Hubert Davis Q&A Ahead of UNC-BYU Exhibition Game

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina basketball coach Hubert Davis met with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the Tar Heels’ trip to Utah for their high-profile exhibition game against BYU on Friday night.

The No. 25 Tar Heels and No. 8 Cougars, who both have landed among the AP Top 25 preseason poll, will meet on a neutral court at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City (9 p.m., ESPN+).

The preseason matchup marks the first of two exhibition games for North Carolina, with UNC set to host Winston-Salem State on Oct. 29, before its season opener at home against Central Arkansas on Nov. 3.

Watch the full video here and scroll down below for some noteworthy comments from Davis’s question-and-answer session at the Smith Center.

How has the increase in these public exhibition games changed the way you approach the preseason?

Davis: “Normally, it’s been behind closed doors and private, and you have more of a hands-on approach. In regards to, ‘hey, let’s look at going up against a zone, or going up against a press, or let’s do situational stuff. But there’s huge benefits in playing games like this. I mean, obviously, playing against such a really good opponent in BYU, it gives us an opportunity to be able to take a clear look at us and things that we’re doing well, things that we need to improve on before the regular season starts. Same thing that happens in the NBA. So, it gives us a chance to do that. I think it’s also really beneficial for us to go on the road… To be on a true road game, there’s a lot that you can learn about your team, and it’s something that is invaluable to be able to learn that prior to the regular season starting.”

With a lot of eyes on a high-profile exhibition game like this, do you hold back anything for scouting reasons?

Davis: “No, I don’t think there’s a situation where you hold things back. I mean, I think there’s situational stuff that we haven’t practiced yet, and so in that scenario, you are playing what you have practiced at that point. And so that’s what we’ll do against BYU, and that’ll give us a good indication on things that we need to work on moving forward.”

What are you looking for from UNC on Friday night in Salt Lake City?

Davis: “The huge bullet points that we’ve talked about and identified every day since we’ve come together as a team. From a defensive standpoint, us being, and I’ve been clear and definitive, we’ve got to be a really good defensive team, good rebounding team, for us to have a chance to be the best team that we can possibly become. Looking at our pace, we play a tremendous pace, taking care of the basketball, doing a much better job this year, getting to the offensive glass. And so those are big picture, very important things that I’m looking for out of the scrimmage on our exhibition game on Friday.”

How do you use this exhibition as an opportunity for your staff members to prepare for an opponent like they would during the regular season?

Davis: “We do. I mean, it’s everything. It’s scouting reports, it’s the same routine headed into a regular season game, and that’s one of the benefits of playing in this game is we have 11 new players. So for them to understand the regular routine and preparation to play an opponent. So that does play a part.”

How important is it for freshmen to get an experience like this in front of a road crowd?

Davis: “It’s important for them to get out there on the floor. But, these guys have been exposed to a number of different situations, not like when I was playing in the NBA arena for the first time, it was very different for me. These guys have done it since high school. They do it in AAU, and so the moment is never too big for them. And actually, it’s the exact opposite. They run towards it. And so it’ll be exciting for all of our players to be able to play on Friday.”

Some of your players have characterized this team as a hungry and competitive group. Have you picked up on those traits throughout the preseason?

Davis: “I’ve picked that up and noticed that this is a very competitive group. It’s a team that I don’t have to poke and prod to get after it. They already do, and that’s exactly what you want. They compete extremely hard out there on the floor, and then they’re in the locker room laughing and joking around. And that’s the type of team that you want to have. And also, it’s beneficial in games like this to be able to see how you handle everything is good when everything is going  well. But how do you handle adversity? You know, the team goes on a run, how do you how do you do you come together? Do you get stronger? And those are things that it’s really important to see and identify, especially before the regular season starts.”

Where have you seen the most improvement through the preseason so far?

Davis: “I’ve seen the most improvement defensively. That’s just number one on my list is for us to be a really good defensive team. I’ve seen improvement in regards to individual, one-on- one defense and the importance of communication and talking early, loud, clear and constant — team defense-wise. So that’s the area that I’ve seen the most improvement.”