Three takeaways from No. 10 North Carolina basketball’s runaway win at Hawaii

With a convincing 87-69 win over Hawaii early Saturday morning, No. 10 North Carolina is proving it’s ready for the challenges ahead at the upcoming 2024 Maui Invitational.

After dominating in transition (outscoring the Rainbow Warriors 19-1 in fast break points), UNC flexed its depth and versatility on its way to a comfortable road win in Honolulu. RJ Davis led the charge with a game-high 18 points, moving to fourth on North Carolina’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Sam Perkins.

The Tar Heels stretched their lead to 20 points in the second half, with Hawaii cutting back in momentarily but never posing a true threat late. UNC’s high-scoring offense was once again in full gear, with the team averaging over 80 points per game in its first four contests this season — a feat not seen since the 2021-22 campaign when the Tar Heels made a run to the NCAA title game.

Overall, it was a solid test for coach Hubert Davis and his crew, especially as they look to fine-tune their play and sharpen things up ahead of the Maui Invitational. UNC opens play in that tournament Monday at 11:30 p.m. against Dayton.

Here are three takeaways from the Hawaii game:

Backcourt shines in transition

The Tar Heels’ pressure defense allowed the team to build momentum on fast-break opportunities, and subsequently, pull away early in the second half. Even with Hawaii cutting North Carolina’s lead to three points a minute before halftime, UNC responded with transition plays and a 17-3 run to take firm control of the game.

Guards Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble combined for several key fast-break buckets, showing how quickly this backcourt can turn defense into offense. Cadeau’s steal and pinpoint assist to Trimble for an and-one dunk with 16 minutes remaining in the second half helped push UNC’s lead out to 18. Trimble followed that up with a block, defensive rebound and then, after a media timeout, drew another foul on the fast break and connected at the line to extend UNC’s lead to 19 — the team’s largest lead at that point.

The trio of Cadeau, Trimble and Davis combined for 48 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists to just two turnovers and four steals. Their dynamic play and defensive pressure set the tone for the Tar Heels, which was especially important considering the team’s struggles down low.

UNC’s depth dominates; Post play still needs development

While the Tar Heels’ guards continue to lead the charge, the team’s frontcourt play will need to continue developing as they head to Maui and onward in the season.

Jae’Lyn Withers and Jalen Washington played solid minutes, with Washington leading the team in rebounds (five) and showing increased poise as the game progressed. However, UNC’s performance on the boards was far from ideal. The Tar Heels were out-rebounded 40-27, including a glaring 15-5 deficit on the offensive glass.

In the post-Armando Bacot era, Washington, Withers and Ven-Allen Lubin will need to come together to battle against the more physical bigs they’ll face later this season. For now, the collective effort in the frontcourt was enough to handle Hawaii. But against bigger teams, the development of UNC’s post play will be critical for a deeper tournament run.

Cadeau takes over in the second half

Cadeau’s emergence as a key leader for UNC has been one of the biggest storylines of the season so far. On Saturday morning, he continued to showcase his offensive prowess in one-on-one matchups. In one play, with just over eight minutes remaining, Cadeau used a mix of handles and creativity — with a quick crossover and behind-the-back combo — to break down his defender, finishing with a soft left-handed touch off the glass.

The sophomore’s early-season success stems from his growth beyond just being a facilitator. RJ Davis continues to be a steady offensive force, but Cadeau’s ability to create his own shot has added a new dynamic to the Tar Heels’ offense.

His contributions go beyond just scoring. Cadeau is also playing an integral role in UNC’s defensive efforts — an aspect of Cadeau’s game he took particular pride in honing this offseason — with his ability to read passing lanes and generate steals. The second half against Hawaii was a prime example of Cadeau taking the reins — something which will be increasingly important as opposing defenses continue to hone in on RJ Davis.

This story was originally published November 23, 2024 at 5:30 AM.