UNC looked lethargic for much of its first and only game of the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels never recovered from their first-half slump, trailing by eight at halftime. Carolina woke up and tried to regroup in the final minutes of the game, but the Tigers made free throws and the comeback was short-lived.
Henri Veesaar led UNC with 28 points and 17 rebounds and was a major factor in the Heels’ eventual rebound. Unfortunately, he was responsible for 6 of the team’s 10 turnovers. No one else on the list has more than one. Derek Dixon was also the main reason Carolina was able to tie the game late in the game with a string of 3-pointers and finish with 16 points. Jarin Stevenson hit two three-pointers and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Seth Trimble had 13 points and eight assists. The starters were responsible for nearly all of the Heels’ offense as their bench was held to just five points. Clemson, on the other hand, scored 29 points.
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The belated comeback attempt was simply too little, too late. The defensive pressure they put on Clemson was effective in disrupting the Tigers’ offense, but credit goes to Dillon Hunter’s late free throws that shut the door on UNC. Carolina has struggled with free throw shooting all season, shooting just 59% from the line. In a game so close, it would be nice if they could take a few of the remaining seven points.
Frustratingly, the effort we saw in the final minutes was completely lost earlier in the game. The adjustment that put pressure on Clemson came too late. Perhaps no one could have predicted that the Tar Heels would suddenly be able to shoot 3-pointers at will, but not digging themselves so deep would mean a late heat would be enough. well.
If UNC wins, they will face Duke in the semifinals. The defeat sent them home to await their fate in Sunday’s selection.
