Carolina Basketball Breakdown: Pierce's Activity, Platek's Passing and Huff's Hustle

Looking back at the Tar Heels' win over UNCW.

Nell Redmond | USA TODAY Sports

Maybe it was getting back into a familiar arena or maybe it was taking on a team he had previously dominated, but Justin Pierce was a different player for North Carolina on Friday night, getting more involved and shooting the ball better than he did against Notre Dame, when he hit 1 of 6 attempts from the field finishing with 5 points, 7 rebounds and a turnover in 20 minutes.

"I just approached this game with a different attitude that I’m going to do whatever it takes to help our team win," Pierce said. "Getting to the glass, getting offensive rebounds … it’s crazy how that, it feels like if you put the effort in the other area, your shot will take care of itself."

That much was apparent in the opening minutes, as Pierce took matters in his own hands to get on the board with an excellent hustle play.

Knowing Cole Anthony was lining up one of his already-patented step-back threes, Pierce, went full speed to the boards and corralled a tough one for a put-back.

Wisely, Roy Williams and the Carolina coaching staff rewarded him with a great look off a well-executed set by the Tar Heels. 

This sort of look is going to be a particular strength for Pierce, who at the four, will often be able to beat his man. If a defender goes over the top of the screen, that's an easy bucket for one of the screeners. 

Good awareness on a poor defensive lapse for UNCW here as Pierce knew his man wasn't following him. 

The more this type of shot goes in, the more attention defenders have to pay him when he steps to the perimeter. That means more opportunities for everyone on the floor, and the fewer defenders that can cheat toward Cole Anthony.

The most important thing on this second-half three is just watching how quickly Pierce pulls the trigger. 

When he pops out after the screen, he's ready to catch and shoot and doesn't hesitate for a second to put it up, despite having a defender in the area.

That confidence was clear for his teammates and coaches.

"He felt a lot more comfortable in this game, I think, than our scrimmage and our first game, so I’m just happy for him," he said. "I’m happy he got his confidence and hopefully he can maintain this."

If he shoots the ball this confidently in the ACC and goes to the glass with the same level of effort, there's no doubt he'll be in for some big games.

Platek the Passer

Obviously, a small sample size, but UNC's assist rate is lower than usual as the Tar Heels feel one another out on the floor. 

With assists on 51.9 percent of field goals, Carolina is ranked 149th currently. In each of the past two years, the Tar Heels have averaged around 61 percent, ranking in the top 15 nationally. 

That's a work in progress, but is Andrew Platek a surprise answer in helping set up teammates?

The junior guard's ability to shoot the ball has been well known, and there's been no doubt about his his hustle since he arrived in Chapel Hill.

Through two games this season, though, Platek's passing has been a revelation for a Carolina team thin on distributors.

Perhaps his most impressive work of the evening against UNCW.

The connection between Garrison Brooks and Platek is very real. This is a tough pass to make, even out of a set. It takes some confidence in your ability to toss that one up there against a defender as big as Martin Linssen.

Huff's Hustle

Williams said on Friday that Brandon Huffman hasn't progressed far enough to get regular rotation minutes just yet, but the junior big man certainly did his best in a seven-minute audition as he filled in for the injured Armando Bacot.

While he's still developing his skills, there's no doubt the effort is there to become a guy that can give the Tar Heels a few productive minutes.

This block led to a transition three:

And this one is just going to work with raw hustle and strength to get the board and lay it in.

Some days there won't be favorable matchups for Huffman against more versatile big men, but against opponents that play more traditional post players, he can surely compete.

It's very clear here. 

Great hustle to get the rebound, but a little excited to lay it in, but Pierce gets the follow.

Best Brooks

Few plays in the career of Brooks describe his game better than this one.

Not only did he make the hustle play to get the ball back, he made the hustle play to get himself back up, get back in the play and had the awareness to get into a spot to score.