Tar Heels Triumph in Memphis Charity Clash: Trimble and Cadeau Shine
In a thrilling preseason showdown, the North Carolina Tar Heels edged out the Memphis Tigers 84-76 at the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic on Tuesday night. This early exhibition game gave fans a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come for the upcoming college basketball season.
The Tar Heels took the court without star guard RJ Davis, who sat out as a precaution after a severe fall in Saturday’s Blue-White scrimmage. Despite his absence, UNC’s young guns stepped up big time.
Seth Trimble explodes for Career Night
Seth Trimble, a junior guard, put on an offensive clinic, scoring a whopping 33 points. Trimble attacked the rim relentlessly, scoring 14 in the first half alone. He also showed off his range, knocking down a three-pointer to keep the Tigers’ defense honest.
“Seth was on fire tonight,” said UNC head coach Hubert Davis. “He’s put in the work this offseason, and it’s really paying off. This is the kind of aggressive play we need from him.”
While this monster performance won’t count toward official records, it far surpasses Trimble’s previous career high of 12 points in regular season play. If this game is any indication, expect big things from the junior this year.
Cadeau Runs the Show
Sophomore point guard Elliot Cadeau quietly put together an impressive stat line, notching a double with 11 points and 13 assists. Cadeau ran the offense smoothly, finding open teammates and limiting turnovers to just three on the night.
“Elliot really controlled the tempo out there,” Coach Davis noted. “His court vision is next-level, and he’s making great decisions with the ball.”
Cadeau also showed improved shooting touch, nailing a pair of three-pointers. This added dimension to his game could spell trouble for opposing defenses this season.
Early struggles give way to strong finishes
The Tar Heels faced challenges throughout the game. They struggled on the boards early, giving up eight second-chance points in the first six minutes. However, the team tightened up their rebounding, allowing just two more second-chance points for the rest of the contest.
UNC built a commanding 76-61 lead with six minutes left, but some sloppy play down the stretch let Memphis creep back in. The Tar Heels coughed up the ball six times in the final five minutes, making things closer than they needed to be.
“We’ve got to clean up those late-game mistakes,” Coach Davis said. “But I’m glad we got to work on some pressure situations. It’s all part of the learning process.”
Newcomers show promise and growing pains
Freshman Ian Jackson had a tough first half, going scoreless and struggling on both ends of the floor. However, he bounced back in the second half, knocking down some free throws and looking more comfortable overall.
“Ian’s a talented kid,” Coach Davis said. “He’ll learn from this and come back stronger. That’s what these early games are for.”
Transfer Jae’Lyn Withers made his presence felt on the glass, pulling down eight rebounds before fouling out. His size and athleticism will be crucial for UNC’s frontcourt depth this season.
Looking Ahead
While it’s exciting to see the Tar Heels in action, Coach Davis cautioned against reading too much into this early exhibition.
“We’ve got a long way to go before the games start counting,” he said. “But I like the energy and fight I saw out there tonight. We’ll keep working and improving every day.”
UNC fans can catch another sneak peek of this year’s squad on October 27th when the Tar Heels host Johnson C. Smith in their final exhibition game. The regular season tips off on November 4th against Elon at the Dean E. Smith Center.
With dynamic playmakers like Trimble and Cadeau leading the charge and the return of RJ Davis on the horizon, excitement is building in Chapel Hill. This early charity
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