Love caleb is ready to run it back. The first-year point guard is returning to North Carolina for his second season, he announced on Friday. Love met Roy Williams on Wednesday for the post-season meeting, according to sources close to the situation, and then informed Williams of his decision on Thursday.
A member of the ACC All-Freshman team, Love started 26 of Carolina’s 29 games, averaging 10.5 points and 3.5 assists. He led UNC in assists (104), and was second in points (305), steals (34) and three points (34). He kicked 31.6% on the field, 26.6% on three-point attempts and 80.8% on the free-throw line.
The ups and downs of Juxtaposing Love provide insight into North Carolina’s inconsistency in 2020-21, a team that ended with an 18-10 record (10-6 ACC) and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
He showed the potential that put him on the radar of NBA teams, marking double digits 16 times, including a career record of 25 points (9-16 FG, 4-5 3FG, 3-3 FT) and seven assists in the 91st. Carolina -87 victory at Duke in February. In doing so, he became the first Tar Heel to record 25 points and seven assists with Duke (Ty Lawson had 25 points and five assists in Durham in 2009). In the second game against Duke, at the Smith Center, Love had 18 points (6-12, 2-6 3FG, 4-4 FT) and seven assists.
He also showed areas of his game that clearly needed refinement, as he had 89 spin spins, the team’s record, and recorded four or more in a single game 13 times during the season. He made 90 more shots than any other Tar Heel, making 50% of his shots four times.
“It’s all about confidence,” said Love after one of those efficient pitching performances, a 20-point effort against Wake Forest. “Obviously, I was in a crisis for most of the season. Just watch the ball go through the ring. It’s just muscle memory and staying in the gym. I’m always at the gym; I’m always working on my shot. And I think it was more mental than just skill, because, in my opinion, I know I can shoot. My teammates know that I can shoot. My coaches know I can shoot. … Playing downhill is one of the things I do best. And once my kick continues to fall, the defense will have to respect it and then open kicks for my teammates. “
UNC coach Roy Williams focused on Love’s defensive potential, and insisted more on Love’s assist numbers than on his total points or percentage of pitches over the course of the season.
“Coach Williams always tells me it’s not just about shooting,” said Love. “Because I can be one of the best defenders in the country if I dedicate myself and do all of that. Just defending. The game is not just scoring. You have the defense, you can make your teammates better, because I am a point guard. You have to lead. “
Williams added during the season: “I think he is getting better. I told him yesterday or the day before. We had a small meeting and I told him that I think he is getting a little better every day and we just have to keep giving him some opportunities. “
Love, a six-foot-tall St. Louis native, signed with UNC in November 2019. He chose Tar Heels over offers from Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Louisville. Ranked as the No. 14 overall player (and # 2 point guard) in the 2020 class, Love was the third highest ranking leading guard signee (Ty Lawson, Cole Anthony) in Williams’ mandate according to 247Sports Composite.
“I mean, he has the complete package, “Roy Williams said of Love before he started his freshman season.” He’s a formidable athlete. He didn’t have the chance to play strictly as a point guard as much as I wanted and probably as much as he wanted because he was very versatile and they had a few other guys on his school team who could play … (He) is a scoring guard, an athletic guard, a guy who can attack the basket and finish against bigger players. He’s the type of player that everyone who plays with him says he wants him as a teammate. Your parents are very education oriented and will be wonderful supporters of our university and the basketball program. “
As he prepares for the 2021-22 season, Love is trying to make the leap in the second year that many former Carolina senior guards have taken under Williams. Raymond Felton improved his 3pt percentage by 13 points in his second year under Williams, Kendall Marshall went from 41.8% to 46.7% of field shots, while Joel Berry and Marcus Paige improved their field goal and 3pt percentages at least four points.