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    • RJ Davis, UNC basketball defeated Hawaii before Maui Invitational
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    RJ Davis, UNC basketball defeated Hawaii before Maui Invitational

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    UNC basketball started its trip to Hawaii with an 87-69 victory against the Rainbow Warriors, but the 10th-ranked Tar Heels have some concerns heading into the Maui Invitational.

    UNC (3-1) saw its guard trio of RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble combine for 48 points over previously undefeated Hawaii (4-1). But the Tar Heels need to be better at rebounding and defending the post if they want to make a championship run Thanksgiving week in Lahaina, starting with undefeated Dayton (5-0) on Monday (11:30 p.m., ESPN2).

    In the first half against the Rainbow Warriors, UNC allowed 10 offensive rebounds and 12 second-chance points. That’s the most UNC has allowed in a game this season.

    Hawaii was plus nine on the boards in the first half and had a 20-18 edge on points in the paint, including eight layups. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Hawaii won the rebounding battle (40-27) and held a 14-5 edge in second-chance points on 15 offensive boards.

    Carolina needs to tighten things up in those areas before facing a Maui field that features a trip of top-five teams, including two-time reigning national champion UConn (4-0).

    Here are other observations from UNC’s win over Hawaii.

    UNC basketball’s RJ Davis is shaking up the shooting battle against Hawaii

    In the first three games of his fifth season, UNC guard RJ Davis shot 31.9% from the floor, including 20% ​​from three-point range. Davis shook off that slow start with a more efficient performance in Hawaii, scoring 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting. He also had four assists and three rebounds. That will have to continue against a stacked group of teams in Maui.

    Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble assists and steals Tar Heels

    Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble, Davis’ teammates on defense, helped their fifth-year leader get the Tar Heels into transition with their defensive efforts. UNC had 19 fast-break points, eight steals and 16 assists against Hawaii. Cadeau had 17 points, four assists and two steals. Trimble added 13 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

    UNC remains elite at getting to the free throw line

    After finishing 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the opener against Elon, UNC made a concerted effort to pound the paint in an effort to get more opportunities at the line. The Tar Heels have attempted at least 30 free throws in each of their last three games, earning at least 24 freebies each time. Against the Rainbow Warriors, UNC went 26-for-34 on free throws. Nine Tar Heels went to the line against Hawaii, led by Trimble, who made six of his seven attempts. Ian Jackson scored six of his 11 points off the bench at the free throw line.

    Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and NC State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Do you have questions about these teams? Send them to [email protected].

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