Harrison Barnes’ reputation as a big-game player has grown so mightily that his teammates started jokingly calling him “Big Game Ames.”
And in North Carolina’s ACC opener, the point when every game becomes significant, Barnes further strengthened that reputation.
Barnes scored a game-high 25 points and five rebounds to help the Tar Heels knock off Boston College on Saturday.
But his offensive contributions might fall short to his defensive presence in the contest. Barnes had a career-high four steals and forced the player he guarded most, Patrick Heckmann, into seven turnovers.
Barnes was also a key cog in the half-court trap that forced 20 Boston College turnovers. Those errors resulted in 19 points off turnovers and eight fast break points for the Tar Heels.
“Coach has tried to make an effort to pressure everybody,” Barnes said. “All 15 guys on that list — pressure, pressure, pressure.”
On the offensive end, the forward was especially effective at driving past his man and either finishing strong at the rim or drawing a foul. For Barnes, that’s the result of months of work.
“I’ve definitely tried to work at that,” he said. “It’s progressed a lot. I’ve tried to be more aggressive getting to the basket, and I feel like I had some success with that today.”
Barnes said playing with a more balanced skill set of jump shots and drives allows him to make plays out of what the defense gives him rather than having a predetermined point of attack.
When the Eagles gave him the shot, he usually capitalized. The Ames, Iowa, native shot 10-of-15 from the field, a season-high field goal total.
