UNC Basketball: 3 keys to beating Florida State to start ACC play

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 27: RJ Davis #4 and Elliot Cadeau #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate during their game against the Saint Augustine Falcons at the Dean E. Smith Center on October 27, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 117-53. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Harrison Ingram #55 and Elliot Cadeau #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2) Let the offense run through Elliot Cadeau

The word “cadeau” is French for gift, and with the Christmas season upon us, UNC’s highly touted freshman has already lived up to his name. Cadeau reclassified to join the Heels this year rather than next, and his presence has completely transformed a Carolina offense that was more like a lump of coal last year.

The gifted rookie celebrated the season of giving by dishing out 10 assists against Tennessee, but even more impressively, he didn’t commit a single turnover while doing so. Cadeau has a versatile toolbox that has already reminded Tar Heels fans of Carolina point guards of old. His quick first step is reminiscent of Ty Lawson. His court vision and anticipation call to mind a young Phil Ford. And his willingness to pass up a good shot for a teammate’s better one is Ed Cota-esque.

The one area where Cadeau has struggled is with his own shot, but having former Tar Heel great Marcus Paige as a coach and mentor is sure to help him improve in that area. Even at this early stage of development, though, it’s clear that Cadeau deserves a starring role on this team. The offense hums when he’s out there. The ball never stagnates, and his teammates cut with purpose knowing that a perfect pass could only be a second away.

Cadeau was visibly frustrated in UNC’s loss to Villanova in the Bahamas. He was called for multiple questionable fouls, and he was often targeted by Villanova’s rough and rugged offensive scheme. He’s only grown in confidence since then, though, and the 31 minutes he earned against Tennessee were a season high.

Cadeau’s presence has had an outsized impact on RJ Davis, who has flourished in an off-ball roll. Davis has scored 80 points in the Heels’ last three games, and there’s no reason to believe that offensive surge won’t continue as long as Cadeau is getting big minutes beside him.

Florida State is always a physical team, so Hubert Davis will learn a lot about his young star on Saturday. Giving him the minutes to continue learning on the job will only portend good things for Carolina’s season-long prospects going forward.

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