Carolina Tar Heels Dominate Radford in 86-70 Season Opener
By Adam Lucas
Carolina’s men’s basketball team started off their season with a resounding 86-70 victory over Radford on Friday night. The Tar Heels showcased their depth and skill throughout the game, overwhelming their opponents with an impressive display of talent.
One player who stood out for the Tar Heels was center Armando Bacot, who had a commanding performance with 25 points and 13 rebounds in just 29 minutes of play. Carolina made a conscious effort to feed the ball to Bacot in the second half, which helped stretch their lead and secure the win. Bacot was supported by three other players who scored in double figures: RJ Davis (13), Cormac Ryan (13), and Harrison Ingram (12).
Carolina’s halftime adjustments were crucial to their victory. Head coach Hubert Davis emphasized the importance of defense and rebounding during the break. In the first half, Radford shot 50 percent from the field and capitalized on five offensive rebounds. However, the Tar Heels tightened up their defense in the second half, holding Radford to just 35.5 percent shooting.
Although Carolina struggled with turnovers in the first half, they managed to improve in the second half, minimizing their mistakes to only three turnovers. The team’s fast-paced style of play, in line with Davis’ desired tempo, contributed to some of the initial turnovers. The Tar Heels finished with ten fast break points, showcasing their ability to score in transition.
Radford’s Kenyon Giles gave a notable performance, displaying confidence and backing it up with 18 points. His swagger on the court impressed throughout the game.
Carolina’s depth was on full display as ten players saw at least nine minutes of playing time. This allows Davis to rotate players effectively, maximizing their offensive and defensive capabilities. Freshman Jalen Washington made an immediate impact in his limited ten minutes of play, showcasing his rebounding abilities.
The Tar Heels’ depth also enables Davis to play offense/defense with substitutions. This was seen during the first half when Seth Trimble replaced Dontrez Cadeau, providing strong defensive efforts against Giles. Trimble’s defensive prowess caused turnovers and contributed to momentum-changing plays.
The game also marked the debut of several enhancements to the gameday experience at the Smith Center. A new LED lighting system and technical effects, along with an enhanced team entrance and introduction, were introduced to enrich the overall experience for fans.
In a touching tribute, the Tar Heels wore shooting shirts honoring the late Walter Davis. Davis, an uncle of head coach Hubert Davis, was a renowned Tar Heel basketball player. The coaching staff is also expected to pay their respects to him throughout the season.
The Smith Center felt a void without the presence of long-time usher John Schleich, who had been a fixture at the building since its opening in 1986. Schleich, who passed away in October, was remembered by ushers and personnel who wore buttons in his memory.
Several Tar Heel basketball alumni attended the game, including Phil Ford, Mitch Kupchak, James Michael McAdoo, Marcus Ginyard, Joel James, JP Tokoto, and many others.
The Tar Heels’ dominant performance against Radford served as a promising start to the season. With their depth and skill, combined with the leadership of head coach Hubert Davis, Carolina basketball continues to exhibit its strength on the court.