North Carolina Runs Past The University Of Portland
North Carolina sprinted to the finish as they defeated the University Of Portland in the Phil Knight PK80 tournament on Friday and advanced to the semifinals.
When Luke Maye took stock of what North Carolina was losing from last season's championship squad and what was coming back, he made it a focus to become a better scorer in the post. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
Maye made scoring around the basket look easy against overmatched Portland. "according tohttp://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
Maye had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Joel Berry II added 18 points and No. 9 North Carolina had five players in double figures in overwhelming Portland 102-78 on Thursday to open the PK80 Invitational. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
"I've really had a concerted effort on scoring more in the post," Maye said. "We lost three top players in the post. I'm trying to make more shots in the paint and be a presence in there. I've got a long way to go, but I'm getting there." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
The Tar Heels (4-0) continued their offensive outburst to open the season, topping the century mark for the first time this season against the Pilots from the West Coast Conference. Maye has scored at least 20 points in three of North Carolina's first four games. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
Kenny Williams added 17 points and Theo Pinson had 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Tar Heels, who have scored at least 90 points in the past three games. North Carolina pulled away thanks to 55 percent shooting in the second half. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
Since going 1 of 6 in the opener against Northern Iowa — all on 3-point attempts — Pinson has made an effort to get in the lane more. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
"I don't think I've ever had a player get a triple-double, but he might be the first," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
Franklin Porter led the Pilots with 19 points and Marcus Shaver Jr. added 17, but the Pilots shot just 40 percent and lacked the offensive spark to keep up with the Tar Heels."according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
"It's great for our young guys to be in these types of games and our team overall, to be in these type of games, and the big picture is our conference play," Portland coach Terry Porter said. "When we play in games like this, we're going to have carry-over and it's going to help us in our conference play." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
The Pilots (2-2) hung around through most of the first half before a late run by the Tar Heels gave them a 48-35 halftime lead. The Tar Heels have scored at least 45 points in the first half of every game this season. North Carolina quickly turned the game into the expected blowout in the opening moments of the second half, scoring the first 12 points of the half and hitting nine straight shots before finally missing. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
Maye had 14 points in the second half and the Tar Heels lead by as many as 28 in the second half."according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
"I told coach Porter that they really helped us because they showed us how poor we played on the defensive end of the floor," Williams sad. "We've got to get better there. At the same, I liked a lot of what our guys did." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
THE TAKEAWAY
Portland: It was a major upgrade in competition for the Pilots from anything they had seen or may see this season. Portland opened the season with a five-point loss to crosstown rival Portland State, then knocked off a pair of NAIA schools — Walla Walla and Oregon Tech — for its first two victories.
North Carolina: Williams was a little more consistent with his scoring, unlike his last game against Stanford, when the junior guard scored all 20 of his points in the first 9:03 of the game, including six 3-pointers. Williams hit just one 3 against the Pilots but was 7 of 12 shooting and attempted only three shots from behind the arc. ... North Carolina held a 51-33 rebounding advantage. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx
North Carolina will return to action Friday when they face Arkansas. Tip-off is set for 3:30pm. The game will be televised on ESPN. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/11/23/mens-basketball-tar-heels-cruise-past-portland-in-pk80-opener.aspx