Hubert Davis Pre-Kentucky Q&A: 'It's Got to Be All UNC'

CHAPEL HILL, N.C — Coming off its first loss of the season to Michigan State on Thanksgiving Day, No. 16 North Carolina will look to avoid dropping back-to-back results when the Tar Heels travel for their first true road game of the season at No. 18 Kentucky on Tuesday night.

Ahead of the matchup, Hubert Davis met with local media Monday to address lingering questions from the MSU defeat and preview how UNC plans to handle the Wildcats in another marquee matchup early in the season. Watch the full video below and scroll down for transcription excerpts …

Watching the tape back, what stood out from the Michigan State loss? 

Hubert Davis: “From an offensive standpoint, just stuff that we talked about heading into the game, and just moving forward, our execution has to be better. Obviously, we took care of the basketball. We had eight turnovers, but just the execution part, in regard to setting solid, legal screens, getting to the offensive glass, those little things that make big things happen. Then, from a defensive standpoint, just boxing out, we have been straightforward about how important rebounding is. And Michigan State got an offensive rebound off their misses 41 percent of the time. And so shot 51 percent, they got 46 points in the paint. So those are things that aren’t good, and for us to be successful, those are things that we have to do well, and we have to do well consistently.” 

What did you learn about your team’s physicality that you can use in battling Kentucky on Tuesday night?

“In regard to winning the battle in the trenches, I talked to the guys at great length. Making a reference in regards to football, you can have the quarterback, the receivers, the running backs, but all that is done in the trenches. It’s done on the offensive, defensive line, and so for basketball, from an offensive standpoint, it’s taking care of the basketball. It’s dominating points in the paint. Defensively, it’s boxing out, it’s protecting the paint. Those are all the things. When the ball goes up in the air, and it goes on the ground, it can’t be 50/50 loose balls. It’s got to be all UNC.”

How have you seen Caleb Wilson adjust to the extra defensive attention and playing when he is double-teamed? 

“It’s definitely changed throughout each game. 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; he was still able to get there pretty much. So Caleb is adjusting to that and understanding the opportunities for him to score, but also to get two on the ball and be able to facilitate and hit open teammates. And the great thing about Caleb is, yeah, he can score, but he’s also a gifted passer and a willing passer as well, so that’s good for us.” 

What impresses you most about this Kentucky team? 

“They can really shoot. They’ve got guys with deep range, can really shoot the basketball, but these guys can also put the ball on the floor. They can penetrate and get to the basket. Very versatile on the offensive end. They are basketball players. They can pass, they can penetrate, they can shoot. Defensively, they’ve got the versatility to switch a number of different rotations, and then they have bigs that can block and alter shots. So it’ll be a challenge for us, but we’re excited about the challenge tomorrow night.” 

How can Kyan Evans find his rhythm shooting and fit better into the offense? 

“I’ve talked with him about it. It’s not just his shooting; Kyan is so beneficial to us on both ends of the floor, but from an offensive standpoint, he’s our guy. In terms of a distributor, he’s our best. And, in transition, pitching the ball ahead, I love when he gets into the lane, draws two, plays off two feet, and is able to find teammates…

“One of the things that I have encouraged them about, and I gave him an example from myself, is, when I played, the only stat that I ever looked at was that I never wanted to shoot over 50 percent of my shots from three. I just wanted to get a layup, a floater, and get to the free-throw line. I don’t care how good a shooter you are, I think that’s very difficult just to stay from three-point range. So Kyan has the ability to score in a number of different areas inside the arc, and so just encourage him to use those things in his bag and not just stay out there from three-point range.”