North Carolina defeated Southern Methodist (SMU) 82-67 on Tuesday at the Smith Center, showcasing their dominance over an opponent that had been riding a hot streak. The Tar Heels’ win marked their first home victory against an ACC newbie since 2018.
Freshman guard Drake Powell got off to a strong start, nailing three 3-pointers and scoring 14 points in the opening half. R.J. Davis led the team with 26 points, including a clutch deep 3 late in the game that earned him a big hand from the crowd. However, he left the game after being bloodied in his nose.
SMU’s offense struggled to find its footing, shooting just 33.3% from the field and missing most of their 3-point attempts. The Mustangs’ big men also struggled to score, with Samet Yigitoglu and Yohan Traore missing several short shots and putbacks.
Seth Trimble’s return to the lineup was a significant factor in the Tar Heels’ victory. His defensive intensity helped force SMU into a poor shooting performance, and he also showed off his skills on offense. The freshman guard’s 15 points in the second half helped the Tar Heels build a significant lead.
The win marked a reality check for SMU, who had previously beaten Boston College and Virginia to extend their winning streak. However, they were unable to sustain their momentum against the Tar Heels’ strong defense.
Three key takeaways from the game:
* SMU’s offense failed to deliver, shooting just 33% from the field and missing most of their 3-point attempts.
* The Tar Heels’ defensive intensity, led by Seth Trimble’s return, was a major factor in the win.
* UNC coach Hubert Davis praised his team’s heart and grit, saying that they found a way to overcome SMU’s size advantage.
Source: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article298107163.html