Physicality from Ole Miss was key to big first half
MILWAUKEE, WI., — From the start, it was clear what Ole Miss wanted to do against North Carolina. They wanted to play physically.
The physicality of Ole Miss allowed them to pun the Tar Heels in the mouth and jump out to an 11-2 lead early in the game. They never looked back and the style of play seemed to bother the Tar Heels.
At least for the first half.
While North Carolina managed to make a comeback and get the lead down to two, it was the physical play of the Rebels that made life difficult on them all game long forcing them into tough shots and tough offensive possessions.
"They brought the physical, competitive fight in the first half. Every category, every angle, in regards to physicality, they not only won in the first half, they dominated us," Hubert Davis said. "There was only two choices coming out in the second half, either to respond with that same type of fight or get embarrassed. And I was really proud of how our guys fought back competitively and got back into the game."
The Tar Heels said they expected the physical style of play from Ole Miss after studying the tape. Still, it took them a full half and an 18-point deficit to act on it.
"Yeah, definitely. That's something that we saw on film and I think that showed in the first half," freshman Drake Powell said after the game.
By then, it was too late. Ole Miss had already dictated how this game was going to be and put UNC in a familiar spot with a double-digit deficit in the first half. That's something that we have seen a lot this season, when a team plays physical against the Tar Heels, the opponent often finds success and UNC looks shell-shocked.
On Friday, in the most important game of the year, it was too much to overcome despite the late rally for the Tar Heels. And now, UNC will be entering a very important offseason for the program.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball cant get by physical Ole Miss in NCAA Tournament
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