Hubert Davis second half strategy falls short for the Tar Heels (Nov 8 2024)
North Carolina Tar Heels found themselves in trouble early against Kansas, as Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams Jr. dominated the opening minutes, imposing their will on both ends of the floor. But give major kudos to head coach Hubert Davis, who orchestrated a masterful halftime adjustment that completely flipped the game’s momentum.
Davis made the bold call to give Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers the green light to fire from beyond the arc, stretching Kansas’ defense and pulling the imposing 7-footer, Dickinson, out of the paint to defend at the top of the key. With the Jayhawks’ defensive anchor drawn away from the rim, the Tar Heels’ lightning-quick guards—Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble, and RJ Davis—found the lanes wide open for penetration. That adjustment was a game-changer, turning what had been a 20-point deficit into a thrilling Tar Heels’ comeback. With five minutes left, North Carolina even managed to take the lead, igniting their fans in what was shaping up to be a classic showdown.
When it comes to bench play, the edge goes to Kansas. Zeke Mayo, AJ Storr, and Flory Bidunga were standout contributors off the bench. Mayo and Storr played with fearless confidence, letting it fly from anywhere on the court, while Bidunga brought relentless energy and a physical presence in the paint. This Kansas bench is loaded with talent, and I’m officially a fan of their depth and firepower.
On the North Carolina side, the bench didn’t quite dazzle outside of Ian Jackson’s flashes of brilliance. But what did impress me was the coaching acumen of Hubert Davis. His adjustments were on point, and he deserves credit for sparking the Tar Heels’ second-half resurgence.
This game was a roller coaster, and it’s clear that coaching and strategic adjustments played a pivotal role in the comeback effort. What a game—and what a chess match between these two powerhouse programs!