Too close for comfort? 3 takeaways from UNC basketball’s season-opening win over Elon

Season opener or warmup game?

For North Carolina’s Tar Heels, taking on Elon at the Smith Center seemingly would be a little of both. But the “warmup” game because a close game, closer than expected.

The Heels, ranked No. 9 in preseason, were expected to win decisively before their big trip to Kansas. UNC did win, but not decisively, using a late spurt to beat the Phoenix, 90-76.

R.J. Davis had a game-high 24 points for the Tar Heels, hitting some big shots late. Elliot Cadeau had 17 points and Seth Trimble 15 as the Heels finally pulled away in the final minutes after the Phoenix had taken the lead.

North Carolina’s first road game, Friday at Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse, will give the Heels a chance to see how they match up against the nation’s top-ranked team — in the “Phog,” if you will, on the Jayhawks’ home court.

But first things first. Elon was 13-19 a year ago and huge underdogs Monday. UNC sent out a talented starting lineup led by R.J. Davis, last season’s ACC player of the year, along with Cadeau, Trimble and big men Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers.

Elon countered with a point zone that had 7-foot-4 Matthew Van Komen in the middle, mixed in some man-to-man and was effective enough on defense for much of the game. Senior Sam Sherry, and sophomores T.J. Simpkins and Nick Dorn made enough shots to keep Elon close and keep Tar Heel fan restless.

A 14-0 run by the Phoenix in the second half wiped out a 12-point lead by the Heels before a pair of baskets by Davis — a jumper to tie the score 71-71 and then a 3-pointer to give UNC a 74-71 lead with 6:11 left.

“It was the first game of the season and there are things I was really proud of, that I thought the team did well and at a high level, and there’s things we’ve got to improve on,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said.

“This is actually the perfect game and perfect situation to be in, because this will help us grow and help us become the team we want to become. From that standpoint, there’s a lot to learn from it and It’s nice to learn from it in a victory.”

Three takeaways from the game:

Davis was clutch

The late-game run by the Phoenix created some serious angst in the Smith Center. But R.J. Davis restored order, his experience, maturity and his cool the difference.

After Elon’s 14-0 run, Davis calmly drained a shot. Then, open in the right corner, Davis drilled a 3-pointer for a 74-71 lead.

“I feel like R.J. plays better when there’s pressure on him,” Cadeau said. “That was a pressure situation and he showed everybody why he could be the national player of the year.”

Cadeau followed with a 3-pointer for a six-point lead, then was fouled on a drive. The initial call was an intentional foul by Elon’s Sam Sherry, which was reviewed and then upheld — a flagrant-1 foul, two shots and the ball.

Elon coach Billy Taylor did not like the call. And after Cadeau made one of the two free throws and Jalen Washington an inside basket, it was 80-71, UNC.

Davis took it from there, hitting another jumper and then a 3.

“It’s nothing new for him. He’s always stepped up for us in his career,” Hubert Davis said.

Good start for Cadeau

Hubert Davis had to like what he saw early in the game, especially from Cadeau.

Cadeau, who struggled on 3-pointers as a freshman last season, knocked down his first of the new season. Withers did the same. The Heels took care of the basketball and rebounded well enough.

The Tar Heels did not have turnover for the first 13 minutes of the game – until Cadeau rushed a pass in transition that was picked off near midcourt. Midway through the second half, that still was the only UNC turnover before things turned a little sloppy during the Elon run.

Cadeau is a year older but also stronger in appearance and fearless with the ball. Against the zone, he was able to penetrate off the dribble, drawing fouls or finding the open man, finishing with a game-high eight assists.

After R.J. Davis gave the Heels a 74-71 lead in the second half, turning up the noise level, Cadeau knocked in a 3-pointer to further ease the tension. That might not have happened last season.

Withers has the touch

The cheers were a little louder in the first half when Withers did not hesitate and nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing. Moments later, he did it again.

Few will forget the missed 3-pointer Withers had against Alabama last season in the NCAA Tournament. He won’t. And he had to endure quite a bit because of it.

With UNC leading 85-84 and barely a minute left in the Sweet 16 game in Los Angeles, and 15 seconds left on the shot clock, Withers put up a 3 from the top of the key that missed. The Crimson Tide earned an 89-87 win, ending the Heels’ season — but not the criticism.

Social media can be harsh, and it was on Withers, who shot 21% on 3’s for the season.

“It took a heavy toll on the mental,” Withers said in preseason. “I took a full-blown break from hoops and came back feeling pretty fresh and ready to get to work.”

And putting the miss behind him?

“More fuel to the fire, made me want to work harder,” he said.

Withers started Monday and had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the opener -- a good start to a new season.

“We need everybody to step up and play at a high level,” Hubert Davis said.