CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –– Last night was fun.
The No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels kicked off their men’s basketball season with a 90-76 victory over Elon University on Tuesday night.
The Tar Heels came out firing on all cylinders, showcasing their depth and versatility. Sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau set the tone early, knocking down the first of four consecutive three-pointers to open the scoring. Cadeau was supported by veteran leaders RJ Davis and Seth Trimble, who connected on the latter two triples in the flurry.
UNC’s fast-paced, high-energy play in the first half allowed them to build a 16-point advantage, the largest of the game. However, the Tar Heels struggled to maintain that momentum in the second half, missing easy shots and committing uncharacteristic errors that allowed Elon to trim the deficit.
Recognizing the need for improved defensive intensity, head coach Hubert Davis urged his team to tighten up their man-to-man defense. The Tar Heels responded, using their length and athleticism to create scoring opportunities in transition. Several high-flying alley-oop dunks and a dominant 34-point performance in the paint showcased the team’s ability to impose their will inside.
Every guy who stepped on the court made an impact tonight. Jae’Lyn Withers earned his first career start and delivered an impressive double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Cadeau finished with 17 points and Seth Trimble was all smiles with 15 points as both found rhythm from various spots on the floor.
Despite a 12-0 run by the Phoenix, the Tar Heels remained poised. Coach Davis said that this game was the perfect situation to be in, because it’s a valuable learning opportunity that will help them grow as they face more formidable opponents.
UNC has a quick turnaround with a trip to face the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Friday, a team they haven’t faced since the 2022 NCAA National Championship loss.
“I think it’s an opportunity to grow and get better in a number of different areas on both ends of the floor,” Davis said. “It’s the first game of the season, and there are things that I was really proud of that I thought the team did really well and did at a high level. And there’s things that we’ve got to improve on, and we feel very fortunate to be able to pull away.”
RJ Davis was the X-factor in the team’s ability to pull away, giving his team the win for good with a crucial jumper followed by a timely three-point shot to seal the victory. With the lineup diversification and reliance on multiple contributors, North Carolina’s 1-0 start serves as a promising foundation for the season ahead.
“We need them to step up every night, and they’ve done it in practice. So for it to play out in the game is not surprising to me. But for us to be the team that we want to become, everybody has to step up. We need everybody playing at a high level, and when everyone is locked in and playing at a high level, this is a team that I think has really good potential.”
