Hubert Davis’ UNC waned with a tough December schedule, incurring 3 straight losses to the likes of Auburn, Michigan, and Alabama. Two more in the stretch that followed and the Tar Heels found themselves with their worst 15-game start to a season since the 2019-20 (9-6). The inconsistency had a UNC alum questioning Davis’ tactics. But looks like a found rhythm against SMU has ignited some optimism, having answered one big issue.
“I said from day one, ‘Carolina is going to be a different team later in the year than they were early on,”‘ Tyler Hansbrough cleared during a recent episode of Field of 68 After Dark podcast. He believed freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell were talents awaiting to explode with time, offering Hubert Davis & staff confidence in them. There may be more down the road but the two did show up tonight.
Jackson put up 18 points while Powell added 17 to the scoreboard. But the notable positive was the Tar Heels overcame one of their biggest flaws– fumbling after an early lead. “We get down big in almost every game and have to claw ourselves back into the game and tonight was one positive… we controlled this game pretty much from start to finish, which is good to see,” he added.
Well, indeed. With Elliot Cadeau’s 3-pointer for a start, quickly followed by a layup, the Tar Heels soared 5-0. Mustangs could only open the account 3 minutes into the game and tie the score 6-6 just once through the entire run. It was a concern Hansbrough had addressed after UNC’s stinging loss to Florida.
The 5th year senior scored 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists to lead the team to a comfortable 82-67 win. The promise, however, was shown by Powell for Hansbrough, given the UNC lacks the size in front court. “He could be a that’s going to be serviceable in four positions,” the alum adds. But he isn’t the only freshman proving crucial for the team as the former Tar Heel believed.
Ian Jackson takes Hubert Davis’ lessons to the heart
The eight-ranked recruit of the 2024 class has been a bright spot for UNC this season. After the previous game against Notre Dame, Jackson became the first UNC first-year to record 20 or more points in four straight games since Tyler Hansbrough in 2005-06. He had put up an impressive career-high 27-point performance then. And it doesn’t just come by for the freshman.
Coach Hubert Davis reveals that Jackson drops a text after practice regularly to ask, “how can I improve, what can I do better?” The HC reveals, “Every day he does that.” The guard is now chipping in 25.3 minutes a game and averaging 15.1 points. He has put up 11 double-figure games as well and could assume the role of primary shot creator considering RJ Davis hasn’t been faring the best in the aspect.
Jackson leads Davis, Powell, and transfer Cade Tyson who averages 30.8% in the 3-point shooting. With the former of the lot’s offense limited by opponents’ stonewalling, the freshman proves to be a reliable force. So Hansbrough wasn’t wrong with his predictions and hopefully it continues to stay afloat as they take on a challenging schedule. For now, it remains to be seen if the positives from the game against the Mustangs help UNC maintain their winning streak on January 11th against NC State.
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