Lance Terry’s (0) poster dunk was part of a 14-point effort at Oklahoma. (photo by Chad Hamilton)
Lance Terry’s postgame radio interview included a bit of foreshadowing.
Asked about his near-poster dunk of a Central Arkansas defender – Terry’s slam rattled off the rim, though he did draw a foul – the senior smiled and said, “I’ll keep trying. I’ll get one of them one day.”
He needed all of one game to make good on that prophesy.
Terry’s dunk on Oklahoma’s 6-11 Luke Northweather was the offensive play of the game (and arguably the season for Tech), an elevating, eviscerating piece of midair savagery by the Yellow Jackets’ leading scorer.
His greater contribution on Saturday, though, may come from outside the arc. It’s worth remembering: two years ago, Terry shot 42% percent from three-point range in ACC play.
North Carolina’s 4-4 record is deceiving – three of the Tar Heels’ losses have come against top 10 opponents – but head coach Hubert Davis has lamented his team’s defensive communication of late. The Tar Heels favor playing drop coverage on pick-and-rolls, and they’re not particularly aggressive agitating for turnovers (their TO% ranks 310th in the nation, roughly on par with Georgia Tech).
The Jackets will need to be sharp making pocket passes and playing out of that action, something they did well in their win last year. Can they also finish stronger around the rim? The Tar Heels have already allowed 50 paint points in two games this year; they had only allowed two such games in the previous two years combined.
When someone gets named ACC Player of the Year, it often draws a sigh of relief from the rest of the league. Surely that player, having won such a prestigious award, won’t stick around for another year, will he?
For the first time since 2009, someone did – and Tech will face him on Saturday.
After leading the ACC in scoring last season (21.2 ppg), North Carolina’s R.J. Davis opted in to his COVID year for one last go-around in Chapel Hill. The 6-0 guard remains a savvy, three-level shot maker who plays with balance and finesse in the half-court. He also has a history of uber-efficient games against the Yellow Jackets:
R.J. Davis – Last 4 games vs. Georgia Tech
- PPG: 23.5
- RPG: 6.2
- APG: 4.5
- FG%: 59%
- 3PT%: 54%
That included a game-high 28 points against Tech last year, though Davis missed a driving layup on the Tar Heels’ final possession. He once again leads UNC in scoring, though his shooting numbers (35.3% FG/24.2% 3pt.) have been curiously flat to begin the year.
After laboring through 1-of-11 three-point shooting against Alabama, North Carolina will likely try to get Davis going early. Can Tech play well in gaps, stay connected in its ball screen defense, and not allow Davis to get rhythm shots in the half-court? He’s not the only creator in the backcourt – point guard Elliot Cadeau (12.8 ppg) plays with burst around ball screens, while guard Seth Trimble (15.6 ppg) is a physical, right-handed driver. All of North Carolina’s guards like to split screens and attack.
