RJ Davis sits. Trimble stars. Three takeaways from UNC basketball’s exhibition at Memphis

North Carolina squared off against Memphis in a college basketball exhibition game at FedExForum Tuesday night, not only to tune up before the season but also to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Though Memphis led by three at the half and made several pushes late in the game, UNC adjusted in the second half to pull out the win, 84-76.

While UNC’s exhibition exposed several weaknesses — particularly on the boards and from the perimeter in the first half — there were also reasons for optimism.

North Carolina adapted well despite the absence of preseason ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, who didn’t play after taking a hard fall and bruising his back during Saturday’s scrimmage at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

Junior Seth Trimble broke out with 33 points (too bad it won’t count as a career high) and Elliot Cadeau contributed a double-double with 11 points and 13 assists as UNC persevered without Davis against Memphis.

The Tar Heels’ ability to generate points in the paint — Jalen Washington added 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting — without Armando Bacot is another positive to build on.

Here are three takeaways from the exhibition:

Seth Trimble’s breakout performance

Without Davis on the floor, Trimble led the charge for UNC — scoring 14 points in the first half and finishing with a team-high 33 points.

He showcased his creative finishing ability, using step-throughs, euro steps and aggressive drives to create shots in the paint. After a rough stretch of play for the Tar Heels, Trimble — with a jumper and then an acrobatic euro-step layup — kept UNC within one possession heading into halftime.

Trimble played with a new swagger on Tuesday. Fellow guard Cadeau, speaking to the media after UNC’s scrimmage on Saturday, said Trimble’s confidence “is on another level this year.”

“He knows he’s playing a much bigger role and is filling those shoes pretty well,” Cadeau said.

In the second half, Trimble’s hot streak (or really, campaign for a starting spot) continued. The junior racked up 19 points and three assists in the second half alone.

Trimble showed both power and poise in the closing minutes of the game. He was tasked with ball-handling and, in Davis’ leave, took over in garbage time and sank the late security-blanket free throws.

But, it should be noted, that was after a monster dunk with a little over two minutes remaining. That slam put UNC up by double digits and momentarily quelled another Memphis comeback attempt late in the game.

Cadeau, Washington make strides

The Tar Heels found their touch around the rim and offensive rhythm in the second half thanks to Washington and Cadeau, respectively.

In the first half, amidst sloppy play and poor perimeter shooting, Cadeau was consistent. The sophomore facilitated much of the action — ball screens between him and bigs like Washington were crisp and effective — and stepped into 3-pointers he likely wouldn’t have shot with as much confidence last season.

A standout moment came late in the first half when Cadeau hit a 3-pointer and immediately drew a charging foul on the other end, drawing praise from the bench. Plays like these emphasize UNC’s speed as a key weapon this season, especially considering the team’s lack of size.

On that note, size didn’t seem to be a deterrent in the Tar Heels’ ability to score inside. Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers showed flashes in pick-and-roll situations. Washington also displayed his versatility in pick-and-pop action. The “adorable” forward, as Hubert Davis called him, went 2-for-2 from the perimeter in the second half.

“We’re going to have to dominate points in the paint, maybe a little bit differently than the way that Armando did,” Hubert Davis said in early October. “But we have the personnel to be able to do that.”

North Carolina’s ability to find creative ways to get to the rim will be vital this season. And as for UNC’s transition offense — Hubert Davis wants his team to be the fastest in the nation from free-throw line to free-throw line – well….

Sloppy play and missed opportunities

The Tar Heels struggled early with turnovers and offensive rhythm, which allowed Memphis to go on a 12-2 run in the first half and build an 11-point lead. UNC’s inability to secure multiple rebounds — a jarring sight for those used to watching Bacot for the past few years — led to 10 Memphis second-chance points in the first half.

The Tar Heels couldn’t find their range from deep, going 3-for-13 from 3-point range in the first half. Cade Tyson and Ian Jackson — both advertised as prolific shooters heading into the season — were relatively quiet.

Tyson, in particular, struggled. He appeared hesitant to shoot, passing up open or lightly-contested shots to Hubert Davis’ disgruntlement. The Belmont transfer, while dominant on the glass, recorded (at least) four turnovers and went 1-for-6 from deep.

UNC’s freshman duo also displayed some growing pains, with Jackson and Drake Powell going a combined 1-for-8 from the field.

All in all, the Tar Heels will certainly return to Chapel Hill with plenty of film to analyze ahead of the regular season.

UNC has one more exhibition game, on Oct. 27 at the Smith Center against Johnson C. Smith, before opening the season Nov. 4 against Elon.