The North Carolina Tar Heels, after a lackluster opening win, not only jumped out to an early lead but they kept up the offensive and defensive pressure throughout a 103-59 victory over Robert Morris Sunday night. (11/16)
Carolina's big men controlled the action, mostly on the inside but also on fast breaks, either starting them with outlet passes or ending them with buckets.
Brice Johnson led the way with 23 points, including two fastbreak layins early in the second half when the Tar Heels went on an 11-0 run to extend a 53-35 halftime lead to 64-35.
Kennedy Meeks added 21 points as he controlled the action early. In fact, Meeks equalled his point total from the first game when he scored his 10th point in the first five minutes of the game when UNC jumped out to a 15-2 lead.
The Tar Heels got some play from the outside as well as Marcus Paige hit three triples on his way to 15 points. Freshman Justin Jackson was the other Carolina player in double figures as he chipped in 13.
While JP Tokoto only scored five points but he dished out a career-best 10 assists.
Carolina came away with nine steals and forced 18 turnovers in addition to a 49-31 rebounding edge.
"We were much more active defensively tonight than we were Friday night," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "That seems like a long time ago, but I think that we turned those turnovers and those missed shots into fastbreaks better."
He added that the Tar Heels executed much better against their zone and move around and moved the ball better.
Williams was especially pleased with Johnson and Meeks down low but he seems to be saying that the jury is still out on whether or not they'll be consistent.
"I thought last year those guys had some good games, some really good games now and then, but its got to be on a consistent basis, like Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Tyler Hansbrough and Sean May," Williams said. "Those guys give it to you every night and then its difficult for the other team to play anything."
The Tar Heels, now 2-0, play at Davidson Saturday at 2 p.m.
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