UNC Basketball: Reactions and takeaways from road win at NC State

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels look on from the sideline during their game at Carmichael Arena on December 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

3 of 4

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 29: Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Brooks stellar play

Garrison Brooks is sneaking his way up the lists for all ACC honors and now sits in the top ten in points, rebounds and field goal percentage. He has been on fire lately and doing everything he can to keep UNC in games.

Over the last six, Brooks is averaging 21.2 points and 10.5 rebounds on 55% FG. Against NC State he had 25 and 11 with three assists thrown in for good measure. Six of his rebounds came on the offensive end and he is the biggest reason why UNC is first in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game. That also makes six double-doubles in his last seven games.

Last year he was a solid player who knew his role and provided energy and effort while Jones, Johnson and Maye did most of the heavy lifting. He averaged 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds. This year he is averaging 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds with almost two assists as well.

This year he was the second option behind Anthony but has stepped up to take over responsibility as the first choice for Roy Williams. He is also averaging 34.6 minutes a game which is the most minutes a big man has ever played at North Carolina under Roy’s tenure and shows how indispensable he is to everything the Tar Heels are trying to do.

He has the utmost trust from his head coach and he is rewarding that trust with All ACC type production which leads us into the last takeaway:

Home/North Carolina Tar Heels