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Derek Dixon emphasizes rebounding importance in UNC's win vs. Pitt
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- Derek Dixon emphasizes rebounding importance in UNC's win vs. Pitt
The North Carolina Tar Heels, down their entire starting frontcourt on Saturday afternoon against Pitt, led throughout in a 79-65 victory.
UNC (20-5, 8-4 ACC) knew Caleb Wilson would be out, as the superstar freshman broke his hand during the Miami (FL) loss Tuesday. In the hour before tip-off, North Carolina learned starting center Henri Veesaar would not play.
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Every Tar Heel who played Saturday rose to the challenge, including starting point guard Derek Dixon . Though Dixon scored just three points, the freshman found additional ways to contribute. Dixon led UNC with seven assists, plus tied with Zayden High for a team-best seven rebounds.
After North Carolina's big win, Dixon dove into the importance of his production on the boards, while emphasizing his team's selfless mentality.
"I think it was just a next man up mentality," Dixon said. "It wasn't going to come from one person. It's a lot of production that we have to make up for. If everybody steps up and does a little bit more, that's how we fill that role."
"I think it was a big emphasis for us this week," Dixon continued when asked about backcourt rebounding. "Obviously, Caleb and Henri are the majority of our boards, so perimeter rebounding was a big emphasis from the coaching staff this week. We all had to go and help out and that's what I tried to do tonight, just trying to impact the game in different ways: crash the glass and help us out in there."
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The Tar Heels' backcourt combined for 16 rebounds. Seth Trimble and Jaydon Young added three apiece, Jonathan Powell grabbed two boards and Luka Bogavac snagged one.
UNC hopes that Veesaar is back for Tuesday at NC State, but if not, the guards are ready to step up and deliver again.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC guard Derek Dixon delivers seven rebounds, assists in win vs. Pitt
