Love, Sharpe Post Solid Outings In Carolina Debuts
CHAPEL HILL - Six freshmen got their first taste of college basketball in North Carolina’s 79-60 season-opening win over College of Charleston in an empty Smith Center on Wednesday night, with Caleb Love and Day’Ron Sharpe stealing the show for the Tar Heels.
Love, who started at guard alongside fellow rookie RJ Davis, led all scorers with 17 points and paced UNC with four assists. Sharpe finished with a double-double scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 22 minutes of play.
Despite his imposing performance, Love didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, finishing just 4-for-11 from the field and 1-for-4 from three. The St. Louis, MO, native did excel from the free throw line though, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe.
Overall, it was a solid debut for the pair.
“I think Day’Ron gave us a huge spark off the bench,” said UNC senor Garrison Brooks, the ACC’s Preseason Player of the Year. “Of course, just being himself, offensive rebounding, a lot of energy, blocking shots. Caleb played really well outside of having that scary fall. He did phenomenal in his debut.”
Sharpe was dominant on the boards against the Cougars, something his teammates made sure to point out after the win. Armando Bacot went a step further.
“Day’Ron, he’s a beast as y’all can see,” Bacot said. “He’s really good on the boards. I thought I was pretty good on the boards last year, but man, he might shatter the double-double record the way he is on the boards.”
Not only did Sharpe perform on the court, he enjoyed his first experience playing at the Smith Center, even without having 20,000 screaming fans there to cheer him on.
“Even though there were no fans, it was still exactly what I expected, my first college game,” he said. “Playing with Carolina was a dream come true and I always wanted this ever since I was young. So, without the fans, it was still a great experience for me.”
Despite playing well, both Love and Davis have a lot they can improve on, particularly Love, who has been given the keys to this year’s Carolina team as the starting point guard. This was just game one of his UNC career, so getting used to his role remains a primary focus.
"Just taking better shots in the offense and also just the pace of the game, just knowing time and situations, when to get the big guys some touches,” Love said. “So, I think that’s the biggest thing. Just learning how to be a real point guard and control this team because the team goes as the point guard goes."
Regardless, Love enjoyed his first college game just as much as his fellow freshman teammate Sharpe.
“It felt good,” Love said. “Just growing up, when you’re watching those games, you dream to be here. So, just me being here felt good. Playing out there, having that jersey on and then playing for coach (Roy) Williams, it was just a great experience overall.”
It was a night to remember for all six of UNC’s latest crop of freshmen, but it’s Love and Sharpe who steal the headlines after their big performances against the Cougars.