Is Michael Malone’s NBA style of play going to work in college? Through three games, I’m not sure there’s a clear answer.
Carolina fans on social media are debating the approach Malone is using with the Tar Heels so far. A long time pro coach who won the NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, Malone told the local media he wants the offense to focus on three-pointers and layups. But he might favor using his best players where they excel, which seems to be in the midrange and paint for pseudo-point guard Terrence Brown. And his post players have struggled to consistently rebound so far, which will hurt you in college ball.
The impressive win over Wyoming, the best team Carolina has played so far in this season, has stoked that debate. UNC entered the game shooting under 40% from outside and getting out-rebounded in the prior preseason exhibitions against Indiana, Charlotte, and the first regular-season game against Western Carolina. The rationale is that when you miss three-pointers your emphasizing within the offense, long caroms are often recovered by the opposition.
But the Heels had their best shooting night against the Cowboys, going 9-of-20 from the arc. The win was kept from being a full-fledged blowout by some timely threes from Wyoming and because UNC hit only 9-of-18 from the free throw line. Wyoming out-rebounded Carolina in the first half which prompted a tongue lashing at halftime when Malone told his team to man up. They fixed it in the second, and rode an all-around impressive effort from freshman Sayon Keita (13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks and 3 assists) and the hot long-distance shooting.
UNC fans may be wondering whether Malone will ultimately ask his team to play more like Dean Smith’s and Roy Williams’, who hammered the importance of rebounds and had the point guards setting up high percentage looks inside as well as open looks from the perimeter. Of course, a lot of that depends on whether you have a Tyler Hansbrough underneath and a Wayne Ellington outside.
Doing better on the offensive glass is imperative, as Wyoming from the Mountain West conference had six put-backs in the first five minutes and won that battle in 19-10. The bench rotation sparked by early fan favorite Maximo Adams (suggested nicknames welcomed) seems to be shaping up under Malone’s tutelage, though. The choice to have the bench unit play so many minutes together also seems to have shades of the NBA.
The best challenge so far will come from Georgia on Friday night in the Smith Center. While the Dawgs play in the shadow of their top-ranked football power, they usually have talent despite being picked 11th in SEC preseason predictions.
Georgia is led by Mike White, the former Florida coach and son of one time Duke and Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White. He switched SEC East schools after the 2022 season with a record of 142-88 and after reaching four NCAA tournaments in Gainesville. The ‘Dawgs are 3-0, like UNC, and White’s overall record in Athens is 81-57 including NCAA bids the last two seasons. Their leading scorer is senior guard Blue Cain, who is averaging 16 points per game and shoots just under 60 percent from the field. The balanced Georgia attack features four starters in double figures, but size that Carolina should be able to match.
Both teams have proven coaches, but rosters that have to prove themselves. The winner will likely make more three-pointers and dominate the backboards to remain unbeaten and move on to stiffer competition down the road.
Will that be the Tar Heels?
Featured image by Todd Melet/Chapel Hill Media Group.
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 on 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro during football and basketball seasons.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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