Busting Brackets
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Bracketology 2023: Fixing the flaws of 5 potential tournament teams

By Jason Burgess

Nov 7, 2022; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Mark Armstrong (2) drives the ball toward the basket against the La Salle Explorers during the first half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2022; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Mark Armstrong (2) drives the ball toward the basket against the La Salle Explorers during the first half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

North Carolina Tar Heels 5-4

The former No. 1 team in the country, No. 18 North Carolina had a struggle of it during Feast Week, suffering two losses to Iowa State and a four-overtime thriller to Alabama at the Phil Knight Invitational. Things didn’t get much easier as the Tar Heels traveled to Indiana for the ACC/ Big Ten Challenge and then kicked off league play at Virginia Tech. after going 0-2 in those games, Hubert Davis’ team is now 5-4 and looking for a bit of a resume reset with just one game this week, a home tilt against Georgia Tech on Saturday.

There are a few reasons the Tar Heels have struggled of late, especially in Oregon. For the tar Heels, there have been two big problems for them, the three-point shooting or lack thereof from Caleb Love and RJ Davis, and need to get Armando Bacot, who missed their last game against Virginia Tech with an injury, back playing at an All-American level.

Last year Love shot the deep ball at a 36% clip and so far this year that number has plummeted to 26%. In fact, the only games this year where he shot over 30% were the win over Portland when he made three of four and last time out against Virginia Tech. His backcourt mate Davis hasn’t fared much better only shooting the same 26% and only once this year has he made over 35% of his attempts.

The problem with this lack of shooting is that it doesn’t open things up for Bacot who, while his numbers are fine but it’s making sure he stays involved offensively that will be key. In the team’s four losses he’s only attempted 22 shots compared to 49 in the wins, and better shooting from Love and Davis will open those opportunities.

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