The North Carolina men’s basketball team came into the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday in search of a statement victory. Louisville came into Chapel Hill fresh off a multi-week absence due to a COVID-19 outbreak. The Cardinals were hoping to slowly get into the game, but they weren't given a chance.
For the Tar Heels, this was the perfect time to play Louisville, and they took full advantage of it, throttling an undermanned group. But it was the youngest Tar Heels who used an electrifying first half to lead the way in a dominant 99-54 victory.
About seven minutes into the game, North Carolina found itself clinging onto a one-point lead. The first-years went on to score the Tar Heels' next 33 points, and UNC's lead was suddenly in double-digits.
“When we went on the run,” first-year forward Day’Ron Sharpe said, “I thought we were going to blow the game open. I feel like we were about to blow them out.”
Whether it was Walker Kessler using his length to stretch across the floor for loose balls, Sharpe gobbling up every offensive rebound in sight or guard Kerwin Walton draining contested 3-pointers, the performance from UNC's first-years was the most impressive this season.
And when the first half seemed all but over, guard Caleb Love decided to end it on his terms, emphatically finishing a fast break with a one-handed slam. It was an injection of energy for the Tar Heels, representing an overall dominant performance.
And the older players on the team responded by showing their appreciation.
When effort plays were made, they clapped and yelled.
When a player went down, they rushed to pick them back up.