UNC-ETSU Hubert Davis Q&A: 'Took Us A Little While to Get into the Rhythm'

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A career-high 26 points by Henri Veesaar powered No. 12 North Carolina past East Tennessee State, 77-58, on Tuesday night at the Smith Center. Along with Veesaar’s scoring, Caleb Wilson supplied 20 points and eight rebounds.

Kyan Evans also added six points and six assists without a turnover, while the frontcourt pair soaked up 23 of UNC’s 50 shot attempts on the night. The Tar Heels shot 27-for-50 (54%) from the floor, 8-for-25 (32%) from three and 15-for-23 (65%) from the free throw line. 

Watch head coach Hubert Davis’ postgame press conference and read excerpts below …

UNC conceded five offensive rebounds in the first half but only one in the second. What made the difference in the second period? 

“One of the things I always talk to them about is whatever it takes, whether it’s five seconds or 30 seconds, let’s be committed to getting a defensive stop and finish it with the rebound. And East Tennessee State was methodical in its approach from an offensive standpoint. They were taking us one-on-one, late clock, ball screen action and really getting anything that they wanted towards the basket, and also second chance opportunities.”

“I mean, we talk about it, not just every day — all day, every day — that we just needed to do a better job of fish finishing out those possessions. I felt like defensively, we were on point from a little bit over a three-minute mark in the first half, all the way through the second half. And I felt like our intensity wore them down, and we consistently finished defensive possessions with a rebound.” 

What went into the decision to start Jonathan Powell in the second half? 

“I just love the way that it was the last three minutes and some seconds of the first half. I just felt like the energy was good there, and I just wanted to start the second half that way. Nothing more than that.”

Some players have cited that playing against low-major teams can be challenging because of the “weird” things they do, such as switching up defenses and employing differing offensive styles. What are your thoughts on that, and does it help explain some of these slow starts? 

“Well, I don’t want them to take time because, I mean, every team is different. When you go into conference play, I mean, it’s just everybody has a way that they play on both ends of the floor, and so I don’t want to get off to slow starts. And I felt like we did.” 

“It wasn’t just defensively. I didn’t feel like we were sharp on the offensive end. I think the first 12 shots that we took, seven of them were from three. And we always talk about, we want to dominate points in a pain through post or penetration. I love threes, but man, if early in the shot clock, we can get a layup or a dunk or a deep post catch or get fouled, get to the free throw line — I like that better than a quick three. So I thought from both ends of the floor, it took us a little while to get into the rhythm.”

James Brown has been working his way into the lineup as the first bigman off the bench instead of Zayden High. What have you seen from him, and how has he been able to earn some of those minutes lately? 

“James is a wonderful kid that works hard. He is not a good teammate; he’s an amazing and great teammate. He’s always talking in the locker room, in the huddle during practice. He’s someone that loves this place and wants to be a part of winning. And he’s gotten some extended minutes the last couple of games, and I think he’s played really well.” 

“He was able to get an and-1, rebound the basketball, but his energy and activity, and as I said before, I don’t want to play Henry 40 minutes. Him, coming off the bench and giving us good minutes at that position, is really huge for us.”

Kyan Evans now has 11 assists with no turnovers over the last two games. What has made him successful in running the offense lately?

“He’s really making the easy play. He’s someone who can run our offense, and one of the things I always say is just make routine plays routinely. We don’t need home runs, we just need singles. And Kyan hits singles.” 

“He’s our best passer in transition, in terms of pitching a ball ahead, coming off ball screens, he’s really good at finding our big rolling to the basket. So he’s done a really nice job of distributing a basketball, but most importantly, taking care of it.”

Veesaar finished with 26 points on an extremely efficient 10-for-11 from the floor, including two 3-pointers. Is his scoring versatility his best attribute? 

“It is. He obviously can score in the paint. One of the things that’s really good for him is being able to catch around the basket on the move, and so we have a number of actions that can get him close to the basket on the move.”

“He’s got a wonderful floater, he can finish with either hand, and he can shoot from three, and he runs the floor. So, from an offensive standpoint, he can do a number of things, but I also think what makes him effective offensively is his ability to pass… he’s able to read actions and find open teammates, and obviously he’s in a really good rhythm right now.”