clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

UNC win vs. Louisville - Player of the Game: Justin Jackson

Jackson had another big game, as the Tar Heels went two games clear in the ACC.

NCAA Basketball: Louisville at North Carolina Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

In choosing a player of the game against Louisville, it really came down to two players, and you really couldn’t go wrong either way.

Kennedy Meeks put up a double-double going for 14 points and 10 rebounds. He was especially big in the second half, as Carolina put the game away. If he’s your choice for player of the game, there are no arguments here.

However, leading the Tar Heels in scoring once again was Justin Jackson. For the 15th time this season, Jackson went for over 20 points. He finished with 21, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Jackson went 7-16 from the field, and knocked down four three-pointers. He scored 11 of his points in the second half, as the Tar Heels eventually pulled away.

With the Tar Heels now within striking distance of the ACC regular season title, his game against Louisville was another mark in his favor in the ACC Player of the Year race. It was the ninth time in conference play he went for over 20 points.

In a game where UNC scored 74 points, and shot 37% as a team, getting 21 on 7-16 shooting from a player was needed pretty badly.

Jackson led the Tar Heels in scoring again, but he far from the only important contributor. There was Meeks. Theo Pinson scored 13 points, had six rebounds, and hit some timely shots. However, as we close in on the end of the regular season, Justin Jackson is really continuing to state his case for some major awards.