All Tar Heels

Hubert Davis Comments on UNC Basketball Fumbling Big Lead in Atlanta

Only one UNC basketball bucket-getter proved potent in the loss at Georgia Tech.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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Against unranked Georgia Tech (10-11, 3-7 ACC) on Tuesday night, Hubert Davis' third UNC basketball squad lost for the first time in 11 games, marking the first time this season that the No. 3 Tar Heels (17-4, 9-1 ACC) have fallen on an opponent's home court. The Yellow Jackets prevailed, 74-73.

RJ Davis, who posted a game-high 28 points, was the only Tar Heel to score in double figures.

Despite a seemingly comfortable 33-22 lead with less than seven minutes to play in the first half, UNC allowed a 15-4 Georgia Tech run that tied the score at 37-37 entering the break and gave the Yellow Jackets new life. Their momentum carried over into the second half, as Tech built a 68-60 advantage with 5:12 to play.

And the Tar Heels' late comeback effort came up empty:

In his postgame presser, Hubert Davis explained what went wrong for his team — and what underappreciated giant-killer Georgia Tech did right — after UNC had at one time looked to be well on its way to an 11th straight victory:

"You've got to compliment Georgia Tech. We did have a double-figure lead in the first half. Defensively, we made mistakes on coverages, and they capitalized on it.

"And, you know, they're a good basketball team. They play extremely well at home. And this is a team that beat Duke here and went on the road against Clemson, an outstanding team. You know, during those times, you want to extend the lead, and we just didn't and went into halftime tied...

"Especially in the first half, I felt like from an offensive standpoint we were sped up for some reason. And I just think, as a result, you know, turnovers, stepping out of bounds, turning the ball over was a result of us just moving a little bit too fast. We talk about, offensively, executing with purpose and pace, and I felt like we were hurried.

"But I thought we were poised down the stretch...ended up taking the lead with 30 seconds to go. So, I was really proud of them."

NEXT UNC BASKETBALL GAME: at home versus No. 7 Duke (16-4, 7-2 ACC), 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN)

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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