Updated

North Carolina coach Roy Williams is finding reliable production when he goes to his bench even though his team is shorthanded on the perimeter.

Heading into Saturday's game against No. 11 Kentucky, the No. 18 Tar Heels are getting steady scoring and rebounding from reserves Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks. It's been a big reason why the Tar Heels have beaten a pair of top-five opponents in the past month despite missing two key players due to NCAA eligibility concerns.

Johnson is second on the team at 13.6 points per game, while Meeks has come up big in wins against Louisville and Michigan State.

Johnson says teams need "five to 10 people that can go out there and help your team win."