By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Tar Heel Times
Elliot Cadeau’s heroics saved the UNC Tar Heels on Saturday and defeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish 74-73
Cadeau, who has struggled from the three-point line throughout his college career, hit a huge three-point shot with less than four seconds left. He completed the four-point play after the free throw. Cadeau got fouled as he went up for the shot.
Cadeau spoke with the media after the game about what motivated him to take arguably the biggest shot of his basketball career.
“I felt like that was the best open look we could have,” Cadeau said. “They knew RJ wanted to come for a shot. They knew Ian was hitting a lot of shots. They knew he was the first or second option. I felt like I was the only guy that would have an open look, so I just took a shot.”
Cadeau finished with 10 points.
Marcus Burton almost won the game for the Fighting Irish but missed the game-winner.
Ian Jackson continues to shoot the ball very effectively and confidently. Jackson led the Tar Heels with 27 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Jackson is the first Tar Heel freshman with 20 or more points in four straight games since the 2005-06 season by Tyler Hansbrough. He’s 6’6 and very athletic.
Coach Hubert Davis noticed how he played quickly and confidently and praised Jackson on his game.
“He can get to his spots anytime he wants,” Davis said. “Ball handler, score at three levels. He can score with contact, and it’s just easy for him.”
UNC led as many as 12 in the first half (26-14), but Notre Dame kept returning.
The Tar Heels’ defense showed up in the second half. Although they committed some silly fouls, they made a valuable effort to get stops.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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