North Carolina fans have been dissatisfied with the Tar Heels’ performance this season, and during the closing moments of Tuesday’s disappointing loss to Pitt, ESPN analyst Jay Williams shared this sentiment as well. After leading at halftime, the Tar Heels found themselves trailing in the final minute on the road. The ESPN broadcast captured UNC head coach Hubert Davis pacing the sideline.
“What is going through Hubert Davis’ mind right now?” play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown inquired as North Carolina trailed 69-65 with 24.9 seconds left. Williams responded, “I can tell you what you want to go through North Carolina’s players minds right now; they are all fragmented on the court. Look at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is huddling in the middle of the court. It already feels as if, with 24.9 seconds remaining and North Carolina down only four points, that the game is over. None of them have huddled, none of them have talked to each other. This is what Hubert Davis has been addressing, the lack of leadership on this team… You’re never out of it until you’re out of it, but you need communication about what you’re doing next, what you’re running offensively, and what you need to be in defensively. There’s no quit in your voice.”
Jay Williams rips into UNC for a lack of fight.
“It already looks as if, with 24.9 seconds left to go, North Carolina being down only four points, that the game feels over.” pic.twitter.com/JqB3yV8nqc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 29, 2025
These are two of the most damaging critiques an analyst can make about a team: a lack of leadership and the impression that they are already defeated in a close game. As Williams pointed out, Davis has highlighted this leadership shortfall. North Carolina ultimately lost, 73-65, and stands at 13-9 this season— a stark contrast to their 29-8 record last year, putting them in serious jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament for the third time in six seasons. Their next challenge is against Williams’ alma mater, No. 2 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, which is an intimidating venue for a team still trying to establish chemistry and leadership.
