Plenty has been achieved so far this season for No. 12 North Carolina, so now it’s time to see if the Tar Heels can carry their strong stretch into the season’s next phase.
They take on visiting Florida State to begin the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule Tuesday night in Chapel Hill, N.C.
“I’m happy, but not satisfied,” North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said. “I feel like we’ve been through every scenario over the last two months and found ways to persevere. Another encouraging thing is that I don’t think we’re anywhere close to where we can be.”
The Tar Heels (12-1) have their best record through 13 games since an undefeated mark in the 2008-09 season.
“We can be better defensively, better on the glass, more efficient offensively,” Davis said. “There’s still room to grow. I’m excited about what this team can become in the future.”
Florida State (7-6) will be in its ACC opener under first-year coach Luke Loucks. The Seminoles have won two games in a row by winning home outings against Mississippi Valley State and Jacksonville.
“We’ve got to use this momentum going into a really easy start to the ACC play with North Carolina and Duke …” Loucks said with sarcasm.
The Tar Heels, who’ve shot better than 50% from the field in seven games, have been on a roll at both ends of the court. No North Carolina opponent has scored more than 75 points.
Florida State has reached that level in only two of its losses.
Davis said the Tar Heels needed the Christmas break to refresh. The dawn of ACC play will bring something new.
“It’ll be about preparing for conference play, specifically Florida State on Tuesday,” Davis said.
With nine games with 20 or more points, North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is one game from joining Tar Heels legend Phil Ford for third place on the program’s all-time list for a freshman.
North Carolina has showcased a multi-faceted attack.
“Just sharing the basketball and being in a good spot in terms of getting everybody involved,” Davis said. “You have to make teams pay. The only way you can do that is hit shots from 3 or attack closeouts, get fouled and get to the free-throw line.”
Martin Somerville had a season-high 23 points to lead Florida State in scoring for the first time this season in the Jacksonville game. Robert McCray V provided 10 assists in the game, becoming the first Florida State player in program history to reach double-digit assist totals four times in one season.
“We just got to knock down open shots that he’s creating for our guys,” Loucks said, noting McCray should have higher assist totals. “Hopefully that will come at some point this season because he’s doing an unbelievable job of putting the ball on time, on target for the shooters.”
The first half of the Jacksonville game might have been the best stretch of the season for the Seminoles, Loucks said.
“I sprinkled a little cool water on the win postgame just to remind our guys that you’ve got to put a full 40 minutes together,” Loucks said.
All of Florida State’s victories have come at home. The Seminoles are 0-2 in true road games with setbacks at Florida and Dayton.
