Hubert Davis may have given the best midgame interview of the entire 2022 NCAA Tournament in the first half of the Tar Heels’ championship game vs. Kansas.
Davis was clearly hyped during TBS’s scheduled interview with him, which came after the Tar Heels dug themselves out of a 7-0 hole to take a 22-18 lead at the under-eight TV timeout with 7:53 remaining in the half.
MORE: UNC vs. Kansas live score, updates, highlights
Davis barely let courtside reporter Tracy Wolfson get out her first question before going off.
“We’re competing out there,” Davis said. “It’s live action, Tracy. It’s live action out there. I thought we were nervous at the beginning, then we started to settle in, we got better defensively. Now we’re attacking the basket. We’re ready to go.”
“IT’S LIVE ACTION, TRACY. IT’S LIVE ACTION OUT THERE.”@UNC_Basketball was FIRED UP talking to @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/I85HYyUIIO
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 5, 2022
This is purely coincidental, but Davis’ interview preceded an 18-7 run by UNC to end the half, with the Tar Heels taking a 40-25 lead into the locker room. Davis’ interview was, in a sense, a perfect representation of what UNC was able to accomplish against the Jayhawks.
MORE: UNC’s Davis eyes history vs. Kansas
Davis also spoke briefly about big man Armando Bacot, who started for Carolina despite an ankle injury. He had a first-half double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, making him the first person in NCAA Tournament history with six double-doubles.
“He’s doing terrific, I’m so proud of him,” Davis said. “I told you: 50, 2 percent, with him on the floor is good news for Carolina basketball.”
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Naturally, Davis’ high-energy, “live action” interview was immediately beloved by UNC and neutral observers alike:
Hubert Davis is setting wildly unrealistic expectations for first-year coaches everywhere.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 5, 2022
Gotta love Hubert Davis’ energy tonight.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) April 5, 2022
Hubert Davis is jacked up, man
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) April 5, 2022
Hubert Davis is hopped up on Wrestlemania, clearly. https://t.co/xUYMeL6Ral
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 5, 2022
It’s no wonder Hubert Davis has UNC in the national championship game his first year on the job.
If this is even 1/3rd of how he is in the huddle/locker room, his players must be willing to run through multiple brick walls for him … I know I am after hearing this. https://t.co/ZvgTVzAM5P— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) April 5, 2022