By BOB SUTTON, Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Players for No. 1 North Carolina provided reminders that this was just the start Monday night.
Caleb Love and RJ Davis scored 17 points apiece and the Tar Heels began a season of grand expectations by pulling away from UNC Wilmington with a 69-56 victory Monday night.
“I believe all of us got here out just a little rusty,” senior forward Armando Bacot said. “It’s challenging winning game. I’m glad it’s the primary game and never in a while within the season.”
Bacot added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Tar Heels, who were perhaps most impressive on the defensive end. UNCW shot just 29.8 % from the sector.
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The Tar Heels, who were the NCAA Tournament runner-up in April, began the brand new season with the highest rating for the primary time in seven years. It’s a record tenth time that North Carolina has been ranked No. 1 to start out a season – another than rival Duke.
“We didn’t hit our stride last yr til January, February,” forward Leaky Black said. “It’s a win. It’s Day 1, literally. I’m excited for the potential that we now have. Rome wasn’t inbuilt a day.”
Trazarien White scored 19 points for UNCW, which faced a top-ranked team for the primary time in program history. Skykeim Phillips had 11 points and Donovan Newby added 10. The Seahawks went 4-for-16 on 3-pointers.
“For us to keep on with the method is significant,” UNCW coach Takayo Siddle said. “I believe that’s something to construct on.”
After an incredible NCAA tournament run for the Tar Heels last spring, second-year coach Hubert Davis knows it’ll take time to return to that level.
“It gives us a very good baseline on what we’d like to work on and improve at,” Coach Davis said. “My hope is that it was first-game anxiousness and nervousness.”
North Carolina led 32-21 at halftime behind Davis’ 11 points, however it wasn’t easy.
“We were rushing and taking bad shots,” Bacot said. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s the primary game.”
It was tied 17-17 with six minutes to go in the primary half before a 12-2 run for the Tar Heels, who missed 10 of their first 14 shots prior to that spurt.
The Tar Heels have won their first game of a season for 18 years in a row. North Carolina has won 21 consecutive Smith Center openers.
North Carolina reserves managed only six points. UNCW held a 37-32 rebounding edge.
“They held me to nine rebounds,” said Bacot, a preseason All-American. “I might say that’s probably a nasty game for me.”
North Carolina was credited with 4 assists, matching its lowest total since a double-overtime loss to Texas A&M within the 1980 NCAA Tournament.
“One among the things that we pride ourselves on is passing up good shots to get great shots,” Coach Davis said. “That just wasn’t there.”
That was all a part of awkward offense.
“At times, we couldn’t even catch the basketball,” Coach Davis said. “I do know we now have a veteran group, however it was a primary game.”
On the flip side, UNCW’s three assists were the fewest for a North Carolina opponent since December 1975 vs. Kentucky.
UNCW: The Seahawks were competitive for a lot of the game and provided an excellent deal of the physicality in the sport. They pulled in 16 offensive rebounds, though that they had numerous opportunities for those considering their horrid shooting touch. It was probably an excellent barometer for the Seahawks while they fell to 0-6 all-time vs. North Carolina.
“We emphasize rebounding,” Siddle said. “That’s a part of who we’re with offensive rebounding. I wish we could have made a number of more shots.”
North Carolina: This wasn’t the smoothest performance for the Tar Heels, but they’ll have time to deal with glitches as they’ll play their first 4 games at home. With 4 starters getting back from last season’s team, there’s loads of experience within the lineup. Northwestern transfer Pete Nance accomplished the starting five. This was the forty seventh straight win against in-state, non-conference competition for the Tar Heels.
UNCW: Friday at home vs. Allen
North Carolina: Friday at home vs. College of Charleston
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