Chapel Hill, NC – In an overtime victory against Boston College on January 25, North Carolina basketball coach Hubert Davis emphasized the importance of resilience and teamwork, despite the team’s defensive struggles. Addressing media after the game, Davis analyzed the performance, praised his players’ late-game execution, and shared personal insights about the emotional significance of the program.
The Game Overview
The matchup against Boston College proved to be a challenging test for the North Carolina Tar Heels, as they fought hard to secure a 102-98 overtime victory. The game showcased the unpredictable nature of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) basketball, where every opponent poses a unique challenge. Coach Hubert Davis acknowledged that Boston College played exceptionally well, hitting 55% of their shots from the field, a statistic that highlighted North Carolina’s defensive lapses throughout the game.
“We gave them the rhythm to make shots,” Davis remarked, reflecting on the team’s defensive shortcomings. “Our approach defensively was not good for them to be able to shoot that well.”
Defensive Struggles
Davis’s analysis of the game centered on the team’s defense, which has been a focal point of improvement throughout the season. Despite entering the game with a solid defensive reputation—including being ranked first in the ACC for three-point defense—the Tar Heels struggled to contain Boston College’s offensive threats.
When asked about the team’s defensive performance, Davis pointed out that the players lost their focus and intensity during critical moments. “Our closeouts got to be better; our attention to detail has to be better,” he stated. The coach acknowledged that the defensive rotations and ball screen defenses allowed Boston College to penetrate the paint, which in turn opened up opportunities for three-point shots.
Finding Pride in the Clutch
As the game approached its climax, the Tar Heels found themselves down by four points with only 18.6 seconds remaining. It was in these high-pressure moments that the players stepped up, demonstrating their commitment to the game and each other. Davis noted that the late-game execution was a testament to the players’ pride and determination.
“I felt like we were locked in defensively,” Davis said, referring to the team’s ability to make crucial stops in the game’s final moments. “We got the stops that we needed, the deflections, the steals that we needed to get back in the game.”
Strategic Changes and Player Contributions
In response to the team’s struggles, Coach Davis made several strategic adjustments, including a shift to a smaller lineup featuring four guards. This decision was influenced by the need for greater defensive agility and the ability to generate stops.
Drake Powell’s length and athleticism provided a crucial advantage during inbound situations, making it challenging for Boston College to execute plays. Davis praised Drake’s contributions, noting that his defensive prowess was instrumental in securing the win.
Emotional Connection to the Program
After the game, Davis took a moment to reflect on the emotional significance of coaching at North Carolina. He shared personal anecdotes about his journey with the program, emphasizing that it is more than just a job for him. “This is my home,” he stated, underscoring the deep connection he feels to the university and its basketball tradition.
“Everything significant in my life has happened here,” Davis shared, recalling how the program has shaped his identity both as a player and a coach.
POSTGAME NOTES
UNC 102, BOSTON COLLEGE 96 (OT)
JANUARY 25, 2025
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.
UNC Scoring Leader: RJ Davis 22
UNC Rebound Leader: Seth Trimble 12
UNC Assist Leader: Davis 5
Team Records: UNC 13-8, 6-3 ACC, Boston College 9-11, 1-8 ACC
• Carolina is 1-1 this season in overtime games and 69-63 all-time in OT games.
• This was the ninth time UNC scored 100 or more points in an overtime game and the first time since a 4OT loss to Alabama on 11/27/2022.
• Carolina is 11-10 in OT games in the Smith Center, winning in OT in the Smith Center for the first time since beating Syracuse on 2/28/2022.
• Jalen Washington tied his career scoring high with 18 points (also vs. American this season). Carolina is 4-0 this season and 8-1 in his career when he scores in double figures.
• Washington scored 12 first-half points. His previous high point total for a half this season was 10 in the second vs. American. He tied his career best for points in a half – also 12 in the first half against Charleston Southern on12/29/2023 and first half at Virginia on 1/10/2023).
• Washington tied his career high with seven field goals (also vs. American).
• Seth Trimble had his second career double-double with 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. He grabbed a career-high and game-high five offensive rebounds.
• RJ Davis led UNC with 22 points and had five assists, five rebounds and zero turnovers.
• Carolina is 16-2 over the last five seasons when Davis has at least 20 points and five assists.
• It was Davis’ 42nd career 20-point game (UNC 32-10).
• Carolina scored a season-high 58 points in the paint (which does include free throws).
• Carolina shot 55.6% from the floor, its third-best percentage this season (59.0% vs. American and 57.1% vs. Campbell).
• Carolina is 7-1 this season when it shoots 50% from the floor.
• Carolina was 26 for 33 from the free throw line. The 26 made free throws were the most since making 27 against Dayton.
• Carolina is 5-2 this season when it makes 20 or more free throws.
• The teams combined for 91 first-half points, which equaled the most in any game this season with Kansas on November 8 (the Jayhawks led 53-38).
• Carolina shot 58.1% in the first half, its highest percentage in a first half this season, and its highest since 2/26/2022, when it shot 60% in the first half vs. NC State.
• Carolina led 46-45 at half. It was the third straight game UNC led by one or two points at the half.
• Carolina has led at halftime in eight of its nine ACC games.
• Drake Powell did not start for the first time since Maui but was a team-best plus 13 and forced a key five-second call on a baseline out of bounds play that led to Carolina tying the game at the end of regulation.
• Ven-Allen Lubin started for the fifth time and first game since UCLA.
• The lineup of Cadeau-Davis-Jackson-Trimble-Lubin started for the first time this season.
UNC-Boston College
• Carolina improved to 24-6 overall vs. Boston College, including 22-5 against the Eagles in ACC play. Carolina is 9-3 against Boston College in the Smith Center.
• This was the first the teams played an overtime game.
• BC made 14 of 24 three-pointers. The Eagles’ percentage (.583) was the sixth highest by an opponent in Smith Center history and the best since Pitt shot 58.8% in beating Carolina on 2/16/2022.
• The Eagles’ 14 three-pointers tied the most by an opponent this season (also Dayton).
• BC had 20 assists, most against Carolina this season.
Next Game: at Pitt, January 28, 9 p.m., ESPN