In a challenging night for North Carolina, the absence of front-court stars Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar loomed large as N.C. State handed the Tar Heels a tough 82-58 defeat at the Lenovo Center. But even with their return, UNC's guard play remains a pressing concern.
Coach Hubert Davis didn't mince words about his team's defensive struggles, highlighting a lack of toughness that allowed N.C. State to dominate. Despite strong performances from Jarin Stevenson and Zayden High, who both scored in double figures and led in rebounding, the Tar Heels struggled to find offensive rhythm.
UNC's guards faced a tough night, shooting a dismal 15.2% from beyond the arc, making only five of their 33 attempts. This perimeter reliance stems from difficulties in driving and play-making, as Davis pointed out. "We had open looks but couldn't capitalize," he noted, emphasizing the need for better execution.
N.C. State's defensive pressure, led by Quadir Copeland, further compounded UNC's woes, disrupting the guards' efforts to initiate offense. Seth Trimble, Derek Dixon, and Luka Bogavac combined for a rough shooting night, going 6 of 29 from the field and 3 of 15 from three-point range.
Adding salt to the wound, former UNC point guard Elliot Cadeau shone for Michigan, showcasing the kind of playmaking and shooting the Tar Heels sorely missed. Cadeau's performance highlighted the gap in UNC's guard play, as he matched their combined field goals and outpaced their assists with fewer turnovers.
The struggles of Trimble and Dixon have been particularly stark since their high against Duke, with Trimble missing all eight of his subsequent three-point attempts and Dixon struggling from deep. Kyan Evans, after a promising start, has also hit a rough patch, struggling to find his shooting touch since transferring from Colorado State.
Luka Bogavac showed some consistency from three-point range recently, but his drives to the basket have faltered. Meanwhile, Jonathan Powell has been a reliable presence on the boards, contributing crucial rebounds and points in extended minutes.
As the Tar Heels await the return of Wilson and Veesaar, the focus remains on the perimeter. The guards must quickly find their groove and bring the consistency and edge needed to compete, especially with March looming.
The loss to N.C. State underscored that while the frontcourt can hold its own, the guards' performance will be pivotal for UNC's success.