Tag: Jalen Washington

Jalen Washington seals UNC victory over NC State with game-ending block

UNC barely escaped NC State with a victory after late Jalen Washington heroics.

For most of the second half on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, it looked like the UNC basketball team would run away with a big victory over NC State.

North Carolina entered the second half with a 9-point advantage – and later pushed its lead back to nine points – thanks to another Ian Jackson 3-pointer. The host Wolfpack wouldn’t budge, though, re-taking the lead late (63-62) on a Marcus Hill jumper.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Tar Heels escaped Raleigh with a 63-61 victory – sealed by Jalen Washington‘s third block on a career day.

You could hear boos raining down from the NC State (9-7, 2-3 ACC) faithful after Washington’s block. The Wolfpack should be more upset about the play they drew up out of their final timeout, though, holding the ball until the very last second.

Washington recorded the first double-double of his UNC (11-6, 4-1) career with an 11-point, 12-rebound performance. The greatest play on Washington’s big day, though, was him block Jayden Taylor’s game-tying layup attempt.

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North Carolina won a crazy, extremely up-tempo battle in which scoring focused mostly on who could finish drives to the basket. This was evident by 62 points in the paint – exactly half of the game’s total – between both teams, with the Tar Heels holding a 34-28 advantage.

Jackson shined once again in the scoring department, totaling 21 points on 8-of 15 shooting (5-of-8 on 3-pointers), for his fifth 20-point outing in his last six games. Jackson out-dueled Taylor in a battle of high-scoring guards, as Taylor led NC State with 20 points on an efficient, 10-of-19 mark from the field.

North Carolina shot an efficient 43.3 percent (26-of-60) overall. After starting the game rough from 3-point land, UNC finished the night 7-of-19. The Tar Heels’ defense limited the Wolfpack to 36.9% (24-of-65) overall, who made just three of 19 perimeter attempts.

Saturday wasn’t pretty, but instead the type of gritty win North Carolina needed to build momentum. UNC is now third place in the ACC with a 4-1 and, heading into Wednesday’s matchup with California, looks like a much better team than we witnessed in December.

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Front court struggles appear again in UNC basketball’s loss at Louisville

UNC’s lack of post production continued hurting them on Wednesday at Louisville.

For the first time in as many seasons I remember watching them, the North Carolina Tar Heels lack a consistent post presence on their current basketball roster.

After learning behind Armando Bacot for two seasons, Jalen Washington hasn’t panned out in his first year as UNC’s starting center. North Carolina recruited 4-star center James Brown, but Hubert Davis rarely plays him. Ty Claude looks good in limited action, but he also rarely plays, while Ven-Allen Lubin isn’t scoring at his Vanderbilt level.

The Tar Heels’ post struggles came to a boiling point during Wednesday’s 83-70 loss at Louisville (9-5, 2-1 ACC), particularly on the offensive end.

Washington only played 17 minutes, but he was UNC’s (8-6, 1-1 ACC) best big man, scoring seven points (3-of-5 field goals, one made free throw) and grabbing six rebounds.

Jae’Lyn Withers, who started the season as North Carolina’s power forward, scored just two points (1-of-2 on field goals) and grabbed five rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench. Claude saw the court for just three minutes – and collected two fouls.

“They were very physical. In the first half, I thought our shot selection could’ve been better,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said during his postgame press conference. “I felt like there was opportunities where we could attack the basket. I feel like there were opportunities where we attacked the basket and instead of going strong, we double-pumped in the lane and missed a number of layups, whether it’s in the post or penetration.”

Lubin, who started the past several games at center for the Tar Heels, struggled immensely in 21 minutes off the bench. Lubin scored just five points, making three of four free throws and one of five field goals attempts.

A late-second half stretch highlighted Lubin’s struggles in particular.

UNC trailed the host Cardinals by just one point, 70-69, with 2:59 remaining in regulation. For whatever reason, Lubin guarded Louisville guard Chucky Hepburn on the perimeter. Lubin fouled Hepburn, who drained three consecutive free throws,

“Especially in late game situations, with four minutes to go, the discipline and details just have to be there,” Hubert said. “Defensively, you’ve got to get stops, you’ve got to defend without fouling. You’ve got to box out, get loose balls. Offensively, you have to execute.”

North Carolina’s issues go far beyond post production, but if UNC wants to salvage any of its season, its big men need to produce.

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Seth Trimble says bigs played a major role in UNC’s victory, need to be consistent

Centers Jalen Washington and Ven-Allen Lubin played big roles in helping UNC down Georgia Tech Saturday.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been searching for post production all season long, particularly given they don’t have the dominant presence of Armando Bacot anymore.

UNC targeted several big men in the transfer portal this offseason, but swung and missed on the biggest names.

North Carolina still has yet to find its go-to big man, but Saturday’s 68-65, ACC opening-victory against Georgia Tech showed it has not one – but two – centers who are capable of filling that role.

Ven-Allen Lubin started in place of Jalen Washington, recording five points, one block, a steal and led the Tar Heels with eight rebounds in 16 minutes. Washington played solid defensive basketball in 20 minutes off the bench: scoring two points, generating a steal and pulling down six rebounds.

North Carolina won the rebounding battle, 48-37. Nearly every Tar Heel recorded multiple rebounds.

“He brought a big presence down low, which is exactly what we needed,” UNC junior guard Seth Trimble said about Lubin. “Every big had a rough first half this game, but he (Lubin) had a really good first half, he had some offensive boards. He defended well, other than fouling out. But he did what we asked him to do. J-Wash had a really good second half I felt like as well. My biggest thing with them is, they need to come out the gate with their motive – and with a response right away – because we’re going to need them. They’re showing that they’re capable of it already this year. They just need to get back going.”

Lubin, who started every game for Vanderbilt last year, is the more experienced option for North Carolina. Washington spent the last two years learning behind Bacot – and despite still trying to grow into his potential, Washington looks like he took a step forward from last season.

Just like Trimble said: if Lubin and Washington can start producing consistently, the Tar Heels will play drastically better basketball.

Lubin and Washington did just enough on Saturday against Georgia Tech – and UNC finally is back in the winning column.

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UNC makes a change to starting lineup for ACC basketball opener against Georgia Tech

The UNC basketball team has a new starter in today’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are mired in their coldest stretch on their young basketball season, entering Saturday’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech with three-consecutive losses.

UNC’s latest defeat came on Wednesday, Dec. 4 against Alabama in the ACC-SEC Challenge, as it largely trailed throughout and lost, 94-79. Despite outrebounding the Crimson Tide and scoring more points in the paint, North Carolina struggled to produce in the post.

In hopes of generating more of a spark Saturday, Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis is making a big change to his starting lineup.

Ven-Allen Lubin, who transferred from Vanderbilt in the offseason, will be starting at center in place of Jalen Washington.

Lubin scored eight points, pulled down four rebounds and blocked two shots in 17 minutes off the bench against Alabama. Washington struggled in just 12 minutes as a starter against the Crimson Tide: scoring just three points, recording five rebounds and turning the ball over twice.

Lubin is averaging 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds through eight games this year. He has a pair of 10-point games under his belt: back on Friday, Nov. 8 in UNC’s 92-89 loss at Kansas, then on Tuesday, Nov 26 against Auburn in the Maui Invitational.

Something you’ll appreciate about Lubin: he’s shooting at least 50 percent in all eight of his previous appearances. North Carolina will need that kind of production from Lubin again today, especially with Washington playing so hot-and-cold.

If Lubin plays well against Georgia Tech, expect to see Hubert starting him a lot going forward. The Tar Heels are in desperate need of production from their big men – and Lubin gets his golden opportunity today.

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UNC basketball maintains Top 10 ranking in Andy Katz’ NEW Power 37 rankings

Andy Katz gave the Tar Heels a good spot in his latest Power 37 rankings.

We’re only three weeks into the 2024-2025 college basketball season, but we’re slowly starting to see several teams shape their identity.

I’ve already watched Kansas prove itself as a continued powerhouse, while Arizona might not be as good as we thought. Duke is one of the most talented teams on paper, but its achilles heel every year – experience – cost it a chance at beating Kentucky.

I can’t formulate too much of an opinion about our North Carolina Tar Heels, but I can tell you they’re exciting to watch. UNC is 2-1 through three games, looking its strongest against American and showing some initial concern against Elon.

Ahead of the stacked Maui Invitational, which begins on Monday, Nov. 25, North Carolina landed 10th in Andy Katz’ latest Power 37 rankings. These groupings are new to the 2024-2025 season, with Katz utilizing the Power 36 a season ago.

The Tar Heels found themselves trailing Iowa State (ninth), Alabama (eighth), Purdue (seventh), Duke (sixth), Kentucky (fifth), Auburn (fourth), UConn (third), Gonzaga (second) and Kansas (first).

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When Armando Bacot, Cormac Ryan and Harrison Ingram left UNC in the offseason, I’ll admit I had some initial concerns about the team’s depth – and veteran leadership.

Through three games, North Carolina has quickly showcased additional depth and new leaders – both from the transfer portal and amongst returners.

Elliot Cadeau has stepped up alongside reining ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, giving the Tar Heels one of the country’s most dangerous backcourt duos. Drake Powell might be the best defensive player on the roster, while Seth Trimble added an offensive arsenal to his bag.

Jae’Lyn Withers and Jalen Washington are thriving in their first year as starters. Belmont tranfser Cade Tyson is starting to look more comfortable, while Ven-Allen Lubin is that productive, long-overdue big man off the bench.

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Jalen Washington sets career-high, anchors post attack in UNC’s Friday night victory

Just exactly how good was Jalen Washington for the UNC men’s basketball team during Friday night’s dominating victory?

For what seemed like forever against American on Friday night, the North Carolina Tar Heels couldn’t drain a 3-pointer if they tried.

UNC missed its first nine attempts, not draining one until an electric, second-half make from Belmont transfer Cade Tyson. He finished 3-of-7 from deep as the only Tar Heel with multiple made threes.

RJ Davis, who’s usually automatic from deep, went 1-of-7 from the perimeter. Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble, who’ve both improved their 3-point shooting, were a combined 2-of-5 from deep. North Carolina was just 7-of-22 as a team.

Luckily for UNC, though, its inside game was giving the Eagles fits. No post player was more important for the Tar Heels than junior center Jalen Washington, who scored a career-high 18 points on a perfect, 6-of-6 mark from the field and career-best 6-of-7 output from the free throw line.

North Carolina finished its night 36-of-61 overall (59 percent) from the field. On a night where the perimeter shots weren’t falling, the Tar Heels were seemingly automatic from inside-the-arc.

“We felt like that was the best way for us to score,” Washington said of UNC taking the basketball inside. “Just taking advantage of that and being relentless down there, just dominating points in the paint. I feel like that was just opening up shots for guards, our wings just to be able to shoot and knock down threes, which they’re capable of doing and they’ve been doing.”

Not only was Washington scoring efficiently, but he was also showcasing a fire his teammates and coaches didn’t see last season, celebrating after and-ones, contested layups and thunderous dunks.

“Jay Wash is a really sweet, quiet giant, and I love that about him, but on the court I want the one that hits himself in the head (celebrating),” North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis said. “I want that all the time — not just for him, but for his teammates, which he does if he gets a rebound, or he dives on the floor. He’s a lot more confident. His personality is coming out.”

For a season in which we weren’t even sure that J-Wash was going to start for the Tar Heels, he’s sure taking advantage of his golden opportunity.

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How did UNC’s post players perform in closer-than-expected victory over Elon?

UNC might be better off in the frontcourt than you expect this coming basketball season.

Without Armando Bacot in a North Carolina Tar Heels uniform any longer, UNC is in big need of players to step up in the post this season.

Luckily for North Carolina, it has plenty of post guys to rotate with – and all are experienced upperclassmen.

Jalen Washington, who started at center in UNC’s 90-76 victory over Elon, is a junior. Jae’Lyn Withers, who started at power forward, is in his fifth season. Ven-Allen Lubin, the Vanderbilt transfer who came off the bench and can play both the four or five, is a junior. Cade Tyson, the sharp-shooting Belmont transfer seen as a Stretch Four, is a junior.

I’m really encouraged by what I saw from the Tar Heels’ post rotation Monday night, particularly from Withers and Washington. Withers grabbed a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Washington poured in eight points, grabbed four rebounds, blocked a shot, stole a ball and recorded an assist.

Lubin scored four points, registered seven rebounds and blocked two shots in 17 minutes off the bench, while Tyson scored two points – and grabbed two rebounds – in 16 minutes off the bench.

Look at the second sentence of what respected college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein said: Hubert Davis would sign for 3/4 of North Carolina’s post production on Monday night, particularly in a post-Bacot world.

I agree with Rothstein. There are bound to be some growing pains for UNC in the paint during college basketball season, but at least it has experienced upperclassmen in Lubin, Withers and Washington to count on for production.

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Coaches and teammates gives high praise to UNC freshman

Jalen Washington and Hubert Davis had some high praise on impact of this freshman.

With basketball season just around the corner, reporters got an opportunity today to sit down with Tar Heel basketball players and discuss each other, the team, and the upcoming season from their perspective.

Specifically one of the interviews that stood out was Jalen Washington. With Armando Bacot out the door, there is a gaping hole in the middle of the paint that will need to be filled, and Washington is the perfect person for the job.

However, during his interview and among the questions about him stepping up and playing a bigger role, he was asked about his impression of freshman Drake Powell. Washington was quick to give Powell high praise saying “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with as much raw talent as him.”

Washington went on to tell of a story of Powell playing defensive back on a defensive fast break shutting down the opposite team’s capabilities.

It wasn’t only Washington that was impressed with Powell’s presence. Head coach Hubert Davis had this to say about the freshman.

For a guy to be as talented as he is, he is equally and probably even more humble. Just enjoys and loves being a part of a team. His athleticism and length from a defensive standpoint, is just off the chart. And talking about making impact plays on a number of different areas, he’s somebody who checks boxes all over the place. And so when you bring that type of level of player here, but brings in a team first, humble attitude, that’s something that you always want. And I’m so glad that Drake is here.

The team is shaping up to be one that can make a serious run at winning an ACC and NCAA title this season. Complete with veteran leadership, talented shooters, and young playmakers, North Carolina is poised for a big year.

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Premier League Trophy makes its way across the pond to UNC basketball team

European soccer is the gold standard for professional soccer. The Premier League trophy, won by England’s best-performing club, made its way to the UNC basketball team Thursday.

Last summer was a pretty historic one at Kenan Stadium, as UNC’s home football venue hosted a Premier League soccer match for the first time ever.

For those who are wondering, the Premier League is the United Kingdom’s top tier of professional soccer (or, as they call it in Europe, football).

Chelsea, the 6-time Premier League Champions, faced off against the Ryan Reynolds-owned Wrexham club. It was a one-sided affair, with Chelsea winning 5-0, but an historical event in which the Tar Heels should be proud of hosting.

Premier League soccer returns to Kenan Stadium this summer, as 10-time league champion Manchester City will face off against Scottish club Celtic FC on Tuesday, July 23. Manchester City is the most successful European team of late, winning the past four Premier League titles.

To help generate hype for the event, the Premier League trophy made its way to Chapel Hill.

The trophy’s first stop on campus was at the Dean Dome, with several Tar Heel basketball players and coaches taking pictures with it on Thursday, June 13.

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If you scroll through the Instagram slide show, you’ll notice North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis, star transfer addition Cade Tyson, projected starting center Jalen Washington and several assistant coaches, including 2005 National Champion Sean May.

Just a few months after Manchester City and Celtic FC clash, the UNC basketball team will open its 2024-2025 season on Monday, Nov. 4 against Elon.

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Basketball transfer portal target Coleman Hawkins chooses Kansas State over UNC

Maybe missing out on Coleman Hawkins wasn’t the worst thing in UNC’s transfer portal pursuits.

The UNC men’s basketball team struck out, once again, chasing a top target in the transfer portal.

North Carolina’s latest miss was Coleman Hawkins, the big man who – last season – led Illinois to its first Elite 8 appearance since 2005. Hawkins averaged 6.1 rebounds and a career-high 12.1 points per game, so when he initially entered his name in the transfer portal, it came as no surprise he has plenty of suitors.

The Tar Heels are in need of an experienced starting center. They already have Jalen Washington and Zayden High on the roster, plus incoming freshman James Brown, but Washington is the only one with extensive experience – and he was a reserve last year.

I like the idea of Washington starting, but it’s discouraging to see UNC strike out on these top talents.

On Friday, June 14, Hawkins announced that he’d be transferring to Kansas State. The Wildcats, like the Fighting Illini, made the Elite 8 last year.

If there was any speculation about Hawkins chasing money in the transfer portal, his NIL deal at K-State confirms that speculation. Hawkins’ deal is reported to be over $2 million.

North Carolina did add a couple starters in the transfer portal, though, snagging Cade Tyson from Belmont and Ven-Allen Lubin from Vanderbilt. Tyson is expected to replace Cormac Ryan at small forward, while Lubin will likely replace Harrison Ingram at power forward.

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