In the 2015-16 season, the No. 2 North Carolina men’s basketball team has intimidated its opponents with a lightning-quick tempo and a dangerously explosive offense.
But in its 83-68 victory over Wake Forest (10-8, 1-5 ACC) Wednesday night at the Smith Center, the Tar Heels showed glimpses of defensive intensity. Defenders swiped at balls, smacked shot attempts and closed out on the perimeter.
But that’s all it proved to be — just a glimpse.
In a game where the Tar Heels shot just 38.4 percent from the field and 16.7 from 3-point range, UNC (17-2, 6-0 ACC) managed to snag 15 steals, force 19 turnovers and block seven shots en route to scoring 21 points off turnovers.
Despite the impressive numbers, Coach Roy Williams and the players were far from satisfied by the defensive effort.
In the opening half, the Tar Heels held the Demon Deacons to 33.3 percent shooting. In the second half, that number increased to 45.9 percent.
“Satisfaction is not part of my language right now,” Williams said. “Nowhere close. Mick Jagger, satisfaction — that’s not Roy Williams, I can tell you that.”
Williams noted that in the second half, 14 of Wake Forest’s 17 made field goals were layups.
Senior forward Brice Johnson — who led the team with 27 points and 11 rebounds — was the only player to notch double figures in scoring and rebounding.