by Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Peyton Williams
The North Carolina Tar Heels won another blowout game, this time against Virginia. Carolina prevailed 81-66.
The Tar Heels improved to 17-11, 10-6 ACC, and are currently on a three-game winning streak. They have been shooting very well from the three-point line. UNC shot 56 percent on Saturday’s game, its highest percentage this season.
The Tar Heels are 30 for 64 from three-point range (47 percent) in the last three games, which has resulted in all three wins. This offense has been on fire lately. Their defense could be better, but it’s not lousy.
UNC could’ve won this game by 20, but eight turnovers in the first half, plus the technical and flagrant fouls, gave the Cavaliers some life.
UNC totally dominated second-chance points and rebounding. Carolina outrebounded the Cavaliers 35-21.
Fifth-year player Jae’Lyn Withers has been a terror, especially from the perimeter. He’s getting on fire at the right time. Withers made four three-pointers, his most as a Tar Heel. Withers finished the game with 16 points and led the team with 11 rebounds.
Seth Trimble led the Tar Heels in the last game in rebounds, but this time, Withers took care of business. Trimble was the third-leading Tar Heel in rebounds.
Trimble and Ian Jackson, coming off the bench, have provided a big spark for the team. Ven-Allen Lubin scored 14 points, RJ Davis added 12, and Drake Powell added 11.
Jackson and Powell are the future of the Tar Heels. The two freshmen are playing sensational and doing little things for the team.
Carolina plays at Florida State on Monday. It’s not easy to play at Tallahassee. This is another must-win game for the Tar Heels. The selection committee doesn’t just grade the wins but also the margin of victory. Carolina has to continue to beat teams by double digits.
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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