The immediate aftermath of a rivalry win always brings questions, especially when it’s North Carolina vs. Duke, and when that high was followed by a loss to Miami, the outside narrative wrote itself, as many called it a hangover game.
While a hangover game can be real, I hate the thought of it.
Head coach Hubert Davis doesn’t agree to any of it, and honestly, I agree with him in this scenario.
Speaking after the loss, Davis pushed back on the idea that his team’s performance had anything to do with the Duke win, which he needs to do as his guys need to be ready to go at every moment.
“I just, respectfully, disagree with the (idea of) a hangover. I just, I don’t believe in that. But you are right, the energy, effort, loose balls up in the air, on the ground, Miami was getting them. And so rebounding is something that we’ve talked, talk about every day, and talk specifically over the last five games, heading into this game, that we’ve got to be better rebounding the basketball. We got out rebounded, I think by six, we talked about taking care of the basketball, and not just turnovers, but also shot selection. I count that as turnovers. And I think just small discipline and detailed plays — I think that’s what you’re talking about, out of sorts — that wasn’t there consistently today as well,” he said, per On3.
Miami won in the effort category with 50-50 balls, rebounding, and more. However, he framed those outcomes as his team not playing hard and nothing more beyond that.
“Hangover game” is one of the most overused phrases in college basketball. It’s a bad excuse for a team not playing as well as they need to in a game.
Davis rejecting the hangover narrative keeps accountability where it needs to be and that will be important come March. UNC will have to deal with other things now, as Caleb Wilson is injured and will be out for a bit.
However, no matter who is on the floor, it shouldn’t impact how hard the team plays.