Justin Jackson will tell you straight up he’s not an expressive person.
The lanky sophomore from Texas plays with the same stony look on his face no matter what. He’ll thread a pass ahead for a dunk, then follow up with a 3-pointer or his trademark floater in the lane, while still looking like his mother just told him he couldn’t get a puppy.
But late in No. 5 North Carolina’s 96-71 win against No. 11 Miami on Saturday, Jackson hit his third 3-pointer of the day. Seconds later, he stole the ball and fed Isaiah Hicks on the fast break to give UNC an 86-48 lead.
Running back up the court, Jackson cracked a grin.
“You might see that every once in a while from me if things are clicking,” he said.
Theo Pinson more than makes up for Jackson in expressiveness. But Pinson has worn a long look on his face when he’s been on the floor for a while.
After missing 14 games in his first season because of a broken left foot, the sophomore has looked more like a rookie at times this year with turnovers and inexperienced mistakes. Jackson, too, has had rough stretches of play where he hasn’t shot the ball well.
But the two have started to build some momentum. Jackson has scored in double figures in five of the past six games, while Pinson has 21 assists in that same time frame.
On Saturday, everything came together for them and the Tar Heels (22-5, 11-3 ACC) in perhaps the team’s most complete win of the season.
