1. A better second-half performance was enough for Carolina to beat Wyoming, 76-63. The heels are 3-0.
2. The easiest way to sum up this whole evening was to cite the rebounding numbers. During the first half, Wyoming dominated the boards, including a 60 percent offensive rebound rate (they recovered 15 of their 25 misses). That number dropped to nearly 20 percent in the second half, with the Cowboys securing just four offensive rebounds.
3. Carolina even won the rebounding battle in the second half, 20-18. Sayon Keïta contributed a career-high eight rebounds (to go along with his career-high 13 points and career-high six blocks), and Maxime Adams continued to be a rebounding asset off the bench, as he had nine with his 11 points.
4. It felt like Terrence Brown the energy helped change the game in the second half. After going just 2 for 7 in the first half, he was better in the second half and also increased his defensive intensity. Brown finished with 14 points. By the way, he also had five rebounds.
5. Great performance of Isaiah Denis off the bench. As Michael Malone continues to use him more as a point guard, the sophomore scored 14 points and was a solid +13. He also had just one turnover in 20 minutes.
6. Not much doubt about the story in the first 20 minutes. Wyoming grabbed 15 of the game’s first 20 rebounds and eventually had a 25-15 advantage in the first half. About fifteen of these boards were offensive. The Cowboys missed 25 shots, meaning they rebounded 60 percent of their missed shots. Not surprisingly, they had a 13-4 advantage in second chance points. Carolina was fortunate to lead 31-29 at the break.
7. In his pregame comments on Tar Heel Sports Network, Michael Malone referred to Neo Avdalas And Isaiah Denis as “our primary ball handlers” while complimenting the way they’ve taken care of the ball so far this year. This also shows how the Heels want to use Brown. He looks much more comfortable as a slasher and scorer, and he attempted all 16 of his two-point shots Tuesday.
8. Carolina had three games officiated very differently. The first competition of the year was a marathon lasting almost two and a half hours. The other two had a much lighter whistle. Of course, the Heels wanted a slight whistle at the line on Tuesday, as they made just nine of 18 charity throws.
9. The previous UNC-Wyoming meeting was part of the 2003 NIT, when a raucous general admission crowd watched the Heels crush the Cowboys, 90-74, as Raymond Felton had 15 points and 14 assists.
10. Tuesday marked Carolina’s 600th game at the Smith Center. The Heels are now 510-90 in the building and 244-19 (.928) against non-conference opponents. It was the team’s 21st consecutive home win, the fifth longest streak in Smith Center history, and the tenth longest all-time at home.
11. Carolina returns to the Smith Center Friday night for a game against Georgia. The Bulldogs are 3-0 to start the season with wins over North Carolina Central, Presbyterian and Florida Gulf Coast.
Gn sports
