How UNC men's basketball turned around between Selection Sunday and First Four game

DAYTON, Ohio — One practice on Sunday at the Dean E. Smith Center. Four plane delays on Monday. 40 minutes of preparation Monday evening before game day. 

That’s it. That’s the only time North Carolina had to get ready for its First Four game. 

Nothing about UNC’s trip to the University of Dayton Arena was easy. But even through the quick turnaround and whirlwind of emotions, the Tar Heels came out punching to advance to the first round of the NCAA tournament, crushing San Diego State, 95-68, on Tuesday night. 

“We’ve had 98 practices and 35 games,” head coach Hubert Davis said. “We knew what we needed to do. We knew what we were up against.”

Last Friday, North Carolina lost in heartbreaking fashion to Duke in the ACC tournament semifinals. Tears were shed on the walk back to the locker room. Questions about making the NCAA tournament followed them everywhere. 

Then, the Tar Heels waited. The team stared at the TV in the Smith Center's players lounge as Selection Sunday started. RJ Davis prayed. 

“From Friday night after Duke to Sunday around six o'clock, we had no idea,” junior guard Seth Trimble said. “We knew we had to have the mindset of staying ready, being in the moment and thinking we’re in the tournament. [When] you sit around waiting, doing nothing, come tournament time, you’re going to fall behind.”

North Carolina’s name was called. The preparation truly began. At the same time, criticism followed the team, questioning whether the Tar Heels deserved the bid because of their 1-12 Quad 1 record. 

“We feel like we have to prove a lot of people wrong,” sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau said. “That just gives us a bigger chip on our shoulders.” 

UNC was supposed to have a private practice before UNC's open practice on Monday, but chaotic flight delays ripped up those plans. Instead, the Tar Heels only got 40 minutes in front of fans and media. 

They ironed out the fundamentals. They drilled defensive and offensive sets. They practiced blocking out the crowd.

It wasn’t the best practice of the season, Trimble said, but considering the circumstances, it was just what the team needed. The criticism and hate they received since Sunday only brought them closer. 

“This is the first time I’ve been at North Carolina that I’ve been the villain,” Trimble said. “I’m cool with it.”  

And then on Tuesday, UNC played one of its most complete games of the season. After missing key free throws down the stretch against Duke last week, going 16-for-24 from the line, North Carolina went 21-for-24. The Tar Heels did not miss a free throw until the second half. 

They had the rebound advantage, 39-28. They held San Diego State to 26.7 percent shooting in the first half, outscoring the Aztecs 47-23. UNC, at one point, built up a 40-point lead in the second. The Tar Heels became the first team to score 90 or more points against the Aztecs in 19 years. 

“It was literally just go out there and hoop,” RJ Davis said. “It kind of felt like an AAU type of thing with the travel getting mixed up.”

At the beginning of the season, Hubert Davis acknowledged that this team was quiet. It was something he worried about. After graduating so many vocal leaders last season, he implored this year’s squad to find its voice. 

It took some time. A lot of it, actually. But on Tuesday, his players were loud. They didn’t hold back. They let the emotions fly. 

After tapping a ball loose with nine minutes to go in the first half, Cadeau lobbed it to an on-the-run Trimble. The junior guard laid it in, prompting a timeout. From midcourt, Cadeau beat his fist against his chest. He yelled. He sprinted toward his teammates on the bench. UNC went up 27-13 on its way to a 25-8 run.  

As the seconds dwindled off the clock before halftime, Cadeau drew defenders inside the paint before kicking the ball out to RJ Davis, who stood at least a foot away from the 3-point line. Davis caught it and released it over his defender’s outstretched arms. The ball rattled through the rim. The graduate guard skipped to halfcourt. He tapped his fist over his heart. He grinned. 

Through the outside noise, the criticism, even the chaos of the short turnaround from Selection Sunday — finally, Hubert Davis believes the volume is exactly where it needs to be.

“This group has been one of the best at staying connected and staying the course through windy and turbulent times and also clear sky days,” Hubert Davis said. “It doesn’t surprise me that they played one of their better games today.”

@carolinewills03

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

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