Chansky's Notebook: And the Good News

Why do you think Hubert Davis took the low road?

The fifth-year Carolina head coach was out of character after his team’s ninth win of the season, 80-62 over USC Upstate that matched the program’s best start since 2017-18 under Roy Williams.

The Tar Heels were outrebounded by the smaller Spartans on the offensive glass in the first half before winning the board battle 37-34 overall. Yes, they should have dominated because Upstate missed 41 shots and wound up at 38 percent compared to the Heels’ 51 percent, which ran Hubert’s record to 40-1 while making more than half from the floor. The 18-point margin was the largest loss this season for 6-6 Upstate.

In doing so, Carolina had 20 assists on 28 made field goals, a true indicator of sharing the basketball for the greater good. It was the best percentage in that category in 10 games so far; the worst came against the big Spartans in the Heels’ only loss.

The 14th-ranked team in the country played well enough to win UNC’s 17th straight when scoring 80 points or more. The current Tar Heels have held all 10 of their opponents under 75 points, the longest stretch to open a season since 2019-20 also under Ol’ Roy.

They also had a season-low six turnovers, the third time in the last four games the Heels have committed fewer than 10.

Individually, there was more good news. Sophomore Jonathan Powell scored a season high 17 points, tying his career mark after ringing up 17 twice while playing for West Virginia. Powell set season highs with six field goals and three long balls, the most points by a non-starter, surpassing Derek Dixon’s 14 against Georgetown. Dixon continued his freshman surge with his season high of four assists. Another newcomer Jaydon Young made his first 3-pointer since the opening game against Central Arkansas.

Playing on what he described as a foot injury, freshman superstar Caleb Wilson led both teams with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. It was his seventh double-double and fourth game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Four Tar Heels reached double figures for an eighth time. Wilson and Henri Veesaar (14) have scored in double figures for all 10 games. Transfer Luka Bogavac (15) registered double figures nine times and tied his season highs with five assists and three 3-pointers.

Instead of the praise and optimism he usually dishes out, Hubert chose to jump all over his new roster by not getting more rebounds and not being tough enough in general. He has been around long enough to know that during exam week a team’s focus in practice and next game might not be all there.

The Tar Heels are 60-9 at home under Davis, 7-0 this season and 66-9 when they score 80 or more points. His beloved program is 496-90 in the Smith Center, including 239-19 against non-conference foes.

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Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.

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Chansky’s Notebook: And the Good News

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