Charlotte – UNC defeats Louisville in their third meeting this season, 83-70.
In the first half, a dynamic Cam Johnson started the Heels off with strong with a clean jumper to give them their first points of the game. Johnson scored all 14 of his points in the first 20 minutes, giving UNC their lead into the half. But in the second half, Johnson didn’t score a single point, but Coach Williams was disappointed. Williams gave Johnson the praise of staying committed to the game and his ability to be the defensive effort his team needed despite not contributing offensively.
Cam didn’t score a basket in the second half but he kept us in the game a lot early and he gave us a little bit of a margin, but I thought is was good.
But the hot hands came from Coby White and the Skip Prosser Award winner, Luke Maye. The pair shared 19 points with White having the team high 6 assists. But the key to the game for Williams is always turnovers, and with White being more controlled in his game and making better decisions, he only had one this game and contributed his discipline to Williams constant reminder of better decisions.
I think I’m just trying to make the easy play instead of the home run play. Not trying to force it, not trying to do too much with the ball and just make the correct play and I think early on I was trying to force it and make the home run play, but that didn’t benefit me so coach got on me a lot about turning the ball over and I think I’m getting better each game.
Coach Williams butts in,
As you can tell Coby thinks I get on him all the time I get on him about his shots I get on him about his turnovers and he’s right, but he is making much better decisions. It’s just attack, attack, attack. That’s what we talk about all the time we want to attack like crazy and be under control and I think he’s doing a lot better job of that tonight and late in the season he’s done a much better job.
One thing to note for UNC that kept them in charge of the game and in a constant lead was their ability to prevent Louisville from getting to the line -Louisville was held to only 5-8 from the free throw. Williams stated that was the goal for them especially with Louisville being one of the best free throw shooting teams in the country.
We got to the free-throw line and when you’re playing Louisville, we talk all the time about trying to play them without fouling. They’re one of the best free throw shooting teams in the league. And so for us that was a big key.
UNC now faces the biggest question of the conference… Syracuse or Duke?
Coach Williams: Frankly my dear…..
