In its first game showcasing new faces, the No. 9 North Carolina men’s basketball team routed Winston-Salem State, 96-61. Junior big man Garrison Brooks stood out in the Tar Heels’ only exhibition game with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
What happened?
In a game where the score didn’t matter, tactics and lineups were on full display. There was much speculation heading into the game as to who would start for North Carolina.
Head coach Roy Williams decided to go with the starting lineup of first-year guard Cole Anthony, graduate transfer guard Christian Keeling, senior guard Brandon Robinson, junior forward Garrison Brooks, and first-year forward Armando Bacot.
Early on, it was clear that Anthony and Bacot will have major roles for UNC this season. Both played heavy minutes early, impressing with multiple buckets each in the first half. But it also became apparent that neither player is close to being a finished product, despite the hype that came with each’s arrival.
Anthony took a handful of ill-advised shots in the opening half, but still wooed the crowd with his ability to push the pace.
The "oohs" and "aahs" of the Smith Center crowd from the Tar Heels’ early baskets turned to silence at the 12:19 mark, when Robinson hit the deck following a deflection that sent WSSU guard Xavier Fennell’s shot into the student section.
The senior guard was helped to the locker room and didn’t return to the game.
Despite the loss, the Tar Heels rolled to a 45-24 lead at halftime. Brooks and Robinson, the team's veterans, led the way in scoring with eight points each after the first 20 minutes.
