After Michigan State loss, UNC men’s hoops brings lessons to Kentucky clash

Hubert Davis’ forehead was shining under the lights at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. His face glistened with sweat as he walked off the court at halftime of No. 16 UNC’s game against No. 7 Michigan State at the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Thursday, an eventual 74-58 loss.

“What the fart!” he yelled, his go-to substitute when the situation begs for a word the non-cursing coach won’t say. At one point in the first half, Davis’ frustration sent his clipboard crashing to the court during a timeout huddle.

But, for all its vexation, North Carolina’s loss to Michigan State emphasized this much: the Tar Heels must execute better. They must set better screens — solid, legal ones. They must get to the offensive glass. They must box out.

“For us to be successful, those are things that we have to do well, and we have to do well consistently,” Davis said at a Monday press conference in Chapel Hill.

Now comes No. 18 Kentucky in Lexington on Tuesday night. The Wildcats are versatile and, despite some early-season struggles, can quickly heat up from three — Kentucky was 15 of 30 from beyond the arc against Tennessee Tech last week. Kentucky is also another team capable of turning second chances into separation, just as the Spartans did last week.

On Monday, Davis praised the Wildcats’ shooting, drive-and-kick ability and rim protection.

“It’ll be a challenge for us,” Davis said, “but we’re excited about the challenge.”

Michigan State punished North Carolina in Fort Myers for every brief lapse in focus, gobbling up offensive rebounds (Davis said the Spartans rebounded 41% of their misses) and dominating points in the paint (the Spartans recorded 46 there).

Awaiting the Tar Heels at Rupp Arena is Kentucky’s Malachi Moreno, a 7-foot freshman center averaging 10.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in seven games. Entering Tuesday, Davis said he’s emphasizing to his team — as he always does — the importance of winning the battle in the trenches.

“Making a reference in regards to football, you [may] have the best quarterback, the receivers, the running backs, but it’s done in the trenches,” Davis said. “It’s done on the offensive [and] defensive line. And so for basketball, from an offensive standpoint, it’s taking care of the basketball. It’s dominating points in a paint. Defensively, it’s boxing out, it’s protecting the paint.”

Those things, particularly boxing out, should be involuntary at this point, said Davis.

“I mean, we don’t think about breathing... it shouldn’t be something that we have to write down on the [list of] things to do, to box out,” Davis said. “It should just be instinctive.”

Here are some other items of note from Davis’ Monday press conference:

Defensive attention ramping up on Caleb Wilson

Through his first five games, Caleb Wilson emerged as one of the nation’s most efficient young scorers, tallying 20 or more points in four contests while shooting 67.3% from the field.

The freshman’s blend of size and explosiveness forced Michigan State’s Tom Izzo to essentially deploy a variation of the old “Jordan Rules” when the Spartans played the Tar Heels last Thursday.

“We talked about trying to, every time he touched the ball, having six eyes on him,” Izzo said, later adding, “you can’t cover him one-on-one. I don’t think you can.”

St. Bonaventure seemed eager to do the same, double-teaming Wilson on as many possessions as possible, in UNC’s 85-70 win on Nov. 25.

This is the coronation. Wilson has officially entered the scouting-report stage of his college career. Expect him to continue drawing extra bodies, clogged driving lanes and face-guarding defenders.

“I just have to learn how to play with being the focus,” Wilson said last Thursday, following UNC’s loss to MSU. “In college, it’s different because there’s more athleticism, better players. I just have to learn how to play with players focusing on me being at the top of the scouting report.”

Wilson still averaged 18 points in Fort Myers but shot 40% under the increased pressure. Even so, he continued to attack, going a combined 16 for 17 at the free-throw line in the two contests.

On Tuesday, Davis noted the rapid evolution in how Wilson is being guarded.

“The first time that he was doubled was against St Bonaventure, and then obviously, Michigan State was loaded towards him when he was trying to attack the basket,” Davis said. “He was still able to get there, pretty much, as well.”

Davis said Wilson is adjusting to the added defensive focus, learning the balance between getting his own shots and facilitating when help defenders collapse.

“The great thing about Caleb is, yeah, he can score, but he’s also a gifted passer and a willing passer as well,” Davis said. “So that’s good for us.”

Update on Seth Trimble’s recovery

Davis also provided an update on senior guard Seth Trimble, who has missed the last five games after suffering a broken bone in his left forearm during a weight-lifting accident on Nov. 9. Trimble had surgery the following day and, by UNC’s trip to Fort Myers, had swapped the cast for a brace.

“I don’t have a definitive answer in regards to when he’s going to come back, but he’s progressing fast and really well,” Davis said. “He’s shooting, he’s dribbling, he’s conditioning. It’s in a really good spot, and I’m looking forward to when he can get back out there on the floor.”

Before the injury, Trimble began the season averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds and more than three assists in his first two games.

Davis said Trimble’s eventual return — like Luka Bogavac’s delayed clearance process — will once again reshape UNC’s rotations.