By the numbers: UNC’s protection almost units information in stunning upset loss to SMU

The 71.7% efficient objective share is the sixth-highest share a significant convention workforce has completed with this season in a sport when dealing with one other main convention opponent, per CBB Reference information. 

UNC coach Hubert Davis postgame didn’t have instant solutions about the right way to repair the troubles that ailed his workforce on D within the loss. However he did have a solution about what occurred Saturday, which kind of got here down to 2 phrases: Boopie Miller.

SMU’s Miller sliced and diced UNC’s protection to the tune of 27 factors and 12 assists and managed the sport all through. He scored or assisted on 57 SMU factors. Davis stated Miller with the ball was harmful as a shooter, however he was simply as deadly when UNC tried to take the ball out of his palms. It was a catch-22 for the Tar Heels protection — and both method Boopie was bopping his workforce to buckets.

“They had been in a position to get wherever that they wished to offensively,” Davis stated. “Boopie was in charge of the ball, whether or not it was one-on-one, ball display motion. His endurance, having the ability to get to his spots, having the ability to distribute … from an offensive standpoint, we tried to get the ball out of his palms, however he nonetheless was in a position to get the ball to his teammates on the proper spot to do one thing with it. He performed a terrific sport.”

Miller’s 12 assists tied a career-high and his 27 factors are the third-highest in a single-game in his profession, which started in 2022. He completed 10 of 13 capturing. And worse: UNC’s protection was so brutal that it wasn’t the one profession day for an SMU participant. Mustangs ahead Corey Washington additionally set a career-high with 5 made 3s within the win on seven makes an attempt. He completed with 23 factors, which set a brand new career-high in factors for him vs. main convention opponents. 

Davis stated SMU’s athleticism, size and physicality “affected [us].” He additionally stated Boopie controlling the sport the best way he did was powerful to contend in opposition to. However he minced no phrases about the true drawback Saturday.

“We shot 48% from the sphere,” Davis stated, implying that such effectivity on offense is normally a strong-enough quantity to get a win. “But it surely’s the defensive finish. You are not going to win hardly any video games in any respect if a workforce shoots 60%.”

“It all the time begins and ends with us with protection, rebounding and caring for the basketball,” he added. “And defensively we simply did not play the best way we wanted to to beat a workforce right here on the highway.”

No stopping them now

The 97 factors scored by SMU on Saturday are the sixth most factors allowed by UNC because the 2010-11 season.

Over the past 5 seasons in ACC common season play, 25 groups have shot 60% or higher from the sphere vs. a convention opponent. Solely a kind of groups went on to win. The proof is obvious: When a workforce will get that sizzling, or when your protection is that dangerous, it’s important to be almost flawless to win. 

This was an eye-opener for UNC and for Davis. They don’t seem to be adequate to beat defensive incompetence. That is the dangerous, and apparent, information. The excellent news is that UNC has largely been tremendous on that finish and it has the potential to enhance. After Saturday, although, just about something would qualify as enchancment after what SMU’s offense did to it.

“Once more, it goes again to protection,” Davis stated. “For us to be the perfect workforce we are able to presumably develop into, we now have to be an excellent defensive workforce. SMU shot 60% from the sphere. That is not going to get it accomplished.”