NCAA Basketball: Takeaways from 2021 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic games
North Carolina – Defense needs to improve… quickly
When Hubert Davis took over for Roy Willaims this offseason, there was some interest as to how the new-look offense would appear, especially after revamping the frontcourt to provide more floor spacing. And so far, things have looked well, with five different players averaging double figures in scoring and sophomore guard Caleb Love taking the expected next step as a leading scorer.
But that hasn’t been the issue in the first five games for the Tar Heels. After giving up 67 points in the home opener to Loyola (MD), the ACC program has since given up at least 83 points in the next four outings, including 87 to Brown and 83 to College of Charleston. The defensive woes continued in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic, allowing 93 to Purdue and 89 to Tennessee. The same Tennessee team who couldn’t score to save its life at times in the previous game.
The Tar Heels' offense is nowhere near good enough to be this bad at defense. How do I know? Because there won't be a single team in the nation that averages 100 points per game, & that's about where UNC would have to be to endure these kinds of defensive performances every game.
— Keeping It Heel (@KeepingItHeel) November 21, 2021
It’s one thing to be physically challenged to play good defense or lack the size upfront but that’s not North Carolina’s issue. There’s a lack of toughness or desire to get the stops needed. Although they’re talented offensively, this group seems too willing to get into shootouts and simply try to outscore opponents.
This event proved that’s not a good strategy and unless they change that mentality, more losses are on the way and they could very well be staring at another 8-9 seed matchup in the Big Dance.