Lucas: Rapid Reactions

Article By Adam Lucas

1. Interesting strategy by Carolina to show some defensive wrinkles early. The Tar Heels played four possessions of straight 2-3 zone in the opening minutes, which seemed like a sound strategy against a Kentucky team that had struggled from the perimeter. But the 'Cats hit two three-pointers against the defense and also scored off an offensive rebound, and the Tar Heels spent most of the rest of the half in man-to-man.

Carolina also used one possession of fullcourt trap, which turned into a quick turnover, UNC basket, and timeout from John Calipari. The Tar Heels also turned a halfcourt trap into a turnover in the second half, and then added another wrinkle with a possession of 1-3-1 zone. None of the defensive attempts worked, as Kentucky shot very well from the field (56 percent overall, the best against Carolina this year) against every defense the Tar Heels deployed.

2. It wasn't too difficult to figure out how Carolina fell behind by 15 points at halftime. Kentucky controlled the game from the three-point line and the free throw line, piling up a 31-6 edge during the first 20 minutes on combined points off three-pointers and free throws.

For the game, UK scored 13 more points than UNC at the free throw line. 

3. Roy Williams has consistently said the Joel Berry II who has played the first month of the season isn't the real Berry. The freshman showed some flashes on Saturday afternoon against Carolina's toughest opponent of the season. Berry gave the Tar Heels some solid second-half minutes and didn't back down from the physical Wildcats.

4. For a team that has struggled on the backboards in some big games this season, Carolina did a credible job on the glass against a tall, athletic Kentucky squad. The problem, however, was that the 'Cats were simply making too many shots for the rebounds to become a factor.

5. Down the road, the most important part of Saturday's visit may be the sudden reemergence of Marcus Paige. The junior looked hesitant and a little indecisive in the first half, but then exploded for four three-pointers in the second half. If that puts him back in a groove--which he's struggled to find most of this year--that will be a much more important long-term outcome than one defeat.

The next Tar Heel to get on track might need to be Justin Jackson. The freshman continues to appear to be on the verge of a consistent breakout, but finished just 2-for-6 from the field with one rebound, and spent a good portion of the second half on the bench.

6. Kentucky does a lot of things well. But it felt like one of Saturday's biggest keys was the way they took every big Carolina turnover and turned it into not just a basket, but a high-flying dunk or a drilled three-pointer. It seemed like every time the Tar Heels turned the ball over in a big situation, Kentucky was at the other end dunking the ball within seconds. For the game, the Wildcats had a 23-13 edge in points off turnovers.

7. Rupp Arena is one venue you almost never see mentioned when debates about student seating come up. That's because all the UK students are in one end zone, with not a single side-court seat devoted to students. It doesn't especially impact the Rupp atmosphere, however, which consists mostly of a cranked PA system and much more of a pro-style environment.