Michael Malone’s first squad in his collegiate coaching career came out firing, securing a convincing 88-70 comeback win over USC in a preseason exhibition from First Horizon Coliseum. Four different Tar Heels scored in double-figures, with a career-high 25 points from fifth starter and Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson leading the way.
Malone’s Portal Prowess Unleashed on the Court
Malone didn’t mess around building this UNC team, he went straight to the transfer portal. He snagged starters Terrence Brown from Utah, Matt Able from NC State, and Neoklis Avdalas from Virginia Tech. And talk about international talent, he even landed Malian center Sayon Keita from FC Barcelona! This roster showed up big time against USC, proving it can be among the country’s best right out of the gate.
Malone Preaches Trust, Bench Delivers 35 Points
But listen, Malone wasn’t just hyped about the starters. After the win, he was all about that bench depth, and for good reason! His guys off the bench scored 35 points. Malone wasn’t holding back, saying, “If you want to win at the highest level, if you want to be a team that’s a tough out come tournament time, you have to have depth, you have to have quality depth that you can rely on because guys at this stage are going to have off nights.” He even talked about trust being a huge part of their culture, and how he has to live it and exhibit it every day, trusting his players even through mistakes. Sophomore guard Isaiah Denis was North Carolina’s best player off the bench, scoring a career-high 14 points, making four shots and all four free throws. And freshman wing Maximo Adams? He showcased how special a player he can be, putting up 11 points, grabbing six rebounds, and hustling for every single loose ball. That’s the kind of quality depth Malone is looking for.
So, what’s next for this revamped squad? UNC won’t play again until October 18, when they travel to Indianapolis for a 6 p.m. exhibition clash with the Hoosiers. Can Malone’s bench depth keep rolling and lead them to a 2-0 preseason start? We’ll be watching to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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