Exhibition Play

UNC beat UNC-Pembroke the other night in an exhibition game 82-63 and it is hard to read too much into that. I remember a few years ago Kentucky lost an exhbition game to a Division III school and went on to do pretty well that season. The 'Heels went into the game minus three players (Hairston, Tokoto, and McDonald) that are expected to log major minutes for the 'Heels. All three will miss regular season games this year and the NCAA has to decide how many. I won't get started on the blatant unfairness of the NCAA and their regulatory body. Starting Point Guard Marcus Paige took over at Shooting Guard, Freshman Nate Britt took the Point, and McAdoo, James, and Johnson rounded out the starting five. The 'Heels had a serious height advantage over Pembroke but turnovers, all 23 of them, killed them. Turnovers were a big reason why Pembroke pulled to within 7 points in the second half. James Michael McAdoo (19) and Freshman Kennedy Meeks (11) were the only two in double figures, McAdoo and Brice johnson had 10 rebounds a piece, and Britt led the team with 6 assists. The Tarheels were only 3 for 15 from the three point line but did hit 23 of 27 free throws. It was an exhibition game. Coach Williams and the 'Heels have their work cut out for them. They should be much better by the end of the season than they are at the beginning.