Pitt Take 5: When Panthers meet Tar Heels, loser faces uphill climb

If Pitt/North Carolina looks like an elimination game, that’s because the loser is in serious trouble.

Each team will have more than a month to recover, but a loss Saturday at Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill would be North Carolina’s 11th and Pitt’s ninth. What’s left of the loser’s margin for error would disappear, and its NCAA Tournament hopes would seriously fade.

We’re aware of Pitt’s problems — inconsistency from point guard Jaland Lowe, coach Jeff Capel’s reluctance to use his bench, rebounding (always rebounding) and repeated defensive lapses.

Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis laid out some of his team’s issues this week on the ACC coaches conference call.

“We’ve been consistently inconsistent in the details on both ends of the floor,” he said.

“I’ve been clear and direct in regards to the little things that I’m talking about — shot selection, turnovers. The past two games (losses to Pitt and Duke), teams have scored 41 points off of our turnovers. That’s just not sustainable. Defending without fouling, boxing out — those are things that can be fixed. Those are things we’ve talked about.

“It’s under our control in terms of us playing the best we can be. We still have an opportunity to turn this season around. We need to focus on becoming the best team we can possibly become and at the end of the day, live with the results.”

Capel’s message to his team probably was similar. Let’s see starting at 4 p.m. Saturday which team listened best to its coach. Meanwhile, some thoughts:

1. A chance to stop, take stock

North Carolina hasn’t played since an 87-70 loss at Duke last Saturday, and Davis hopes the time off will prove helpful. The Tar Heels (13-10, 6-5) have lost four of their past five games, including 73-65 on Jan. 28 at Petersen Events Center.

“It’s coming at the perfect time,” Davis said. “It’s a time that gives (the chance) to regroup. We get to practice and work on us as opposed to preparing for a game midweek. Get some guys healthy in terms of bumps and bruises. Mentally, we needed a break. Refocus on the things we need to do in order to be better, for the outcomes to be better.”

Playing Monday gave Pitt a similar opportunity — two full days of practice Wednesday and Thursday to work on internal problems as well as prepare for North Carolina.

2. Who said it?

“I love coaching this team. I love coaching these kids. They come every day to bring their best. It’s a group that really enjoys being together, that really enjoys being a team.”

That was Davis on Monday, but it very well could have been Capel at almost any point this season (at least until Pitt started its current skid). That’s what makes Pitt’s situation so perplexing to outsiders and frustrating inside The Pete. Maybe Pitt (14-8, 5-6) is simply composed of good kids who are good players, just not good enough.

3. A GM for the Tar Heels

Give Davis credit for recognizing the complications involved in coaching big-time collegiate athletics. He revealed on his radio show, “Hubert Davis Live,” that he plans to add a general manager to his staff to help navigate issues such as the transfer portal (comings and goings), NIL payments and players’ agents.

Makes sense. But did you ever imagine a college head coach dealing with agents? Like it or not, that’s reality. Credit to Davis for recognizing it.

“I never would have thought in the four years that I took the job that 100% what is needed is a general manager,” he said. “There’s just so much stuff out there. I mention owner, GM, fundraiser, basketball coach. It’s so much on the plate that it’ll take you away from doing what’s the most important thing, which is coaching basketball.

“The old model for Carolina basketball just doesn’t work. It’s not sustainable.”

4. A stacked roster

North Carolina hasn’t defeated Pitt at Dean Center since Feb. 3, 2018, a 96-65 UNC victory. Pitt has won the past three games there and is 6-3 against the Tar Heels over the past six seasons.

The Tar Heels are struggling, but there is serious talent on their roster, starting with freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, plus All-American guard R.J. Davis. Jackson and Powell are considered potential NBA Draft choices this year.

Powell only scored eight points in the Pitt game, but Hubert Davis liked what he saw from the 6-foot-6 forward against Duke last Saturday. Powell scored 12 points in 22 minutes off the bench.

“He was more aggressive, and that’s what I liked about him. That’s what we need,” the coach said.

“He has an ability to create his own shot. He has an ability to get to the basket. He’s an excellent passer. He knows how to make the right play.”

For the record, Lowe was ranked No. 90 on ESPN’s Top 100 Big Board of NBA Draft prospects released Jan. 18.

5. By the numbers

Lowe has been a good distributor this season, standing in a tie for 35th nationally (fifth in the ACC) with 122 assists. But his field goal percentage (38.0, 119 of 313) is 334th of 344 players in NCAA Division I. … He is also sixth on the team with a 27.5 3-point percentage (30 of 109) among players who average at least two attempts per game. … Zack Austin has more 3-pointers (39) than 2-pointers (24).