Hubert Davis’ UNC is back to the winning ways. After a tough December with 3 consecutive losses and an inconsistent show to follow, the Tar Heels have shown signs of life, clawing their way back into the ACC rankings with three wins on the trot. Their nail-biting 63-61 win over NC State has sparked cautious optimism among fans. Is this the beginning of a much-needed turnaround for Hubert Davis’ squad? Well, basketball analysts for one aren’t jumping on that hype train!

Tim Donnelly, on his podcast The Drive, didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts about the Tar Heels’ recent victory. Donnelly was critical of the way UNC celebrated their narrow 63-61 win over NC State. According to him, the performance didn’t justify the celebration.

He said,” I am curious if UNC fans are happy. I am curious if they are going to call in talking trash to NC State, because right, you win a rivalry game, it came down to the wire, you got the block, there may or may not have been some wolfpack down hand signals, from players on UNC on the way off the court. I am wondering if they are gonna call him that kind of bravado or if its gonna be kind of a tail between your legs. We got the win but maybe we shouldn’t have always been the most celebrated team.”

Donnelly’s disappointment stems from the moment the Tar Heels decided to taunt the NC State bench after winning the game. Jalen Washington made some sort of gestures after blocking the game-tying shot of Jayden Taylor. This sparked off a huge debate between the set of players from both teams and the match ended in an ugly affair. For The Drive host, “bragging” about the win just wasn’t it.

The Tar Heels had a sluggish start, recording their lowest of the season in the first half. Though Ian Jackson’s game would help the team with shooting, it wasn’t their best showing, allowing the Wolfpacks to rally ahead multiple times. One including 36-35, only six minutes into the second half despite UNC entering with a 6-point lead. Washington, however, sealed the game for the Tar Heels with a dunk and a block in the final seconds.

Given UNC has been a better team over the past week than it was at the season’s beginning, Donnelly wonders if a last-minute point is all that the Tar Heels could manage, especially after a show of brilliance by many on the team. He questions if this game was just a win or something that sparked confidence in their play. “And you still beat NC State by 2? You still needed a block at the buzzer to win?… NC State looked disjointed. You were the one that had your act together… you played all the way even. I don’t know if that makes me very confident,” the host adds.

Washington not only scored the game-winning basket with a thunderous dunk but also secured the victory by blocking Jayden Taylor’s potentially game-tying shot in the final second. His efforts earned him a career-first double-double with 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Ian Jackson led the scoring for UNC with 21 points, hitting a career-high five three-pointers, while RJ Davis added 11 points and became the 13th Tar Heel in history to surpass 500 career assists. Elliot Cadeau too added 11 impressive assists. 

A close win despite all the efforts has the analyst frustrated. This only adds on to the questions coach Hubert Davis has been drawing with his UNC run.

Visible inconsistency in coach Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels welcomes scrutiny

The tenure of Hubert Davis as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels has been a puzzling chapter. Tasked with following in the footsteps of the legendary Roy Williams, who delivered three national championships over 18 seasons, Davis initially seemed destined for success. His first season saw an underdog Tar Heels squad defy expectations, as they went from being the eighth seed to the 2022 national championship game. But the story turned bittersweet when they squandered a 16-point lead to the Kansas Jayhawks in the final.

Since then, Davis’ UNC teams have been extremely inconsistent, unable to get back to the winning traditions. Big-game struggles, a lack of defensive identity, and a pattern of underwhelming seasons have cast doubt over Davis’ ability to deliver a championship to Chapel Hill.

Currently 11-6, 4-1, the Tar Heels remain unranked for 6 straight weeks. Coach Davis’ tactics in lineups and substitutions have been questioned, especially as they lost to Florida after a strong start to second half and then to Louisville, over relying on Ian Jackson. “There is a bigger-picture conversation to have here, and it’s the future of North Carolina basketball and whether Hubert Davis is a part of it,” Jeff Goddman had said. 

Even UNC alumnus Tyler Hansbrough previously chimed in, scrutinizing the repetitive double-digit trailing by half time and being outrebounded, especially against a team like the Gators.

If North Carolina are to establish themselves as a powerhouse again, much will depend on Hubert Davis’ tactical acumen. If Hubert Davis and his players can find the balance between competitive fire and disciplined execution, this win could mark the beginning of a turnaround. However, to truly re-establish the Tar Heels’ reputation as a powerhouse, they need more than just narrow victories.