Saturday afternoon, inside the Dean Dome, was everything the UNC basketball team dreamed of producing all season.
North Carolina welcomed La Salle to Chapel Hill for a 4 p.m. tip-off – and left its home court with a massive, 93-67 victory. Today looked much different than when the Tar Heels (6-4, 1-0 ACC) played Georgia Tech, a game in which they survived poor shooting to escape with a 3-point win.
UNC started slow against La Salle (6-5), but quickly responded in the first half by getting its shots to fall. North Carolina hustled to loose balls, outplayed the visiting Explorers in the paint and looked every bit of a competitive team.
The Tar Heels shot better from 3-point land (10-of-31) than in recent games, but they shot even better overall, making 53.7 percent (36-of-67) of their attempts. UNC center Ven-Allen Lubin was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, one of seven Tar Heels to shoot at least 50%, while Cade Tyson delivered a career night.
Most importantly, North Carolina looked like a team that can compete and make the NCAA Tournament. Everyone found a way to contribute for UNC, whether it was pouring in points, dishing out assists or locking down ball-handlers. That’s why, when the final buzzer sounded, the Tar Heels emerged with their best win of the season (yes, I’m including American).
Next up for North Carolina is Florida, on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Jumpman Invitational. As we’re hoping UNC finally turned a corner, we’re also here to give you five takeaways from today’s victory.
Dec 14, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cade Tyson (5) shoots a three point shot as La Salle Explorers guard Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi (34) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Belmont transfer Cade Tyson has endured his fair share of struggles this season for UNC, but when shots start falling for the junior forward, he’s hard to stop.
Saturday afternoon against La Salle was a much-needed positive for Tyson, who scored a team and game-high 23 points, his highest output in Chapel Hill. Tyson hadn’t scored since November 25, when North Carolina beat Dayton in its Maui Invitational opener.
Tyson’s playing time magically dropped after the Tar Heels beat Hawaii, but we’re not quite sure why. He produces when he’s in the game – and even made a couple big defensive plays on Saturday.
I think Hubert Davis needs to seriously consider starting Tyson against Florida. That decision could lead UNC to a huge, upset victory.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 14: Ven-Allen Lubin #22 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dunks against the La Salle Explorers during the second half of the game at the Dean E. Smith Center on December 14, 2024 in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 93-67. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Who says you need to have Ryan Kalkbrenner’s height to be productive in the paint? How about Cliff Omoruyi’s ability to move around at 6’11”?
UNC starting center Ven-Allen Lubin, who is listed at just 6’8″, showed he should be starting every game going forward.
Lubin is physical and rises for rebounds with electricity. North Carolina doesn’t ask Lubin to shoot the basketball a lot, but when he does, he produces. Lubin shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the field against La Salle on Saturday, plus he added two free throws, to match his UNC high of 10 points.
The Tar Heels haven’t received Lubin’s level of production from its other big men, Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers. North Carolina should keep starting Lubin and see how games are impacted.
Dec 14, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) shoots as La Salle Explorers guard Jahlil White (1) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
UNC didn’t need to make 3-pointers against La Salle, but its lack of perimeter production would’ve hurt it against better opponents.
North Carolina shot 10-of-31 from deep against the visiting Explorers, which is good for 32.3 percent. That isn’t a terrible percentage, but for a Tar Heels team littered with shooters, this number is concerning.
RJ Davis is currently struggling by his standards, yet Davis was the only UNC starter to make multiple 3-pointers on Saturday. Cade Tyson was the only other Tar Heel with multiple makes from deep.
If North Carolina wants to be a serious threat, it has to get multiple perimeter makes from more than two players.
Dec 14, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels bench reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
I fully expect Florida to chomp UNC on Tuesday in the Jumpman Invitational, but I don’t think UNC will lose by a ton.
Who knows – if North Carolina can find ways to consistently make 3-pointers, it’ll be fine against the Gators. If guys like Cade Tyson can step up, the Tar Heels can hang tough with one of the country’s top teams.
UNC’s defense is finally clicking – and the team, as a whole, doesn’t need pretty games from start to finish. North Carolina is finding ways to make its small lineup work, with 6’8″ Ven-Allen Lubin the tallest starter.
Beating La Salle gave the Tar Heels a lot more confidence, so why not use that confidence to beat an elite Florida team?
Dec 14, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; La Salle Explorers guard Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi (34) is striped of the ball by North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
North Carolina allowed just 65 points to Georgia Tech last weekend, then just 67 to La Salle earlier today.
The Yellow Jackets and Explorers aren’t powerhouses by any means, but for a group of Tar Heels who couldn’t stop ANYONE in November, these consecutive efforts are encouraging.
UNC limited La Salle to 35.6% shooting (26-of-73), holding all but one starting Explorer to single-digits.
Florida’s offense is elite, so don’t be surprised if the Tar Heels have trouble on Tuesday. For now, though, North Carolina can celebrate another strong defensive performance.
