It doesn’t matter how pretty a game is, just if your team wins. The North Carolina Tar Heels played two different halves of basketball against Wyoming on Tuesday night, with their second half showcasing the potential for how good this season can be.
UNC overcame another poor rebounding performance, shot the basketball well and beat the Cowboys, 76-63, to remain undefeated.
Wyoming (2-1) trailed by just two points at halftime, thanks to their sizable advantage in the offensive rebounding department. The noticeably-shorter Cowboys won the rebounding battle, 43-37, with nine more on the offensive glass.
Michael Malone ripped into his guys at halftime, which worked in the final 20 minutes. North Carolina boxed out much better and limited second-chance points. The Tar Heels shot 50 percent as a team, with four players in double-figures. UNC’s defense, anchored by Sayon Keita in his best performance, held Wyoming to a 36% mark overall and 26% from 3-point land.
North Carolina has kinks to work out, but that goes for any new team. The Tar Heels have a deeper squad, which Malone raved about after their preseason opener vs. USC. Terrence Brown and Isaiah Denis scored 14 apiece on Tuesday night, while Keita and Maximo Adams each recorded 13 points. Matt Able added 11, giving UNC five guys in double-figures. Would the 2025-26 squad be able to do that?
Celebrate the win, but realize a much-tougher Georgia Bulldogs team comes to Chapel Hill on Friday night. Take a look at social media reactions from Tuesday’s big victory.
