Written by MICHAEL KOH
If Hubert Davis is to be believed, UNC is recapturing its toughness at the right time.
The Tar Heels exuded toughness in three rugged wins against Louisville, Virginia Tech and Clemson in the final homestand of the regular season. But those good vibes dissipated quickly once the team got the news of Caleb Wilson’s second injury, which would keep the star freshman sidelined for the rest of the season.
With the wind taken out of its sails, Carolina fell flat in a loss at Duke in the final regular season game, and then again against Clemson in the ACC Tournament. Davis said the Tar Heels didn’t match Clemson’s physicality, and they paid the price.
But after Selection Sunday, Davis struck a different tone. In his weekly radio show and again at a media session Tuesday morning, Davis described UNC’s most recent practice as one of its most competitive and physical of the season. The head coach switched up teams to inject some life into his players, and even said things got a little chippy. But Davis, who played for some famously scrappy New York Knicks teams in the 1990s, said he didn’t mind that at all.
The players confirmed Davis’ report Wednesday in Greenville. Zayden High noted the players held an impromptu meeting following the Clemson game and laid bare the stakes: every game now is win-or-go-home.
Davis is no stranger to the stakes of NCAA Tournament action, and said he’s been careful to not let his team get too wound up. Last week, he took his team away from the basketball court and brought them to a driving range. It served two purposes: one, to let the team relax, and two, to marvel at the variety of golf swings produced by his players. Derek Dixon drew praise for his swing, while Davis described Jonathan Powell as Adam Sandler-esque.
Perhaps it was that release of tension which contributed to Carolina’s rugged practice. With the setbacks of the regular season and the ACC Tournament now blasted down the fairway, Davis hopes the Tar Heels can focus on their new season. UNC, VCU and all the other teams in the tournament effectively have a blank slate. Taking after Dean Smith, Davis breaks down the tournament into three equal parts. Should Carolina win two games in the “Greenville tournament,” it will be invited to the “Houston tournament.” Repeat that in Houston, and the Tar Heels will go to the “Indianapolis tournament.”
Regardless of Davis’ declarations, though, plenty of people across the country see UNC as vulnerable. VCU has become a popular upset pick since the bracket was released Sunday. The Rams have built a brand of toughness since their days under Shaka Smart, and will bring that blue-collar brand of ball to Greenville today. Carolina will need to bring its attitude from practice if it hopes to make it to the weekend.
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Featured image via Todd Melet
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