1. BYU executed very well down the stretch to come out on top with a 78-76 victory over Carolina in an exhibition game. The Cougars had points or free throws on seven of eight trips in the final, decisive minutes, as UNC’s defense struggled in the final 4:30.
2. Overall, this was a fairly even match between two teams who hope to be in the national discussions as the season progresses. Neither had a dramatic advantage in any category. Both put in strong individual performances. It was just a good basketball game.
3. It also did exactly what it was supposed to do: give us a fun and entertaining matchup between two star teams at the start of the year. THE Caleb Wilson-The AJ Dybantsa match is one we will likely see at various levels in the years to come. The game was a financial victory and also an overall productive night of college basketball. The next step: find a TV room for games like this. On a Friday night with college football action, the game was relegated to ESPN+.
4. The Wilson (22 points and 10 rebounds)-Dybantsa (18 points and eight rebounds) battle will make some well-deserved headlines. But the standout player in the deciding minutes was BYU point guard Robert Wright. The Baylor transfer is so quick and very adept at using his body to create contact. He shot just 4 of 13 from the field, but had five assists and made seven trips to the line. The Cougars wanted the ball in his hands late.
5. Carolina played without import Luka Bogavacwho is waiting for full authorization to participate in a real competition. Bogavac, who showed good shooting touch and overall skill, was with the team in Salt Lake City but did not dress.
6. Top 25-style exhibition games are a relatively recent addition to the college basketball schedule. That type of matchup should pay off this year, however, as this is the first UNC team since 2005-06 where Carolina doesn’t return a player who started at least half of the games the previous season. It was a great opportunity in late October to see what Carolina has on the roster.
7. Part of the value of these games is being able to figure out what you want to do when you need a basket. The Tar Heels had two mediocre trips with a four-point lead with four minutes left, once getting a Henri Veesaar trip in the post and the other a missed mid-range Wilson jumper. The Heels also had a chance after a timeout with the ball at half court and with 5.5 seconds left with a two-point deficit. They looked great with the Veesaar power supply Seth Trimble— who had scored 17 points — went to the rim, but the senior couldn’t finish at the basket. Being able to play this game in a live arena against an opponent who doesn’t know what’s coming is a huge advantage, and the Heels got exactly what they wanted.
8. An area Hubert Davis is sure to point out: the Heels need to do a better job defending without fouling. BYU was in the bonus halfway through the first and second halves. The Cougars converted 19 of their 26 free throw chances. They also need to do a better job on the defensive glass. The Cougars had 18 offensive rebounds on 38 missed field goals, meaning that almost half the time they missed a shot, they got it back. Carolina did a good job on the offensive boards, however. They grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, including six on Henri Veesaar and four from Wilson.
9. Veesaar didn’t have a good stat line, if you call 14 points and eight rebounds it’s not great. But he plays a very important role in what Carolina is going to do this season. His length makes him a defensive presence and he contests almost every missed offensive rebound. He’s going to play all the minutes his conditioning can handle this season.
10. One of the hallmarks of this year’s team is improved depth. Carolina needed it Friday. They were already without Bogavac, and then Kyan Evans picked up two quick fouls and spent most of the rest of the first half on the bench. Both Zayden High School And James Brown I got a few minutes of backup publishing; both struggled with foul trouble in the first half, including Brown’s two moving screens that created turnovers.
11. Evans had a rough first few minutes, but came back and had five assists against just one turnover.
12. Thanks in part to Evans’ steady play, Carolina did a much better job creating rhythm in the second half. The Tar Heels converted 12 fast break points in the final 20 minutes after getting just five in the first half. Carolina’s guards did a great job of playing with their heads up, and the Heels also created chances with steals.
13. The visit to Salt Lake City was just Carolina’s first in nearly 40 years. The Heels also played here in the 1988 NCAA tournament; that means it’s the site of one of Dean Smith’s most masterful coaching performances, as Carolina dismantled a high-octane Loyola Marymount offense to advance to the Sweet 16.
14. Carolina will return home tonight and return to practice this weekend in preparation for the lone exhibition game at home Wednesday night against WSSU (a reminder to season ticket holders: this game East on the subscription package). The regular season opener is Nov. 3 at the Smith Center against Central Arkansas, then an immediate test will follow in the second game of the year when Kansas travels to Chapel Hill.
