Jae’Lyn Withers delivers a breakout game against his former team
The UNC men’s basketball team underwent significant change in the off-season, with the transfer portal playing a big role in revamping the roster.
The change seemed to be the best decision for the Tar Heels, with transfer players Cormac Ryan and Harrison Ingram having sizable roles in UNC’s game plan. One transfer that has started to garner more attention and playing time is Jae'lyn Withers, who shined in UNC’s 86-70 win over Louisville.
Withers had a breakout game, and it could not have come against a better opponent, finishing with a double-double against the team he shared blood, sweat, and tears the past four seasons. The transfer senior had a season-high in points (15) and rebounds (10), but it was the hustle plays that did not show up on the stat sheet that was the icing on the cake on a remarkable performance.
Following the win, the ACC network interviewed Withers about his feelings about playing against his former team.
“The emotions were a little all over the place,” Withers said. “Started out with being anxious a little bit, catching up with old teammates.”
Hustle plays helped deliver Wither’s best game as Tar Heel, being a key contributor in getting the lead back to double-digits in the second half. UNC hype train is real, and Withers expresses the mindset to continue good play while sharing his gratitude to be a part of it.
“The goal is the National Championship. The mindset is not to let anybody get comfortable. If somebody gets comfortable, or they get going, take that away from them. We don’t want to let too many teams get too comfortable with us and be in a tougher game.”
“Being at the highest caliber of teams historically and currently. We are top five so, that’s really great… I’m really lost for words to be a part of something like this.”
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