Davis Urges Tar Heels to Accelerate their Game | WRALSportsFan.com

Chapel Hill, N.C. — The UNC basketball team enters the 2023-2024 season with high expectations as one of the most storied college basketball programs in history.

Head coach Hubert Davis addressed the media on Friday, expressing his eagerness to move on from the disappointment of last season. The team had set goals to make it to the Final Four and compete for a national championship, but fell short. Throughout the season, the Tar Heels struggled to establish themselves as a guaranteed contender for the NCAA Tournament, and their early exit from the ACC Tournament and exclusion from Selection Sunday surprised no one.

Despite the setbacks, Davis remains confident and has emphasized a new strategy focused on a fast-paced attacking style of play. The team has prioritized ball movement and efficiency during practice.

“We’re going to play faster in terms of tempo,” Davis explained. “Whether we make a shot or miss one, I want us to push the pace.”

“Two things were crucial for this approach: a commitment to playing this way and being in good physical condition. I believe we have fulfilled both requirements,” Davis added.

The roster has gone through significant changes, with only fifth-year senior Armando Bacot and guard RJ Davis remaining as starters from the 2022 Final Four team. Four new players have transferred in, including Harrison Ingram from Stanford, Cormac Ryan from Notre Dame, Jae’Lyn Withers from Louisville, and Paxson Wojcik from Brown.

“I’m thrilled with the mix of this group,” Davis commented. “What stands out to me is their love for competing. They have shown great competitiveness in both games and practices. Additionally, this group genuinely enjoys each other’s company, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it.”

Davis specifically mentioned his admiration for Paxson’s performance against them in a game against Brown a few years ago and his overall appreciation for Cormac as a player.

One standout addition to the team is five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau, who is expected to contribute significantly as one of the top freshman point guards in the nation.

In the spring, Bacot made the decision to return to UNC while multiple players chose to transfer out of the program.

Last season, UNC finished with a 20-13 record and declined an invitation to the NIT. They struggled early on, losing four consecutive non-conference games and winning only five of their conference games.

Notable non-conference opponents for this season include Tennessee, UConn, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Conference play begins with a home game against Florida State on December 2.

The Tar Heels will start their season at home against Radford on November 6.