UNC Basketball: Keys for Tar Heels in ACC battle against Florida State
By Trevor Marks
1. Help Coby White get out of his cold streak
In various moments throughout the season, freshman point guard Coby White has proven himself capable of erupting in ferocious fashion, setting nets ablaze with high-scoring affairs and gutsy shot-making. Of course, this version of White isn’t expected to be seen night-in and night-out, as consistent, high-level scoring is not something to expect from a freshman, even one as talented as White. Big games will find themselves dispersed amidst a crowd of OK and poor games, which is fine.
Yet, over his last three games, White has failed to find the bottom of the basket in a consistent basis. Over the course of his last three games (home against Virginia, away against Wake Forest and Duke), White has seen his efficiency plummet to lowly marks of 30.2 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. Additionally, he is struggling to get to the charity stripe (five total attempts) and is struggling to find teammates without turning the ball over (11 assists to 11 turnovers).
If the Tar Heels are to function to the best of their ability, and if they are to leave Saturday’s matchup against FSU victorious, then they must find ways to rebuild White’s confidence and offer him easier opportunities to score. He doesn’t need to put up 30 points or anything—all UNC needs from him is one efficient outing, for the sake of securing a win and getting its freshman guard in a groove again.