North Carolina Tar Heels

Tar Heels Basketball: Late Night With Roy 2016 Recap

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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It’s time to start thinking about basketball as Late Night With Roy was another success

The atmosphere at the Dean E. Smith Center (better known as the ‘Dean Dome’) was electric Friday. There was a North Carolina Tar Heels’ rainbow of Carolina blue, white, navy blue and argyle throughout the arena.

This year’s Late Night With Roy host was former two-sport UNC student athlete Jesse Holley.

Holley did a great job, having great deal of energy during the entire event.

The women’s and men’s basketball teams showed off their skills, including their dancing and basketball.

I can show you better than I can tell you, so let’s get down to the nitty gritty that took place in Thrill City!

Marine challenge

As stated earlier, the women’s and men’s basketball teams participated in Late Night With Roy.

Tar Heel men are gentlemen. As a result, the ladies were after the Marine Challenge.

World-renowned announcer Joe Pope held down for emceeing for the ladies’ portion of Late Night With Roy. Pope is known for working with And1 Basketball Mixtape, Sky Streetball Syndicate and the Ball Up Tour.

In other words, he gets paid…to run his mouth which he does very well. Loved his energy and unique style of announcing games.

The women’s team and head coach Sylvia Hatchell shook what their mothers gave them on the basketball court; just like the guys did later.

The women’s team showed that they ‘got game,’ also. It isn’t a man’s world after all, James Brown.

The women’s Blue team defeated the women’s White team 19-18.

Jesse Holley

Jesse Holley came out in Air Jordan XI Concords and a Late Night With Roy. Holley was true to himself. He did not try to emulate Stuart Scott (RIP), Kenny Smith or Bobby Frasor. Holley was himself and that was more than good enough.

He did a great job hosting Late Night With Roy.

I interviewed Holley several days ago. The interview was a lot of fun. Holley is not an individual who places himself on a pedestal. He is humble and down-to-earth, which makes ANY interview with him worthwhile and enjoyable.

He mentioned that no one gave him advice. Well, Holley did not need advice. He did a great job emceeing the event. Nothing cheesy or lame took place. Holley maintained a great deal of energy throughout the event.

Jesse Holley is pictured below with members of the 2016-17 North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team and coaching staff.

In one part of Late Night With Roy, Holley shared how he entered a game and UNC head coach Roy Williams told him, “Whatever you do, DO NOT SHOOT THE BALL.” Holley must have taken this to heart because he did not shoot the ball during Late Night With Roy, either.

The statement that epitomized the entire evening is listed here:

Statements like this embody why choosing a particular host has a great deal of importance. Someone who is familiar with the culture and of the University of North Carolina brings something special to the event; just like Holley did.

Skills contest

This year, Late Night With Roy ‘got new’ on us. In addition to having a new host, Late Night With Roy had a new format. There were no prerecorded skits featuring basketball players and coaches.

Although I missed the skits, I really enjoyed the contests between the Blue and White team throughout the event as well as the basketball players and dance team performing together.

Nate Britt won the three-point shooting contest. In the final round, Britt faced freshman guard Brandon Robinson. Since their dual came down to a tie, both players had to shoot five three-pointers from one rack of basketballs at the top of the key (top of three point line). Britt nailed all five of his three-pointers, making him the winner.

Robinson gave Britt a run for his money, though. Do not underestimate North Carolina’s outside shooting this season. There is an array of marksman on the perimeter for the Tar Heels.

Freshman center Tony Bradley won the skills competition for the Blue Team. Players had to do a series of tasks then make baskets. Joel Berry II and Bradley went through this part easily.

This was the ‘Jesse Relay Race,’ where players ran to end of the basketball court and did whatever Late Night With Roy host Jesse Holley told them to do.

Below, Kanler Coker is running back to his team wearing a UNC football helmet and shoulder pads.

The Dancing!

More scenes from the dancing Tar Heels, I mean, the North Carolina men’s basketball team.

The dance-off between the Blue and White teams was hilarious. Late Night With Roy host Holley told each team to choose one player to represent their respective teams. The two players who battled each other were Theo Pinson and Joel Berry. Aside from their dancing prowess, both of them were hilarious and entertaining. See for yourself:

Scrimmage

The main attraction of Late Night With Roy is the actual basketball scrimmage between the blue and white teams. UNC leaves the best for last; truly.

However, before the basketball scrimmage took place, the entire team was introduced to the Tar Heel faithful who were in attendance. As seen below, each player was fired up in their own way and full of enthusiasm.

Can you blame them? It’s Late Night With Roy!

This year’s team did not disappoint.

Point guards Joel Berry II and Nate Britt were on fire from the outside. Likewise, Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson hit a few three-pointers as well.

Freshmen Brandon Robinson and Tony Bradley were impressive in the scrimmage. Robinson displayed his versatility by driving to the basket and shooting from the perimeter. Bradley showed how well he can run the floor and score.

Isaiah Hicks took full advantage of Late Night With Roy. Hicks was hitting shots with one of his feet touching the three-point line. As usual, Hicks dominated the post whenever he had the ball. He looks poised to have an outstanding senior season at UNC. With improved perimeter play, the sky is the limit for Hicks. His skill set has gradually improved each year.

The starters for the Blue team were Joel Berry II, Brandon Robinson, Kenny Williams, Isaiah Hicks and Tony Bradley.

The starters for the White team were Nate Britt, Theo Pinson, Justin Jackson, Luke May and Kennedy Meeks.

This is how the team’s were split up:

The White team defeated the Blue Team 40-37. Initially, the game ended in a tie. There was one minute placed back on the clock so that the two teams could battle for the victory.

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