In the North Carolina men’s basketball team’s second conference game of the season, it was the big men who made a big impact and the “little things” that led to UNC’s downfall.
Tar Heel forwards contributed 38 combined points in UNC’s 63-57 loss to Miami, but that performance was overshadowed by the team’s 11 turnovers and difficulties overcoming Miami’s defense.
“We’re not doing the little things that help us out a great deal,” coach Roy Williams said.
At the start of the game, UNC showed promise. Sophomore forward Joel James was the first of UNC’s frontcourt players to produce — leading the Tar Heels in points and rebounds for almost all of the first half.
James, who made his first appearance since injuring his knee against Texas Dec. 18, finished the first half with four points and five rebounds. He would end his eight minutes of playing time with those same stats.
Just one minute and 29 seconds into the second half, James fouled Miami’s leading scorer, senior Rion Brown. The foul left Brown with a cut under his left eye and was ruled a flagrant two — subsequently sending James to the locker room for the remainder of the game.
“It was just a freak play,” sophomore forward Brice Johnson said.
“Wish he’d stayed in there.”
Johnson, who had not yet scored when James was ejected, said losing the starting forward was no different than playing without him the previous four games.
