Too Close for Comfort? 3 Takeaways from UNC Basketball's Season-Opening Win Over Elon
A Hard-Fought Victory
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels opened their season with a narrow 89-84 victory over the Elon Phoenix on Monday night. Despite being a heavy favorite, UNC struggled to put away the underdogs, trailing at halftime and clinging to a slim lead throughout the second half.
Elon shot 50% from the field and made 12 three-pointers, keeping the game competitive. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, struggled to find their offensive rhythm, shooting just 42.9% from the field and turning the ball over 15 times.
Armando Bacot's Dominance
Despite the team's offensive struggles, Armando Bacot was a force in the paint for UNC. The junior center finished with 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks, leading the Tar Heels in all three categories.
Bacot's dominance on the boards was particularly impressive, as he grabbed 10 offensive rebounds. His ability to create second chances for UNC was crucial in a game where the team struggled to find consistency from the outside.
Defensive Lapses
While Bacot's performance was a bright spot, UNC's defense left much to be desired. Elon shot 50% from the field and made 12 three-pointers, often finding open looks against the Tar Heels' zone defense.
UNC's lack of defensive intensity was particularly concerning, as they allowed Elon to score 44 points in the paint. The Tar Heels will need to improve their defensive communication and effort if they want to be a contender in the ACC this season.
Takeaways
From UNC's season-opening win over Elon, we can learn the following takeaways:
- Armando Bacot is a force to be reckoned with and will be key to UNC's success this season.
- UNC's defense needs to improve if they want to be a contender in the ACC.
- The Tar Heels need to find more consistency on the offensive end, particularly from the outside.
Overall, UNC's season-opening win over Elon was a mixed bag. While Bacot's performance was encouraging, the team's defensive lapses and offensive struggles are areas that need to be addressed moving forward.
