Three takeaways from first look at 2022-23 UNC basketball team during NIL scrimmage
North Carolina men’s basketball played a Blue-White scrimmage on Saturday, absent their jerseys with the trademark argyle pattern down the side or any interlocking NC insignia on their shorts.
The first glimpse of the team that’s potentially going to be ranked preseason No. 1 was brought to you by name, image and likeness. The NIL event began with players signing autographs for participants who paid $150 for two tickets. Then, in front of a crowd of a few thousand people that paid $12 for general admission seats, the game began at the Dean E. Smith Center.
The entire Carolina roster participated and was paid, although not everyone played in the game. Senior Leaky Black did not play for undisclosed reasons. The players did not address the media after the game.
Freshman Jalen Washington also did not play, while still in rehabilitation for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. UNC coach Hubert Davis said earlier in the summer that Washington could be cleared for full participation by the end of August.
Former UNC players Garrison Brooks and Sterling Manley were recognized on the court. George Lynch blended in with the crowd in the stands.
Here are three observations from the event:
More than a glorified pickup game
The White team defeated the Blue team 80-71, but the players consistently competed. The game, which was predetermined to end at 80, didn’t have many basket-hanging or the non-existent defense of a sloppy game.
The White team starters were Armando Bacot, R.J. Davis, Puff Johnson, Justin McKoy, and D’Marco Dunn. Ceighton Lebo and Duwe Farris were reserves. Former Tar Heels Jawad Williams and Ed Davis served as coaches.
The Blue team starters were Caleb Love, Seth Trimble, Dontrez Styles, Pete Nance and Will Shaver. Tyler Nickel and Jackson Watkins were reserves. It was coached by former Heels Deon Thompson and Marcus Ginyard.
Davis led all scorers with a game-high 24 points. Bacot had 19 — including a 3-pointer, which matched his career total from three seasons at UNC. Dunn added 16 points to end double figure scorers for the White team.
Love led the Blue team with 22 points including four 3s. Trimble had 21 points in his unofficial Smith Center debut. Nance and Nickel each added 11 points for the Blue.
Nance brings defensive presence
The 6-foot-11 Nance averaged 1.1 blocks per game last season at Northwestern. In the scrimmage he not only blocked shots, but contested more that made the shooter alter their form.
Bacot ranked sixth in the ACC averaging 1.7 blocks per game (65 total) last season. And teamed with Nance in the lineup, the pair could help the Heels have one of the better interior defenses in the league.
Early impact for Trimble, Nickel
Hubert Davis was not present at the game, but his car was parked in his usual spot outside of the Smith Center. He is going to be challenged figuring out the right rotation with the number of players who look ready to play.
Trimble, a 6-foot-3 guard from Wisconsin, showed flashes of the athleticism that his older brother J.P. Tokoto displayed as a former UNC forward from 2012-15 .
Nickel has the potential to be a fan favorite for the way it appears he can heat up offensively. The freshman forward from Virginia made three 3-pointers in the second half.
This story was originally published August 27, 2022 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Three takeaways from first look at 2022-23 UNC basketball team during NIL scrimmage."