Finalist of the NCAA tournament in 2022, North Carolina completely missed the following season, despite a virtually unchanged squad and status as title favorites, ending the 2022/23 campaign with a sluggish record of 20 wins and 13 losses (11 wins and 9 losses in the ACC conference), without invitation to the “March Madness”…
A bitter collective failure that left its mark on this legendary program accustomed to excellence, and had its share of consequences: no less than seven departures on the NCAA transfer portal.
The opportunity for Hubert Davis to rethink much of the Tar Heels squad, taking into account the deep-seated ailments that have plagued this greatly disappointing 2022/23 season. A blessing in disguise, in the end…
Two watchwords: shoot and rhythm
First project: recruit players capable of sanctioning with regularity behind the arc, after a 2022/23 season concluded with 31.2% success in the exercise collectively. The worst average in the ACC conference on the season, and especially the second worst average in the history of the program…
” We had to change a number of things, to avoid reliving the same problems as last season.. Shooting first. We weren’t a very good team from an outside shooting perspective. We were 15th out of 15 teams in three-point percentage in the ACC last year », thus recognized Hubert Daviswho then walked the talk by recruiting shooters like Cormac Ryan from Notre Dame (35.2% on 5.2 shots per game in four seasons), Paxson Wojcik from Brown (36.4% on 3 shots per game in four seasons) or even Jae’Lyn Withers from Louisville (34.8% on 2.2 shots per game in three seasons). ” This year, I have the feeling that we are in a much better position. »
Other areas of urgent progress for UNC: the movement of the ball, and the rhythm more generally. Last season, the Tar Heels finished second-to-last in the ACC in assists and 99th nationwide in possessions per game.
” Last year we weren’t really up to speed when it comes to movement and leather sharing “, regretted Coach Davis, who once again was proactive in striking a blow with the recruitment, a year in advance, ofElliot Gift, considered the best creative leader in all of the United States in high school. ” This year we have several creators, who can create for themselves and for others. It’s still early to draw conclusions, but I like the versatility of our team from this point of view. »
As for the pace, it’s the veteran pivot Armando Bacotback on campus with his teammates for summer training, which gives some indications of the changes to come.
” My takeaway from the summer so far is that we run », indeed ensures the pivot of the Tar Heels. ” I think that [Coach Davis] wants us to find the historical identity of the program, around the counter-attack. »
The Last Dance by Armando Bacot and RJ Davis
While North Carolina’s offseason was therefore marked by a major overhaul of the workforce, another major point to remember was the return of Armando Bacot and RJ Davis, the two oldest of the group. The first for his fifth season in Chapel Hill, the second for his fourth.
To the delight of Hubert Davis, who will rely for a final season on these veterans, leaders and spearheads of the Tar Heels game.
” These two guys, they embody the program “, Appreciated the technician. ” They love this university, they love playing here. It reminds me why there is so much attachment to this university. It’s a real joy to build lasting relationships with these boys. Many coaches do not know this feeling. »
On the side of Armando Bacot, it is above all the bitterness of the failed season that motivated this last return.
” I didn’t want to leave college on such a note. I wanted another ending. So it’s great to have one last chance “Explains the pivot, who became the best rebounder in the history of the program last season.
All lights green… on paper
Overall, optimism therefore reigns in Chapel Hill, probably more than last year, ahead of a crucial season that the program hopes will be one of rebound and return to the fore on the national scene.
” At the start of the summer, we know where we want to be, as a team. We don’t know how we’re going to get there, but we at least know where we want to go. And right now, in the second half of summer, we’re right where I wanted us to be. “, assures in any case a Hubert Davis invigorated by this exciting off-season.
On paper, its workforce is in any case convincing and certainly better built than that of the previous season. Around a strong duo RJ Davis – Armando Bacot in the center of play, were added several high-volume shooters and a young creator of great talent. A modern collective profile, which embodies the spaced basketball played today.
” We are in a good position, and I like the construction of our identity “, he concludes thus. ” I am satisfied. »
So all that’s left to do is, as they say…
