UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis urging guard Caleb Love to be more than a scorer
Out of the many positive signs from the second half of No. 1 North Carolina’s win over College of Charleston last week, coach Hubert Davis would like to harness the performance of junior guard Caleb Love.
And it had nothing to do with his scoring.
As the Tar Heels (2-0) prepare to face Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, Davis wants Love to continue to impact the game in other areas.
“Caleb is a basketball player that can affect the game and help out his team in many different areas on both ends of the floor,” Davis said. “That was on display against College of Charleston and my expectation of him is to be able to do that every game this season.”
Love leads the team with four steals through two games. He also helped limit Charleston’s Dalton Bolon, who scored 14 points in the first half, but was held to just two in the second.
Senior Leaky Black said after the game that Love has the potential to be a lock down defender, but sometimes has to be motivated defensively.
“He could be the best player in the country,” Black said. “I feel like it’s all mental, if he wants to do it. That’s what we’ve been trying to get him to do is just take a stand and not take his opponents lightly. I feel like that’s an approach he does sometimes and it takes us getting hit in the mouth for him to respond like that.”
Back to the boards
Carolina was outrebounded by UNC Wilmington 37-32, and again by College of Charleston 35-32. It marked the first time the Heels were outrebounded in back-to-back non-conference games since Butler and UCLA did it in November 2014 in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Those rebounding totals include 16 offensive boards by the Seahawks and 15 by the Cougars. That’s something that didn’t happen last season when Carolina ranked second nationally in defensive rebounding percentage, according to Ken Pomeroy.
“It is almost a surprise that teams are going to the offensive glass,” Davis said. “A lot of times they don’t because they’re fearful. One: because we’re such a great defensive rebounding team and Two: their fear of us in transition.”
That fear is clearly gone, and Gardner-Webb will surely try to duplicate the success both UNCW and Charleston had on the boards.
“The last couple of games UNCW and College of Charleston have shown us that we have to get back to the basics and fundamentals of boxing out and pursuing the ball,” Davis said. “And having a toughness and a willingness to get those 50-50 balls that we talk about should always be North Carolina.”
Injury updates
Davis gave an update on the playing status of junior forward Puff Johnson and freshman forward Jalen Washington — both of whom have not played in either game this season. Johnson returned to practice for limited reps on Sunday after soreness in his right knee kept him sidelined.
“(Monday) He’s been given full go in terms of being able to practice fully,” Davis said. “And my anticipation is for him to practice this entire week and be ready to go when we go out to Portland next week.”
The Heels will take part in the Phil Knight Invitational beginning Thursday against Portland.
Washington had two surgeries during his high school career stemming from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and complications that arouse from his first surgery. Washington has been going through rehab since arriving in Chapel Hill in the summer. But Davis called Washington’s UNC debut, “close.”
“Last week was the first time that he can do full court activities in practice,” Davis said. “Right after the games in Portland I think it could be an opportunity for Jalen to be full go in terms of putting him out there during the game, as well.”
Tipoff time + TV channel for Tuesday’s game
The game will start at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and will air on the ACC Network.
How to stream UNC vs Gardner-Webb game online
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Game day details: UNC vs Gardner-Webb
Teams: UNC Tar Heels vs. Gardner-Webb Bulldogs
Where: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 15
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ACC Network
Betting line: No line.
Series history: The Tar Heels lead the series 5-0. The teams last met on Nov. 15, 2019 when No. 6 Heels won 77-61 at the Dean E. Smith Center.
