These two plays from midway through the second half of the No. 12 North Carolina men’s basketball team’s 75-64 loss to No. 3 Virginia on Monday sum up the frustration caused by the Cavaliers’ unique approach to a simple concept of defending: double-teaming.
Typically, teams bring a guard down low to provide extra pressure to an opposing big man. This leaves an open man on the perimeter and a presumably smaller defender for the post player to pass over.
Don’t expect to see this method from UVa. The Cavaliers instead double-team in the painted area with two post players. It’s peculiar, frustrating at times even.
“Our way, it’s a blue-collar way,” said Virginia coach Tony Bennett.
Kennedy Meeks’ body language on back-to-back possessions with about 10 minutes left in Monday’s game illustrated the double-team irritation.
The sophomore forward caught the ball on the left block. Before he could make a move, two defenders towered in his path. Meeks attempted to squeeze between the duo of defenders but lost the ball as he went up, credited as a missed shot.
Next possession. Back inside to Meeks. They weren’t going to fool him again. He caught the ball in the post, and before the second defender could fully slide over, Meeks made a quick pass out of the trap. Turnover — the ball stolen by a UVa. guard. Meeks’ plan disrupted by the double-team. He returned to the end of the court, shaking his head in frustration.
