UNC Basketball: Kentucky Recap
In a game that didn't feel like just a regular season game, Kentucky topped Carolina 103-100 in an instant classic. As a fan of college basketball you can't help but feel like this game had a tournament kind of feel to it. We can only hope we could get lucky to see these teams play again in a win or go home situation come March. Malik Monk and Justin Jackson put on quite a show for the folks in Las Vegas to see. Monk scored a career high and Kentucky freshman record 47 points, while Justin Jackson with a diverse attack scored a career high 34 points in the loss. Monk, connected on 18-28 shots, including 8-12 from behind the arc. No matter who Carolina put on Monk, or what defense they threw at him, Monk continually bested the Tar Heel defense.
This game was more than those going at it though. Kentucky for a team that isn't as big as they've been, in recent past outrebounded the Tar Heels 39-35. More importantly though, Kentucky won the offensive rebounding margin 15-10, something that Carolina is the best in the country at doing. The Carolina bigs though were in foul trouble all game long. Kennedy Meeks fouled out and Isaiah Hicks was plagued by foul trouble again. Hicks in the first half was somehow called for a foul while lying on the floor. The call made head coach Roy Williams throw his sport coat which resulted in a technical.
Even through all the adversity the Heels faced, they kept fighting. While we're not here for moral victories, you can't help but think this team is going to be a major player come March.
Let's now take a look at some positives, negatives and the player of the game from the loss to Kentucky:
??Positives:
1. Justin Jackson Scoring:
While it's not just the fact that Jackson scored 34, its more of how he did it. There were multiple times he got his defender on his hip and drove him to the rim.
His aggressiveness meant multiple trips to the foul line, while Jackson did miss 5 free throws it was great to see him be some aggressive.
2. Luke Maye's Play off the Bench:
With the Tar Heels mired in foul trouble the sophomore, steeped up in a huge way scoring a career high 11 points. He even had a tip out off a missed foul shot that could of been the game winning play had Carolina held on to win. Maye does all of the little things that fans love, diving on the floor, setting hard screens etc. He will definitely have a role on this team moving forward.
3. This teams Resiliencey:
This group has proven to be resilient so far this season. At Indiana they fell behind 17 and clawed all the way back to within 4. Saturday the Heels were deep in foul trouble, fell behind double digits a few times and kept on fighting.
??Negatives:
?1. Lack of Defensive Intensity:
This isn't just because Monk dropped 47. Kentucky shot 54% from the field. The Wildcats abused the Tar Heel defense in high screen and roll situations. The lack of defensive intensity led to way too many easy baskets for Kentucky.
2. Fouling:
Both Kennedy Meeks and Joel Berry fouled out. Isaiah Hicks had 4 fouls. Those three players need to stay out of foul trouble. Berry not being on the court really made trying to get 3 points in 2 seconds even harder. The Heels have to learn to not make stupid, cheap fouls moving forward. Those players are too important to this team and the success it hopes to have.
??Player of the Game: Justin Jackson
?This is the third time Jackson has set a career high in points scored this year alone. While his 34 was overshadowed by Monk's 47 his offensive outburst was impressive. There's no telling where this team would of been if Justin Jackson would not of showed up. His vary display of scoring was something we've been wanting to see since Jackson arrived on campus. Look for him to build off this performance moving forward.
??Up Next:
?The Tar Heels return home to face Northern Iowa, Wednesday night in the Smith Center. These two played up at UNI a year ago, an upset win for the Panthers in what was suppose to be a homecoming for Marcus Paige. I don't think the Heels have forgot about that game.
