CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – TheNorth Carolina Tar Heels fell to the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers 83-79 on Tuesday night in the Smith Center. The loss was the Tar Heels’ first at home this season and dropped them to 8-5 overall.
The Tar Heels were led by Armando Bacot’s 21 points and 12 rebounds. Caleb Love added 20 points, and Pete Nance chipped in 16. For the Hoosiers, Trayce Jackson-Davis scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Jalen Hood-Schifino added 19 points, and Race Thompson finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tar Heels shot just 39.6% from the field and 23.1% from three-point range. They also committed 14 turnovers.
The Hoosiers, on the other hand, shot 50.0% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. They also committed just 9 turnovers.
The Tar Heels trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half but never led. They cut the lead to one point with 1:31 remaining, but the Hoosiers made their free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
The loss was a disappointing one for the Tar Heels, who were looking to build on their impressive win over Ohio State last week. However, it also exposed some of the same issues the Tar Heels have had all season.
The Tar Heels’ defense has been a major concern all season, and it was once again a problem on Tuesday night. The Hoosiers shot 50.0% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. They also had 16 assists to just 9 turnovers.
The Tar Heels’ defense was particularly bad in the first half. The Hoosiers scored 47 points in the first half and shot 56.5% from the field.
The Tar Heels’ defense improved in the second half, but it was still not good enough. The Hoosiers scored 36 points in the second half and shot 43.5% from the field.
The Tar Heels’ offense also struggled at times on Tuesday night. They shot just 39.6% from the field and 23.1% from three-point range. They also committed 14 turnovers.
The Tar Heels’ offense was particularly bad in the first half. They scored just 32 points in the first half and shot 34.5% from the field.
The Tar Heels’ offense improved in the second half, but it was still not good enough. They scored 47 points in the second half and shot 44.8% from the field.
The Tar Heels have now lost three games by five points or less this season. They have also lost two games in overtime.
The Tar Heels need to find a way to win close games if they want to be successful this season. They need to be able to make free throws, execute their offense, and play defense in the clutch.
The Tar Heels’ loss to the Hoosiers was a disappointing one, but it also exposed some of the same issues the Tar Heels have had all season.
The Tar Heels’ defense struggled, their offense was inconsistent, and they could not find a way to win a close game.
If the Tar Heels want to be successful this season, they need to address these issues.