Tag: Seth Trimble

UNC basketball dominates La Salle from opening tip in Saturday non-conference clash

UNC turned in its best performance of the basketball season to dominate La Salle on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

After barely squeaking by Georgia Tech last weekend, the North Carolina Tar Heels desperately needed a big win against La Salle on Saturday afternoon.

Thanks to its bench stepping up, players sharing the ball efficiently and an afternoon in which it outplayed its opponent in the paint, UNC got that dominant victory it so desperately craved.

North Carolina started slow against the visiting Explorers, but quickly overpowered them in a93-67 win.

The Tar Heels (6-4, 1-0 ACC) outplayed La Salle (6-5) in virtually every aspect, but they did something they struggled to do consistently through their first nine games: shoot the ball well.

UNC finished with a 53.7 shooting percentage, starting the game 9-of-17. North Carolina starters Seth Trimble, Drake Powell and Ven-Allen Lubin all shot at least 50 percent, with Lubin going a perfect 4-for-4 and scoring 10 points, tying his previous season-high set against Auburn in the Maui Invitational.

The best Tar Heel on the court Saturday? Belmont transfer Cade Tyson, who led a deep, productive bench unit with a season-high 23 points. There was one stretch in the second half where Tyson hit two 3-pointers in less than a minute, much to the avail of the Carolina faithful.

UNC rebounded the ball well against the visiting Explorers, ending the day with a 47-36 advantage. Every North Carolina starter recorded at least one, four starters grabbed multiple boards and Trimble led the way with eight.

Saturday was a result we expected the Tar Heels to deliver all along. With Florida in the Jumpman Invitational coming up on Tuesday, UNC re-assured our confidence in its ability to win, even if it was just for a day.

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RJ Davis, guards able to earn transition baskets vs. Georgia Tech

UNC’s big advantage in fast break points helped it beat Georgia Tech on Saturday and snap a 3-game slide.

If there’s one area the North Carolina Tar Heels will consistently out-perform opponents in, it’s transition offense.

On Saturday, Dec. 7 in its 68-65 ACC-opening victory over Georgia Tech, UNC’s transition offense shined through once again.

North Carolina (5-4, 1-0 ACC) outscored the Yellow Jackets, 16-5, in fast break points. This was in part due to the Tar Heels’ improved rebounding, particularly from center Ven-Allen Lubin, but also due to their guards’ ability to quickly sprint up the court.

After the game, reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis elaborated on why UNC’s transition game was so important – and why today’s production needs to continue.

“I told my teammates in the huddle that we’re really good in transition – and not a lot of teams can stop us in transition – because of the guards we have,” Davis said. “We are quick, we’re athletic. We have to get stops in order to run. That’s what we did, we were able to get out. I think Elliot (Cadeau) did a good job pitching the ball ahead. We ran a small lineup today, so myself, Seth (Trimble), Ian (Jackson), Elliot (Cadeau) did a good job of coming in – helping out with the bigs and the rebounds. We were able to leak out and get some transition buckets.”

Trimble anchored North Carolina’s scoring attack with 19 points, plus he added seven rebounds and four steals. Davis added 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jackson scored 15 points, grabbed two rebounds and dished out one assist, while Cadeau filled up the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds, four assists and game-high three steals.

Lubin and Jalen Washington combined for 14 rebounds, as the Tar Heels out-rebounded Georgia Tech by a 48-37 margin.

Even though UNC struggled throughout – and trailed late in the second half – it’s good to see that transition offense can still lead it to victory.

North Carolina will need consistent fast break opportunities to generate some positive momentum – and get back to playing a consistent brand of winning basketball.

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UNC snaps 3-game slide, wins ACC opener

North Carolina finally snapped its losing streak Saturday in its ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

Entering Saturday’s ACC basketball opener against Georgia Tech, the North Carolina Tar Heels needed a win in the worst way.

UNC lost Wednesday’s ACC-SEC Challenge matchup against Alabama, 94-79, during a game in which it never looked comfortable.

Saturday wasn’t pretty, but North Carolina did just enough to escape with the victory.

The Tar Heels and Yellow Jackets traded leads throughout the game, but it was the Tar Heels who emerged with a 68-65 win in the ACC opener for both teams.

UNC’s (5-4, 1-0) defense looked great against Georgia Tech (4-5, 0-1), holding the Yellow Jackets to a 31.3 field goal percentage. A big part of North Carolina’s improved defensive effort was post play, with the Tar Heels limiting second-chance points and winning the rebounding battle, 48-37.

UNC arguably won today’s game on the fast break, outscoring Georgia Tech 16-5. North Carolina guards RJ Davis, Seth Trimble and Ian Jackson all played big roles in that advantage, quickly racing down the court after a rebound.

Davis, Trimble and Jackson combined for 73.5 percent of the Tar Heels’ points. Trimble led the way with 19 on 5-of-6 shooting and eight made free throws, Davis added 16 points and Jackson contributed 15 off the bench.

UNC announced a starting lineup change just moments before tipoff, with Ven-Allen Lubin starting at center in place of Jalen Washington. Hubert Davis’ decision paid off – despite Lubin fouling out late in the second half, he led North Carolina with eight rebounds, while also adding five points, a steal and block apiece.

Saturday wasn’t pretty. The Tar Heels struggled in moments. When the final buzzer sounded, UNC players and coaches breathed a sigh of relief. North Carolina won its first ACC game and the losing streak is over.

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UNC guards suffer ice-cold shooting performance in Wednesday loss against Alabama

UNC’s typically-productive guard trio struggled immensely against Alabama on Wednesday night.

With a lack of experience in the post this basketball season, the North Carolina Tar Heels will need to rely heavily on production from their talented backcourt.

When UNC’s talented backcourt can’t get its shots to fall, struggles are bound to follow.

Such was the case on Wednesday night, as North Carolina’s overall concerns grew in a 94-79 loss to Alabama. Tar Heels (4-4) sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau, junior Seth Trimble and reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis shot a combined 11-of-41 – 28.6 percent – from the field.

Davis, Cadeau and Trimble struggled from deep even more, shooting a combined 2-from-17. Davis made one of 11 attempts, Trimble drained one of four and Cadeau missed both attempts.

“It’s easier to get down on yourself and be negative when things are not going your way,” Davis said in postgame interviews. “Shots are not falling, we’re losing games. Our guards have to do a better job of setting our big men up. I think it’s a two way street we’ve got to connect on. It’s a different year, in terms of guys going to be guarding me a little bit differently. Today I had Jarin Stevenson on me, (Derrion) Reid and (Mouhamed) Dioubate. That’s why coaches been doing a good job putting me in better spots to get better shouts. They’re all tough right now.”

UNC didn’t struggle entirely in its backcourt, as Ian Jackson enjoyed a career-high 23 points (10-of-17 on field goals, including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers). Hubert Davis is still tinkering with North Carolina’s lineup – and he might want to consider starting Jackson more.

The Tar Heels struggled shooting over Alabama’s height: Jarin Stevenson, Grant Nelson and Cliff Omoruyi are all 6’11”. Georgia Tech is a pretty tall team as well (center Ryan Mutombo is 7’2″), so if UNC’s guards want to rebound from Wednesday’s struggle, they’ll have to find additional ways to generate points.

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Seth Trimble points to glaring issue in UNC’s loss to Auburn

Is the UNC basketball program bought in defensively?

The North Carolina Tar Heels suffered their second loss of the season, falling to No. 4 Auburn at the Maui Invitational. And for the second straight game, the Tar Heels fell behind in the game, struggling early on.

Unlike the win over Dayton, the Tar Heels couldn’t come back as the Tigers held the lead the entire game. It was a tough loss although to a good team, there were some things lacking. And one key Tar Heel mentioned something important.

Defense.

“I just want pride defensively,” Trimble said after the game. “I don’t think we are bought in as a team defensively. That’s something that I take pride in. I feel like it’s still there for me and it’s just sometimes as a team, we just don’t have it. I have to be better as a leader and continue to bring that.”

Trimble is by far North Carolina’s best defensive player and has been a force on the perimeter. He’s also bringing it on the offensive end, turning his game around this season.

But he’s right.

The Tar Heels have struggled defensively this season and both games in the Maui Invitational show that. Too many times there were rotations missed, open shots or poor rebounding on the defensive end.

If you’re not bought in defensively, you’re going to struggle. And that’s what’s happening with UNC right now. Can they get it figured out? Wednesday provides another opportunity to do that as they take on Michigan State in the last game of the Maui Invitational.

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North Carolina basketball loses again, this time to the Auburn Tigers

If Duke fans need any consolation about the Blue Devils’ Tuesday loss to Kansas, at least their biggest rival also notched another defeat.

The Duke men’s basketball team lost for the second time in four games on Tuesday night. Despite the 75-72 loss to No. 1 Kansas, Blue Devils fans can take some solace in the fact the North Carolina Tar Heels also picked up their second loss.

UNC lost to the Auburn Tigers, 85-72, in The Maui Invitational after falling behind, 21-6, in the opening minutes. Auburn led by eight points at the midway mark, and Tigers star Johni Broome finished with 23 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. He made two of his four 3-point looks.

All-American guard RJ Davis, the preseason ACC Player of the Year, made five of his 11 shots from the field and one of his four 3-point tries to finish with 12 points. Five Tar Heels reached double-digits, but Seth Trimble (17 points) was the only player who finished with more than 12.

UNC (4-2) has the same record as the Blue Devils. The Tar Heels also lost to Kansas, albeit on the road in Allen Fieldhouse.

If Duke wants an early tiebreaker over its rival, the Tigers head to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Dec. 4 for another top-25 nonconference battle.

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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UNC guard poised for breakout season after dominating at Memphis

This UNC guard is poised for a breakout season after dominating in the first live-action of the season at Memphis!

UNC basketball went on the road for the first time this season in an exhibition game to highlight and fund the St. Jude’s Hospital. The Tar Heels’ journey to Memphis was long awaited with the connections between Hubert Davis and Penny Hardaway.

The game started slow for North Carolina, but they eventually picked it up. The Tar Heels won 84-76 after leading by at least 14 at one point in the second half of the game.

The talk of the game, though, was the play from Seth Trimble. The guard who has been a highlight defensive stopper for North Carolina in previous seasons has been seriously working on his offensive game over the offseason.

He even said the same in the interviews at UNC media day, and it was echoed at the ACC Tipoff media event the week after.

Trimble finished the exhibition match after starting the game with a team-high 33 points. Not only did his point numbers dominate, but his efficiency was off the charts. He shot 11-for-17 from the floor and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc on his way to a career-high over three years.

https://twitter.com/UNC_Basketball/status/1846359215108936017

With a facilitator like Elliot Cadeau at the point guard position, shooters like RJ Davis, Cade Tyson, and now the improved Seth Trimble, will open up the floor just that much more. Plus, the dribble-drive ability that Trimble has mimics that of his ACC Player of the Year counterpart.

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Seth Trimble talks about his expected 2024-2025 role

Seth Trimble is back for Year Three, one that he’s expected to take an added leadership role in. Hear what Trimble said at ACC Tipoff Thursday.

Doesn’t Seth Trimble, undoubtedly the UNC men’s basketball team’s defensive ace, scream everything it means to be a Tar Heel?

Though Trimble has only three starts over the past two seasons, he’s never complained once about his role off the bench. Trimble loves North Carolina so much, he even decided to withdraw his name from the transfer portal earlier this offseason and return for his junior year.

Trimble’s role increased significantly last season, as his minutes nearly doubled (9.7 to 17.1 minutes per game) and he set career highs in points (5.2) and rebounds (2.1) per game.

On Thursday at the ACC Tipoff event in Charlotte, N.C., Trimble spent a few minutes talking about his evolution and expectations for an even greater role this coming season, a role which is expected to include additional leadership on a younger team.

“To me, to step into a role of being a much bigger leader than I was last year and just to play a more complete game this year,” Trimble said during UNC’s ACC Tipoff press conference. “To play my game, that’s one thing that me and Coach Davis discuss all the time, is just to do me, play free, play whatever it is. I think the biggest thing I have to do this year is lead. RJ is our guy, is our leader the one we look up to. But he can’t be the only one. If he’s the only one this year won’t go well. So I really gotta step into that role.”

I witnessed a bunch of great leadership from Trimble on the court last season. When RJ Davis went out and took a breather, or when Cormac Ryan, Armando Bacot or Harrison Ingram took a breather, Trimble stood out. He acted as North Carolina’s unofficial Sixth Man, pointed where his teammates needed to be on defensive assignments and was always one of the first to celebrate a big play.

Trimble loves the Tar Heels and the Tar Heels love Trimble. We’re extremely grateful for at least one more season with the pride of Menomonee Falls.

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Two UNC basketball guards highlight their one personal goal this season

Two UNC basketball guards set one personal goal each for the upcoming season.

North Carolina basketball is at the ACC Tipoff media event presented by T. Rowe Price today and the crew analysts start the program with a conversation bringing to the set North Carolina guards, RJ Davis and Seth Trimble.

At the end of their conversation, the two guards for the Tar Heels were asked if they had one overall goal for the upcoming season.

Seth Trimble’s personal goal for himself this year is to win the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.

“I know I’m capable of it,” Trimble said during the interview. “I guard the best players in the country each and every day.”

When it comes to Trimble’s role on the team, he discussed earlier in the broadcast his desire to be a better off-ball shooter and shooter in general. However, something he has always highlighted has been his defensive prowess. The Heels are definitely going to need that in the upcoming season.

For RJ Davis, his personal goal was to mold into a better leader.

“I think this will be a big step for me beyond basketball and beyond North Carolina that I can take to life with,” Davis said.

For North Carolina, Davis has been a leader over the years, but in his eyes, he desires to take that skill to a new level. Davis, the fifth-year senior, will be the oldest on the court for the team and the veteran that Hubert Davis can rely on.

His impact on the freshman and underclassmen could led to decades of talented Carolina basketball.

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