UNC Basketball's Struggles and Hopes in the Face of Adversity
UNC's Four Losses Before Christmas and the ACC Opener
For the second time in three seasons, the Tar Heels (4-4) find themselves with four losses before Christmas and are now on a three-game losing streak as they prepare to face Georgia Tech (4-4) in their ACC opener on Saturday at 2 p.m. on the ACC Network. This raises the question: will UNC be able to rectify its issues?UNC has struggled mightily against high-major opponents this season, with a 0-4 record. Let's take a closer look at what transpired in UNC's loss to Alabama (7-2), which was their worst defeat since a 87-67 setback to Duke in 2022.
Drake Powell's Entry into the Starting Lineup and the First-Half Struggles
The Tar Heels have trailed by double digits in each of their four games against high-major opponents. Against Alabama, they faced a 13-point deficit as the Tide built a 31-18 lead. Freshman wing Drake Powell replaced Jae’Lyn Withers in the starting lineup, but UNC committed seven of its nine turnovers in the first 10 minutes and trailed 43-34 at halftime. Coming into Wednesday's game, the Tar Heels averaged 9.6 turnovers but ended up with 13 against Alabama.This early turnover trouble clearly affected UNC's performance and put them in a deep hole early on. It showed the challenges they faced in maintaining possession and executing their game plan.
RJ Davis' Shooting Woes and UNC's Overall 3-Point Shooting
UNC missed 14 of its 16 attempts from 3-point range, and fifth-year guard RJ Davis continued to struggle with his outside shot. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Davis missed 14 of his 20 shots against Alabama. In the rematch against the Tide, he had a 7-for-24 shooting night. The reigning ACC Player of the Year entered Wednesday's game making only 27.5% of his 3-pointers.This shooting slump from RJ Davis had a significant impact on UNC's offense. Their inability to make 3-pointers consistently opened up the defense for Alabama and made it difficult for UNC to keep the game close. It highlighted the importance of his shooting ability and the need for him to find his rhythm.
Elliot Cadeau's Turnover Issues Becoming a Concern
Sophomore point guard Elliot Cadeau, who struggled with turnovers and foul trouble in three games at the Maui Invitational, carried those problems back to Chapel Hill. In 24 minutes against Alabama, Cadeau went 0-for-4 shooting, finishing with 1 point, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls and 4 turnovers. He has logged 16 turnovers and 15 turnovers across the last four games.Cadeau's turnover problems are becoming a significant issue for UNC. His inability to take care of the ball and make smart decisions with the ball in his hands is costing the team valuable possessions and putting them at a disadvantage. It's a problem that needs to be addressed if UNC wants to improve their performance.
Ian Jackson's Bright Spot Against the Crimson Tide
Freshman guard Ian Jackson appears to be getting better with each outing. Against the Tide, he kept UNC in the game with 11 first-half points and finished with a season-high 23 points. In games against Kansas, Michigan State and Auburn, the Bronx guard averaged 11 points.Jackson's emergence as a bright spot for UNC is encouraging. His ability to score and contribute in key moments gives the team some much-needed offense. It shows that there is potential within the team and that there are players who can step up and make a difference.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.