Hubert Davis breaks down what worked on Caleb Love's game-clinching 3-pointer
The shot that sent North Carolina to the title game — and ended the career of Duke‘s Mike Krzyzewski — was a picture-perfect three from the hands of Caleb Love. As the celebration got started, Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis broke down how Love’s game-clinching shot came to fruition.
“Our most consistent way against their set defense to be able to create shots was off ball screens,” started Davis. “Whether it was our guards shooting behind the screens a 3 or penetrating, getting into the lane or Armando rolling to the basket, against Duke’s defense and drawing Mark out away from the basket, that gave us the best chance to be able to score. And I remember in the huddle, I told Coach Frederick, I said at the end of the day our guys just need to be able to step up and make a play.
“One of the things I love about all of our guys they’re always willing to step up. Brady steps up and hits the 3s. Leaky hit a couple of 3s. Armando comes back, sprains his ankle, he comes back in. RJ sustained us the first half in his distributing throughout the entire game. And then Caleb got off to a little slow start. I took him out. He came back in, and he’s always been, all year, one of those guys that has just been willing — he wants that shot. He’s actually looking for that shot.
“Very few guys in that situation are looking for that type of shot. Caleb is one of them. He has the confidence to be able to knock it down.”
No matter what happens on Monday, the victory over Duke — and the shot by Caleb Love — will live on in the history of college basketball.
Hubert Davis sends emotional message to North Carolina fans following Final Four win
After North Carolina and Caleb Love outlasted rival Duke 81-77 in the Final Four on Saturday, Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis couldn’t hold back his emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he tried to explain to CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson just how special this moment is to him.
“I don’t know,” an overwhelmed Davis said. “I haven’t had a chance to think about it. All I know is this has been a group of toughness, perseverance, resiliency. I’ve said that over the last two, two-and-a-half months, this group has been so together. The help of this team and this program is at it’s finest. I’m just so proud of seeing them continue to have experiences, testimonies and stories out there. I’m just telling you as a coach, it brings so much joy to me to see these guys having a smile on their face and come up big. This is a beautiful moment.”
For Hubert Davis, who is in his first season as head coach of UNC after nine years as an assistant, this run to the Final Four has put the Tar Heels back where they belong. North Carolina had failed to reach 18 wins in each of the past two seasons, and even this year wasn’t considered a contender for the title. But despite entering the tournament as a No. 8 seed, UNC will have a chance to cut down the nets Monday against Kansas.
“I felt like over the last two of three years, North Carolina wasn’t relevant,” Davis said. “North Carolina should never be irrelevant. It should be front and center with the spotlight on players like Caleb and RJ. I’m just so happy for them. I’m so happy for our program and university. It’s a beautiful day for North Carolina basketball.”