeau heads into his sophomore season this year with UNC basketball. According to 247sports, Cadeau came out of high school at Link Academy with a 98 rating. He was the No. 12 player in the nation and No. 2 point guard in the Class of 2023.

In his freshman season, he didn’t come into North Carolina and start immediately. However, he grew into a starting role quickly with his ball-facilitating capabilities.

He averaged 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in 37 games last season. He shot 41.7% from the field and 18.9% from beyond the arc.

It got to such a low point last year that teams were purposely leaving Cadeau alone outside the arc because he shot so poorly from the mid-range to the three. However, on top of passing, his ability to get to the rim was unmatched.

Heading into his second year with UNC basketball, Cadeau has been working hard to improve the weaker areas of his game.

Hubert Davis echoed this praise about Cadeau at the ACC Tipoff event yesterday.

“You will not recognize him this year,” said Davis, “He’s worked extremely hard this summer. He’s consistently knocking down threes, mid-range jump shots … the progression of the maturity and the leadership he brings is off the charts.”

If Cadeau can get his three-point shooting percentage up and keep defenders honest out wide, then it will not only allow him the opportunity to make threes, but it will also open up opportunities to drive to the basket more.

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