After two straight ACC losses on the road, North Carolina took it out on Boston College 96-66 in Chapel Hill. (1/9)
Luke Maye, who has been in a bit of a slump, broke out in a big way with career highs in points (32) and rebounds (18).
“He’s worked so hard. He deserves this success,” UNC coach Roy Williams said adding that he was sensational. Coach Williams said Maye had felt a little pressure lately after a few sub-par games compared to how he started the season. “I told him you don’t have to be like anybody else. Just be Luke.”
Some other words from Coach Williams also seemed to inspire Maye. “Coach told me before the game that I needed to be a player,” Maye said.
As a result, Maye became the first Tar Heel to score 30 points in a game at the Smith Center since Tyler Zeller did it in 2012.
While Coach Williams said none of the Tar Heels played with heart or a brain in the Virginia game, he told them not to panic but simply play with a high energy level. “Our focus was to play harder and smarter,” Coach Williams said. “We needed to bounce back and I think that was a good one.”
He was particularly pleased with the overwhelming 58-23 edge on the boards, including 23 offensive rebounds. After turning the ball over 19 times against Virginia, the Heels only turned it over eight times against Boston College, an improved team which was 11-5 with a victory over Duke coming into the game.
“Except for a couple of stretches, we played very, very well,” Coach Williams said.
Joining Maye in double figures were Cam Johnson, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Joel Berry, who had 13 points and Kenny Williams, who tallied 10 points. Theo Pinson had his usual balanced line with eight points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Big men Garrison Brooks and Sterling Manley got less time on the court as the Tar Heels chose to go smaller. The smaller Maye, Johnson and Pinson crashed the boards and started several fast breaks as the Tar Heels outscored the Eagles 19-2 on fast break points.
Carolina, which travels to Notre Dame (13-3, 3-0) Saturday evening, improves to 13-4 and 2-2 in the ACC.
To see a box score and more analysis of the game, please click here.