UNC basketball changes starting lineup to take first ACC win over Notre Dame

New year, new starting lineup for UNC men’s basketball.

Well, sort of. 

Head coach Roy Williams had already begun experimenting with the starting lineup in UNC’s game against Georgia Tech on Wednesday after the Tar Heels fell to N.C. State in the ACC season opener, dropping North Carolina out of the AP top 25. 

In Saturday's 66-65 win over Notre Dame, North Carolina's starters consisted of first-years Caleb Love and Kerwin Walton in the backcourt, junior Leaky Black on the wing, and first-year Day’Ron Sharpe and sophomore Armando Bacot in the post. It was a slight change from the Georgia Tech matchup, in which first-year RJ Davis started over Love and senior guard Andrew Platek started over Black. 

“We lost at North Carolina State, and I did not think we played well,” Williams said. “State kicked our butts in every way. So I wanted to do something. I wasn’t going to just do it for one game.”

After the game, Williams said Davis was going to remain in the starting lineup moving forward, but was benched last minute for being late to the locker room.

Though changing the starting lineup is something Williams has done in years past, these changes are being made just 10 games into the season. Still, a change was in order — the Tar Heels are still searching for their identity after dropping four of their last six games prior to Saturday. 

No one has been exempt from these changes, including senior forward Garrison Brooks, who led the team in total scoring last season and entered the campaign as the Preseason ACC Player of the Year. With rotation quickly evolving, the players who have benefited the most from the changes have been Sharpe and Walton. 

Taking Brooks’ place in the lineup, Sharpe has provided a dominate post presence for the Tar Heels. He was a spark-plug off the bench in limited minutes early in the season and has quickly translated that into success as a member of the starting lineup.

In Saturday's win, Sharpe notched a near double-double with a career-high 25 points to go along with nine rebounds. He was the primary source of scoring for a UNC team that shot 10-32 in the first half and desperately needed an offensive spark.

“I feel like nothing’s different,” Sharpe said. “If I come off the bench or I start, I’m going to bring the same energy. Have my same mentality, same motor. I just want us to win.”

His impact was evident in the second half. With the game's final result very much up in the air, Sharpe scored 19 of his 25 in the period, consistently grabbing offensive rebounds and earning opportunities at the free throw line. 

From the perimeter, Walton was was vital to UNC’s offensive game plan as well. He knocked down four 3-pointers, bringing his total as a starter to seven makes through two games. His shots from downtown have been efficient as well, making 58 percent of his threes in both of his appearances as a starter. Saturday’s game also marked the third time in the last four games in which Walton made at least three 3-pointers, both as a starter and reserve.

With Love and Davis both struggling from beyond the arch this season, Walton has provided a necessary boost for North Carolina's offense with his efficiency from deep.

“I just feel like I’m a lot more aggressive,” Walton said. “I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable being in the system and the way Coach runs things. So I’m kind of understanding the different spots I can be in the offense and how I can get myself as many good looks as I can.”

What is noticeable about the lineup change is that it does not directly correlate to minutes played. Brooks totaled 29 minutes off the bench, which matched Sharpe’s playing time and exceeded the 17 from Bacot. Davis played eight more minutes than Love, as the two logged 23 and 15 minutes, respectively.

Though the lineups are changing, Williams' message has remained the same.

“What I like to say is when you’re given opportunities, take advantage of those opportunities,” Williams said.

@jerem11ah

@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com