North Carolina Tar Heels: Lessons Against Miami

The North Carolina Tar Heels needed a win today over Miami. They needed a win to at least threaten Louisville for the double bye. They needed a win to get away from the sting of losing to State in an ugly performance. Did the Tar Heels get what they needed?

1. The North Carolina Tar Heels got a big game from Brice Johnson

Johnson was the most effective player down in the low post for the Tar Heels. He scored twenty two points and collected eleven rebounds. He seemed to get lost in the Miami defense and then pop open for dunks. He ran the floor well.

Johnson still sees lapses on defense. One Miami player attacked the rim and got fouled by Joel James because Johnson did not rotate right. The Heels needed Johnson’s offense, but they need his defense too.

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2. Marcus Paige may be hobbled, but he was key and still is

Paige scored seventeen, with three of his baskets being three pointers. Even though he still is not put back together yet, Paige was finding baskets on the court despite the defensive focus. The assists are still down because he is playing more off the ball and teams will not leave him.

3. JP Tokoto is the opposite of Brice Johnson

Tokoto was good on the court for the Heels, but his offensive decision making still led to four turnovers. It almost seems that Tokoto’s abilities flip conventional wisdom on its head. Tokoto does difficult things well and has problems with easier things. He can sneak a steal or throw it down, but leaves jumpers and foul shots short.

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4. The committee is getting muted

Starter scoring dominated the stat line for the Heels even with Kennedy Meeks scoring only four points. Isaiah Hicks did almost nothing, though he was guarded by bigger players. The best bench performance was given by Joel James, who is actually willing to bang with opposing team bangers. Joel Berry saw a fair amount of action with Nate Britt ineffective.

5. The future cannot be taken lightly

The Heels need to keep the pedal down for two more games. Georgia Tech will play the same way they a few days ago. Lurking behind them is Duke. No Tar Heel team could use a victory over Duke like this one.

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