Bond between Roy Williams and UNC guard Caleb Love highlighted by pregame gesture
Armando Bacot and Caleb Love approached retired North Carolina coach Roy Williams prior to the start of the season, asking him where his seats for his season tickets were located.
Williams showed them the seats, right beside the tunnel they run through each game as they enter the court named after their former coach.
“Then I said, ‘So if you screw it up, I may be able to hit you upside the head as you run by me at halftime,’ ” Williams told The News & Observer. “And Armando said yeah, ‘You’re talking to me now?’ ”
They all shared a laugh about it, but Love wasn’t just making small talk. He wanted to know where to look for Williams in the same manner he also looks for his family when they come to watch him play.
What came next as the team ran onto the floor before the season opener against Loyola (Maryland) wasn’t planned, but has become a pregame ritual as consistent as the layup line.
“Caleb came out and his eye caught my eye and he reached up and I leaned over the rail and slapped hands with him,” Williams said. “He’s done it every single (home) game. I’m superstitious, as you remember. And maybe he’s superstitious, but I appreciate that and I think he must like it because he’s kept doing it.”
Love struggled in a way typical for most freshmen last season when he was second on the team in scoring with a 10.5-point average. He led the team in assists, but also led the Tar Heels in turnovers.
Williams never wavered in his support for Love, which is why that small pregame gesture isn’t ending anytime soon.
“That’s not really for show, our relationship is that tight,” Love said. “What he did for me last year, even through those growing pains, I’m thankful to have him as a mentor and a coach.”
Love has made a lot of the improvements Williams worked to bring out of him last season. His turnover rate decreased from 24.6 percent as a freshman to 17.7 percent this season, according to Ken Pomeroy’s advanced statistics. Love has also improved his 3-point shooting from 26.6 percent last season to 41.9 percent as a sophomore.
But he admittedly is in a slump he’s trying to fight through.
Love struggled mightily in the Heels’ overtime win at Louisville. He had the ball stolen from behind as Carolina attempted to run out the clock in regulation.
He’s shooting just 27 percent from the field over the past three games including just 3-for-18 from the field against the Cardinals.
“I’m proud of how Caleb responded in overtime and helped us get this win and not get discouraged about what happened at the end,” Bacot said.
Williams will be right there on Saturday for another pick-me-up when Love reaches up to slap high fives with him as the Tar Heels take on No. 9 Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center.
Love played arguably his best two games of last season against the Blue Devils. He scored a career-high 25 points in the Heels’ win at Cameron Indoor Stadium. He had 18 points in their win at home. And in both games he matched his career-high with seven assists.
There was a bit more motivation for Love because as a prep player he initially wanted to go to Duke. His dad coached former Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum, and he wanted to have bragging rights with the current Boston Celtics star.
“I feel like people thought maybe he was maybe too hard on me,” Love said. “But that’s the type of relationship we had. I was coached by my dad almost all my life so nothing can get harder than that.”
Love isn’t the only one to acknowledge Williams’ presence. Assistant coach Sean May will come over and tap on Williams’ foot. Brandon Robinson, director of player personnel, development and recruiting, and assistant coach Jeff Lebo usually exchange a head nod or occasional fist bump.
“Those kind of things are very small things, but they mean a lot to me, it’s been a neat deal,” Williams said. “It’s something that I love being there and tried to cheer for them and show them that I’m still right there with them.”
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Bond between Roy Williams and UNC guard Caleb Love highlighted by pregame gesture."