By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
RJ Davis hits the game-winning jumper with 50 seconds left to lead the UNC Tar Heels to a 67-66 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers at Dean Center Arena in Chapel Hill.
Elliot Cadeau played sensational defense in the final possession. It’s another game where the Tar Heels did enough to survive. The team is constantly in battle in one-possession games. RJ Davis led the Tar Heels with 18 points.
“It feels like every time we play at home, it’s like a one-possession game, and the game comes down to game-winner,” Davis said. “I was just praying to God this time.”
The Tar Heels set the tone by going to Ven-Allen Lubin early in the game. Lubin scored nine of the 12 Tar Heel points to start the game. The Panthers didn’t respect him on defense early on in the game.
Lubin was efficient around the basket and had a nice finger-roll game. He had a season-high 17 points.
“I think it’s just a great feeling to know that we can enjoy this win and just be able to get our minds right,” Lubin said. “Just to show that we can do what we look for to move forward and prepare ourselves for Clemson.
Seth Trimble had a solid performance, especially from a rebounding standpoint. He led the Tar Heels with seven rebounds.
There’s something that needs to be said about Ian Jackson. He went 0 for three from the field. That’s worrisome for the freshman who is the best scorer of this Tar Heels team.
His confidence might have diminished or something must be going wrong because he is struggling. He has scored single digits in five or the last six games. Coach Hubert Davis need to get him going and encourage him to be more aggressive again. Jackson needs to get going. He’s too valuable to this team.
UNC improves to 14-10 in the season. Their next game will get together. The Tar Heels will face the Clemson Tigers on Monday night. Tar Heels is 0-6 in games airing on ESPN this season.
The Tigers present a tough challenge for the Tar Heels. It is quite a physical team and runs good screens. They’re very talented, and UNC will need to play much better than the Panthers.
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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