Story by
Three takeaways from UNC basketball's win over Western Carolina
- Story by
- Three takeaways from UNC basketball's win over Western Carolina
The North Carolina Tar Heels are 1-0 in the young college basketball season. While it wasn't easy and there was some stress involved in the second half, the Tar Heels were able to pull out a win over Western Carolina, 80-72 on Monday night.
It was the first win under Michael Malone , as he took over as head coach from Hubert Davis. While it's a long season, there were still some concerns with this first game and our look at this team in a game that counts. In the three exhibition games, we saw some of those struggles as well. But now it's translated into the regular season.
Advertisement
North Carolina fans will take the win, but we need to take a look at what was good and what was bad in this game.
Here are some takeaways from the big win in the season opener for North Carolina.
The offense doesn't have much of a rhythm
Nov 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Neo Avdalas (17) dunks the ball against the Western Carolina Catamounts during the second half at Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
I think it's going to be clear early on that this offense will struggle without a true point guard. The Tar Heels had Neo Avdalas as the primary initiator on offense in this game, and I don't know if that's a good idea moving forward. The first-step quickness just isn't there for Avdalas, which limits some drives to the bucket. The defense doesn't have to collapse as much, which would lead to open threes.
Advertisement
I don't know who Malone turns to in terms of the point guard spot but my best guess is Terrence Brown. But even so, he's never really been a high-assist guy in his career either. How about Matt Able? I don't know if he's comfortable there, as his primary spot is at shooting guard and the Tar Heels will need his shooting ability.
Not having a true facilitator could haunt this team this season.
Rebounding is an issue....again
Nov 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Western Carolina Catamounts forward Fola Sodipo (23) looks for a pass during the first half against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Maximo Adams (25) at Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
I noticed it in the three exhibition games, but rebounding is going to be a big problem for this team. We knew the lack of talent in the post could cost UNC this season and that appears to be the case early on. The Tar Heels were outrebounded 41-32 in this game, and it almost cost them.
Advertisement
That just can't happen from a UNC team.
If Cameron Fenns is going to be ineligible all season, that's going to be a problem for North Carolina. Avdalas led the way with seven rebounds from North Carolina, but they only got four from Sayon Keita and two from Jarin Stevenson. Maximo Adams had four, and Alex Samodurov had three off the bench.
Three-point shooting needs to improve
Nov 2, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Matt Able (3) shoots the ball against Western Carolina Catamounts guard Isaiah Manning (7) during the second half at Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
We know that the game of basketball continues to trend toward the three-point shot. Teams and players are shooting more and more three-pointers. On Monday night, North Carolina was 9-of-30 from the three-point line and allowed Western Carolina to go 10-of-24.
Advertisement
This offense is going to shoot a lot of threes; we can expect that. But they have to start hitting them. If not, they need to find ways to get the ball in the paint when the defense goes out to defend; the Tar Heels are going to have opportunities for shot fakes and driving the ball.
On defense, they need to close out better and make sure the three doesn't burn them all year.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Three takeaways from UNC basketball's win over Western Carolina
