CHAPEL HILL - The Tar Heels' Achilles heel this season? Free throws.
And it almost cost them a hard-fought win against Louisville on Monday night. Despite a stellar overall performance, the Tar Heels nearly let a 16-point lead slip away, squeaking out a 77-74 victory.
The spotlight was once again on UNC's struggles at the charity stripe, with the team hitting just 9 of their 19 attempts. As the game clock ticked down, the Heels' woes were evident, converting only 7 of 15 free throws in the final stretch.
Junior center Henri Veesaar, reflecting on Louisville's late surge, offered a candid solution: "Make some free throws," he said, his frustration evident. "Those are controllables. We just need to do a better job."
Easier said than done, as UNC's performance at the line was their worst this season, shooting a mere 47.4%. This followed a subpar showing against Syracuse, where they managed only 53.8%.
Breaking down the key moments:
- Veesaar missed his only attempt with just over eight minutes left, as UNC led 63-54.
- Seth Trimble went 1-for-2 twice, with UNC maintaining a lead but unable to pull away.
- Jarin Stevenson missed two crucial attempts with just a minute left, allowing Louisville to stay within striking distance.
"Just getting in the gym, being confident, and knocking it down," Stevenson said, acknowledging the importance of practice and confidence.
The season's trajectory shows UNC started strong, shooting 72.0% from the line in their first seven games. But then came a slump, hitting only 188-for-289 over the next 13 games.
A brief resurgence saw them improve to 84-for-109 before the Syracuse game. Now, sitting at 68.0% for the season, they rank 319th out of 361 Division One teams.
Coach Hubert Davis, known for his consistent response to questions about free throws, added a touch of humor post-game. "Pray," he laughed, highlighting the ongoing challenge.
"We work on it every day. I don't want to get in their heads.
We just have to get better because down the stretch we need to make those."
Despite the free-throw drama, Monday's game was a boost for a team now 3-1 without star Caleb Wilson. Wins over Pittsburgh and Syracuse were solid, but taking down Louisville, highlighted by a 43-17 run, was a statement.
Yet, the close call serves as a warning. If the Heels don't fix this glaring issue, they might find themselves on the wrong end of a close game soon.