UNC men's basketball tipped off its 2024-25 season on Monday night vs. Elon and, despite trailing 71-69 late in the second half, fought past the Phoenix to earn a 90-76 win. Reigning ACC Player of the Year R.J. Davis scored 24 points to lead all scorers, but shot just 7-19 from the field (3-11 on three-pointers). Elliot Cadeau added 17 points and eight assists, while Seth Trimble set a new (non-exhibition) career high with 15 points. The Tar Heels led by as many as 16 points in the first half and by 12 at halftime, but the Phoenix clawed back with hot shooting in a frenetic second half. Elon scored 14 straight points to erase a 69-57 deficit and take a two-point lead in front of a stunned Smith Center. Elon shot 50 percent (13-26) in the second half. “I’ve been straightforward, clear and direct: for us to be the best team that we can possibly become, we’ve got to be a great defensive team,” Hubert Davis said. “And allowing a team to shoot 50 to 60 percent in the second half is just ...