Justin Jackson propels UNC to win

Two days after dropping a 71-67 road contest to Northern Iowa as the nation’s top-ranked team, the No. 9 North Carolina men’s basketball team headed to Kansas City to take on Northwestern in the College Basketball Experience Hall of Fame Classic on Monday.

And after falling behind late in the first half, the Tar Heels (4-1) rallied for a convincing 80-69 victory against the Wildcats (3-1).

The Daily Tar Heel was unable to attend UNC’s win over Northwestern — but we were watching.

Here are three things to note about the win:

1. Action Jackson

After posting a career-high 25 points on Saturday, Justin Jackson was everywhere against the Wildcats.

The sophomore scored 21 points on Monday, missing just one shot in the second half.

After his teammates and coaches challenged his aggressiveness in the offseason, Jackson launched a barrage of open 3-pointers and frequently sliced through the lane — both with and without the ball.

The 6-foot-8 wing snagged 13 rebounds — including six offensively — to record his first career double-double, adding four assists in a team-high 35 minutes of action.

2. In the zone

UNC attacked Northwestern’s 2-3 zone early and often, with two of the Tar Heels’ first three shots coming within the mid-range weakness of the defense.

Both buckets were courtesy of senior Brice Johnson, whose 10-point, 11-rebound performance earned him his fourth double-double of the season.

Johnson was one of three North Carolina post players — alongside juniors Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks — to finish with at least 10 points in the contest.

3. Nickels and dimes

Even with ACC Preseason Co-Player of the Year Marcus Paige sidelined, the Tar Heels orchestrated a passing clinic on Monday.

North Carolina notched 21 assists on the night, picking apart Northwestern’s defense with crisp passes through the middle of the zone and along the baseline.

Sophomore wing Theo Pinson — UNC’s leader in assists this season — led the charge with eight dimes, including two rockets through the teeth of the Wildcat defense.

Meeks operated efficiently from the high-post, setting up numerous open 3-pointers and backdoor cuts, while Jackson put on a no-look display from underneath the hoop.

@CJacksonCowart

sports@dailytarheel.com