College Basketball

Clicking early, No. 5 UNC takes on Long Beach State

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:09 a.m. ET

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Not that North Carolina coach Roy Williams wants to be comparing this season's team with the group from a year ago, but some similarities might bode well for the Tar Heels.

There's already the notion that sharing the basketball could bring good things again.

"I think that we've emphasized from Day 1 that this group has got to be a team now as well," Williams said.

No. 5 North Carolina will play seven games in less than a two-week span, so there will be ample opportunity for players to contribute. Next up is Tuesday night's home game against Long Beach State at Chapel, Hill, N.C.

The Tar Heels had 26 assists on 34 field goals in Sunday's 97-57 rout of Chattanooga.

"We're returning a lot of guys from last year and that's one thing we did last year was share the ball, not turn it over much and get shots," guard Joel Berry said. "I think having people back from last year helps with it and just getting the open shot is what Coach wants."

Those are signs that the Tar Heels are clicking early in the season, something that was expected with a core group of returners, but is always worth monitoring as roles change.

"It just shows we're working together," forward Isaiah Hicks said. "I know the coaches were talking about the assists on points were really good. Those are things we emphasize, working together."

The Tar Heels already say they're comfortable with how freshmen have transitioned into roles.

"The freshmen, they're ready," Hicks said. "They already impressed me over the summer."

The biggest impression among the newcomers has come from post player Tony Bradley. Williams said Bradley is absorbing a lot in a short amount of time.

"He's just going to get better," Williams said. "He wants to learn. We are throwing about a thousand things at him, but he's doing a really nice job."

Through two games, the lineup change of note has come at guard, with sophomore Kenny Williams starting the opener at Tulane and senior Nate Britt with the starting unit in the second game. The coach said he's interested in how the duo reacts, mentioning that Kenny Williams has had good offensive moments while Britt's defensive work has been noted by the coaching staff.

"I'm just giving guys some chances," Coach Williams said. "When you get in there, you need to play well and do some good things."

Long Beach State is coming off Sunday's 92-55 loss at Wichita State. That began a stretch of nine consecutive games away from home, when the team will log 4,492 miles during that span.

The second game for the 49ers was vastly different than the 95-59 home victory against Division II Cal State-Los Angeles to begin the season two nights earlier.

"I think the biggest thing is consistency," Long Beach State coach Dan Monson said of what his team must strive to achieve.

Monson said he's emphasizing defense with his team because he senses that's where immediate gains would be most beneficial. But the offense could use a tuneup as well, particularly after the 49ers made only six of their last 28 shots in the Wichita State game.

North Carolina has some future travel on its agenda as well. After Tuesday, the Tar Heels will play their next four games in Hawaii.

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