With six losses under their belt, the boys from Chapel Hill certainly had a lot to prove against the SMU Mustangs. The North Carolina Tar Heels had a few shaky games in November and December, losing three games straight against Auburn, Michigan State, and Alabama. A clinical by-the-books game led the Tar Heels to an 82-67 victory over the Mustangs. RJ Davis top-scored with 26, meanwhile, star freshman Ian Jackson put up 18 points and 7 boards. But what does it mean for Hubert Davis, who had been receiving a lot of criticism for how the team was doing?

Many critics questioned his ability to uphold the legacy of Roy Williams, under whose leadership the Tar Heels consistently dominated college basketball. In particular, Davis was criticized for inconsistent game plans, slow starts, and a perceived lack of strategic creativity during pivotal moments. UNC alumnus Tyler Hansbrough even pointed to rebounding issues as evidence of tactical missteps. Moreover, the team’s fluctuating performances raised concerns about whether Davis could fill the enormous shoes left by his predecessor.

In the game against SMU, however, the Tar Heels demonstrated a cohesive performance that addressed many of these criticisms. Their defensive efforts, spearheaded by players like Seth Trimble and Drake Powell, held SMU to a dismal 33.3% shooting from the field. Trimble, despite not scoring, made a significant impact with his energy and perimeter defense, while Powell set the tone early with his intensity. These performances highlighted the effectiveness of Davis’ defensive schemes, showcasing a level of organization and grit that had previously been missing.

Offensively, the Tar Heels were equally balanced. While RJ Davis exploded for 26 points, Ian Jackson contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds, showing the depth and versatility of the squad. Coach Davis’ decision to tighten his rotation to seven players brought greater consistency and chemistry on the court, a strategic adjustment that addressed earlier concerns about the lineup’s instability.

In a recent episode of The Drive, journalist Tim Donnelly discusses the game and the intricacies behind the win. “He took what the defense gave him, went out, and played his game,” Tim said about RJ Davis and his performance. There was, however, a but in it.

“Crazy part is he was the leading scorer and took the most shots, but I still don’t think he was the centerpiece of the offense. I think it was still Ian Jackson who didn’t score that much, started slow, but eventually got going. I still think he was the main character. RJ played off of him. … UNC did a lot of things well. It wasn’t just RJ Davis exploding a little bit,” Donnelly stated.

Talking about Trimble and Powell, Tim had only good things to say: “[Seth Trimble] was chasing around their perimeter players, played 26 minutes off the bench, didn’t score a point, but played his role. Did a good job, left his mark. Drake Powell, the freshman, was actually the spark in the beginning of the game.” 

He further compared Powell to UNC alumnus Harrison Ingram, and described him as a “what do you need today?” kind of player.

Hubert Davis dragging his heels no longer

No one would be happier about the Tar Heels winning than Hubert Davis. After a flurry of criticism, he seems to have finally hit his stride. “I felt that our pressure, our presence on the ball, created turnovers. We finished defensive possessions with a rebound.” In the post-match press conference, Davis said that the team implemented his defensive tactics well. They double-teamed the post, stayed with the shooters, and applied constant pressure.

All has not been well with the Chapel Hill coach, however. Roy Williams had left behind a team and a legacy when he retired a few years ago. To fill the shoes of a man who coached one of the greatest college teams, as well as a young Michael Jordan, has not been easy on Hubert Davis. Earlier this month, the Tar Heels were on the verge of losing their second NCAA appearance in four years. With such an overwhelming amount of criticism and uncertainty headed his way, the Tar Heels coach kept it simple. He focused on the basics, and he focused on winning.

Hopefully, the momentum that they are gaining pays off in the longer run for the UNC team. They have won 4 out of their last 5 games and will look to keep the streak going. It will be interesting to see what Davis cooks up for the Tar Heels in the days to come.

As Tim Donnelly said, UNC does a lot of things right. If Davis carries forward the momentum, they will be a genuine threat to anyone who faces them.