By Adam Lucas
1. Isn’t it nice to have a full roster again? Seth Trimble returned and scored 17 points in 36 minutes, Henri Veesaar (17 points and 10 rebounds) and Caleb Wilson were steady again, and the Tar Heels beat Ohio State 71-70.
2. Really liked Carolina going with the fullcourt trap out of the timeout with 33.6 seconds left facing a one-point deficit. Ohio State obliged by throwing the ball exactly where UNC wanted it–into the hands of seven-footer Christoph Tilly, and the possession never really looked comfortable until Jarin Stevenson picked off the steal on a desperation heave across midcourt.
3. That set up a UNC timeout with 18.3 seconds left. They went with Jonathan Powell, Seth Trimble, Henri Veesaar, Caleb Wilson and Derek Dixon for the decisive possession, which ended with a Trimble slip…that turned into the most fortunate assist of his life, as Veesaar collected the ball and dunked it for a one-point lead.
4. Ohio State called timeout with 4.4 seconds remaining. You can be sure the emphasis in the UNC huddle was on defending without fouling, and the Buckeyes helped by somewhat unexpectedly hoisting a 24-foot three-point shot instead of attacking the rim. It looked for a moment like the Buckeyes might have a chance at a follow shot, but Wilson blocked his shot to preserve the win.
5. There are obviously plenty of impressive things about Wilson. His unflappable approach continues to be beyond his years. He had a frustrating first half as he returned to his home of Atlanta, going just 2-for-5 from the field and 0-2 from the line. But he just kept plugging and finished with another double-double. In the second half alone, he had 16 points and eight rebounds and finished with 20 and 15 in total.
6. The Tar Heels spent significant time late this week in practice paying attention to the scouting report on Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton. Led by Trimble, the Heels did a solid job on the veteran Buckeye guard, and that helped make it very difficult for the Buckeyes to score. He finished 7-for-16 and 0-for-4 from three and was inconsequential on the final possession, when he inbounded the ball and never got it back.
7. Carolina continues to share the ball well. The Heels piled up 22 assists on 28 field goals. What’s most unique is that they’re doing it without a point guard who gets a huge quantity of assists. Instead, it’s a team-wide effort. Veesaar had a team-high five and Dixon had four, but eight different players had at least one assist.
8. Trimble’s return immediately boosted Carolina’s transition game. His first six points were on the fast break, as he gives Carolina an element of aggressively attacking the rim that the team didn’t have in his absence. He’s also a defensive weapon. He just makes the Heels better both in the box scores and intangibles.
9. Jarin Stevenson has struggled with his outside shot and is now two for his last 20 from three. But he’s finding other ways to contribute. He had a big second half blocked shot after he ran the entire length of the floor, and then fought for an offensive rebound and converted a bucket that forced an Ohio State timeout with 11:13 left and Carolina leading by 11. He also, of course, had the big steal. Even when his shot isn’t going in, he’s still athletic and 6-foot-10.
10. The free throw line kept that game close. The Tar Heels had some struggles, going 7-13 in the game and 3-6 in the second half. Ohio State–one of the best free throw shooting teams in the country–went 16-19 from the line in the game.
11. As often happens, this event draws Tar Heels from all over the country. Mitch Kupchak, John Henson, Justin Jackson, Shammond Williams and Justin Watts were among the former lettermen in attendance
12. Ohio State is sort of the awkward member of this four-team event, but there’s no denying that when the Buckeyes wear their scarlet jerseys and Carolina is in blue, it’s at least visually pleasing.
13. Carolina is now 8-4 in the CBS Sports Classic, including 4-0 against Ohio State. The Heels will be back at home on Monday night against East Carolina before a quick holiday break. With just that game against the Pirates remaining, you have to be pretty pleased with where the Heels sit going into ACC play. At 11-1 overall, they’ve put themselves in position to be in the national conversation in a way they never were last season.
