All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: More Threes Than Throws 'Not Going to Work'

UNC basketball plans to return to being the aggressor that opponents can't help but foul often.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
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After reeling off 10 straight wins, UNC basketball has lost three of its past five outings. Consider that on four occasions across the latest five-game stretch, the No. 7 Tar Heels (19-6, 11-3 ACC) have attempted more 3-pointers than free throws, matching the number of times that happened between their first 20 contests this season.

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Certainly, that's a tell-tale sign of UNC now settling more often than attacking. Simple as that.

And as third-year head coach Hubert Davis explained to the media on Friday afternoon, the throws-to-threes ratio has again been a point of emphasis this week as his Tar Heels look to get back to their winning ways:

"More threes than free throws, that's just not going to work. That's something I emphasize every day, whether it's practice or a game, that we want to dominate points in paint through post penetration and offensive rebounding.

"We want to live in the paint and live at the free throw line.

"And so, for us, we've gotten to the free throw line more than anybody in the ACC because of our persistence to attack the basket and get to the paint. That's a big key for us offensively. And it's a big key for us in our success.

"So, that's something that has to change and that we have to get back to."

NEXT UNC BASKETBALL GAME: at home versus unranked Virginia Tech (14-10, 6-7 ACC), 2 p.m. ET Saturday (ACCN)

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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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