In a recent game, SMU overpowered Carolina with a score of 97-83, highlighting some serious issues for the Tar Heels. They now sit at 1-1 in the ACC after a tough loss.
SMU’s offense was on fire, racking up 58 points in the second half alone. They dominated in several stats, including points in the paint and fast break points. Notably, they shot an impressive 71.4% in the second half and finished the game with an overall shooting percentage of 60%.
Three players were instrumental in SMU’s success. Boopie Miller led the charge with 27 points and 12 assists, while Corey Washington added 23 points, and BJ Edwards chipped in 15 points with six assists. In total, five Mustangs scored in double digits.
A common weakness for Carolina has been their struggle to contain opposing point guards. This was evident as both Jeremy Fears from Michigan State and Miller had standout performances against them. Currently, Carolina is still figuring out who will be their go-to playmaker during critical moments, leading to inconsistent offensive execution.
Seth Trimble handled most of the offensive plays in the second half. He not only recorded five assists and no turnovers but also scored 20 points. It’s worth noting this was only the second game this season where a player other than Caleb Wilson or Henri Veesaar led in scoring. Both frontcourt players had off days, combining for 10-for-22 shooting.
The bench also made a significant impact. Jarin Stevenson contributed 16 points and showcased his three-point shooting for the first time this season, helping Carolina to a 16-8 bench point advantage in the first half.
Carolina assistant coach Brad Frederick mentioned that SMU was more physical in the first half. This physicality showed in their points in the paint, where they led 18-14 initially and finished at 36-28 overall.
This game marked a rare occasion where Carolina was outpaced; SMU’s 15 fast break points were the highest against Carolina all season. Notably, many Tar Heel fans attended, including former players from various championship teams.
As Carolina takes a week off to regroup, they will be aiming to bounce back against Wake Forest next Saturday. Addressing their current struggles will be essential for better performance moving forward.
