North Carolina Wins On The Road At Louisville

After winning in Atlanta earlier in the week ninth ranked North Carolina went back out on the road and got another win. This time at fifteenth ranked Louisville.

The Tar Heels controlled rebounding, the inside and just about everything else Saturday to show how far they have come since their previous meeting with the Cardinals. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

Luke Maye had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Cameron Johnson finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, helping North Carolina avenge a blowout loss with a 79-69 victory over Louisville. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

"The biggest thing for us was to come out early and be ready to go," Maye said. "We didn't do that last time and I thought we did that today." The victory came three weeks after UNC was beaten by 21 points by Louisville, its worst defeat at home under coach Roy Williams. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

The Tar Heels (17-4, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) won the rematch and ended Louisville's six-game winning streak. They set the tone with a 22-4 first-half run over 8:34 that put them up 34-19 and gave them a lead they never lost against one of the league's co-leaders. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

Johnson and Maye had 12 points apiece in the first half before Garrison Brooks (12 points) and Kenny Williams (10 points) contributed after halftime. UNC dominated the boards 49-32 in its fifth consecutive victory. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

"That was really big," Roy Williams said. "Four guys in double figures, you like that. Two turnovers the second half, and the rebound margin is probably the game." “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

The Cardinals (16-6, 7-2) cut a 19-point deficit to 58-49 midway through the second half but came no closer. Dwayne Sutton had 19 points and Christen Cunningham 15 with nine assists for Louisville. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

The Cardinals' loss came three days after a 28-point victory at Wake Forest that they had hoped to follow by sweeping the Tar Heels. Instead, they and the crowd were left wondering what happened after their second home loss this season. Louisville lost to Kentucky 71-58 on Dec. 29 “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

"We didn't come out with much fire," Louisville coach Chris Mack said. "It was a great environment, and to essentially end the half with no offensive rebounds, let Carolina dismantle us on the glass, I can't tell you how disappointed I am in that effort alone." “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx


BOUNCING BACK
Saturday's victory was the first time the Tar Heels beat a team by 10 or more points on its home floor after losing to it by at least 20 at home. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx


ALI'S PRESENCE
As might be expected in Muhammad Ali's hometown, the game featured video clips and sound bites from the late heavyweight great. Several preceded Louisville player introductions, with others played during timeouts in an attempt to inspire the Cardinals and a crowd of 19,985. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

Rings of the bell briefly produced some energy, mostly by the Tar Heels. “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

"I liked it," Maye said. "It didn't turn out the way they wanted it, but it's a cool way to come out." “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

Said Cunningham: "We just got bullied. They pushed us off the line. They made us run our offense 35, 40 feet. We just didn't answer the bell." “according to https://goheels.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-at-louisville.aspx

North Carolina will return to the hardwood on Tuesday night when they host tobacco road rival NC State.