North Carolina ran into an angry Tennessee team that was humiliated by Villanova the day before as the Volunteers dominated the Tar Heels 89-72 in the Hall of Fame Tip Off Tournament Sunday. (11\/21) <\/p>\n
The Tar Heels hung tough in a loss to Purdue, who went on to win the tournament, but didn’t seem to have that same fight against Tennessee, who handled Carolina down low in the paint by a 54-22 score.<\/p>\n
“I was excited to see our response to yesterday,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “Our energy and effort wasn’t there. Tennessee was better than us.”<\/p>\n
The game was still close in the first half but Tennessee hit six of their last seven baskets of the half to take a 39-32 advantage into the lockerrooms.<\/p>\n
The lead quickly increased in the second half as the Vols opened it up, 56-41, in the first five minutes of the second half. <\/p>\n
Over the last five minutes of the first half and the first five minutes of the second half, Tennessee outscored the Tar Heels by 13 points.<\/p>\n
“The way we played today is not Carolina basketball,” Coach Davis said. “And it’s not an example of how good this team can be. <\/p>\n
While the Vols led by as many as 20 points, UNC’s Brady Manek kept it from being even more embarrassing as he hit six of Carolina’s 10 threes for a game-high 24 points.<\/p>\n
Armando Bacot had a solid game for the Heels as he had 16 points and 12 rebounds. R.J. Davis and Caleb Love both shot poorly but still managed 14 and 12 points respectively.<\/p>\n
Four Tennessee players scored in double figures, led by Zakai Zeigler’s 18 points. <\/p>\n
The Tar Heels, now 3-2, return home to play UNC-Asheville Tuesday. <\/p>\n