Hubert Davis defends Caleb Love standing up for teammate after flagrant foul, scuffle
Things got heated on Saturday between North Carolina and Notre Dame after a hard shot contest led to a technical foul and eventual ejection. Notre Dame’s Cormac Ryan tried to block a dunk attempt by UNC’s Puff Johnson, and the two hit the floor hard after the play. After things got physical on the ground, UNC guard Caleb Love got right into the middle of things to defend his teammate.
That act from Love was one that stood out in the eyes of UNC head coach Hubert Davis. While Davis might not be a fan of picking up technical fouls, but he is undoubtedly glad to see the types of acts that he saw from Love on Saturday.
“Yeah, I didn’t see much of it,” Davis said. “I don’t like technical fouls, but I love our team standing up for each other. Caleb standing up for Puff, I support that, encourage that every day. That’s one of the many things that makes Caleb a great teammate.”
The play itself wasn’t where things got heated, rather than in the aftermath. Ryan seemingly kicked his leg towards Johnson as the two got tangled up on the floor, which understandably led to a heated scene. Players on the court had to be separated, especially Love as he strongly defended Johnson and his other UNC teammates.
Defending his teammates was far from the only impressive part of Love’s game on Saturday, though, as he scored 18 of UNC’s 81 points in the 81-64 victory for the Tar Heels. Love added three rebounds, two assists and two steals on the day.
Love is off to a fast start this season for UNC. Through 16 games, he is averaging 36.3 minutes per game, the highest mark of his three-year career in Chapel Hill. He is averaging 16.9 points, 3.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds, shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range.
Love’s 39.9 shooting percentage is the highest of his career, although his success from beyond the arc is down from his 36 percent he posted last year.
UNC’s season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, as the preseason No. 1 team sits at 11-5 overall and 3-2 against ACC opponents. The Tar Heels began the year 5-0, but then lost four straight to fall to 5-4. After that, UNC won four in a row to improve to 9-4 before falling against Pittsburgh in late December. Since beginning the new calendar year, the Heels are 2-0.
Next up is an intriguing road matchup against No. 13 Virginia on Tuesday night. Tip is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET from Charlottesville.