Meeks power Tar Heels

CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> North Carolina coach Roy Williams wanted to send a message to Kennedy Meeks after two early mistakes, so he sat his star power forward less than three minutes into Saturday’s game against Davidson.

His message was simple: “Play or sit.”

Meeks, who played his prep basketball at nearby West Charlotte High, decided to play — and enjoyed one heck of a homecoming.

The 6-foot-9, 270-pound Meeks overcame those two early defensive mistakes to score 19 points and 12 rebounds, leading No. 6 North Carolina to a 90-72 win over Davidson to remain unbeaten.

Justin Jackson had 18 points, Marcus Paige had 13 points and J.P. Tokoto added 10 points and seven rebounds as the Tar Heels (3-0) recorded their first road win of the season.

Meeks was 9 of 13 from the field as the taller and more athletic Tar Heels outshot the Wildcats 47 percent to 33 percent and outrebounded them 51-42.

“I thought I was going to have a bad day,” Meeks said of his slow start. “That is something that you have to go through, but I felt like I did pretty good after that.”

When asked how he felt Meeks responded, Williams said, “nine of 13 for 19 points and 12 rebounds — I thought he did all right. And he was more active defensively, there’s no question about that.”

Meeks, who said he shed 55 pounds this offseason and rebuilt his body, was active in transition with layups and also had a few nice up court passers leading to easy points off the break.