When the ACC Tournament started, I don’t think many sports fans expected the UNC and NC State men’s basketball teams to face off in the final.
North Carolina was a significantly more popular pick, as it was in the midst of yet another long winning streak, while the Wolfpack needed to win the conference tournament for a Big Dance chance.
NC State won five games in five days to win the ACC Tournament, advancing and getting a well-deserved shot at a national title. It would’ve been nice for the Tar Heels to capture their first conference tourney since 2016, but they’ll have to wait until next year.
Not only are both UNC and NC State playing some of their best basketball at the right time, but head coaches Hubert Davis and Kevin Keatts are benefitting from their respective programs’ on-court success.
Davis, the North Carolina head man, earned a combined $75,000 extra for being named ACC Coach of the Year and leading the Tar Heels to the ACC Regular Season Championship. Entering the Big Dance earned Davis an extra $100,000, while beating Wagner in the Round of 64 did the same.
Davis will earn an extra $75,000 for UNC reaching the Sweet 16, $200,000 for an Elite 8 appearance, $200,000 for a Final Four spot and $250,000 if the Tar Heels reach the promised land.
If North Carolina keeps dominating opponents like it did Wagner and largely throughout the regular season, Hubert’s pockets are going to be heavy.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.