SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Despite the return of junior forward Kennedy Meeks, the No. 6 North Carolina men's basketball team goes into halftime tied 33-33 with the Syracuse Orange.
Playing in his first game since UNC's loss to Texas on Dec. 12, Meeks came off the bench for the Tar Heels nearly five minutes into the half. He played 11 minutes and scored eight points.
While his eight points lead the team at the break, Meeks and the rest of UNC's big men struggled to rebound the ball. Syracuse had 23 rebounds in the first half compared to just 15 for UNC.
Aside from failing to rebound, the Tar Heels have been vulnerable to 3-pointers early on against the Orange. Syracuse knocked down six first-half 3-pointers, with three apiece from Trevor Cooney and Malachi Richardson.
Three numbers to know:
4- Combined personal fouls for Brice Johnson and Isaiah Hicks in the first half Saturday. With Hicks especially in foul trouble early on, Meeks may have to play more minutes than he otherwise would have.
23- Rebounds for the Orange, eight more than the Tar Heels collected in the first half. The edge in rebounding has given Syracuse plenty of second chances, which have turned into open 3-pointers.
50- 3-point percentage for Syracuse's Trevor Cooney. Against UNC last year, Cooney had over 20 points. If Marcus Paige and the Tar Heels let Cooney keep shooting from deep, it could bring about the team's first loss in ACC play.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
