Tag: Jae’Lyn Withers

How to watch UNC basketball opener vs. Radford

The UNC men’s basketball team makes its long-awaited return to the court on Monday, Nov. 6, hosting Radford University at 7 p.m. ET.

UNC basketball fans – does it feel like Christmas morning?

If it doesn’t, it should.

After waiting eight months since one of the most disappointing seasons in school history ended, Carolina will finally kick-off its 2023-2024 campaign.

The Tar Heels welcome 3-time Big South Champion Radford University to the Dean Dome on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET.

If UNC head coach Hubert Davis has his players fully prepared, UNC should be starting its season an easy 1-0. Carolina has enjoyed success in limited action against the Highlanders – beating them by 45 points on Dec. 4, 2016, plus dominating them by 43 points in its 2009 NCAA Tournament opener.

The Tar Heels return an experienced roster – headlined by Armando Bacot and R.J. Davis, plus bolstered by transfers Harrison Ingram, Cormac Ryan, Jae’Lyn Withers and Paxson Wojcik. Bacot should dominate a smaller Radford squad in the paint, while Carolina should be able to make shots at ease.

UNC will want to keep an eye on Bryan Antoine and DaQuan Smith, Radford’s top two scorers from a season ago. The duo combined to average 25.3 points per game,

Can’t make it to the Dean Dome? Check out how you can watch tomorrow’s game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.

UNC-RADFORD TV, RADIO, AND STREAMING INFORMATION

WHAT: North Carolina (0-0) vs. Radford (0-0)

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.

TV: ACC Network (Watch and stream the game live on ESPN)

ANNOUNCERS: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Dan Bonner (color commentator)

RADIO: Tar Heel Sports Network. Jones Angell, play-by-play;
Brian Simmons, analyst.

SATELLITE RADIO: SiriusXM (193)

WEBSITE: WatchESPN

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UNC Basketball vs. Radford: Game preview, info, prediction and more

We’re just one day away from the start of college basketball season, as the UNC Tar Heels take on Radford at 7 p.m. inside the Dean Dome.

Just one more day, Tar Heel fans – the official start of basketball season.

UNC begins its 2023-2024 slate on Monday, Nov. 6 against the Radford Highlanders. Carolina’s enjoyed some major success in limited action vs. Radford – a 101-58 victory in its opening game of the 2009 NCAA Tournament, plus a 95-50 domination in 2016 at home.

There’s a lot of reason to be optimistic – not only about this game, but about the Tar Heels’ season as a whole. Carolina has a significantly more experienced team this season, headlined by star returners Armando Bacot and R.J. Davis. Hubert Davis hit another ace in the recruiting trail, picking up 5-star point guard Elliot Cadeau to start.

UNC missed the NCAA Tournament last after, becoming the first Preseason Number One ranked team to do so, but last season is in the past. It’s time to press reset and go up against the 3-time, Big South Champion Highlanders.

Radford is no slouch coming into tomorrow’s matchup. The Highlanders are coming off a 21-15 (12-6) campaign, in which they made a run to the College Basketball Invitational semifinals against Campbell University, plus five of their players are either seniors or graduate students.

Who will move to 1-0? What does Carolina need to do for a season-opening win?

UNC Basketball 2023-24 player preview: Jae’Lyn Withers

We focus on Louisville transfer Jae’Lyn Withers in today’s preview. He’ll likely come off the bench for valuable minutes at the 4 spot.

The UNC basketball program brought in Pete Nance last offseason, with hopes the Northwestern transfer would immediately replace the production of Brady Manek.

Nance had his moments, but never played up to his preseason hype. He struggled immensely, scoring single-digits 13 times and failing to score in two additional games.

Nance is gone now, so who are the Tar Heels going to start at power forward?

It’s likely going to be Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram, but there’s another transfer who could push for valuable minutes at the 4 – North Carolina native Jae’Lyn Withers, who’s coming in from Louisville.

Withers enters a significantly better situation in Chapel Hill. The Cardinals won just four games – FOUR – a year ago. Withers was one of Louisville top players, averaging 8.9 points (third) and 5.3 rebounds (second) per game. He’ll bring a much-needed perimeter shooting touch to UNC.

Granted, Carolina experienced just as much – if not more – disappointment than Louisville. UNC missed the NCAA Tournament entirely, becoming the first Preseason Number One to do so.

With a slew of transfers and young reinforcements, Carolina is in a good position to have a much-needed bounce-back season. Let’s take a look at Withers, one of those transfers expected to contribute immediately.

Two UNC basketball players sidelined as practice begins

Two UNC basketball players missed the open practice session during media day with minor injuries.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have begun preparation for the upcoming season as Hubert Davis and his staff look to get this program back to the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina’s roster will look a lot different this season, losing three starters and a few others to the transfer portal. They do welcome in a handful of players from the portal as well as a two-man recruiting class for the 2023 cycle.

As UNC continues with practice, they held an open session to for the media during media day last week. And two players were spotted NOT practicing during that session.

Per Rodd Baxley of the Fayetteville Observer, sophomore Seth Trimble and transfer Jae’Lyn Withers were both sidelined during the open portion:

A pair of Tar Heels, sophomore Seth Trimble and Louisville transfer Jae’Lyn Withers, were sidelined during the portion of practice open to the media. Both players were nursing minor lower-body injuries, according to UNC sports information director Steve Kirschner.

Both injuries are considered “minor” which means they likely aren’t serious at the moment and are probably being held out for precautions.

The Tar Heels will open up the season in just under a month, and both Withers and Trimble’s status moving forward.

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Will experience be enough to carry Tar Heel hoopsters back to NCAA Tourney?

The UNC men’s basketball team carries a breadth of experience on its roster ahead of the upcoming season. This will be crucial to success.

Despite the slew of transfers and eligibility running out for Leaky Black and Pete Nance, UNC’s men’s basketball squad will have a good amount of experience on its upcoming roster.

Headlining the 2023-2024 Heels is Armando Bacot, arguably the best returning center in college basketball and one of UNC’s all-time greats, plus R.J. Davis.

Bacot is Carolina’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,335) and double-doubles (68). The Heels ran their offense through the 6-11 big man from Richmond, Va., so much last year that opposing teams would double/triple-team him and force UNC to find other avenues of offensive production.

Davis is one of the Heels’ most productive and consistent scorers. He finished second in scoring (16.1 points per game) and reached double-digits in all but four contents.

“They have done an unbelievable job of creating team and getting the new guys — not just the freshmen but also the transfers — acclimated to what this program is about and what our team is going to be about,” head coach Hubert Davis told The Daily Tar Heel. “That came naturally. This is something that they took personally for themselves, to be leaders. This team is together because of those two guys.”

UNC also brought in graduate transfer Jae’Lyn Withers from Louisville, who finished last in the ACC a season ago, plus another graduate transfer in Notre Dame’s Cormac Ryan.

According to Hubert Davis, that experience is going to be a key in getting the Heels back to the NCAA tournament.

“Probably the biggest area I didn’t know is what kind of a leader he is,” Davis told Daily Tar Heel about Ryan. “He’s a gatherer. He is a vocal leader in the locker room, on the court, off the court and just brings teammates together.”

Carolina kicks off its season on Monday, Nov. 6 against Radford.

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UNC the perfect offensive system for transfer commit Jae’Lyn Withers

According to one Louisville basketball scout, the UNC basketball program has the ‘perfect offensive system’ for transfer Jae’Lyn Withers.

The UNC basketball program landed its second commitment from the transfer portal last week: Louisville forward [autotag]Jae’Lyn Withers[/autotag].

Withers averaged 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season while also shooting 41.7% from three on 3 attempts per game.

Sean Vinsel, founder of Hoops Insight, which focuses on the Louisville basketball program from an advanced statistics perspective, spoke about Withers and the addition for the Tar Heels.

“I think he is a really good frontcourt piece for North Carolina. I think it is an absolutely perfect offensive system for him. … Last year he showed me some stuff where I really think he can probably play at a much higher level than he was at. I think he is a guy that will blossom at North Carolina in a little bit better system with guys around him that will not put so much on him.”

Withers has the ability to play as a wing or hybrid four. His best position is that stretch 4 who can knock down 3s for the Tar Heels.

Withers would have ranked third on the UNC roster this past season in made 3s (40) and fourth in attempts (96).

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UNC lands ‘sneaky big pickup’ with Jae’Lyn Withers

The UNC basketball program landed a ‘sneaky big pickup’ with Louisville transfer forward Jae’Lyn Withers.

The UNC basketball program made another splash in the transfer portal this week as it landed Louisville forward transfer [autotag]Jae’Lyn Withers[/autotag].

Withers is a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season. He also shot 41.7 percent from three on 3.0 attempts per game.

According to 247Sports college basketball writer Isaac Trotter, the Tar Heels’ addition of Withers was ‘sneaky big’. Why? The ability to space the floor and his efficiency with the lack of talent around him in recent years.

“Withers rated in the 90th percentile in catch-and-shoot jumpers last season for a Cardinals squad that struggled mightily. R.J. Davis will instantly become the most-talented lead guard Withers has ever played with, and the attention big man Armando Bacot demands should open plenty of shooting windows for Withers to shine.”

Withers would have ranked third on the UNC roster this past season in made 3s (40) and fourth in attempts (96).

His true effective field goal percentage (52.2) would have been second, outside of Armando Bacot.

There is no doubt his versatility and ability to stretch the floor will help North Carolina. With an increased level of talent on the floor around him, it should help him even more.

“Withers also offers Hubert Davis strong position versatility with the size to guard 4s and the athleticism to play the 3. If he can stay engaged –– which was a problem during Louisville’s four-win campaign –– Withers will be the shot-making role player UNC so desperately was missing.”

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