Bring on Duke: Three takeaways from UNC basketball’s blowout road win over Virginia Tech
North Carolina’s NCAA tournament hopes could have taken a major, maybe lethal hit had the Tar Heels lost Tuesday at Virginia Tech.
The Tar Heels didn’t let it happen, building a 17-point halftime lead and streaking to a 91-59 victory at Cassell Coliseum for their sixth straight win.
The Tar Heels (20-11 overall, 13-6 ACC), looking for a strong push to close the regular season, turned back the Hokies (13-17, 8-11) with a display of selfless offensive basketball and tough-enough defense.
“I thought it was really good and I thought we were on-point on both ends of the floor,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said.
Next up for UNC is Senior Night at the Smith Center against Duke on Saturday. That not only will be a chance for redemption — the Blue Devils hammered the Heels 87-70 in the first game in Durham — but a chance to notch a much-needed Quad-1 win to further bolster their improved NCAA chances.
The performance against the Hokies was just what the Heels were looking for — another complete team win. UNC’s R.J. Davis, feeling it, knocked down his first two 3-pointers and had his shooting touch, setting the tone for the Heels, who shot 59% for the game and were 15-of-28 on 3-pointers.
It hurt the Hokies that Tobi Lawal did not play. The 6-8 junior is Tech’s leading scorer and only double-figure scorer this season, but a lower-leg injury kept the VCU transfer out for a second straight game.
The Hokies did not have enough offensive punch to keep pace with the Heels, who had some sloppy turnovers early in the game but used a 15-1 run to end the half to add to their cushion.
The Hokies had seven turnovers in their last 17 possessions of the first half as the Heels maintained their focus, alertness and aggressiveness on defense. Not a lot changed in the second half.
“What set the tone was our defense,” R.J. Davis said. “We were able to get stops and run in transition.”
The Hokies had been getting a big lift from their bench — 142 points in their past three games before Tuesday. But the Heels kept rolling in players and they were the ones who produced.
Virginia Tech also has been a good comeback team this season but couldn’t string together enough good possessions this night. Cadeau had a steal and driving layup to start the second half. UNC had a 48-29 lead and it continued to grow as fatigue appeared to set in for the outmanned Hokies.
UNC led by as many as 34 points in the second half as freshman Ian Jackson led the way with 19 points. Center Ven-Allen Lubin turned in a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) and point guard Elliot Cadeau shook off a shaky ballhandling start to finish with 12 assists.
Three takeaways from the game:
Trimble with a big-boy game
UNC’s Seth Trimble played a man’s game Tuesday. Call it big-boy basketball.
Or bully basketball. Tech’s Brandon Rechsteiner might have felt that way in the first half when the sophomore guard had the ball under the basket and attempted to test Trimble.
Trimble responded with a resounding block, sending the ball and Rechsteiner to the floor. Trimble then went the length of the court, taking a pass from Cadeau and powering his way to a fast-break score,
“I made a good play and let it be known a little bit,” Trimble said. “I’m a defensive guy and have to be the anchor for this team defensively.”
Trimble took a pop in the nose on the drive but quickly shook it off., displaying his toughness.
Trimble ended the first half with a two-hand slammer and had another in the second half during a 15-0 run that pushed the lead to 34 points. Like his teammates, he was having fun, scoring 17 points.
Heels with the 3-point touch
Remember when the Heels’ 3-pointers weren’t falling? When R.J. Davis was struggling, when there were some airballs, causing some groans in the Smith Center and angst for UNC coach Hubert Davis?
Everything was falling Tuesday, or so it seemed. Davis had his shooting eye, but freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, quickly taking a liking to the sight lines in Cassell, drilled 3 after 3.
Jalen Washington decided to be a part of UNC’s shooting barrage, too, earning his fourth 3-pointer of the season with a shot from the right corner in the second half. The guys on the bench loved it
The Heels had six players finish in double figures in each of their past two games, a first for UNC since the 1988-89 season. The Heels shared the ball again Tuesday, making the extra pass, and had five in double figures --- the first time UNC has had five or more players in double figures in three consecutive games.
UNC looking NCAA worthy
The Tar Heels are looking more and more like a team worthy of being a part of the NCAA tournament.
Granted, their six wins have not come over ACC heavies. But they’ve won at Syracuse, Florida State and now Virginia Tech. They’ve put the Clemson debacle — an 85-65 beatdown by the Tigers — behind them.
Hubert Davis said this week that the players have accepted and embraced their roles. R.J. Davis is the leader but none of his teammates wander too far outside their comfort range. There are a few bad shots and unforced turnovers, but the mistakes have been fewer.
The Heels’ offensive execution has been cleaner, the defense played with better focus. It’s a team that has felt the urgency of their situation and has responded.
Now, it’s time for Duke. Again.
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Bring on Duke: Three takeaways from UNC basketball’s blowout road win over Virginia Tech."
