UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis covered several topics on the weekly ACC coaches teleconference ahead of the Tar Heels’ trip to Raleigh for a rivalry matchup with N.C. State.
The Tar Heels (20-5, 8-4 ACC) face the Wolfpack (18-8, 9-4) on Tuesday, Feb. 17 (7 p.m., ESPN), at Lenovo Center. UNC is coming off a 14-point home win against Pitt.
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Here are the highlights from what Davis had to say Monday, Feb. 16, during the 10-minute portion of his time with media members.
Hubert Davis gives injury update on Henri Veesaar before NC State game
“He continues to feel better and and and get better. … We’ve got practice (Monday) afternoon and we’ll just re-evaluate and see how he’s doing and then and then move forward from there,” Davis said.
INJURY UPDATE: Henri Veesaar injury update: Will UNC basketball center play vs NC State?
Asked about Veesaar’s illness and lower-extremity injury, Davis added he’s seen “improvement” and “my hope is that it’s an even bigger jump (Monday). But he is he is getting better on both ends.”
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Hubert Davis on Jarin Stevenson’s aggressiveness for UNC basketball
“The aggressiveness of his moves around the basket against Pitt, he is 6’10. … Since Ohio State or maybe even SMU game, I think, he’s been in a better rhythm, more comfortable, more confident on the offensive end when to be aggressive,” Davis said.
“And I just love when he’s aggressive, in practice, in the games. He takes good shots, he makes the right plays, and he’s just a really good player. And so when he’s aggressive, he definitely takes our team to a different level from an offensive standpoint. He’s always been great defensively.”
Hubert Davis on what stands out about NC State basketball
“One, they’re really good defensively. They do a really good job of getting steals and deflections, disrupting you on the defensive end, not allowing you to feel, from an offensive standpoint, to consistently stay in rhythm,” Davis said.
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“. … Obviously, from an offensive standpoint, I mean, they could really shoot the basketball. I mean, just a number of guys that can get hot and stay hot from the perimeter. But they also can get consistent points in a paint. … Quadir (Copeland) has been awesome in regards to his playmaking skills. I think those are just a couple things that make them a good basketball team.”
Hubert Davis on NC State point guard Quadir Copeland
“It reminds me a little bit of Theo Pinson. Theo was 6’6, 6’7, and he really was like a facilitator. I mean, Theo was a big guard that can do a number of things. He could handle, he can pass, he can score around a basket, he could shoot,” Davis said.
“Quadir reminds me a lot of him with his ability just to make plays, not only for himself, but for his teammates, whether it’s on the perimeter or passes around a basket. He’s got a good understanding of when to pass and when to shoot. takes good shots, and does a good job of taking care of the basketball. He’s really a unique and really good player.”
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Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What Hubert Davis said before UNC basketball vs NC State game
