This game requires very little in actual analysis. There were two main goals coming into this match-up with Chaminade. Move past the loss to Butler by taking care of business against a clearly over matched Division II team and not get anyone injured in the process. UNC accomplished both of those in sterling fashion and leave Hawaii on a winning note before facing Indiana next Tuesday.
While the opponent was not capable of slowing UNC down, the Heels didn't leave anything to chance. UNC came out from the start playing take it at Chaminade and hitting all the shots they missed last night. Reggie Bullock in particular took control of the game from the tip with 11 points and an assist in the first five minutes. Bullock finished the game with 17 points as did Leslie McDonald with both hitting a trio of three pointers each. James Michael McAdoo who struggled against Butler, bounced back for 18 points and 10 rebounds on 8-12 shooting. Brice Johnson had a career high 16 points and P.J. Hairston rounded out the double figure scoring with 10 points and four assists. Hariston was one of four Heels to register four or more assists. Dexter Strickland had four assists to go along with his eight points. Bullock had six to add to this stellar evening and Luke Davis came off the bench to dish seven assists in just 14 minutes of play.
While it is disappointing UNC did not win the Maui Invitational, I don't think anyone is really surprised the Heels ended up losing one game in Hawaii. And while there is some concern with the way UNC fell behind Butler in the semifinal game it remains to be seen if the root cause of that debacle rears its head again. The subsequent rally and domination of Chaminade is the sign of a team that is willing to fight and take the lessons of a loss to heart. Granted it came against a DII team but it was exactly the kind of response you would hope to see after a tough loss. Overall UNC went 3-1 away from the Dean Dome and more importantly took some steps in the development process. Needless to say, they will need every bit of it in Bloomington, IN next Tuesday night.
