Tag: ncaa basketball

Bacot’s record-tying double-double overshadowed by UNC loss

Tim Duncan is a Wake Forest and NBA legend. Former UNC big man Armando Bacot just tied Duncan’s double-double record atop the ACC.

It wouldn’t be an end to another UNC basketball season without a disappointing loss.

At least, that’s what has been the theme in recent years.

On Thursday, March 28, North Carolina’s once-promising year ended in the Sweet 16 with an 89-87 loss against Alabama. This was a game the Tar Heels should’ve won – 8-point halftime lead, late second-half advantage even with RJ Davis’ cold night, a chance to go up by three with under a minute.

Despite missing a couple of costly shots that could’ve put the game away, including two wide-open dunks, Armando Bacot registered yet another double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

It was Bacot’s 87th career double-double, tying him with fellow ACC great and NBA Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan.

For reference on how special this mark was, Duncan was a 5-time NBA Champion with the San Antonio Spurs. He made the NBA All-Star Team 15 times, was named All-NBA First Team 10 times and an 8-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

It’s going to be weird not seeing Bacot in a UNC uniform next season, but I have no doubt he’ll be playing elsewhere.

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Playing Jae’Lyn Withers more in Sweet 16 is the right call

Could a big game from Jae’Lyn Withers be the X-factor UNC needs to win Thursday’s Sweet 16 rematch with Alabama?

There are few starting fives that produce more offensively than that of the North Carolina Tar Heels’ men’s basketball team.

UNC carries a veteran-heavy roster, led by the likes of all-time program greats in Armando Bacot and RJ Davis. While Elliot Cadeau is more known for his driving and passing ability, the Tar Heels also sport experienced transfers Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan in the starting lineup.

North Carolina is 20th in the country at 81.8 points per game, which also leads the ACC.

UNC head coach Hubert Davis has played his bench a lot more this year, much to the delight of Tar Heel Nation. He saw that decision pay off big-time against Wagner in the Round of 61, as key reserve Jae’Lyn Withers recorded his second double-double of the year (16 points, 10 rebounds) in the Tar Heels’ win.

I’m not saying that Hubert should mess around with his starting lineup, but he might want to play Withers more.

Withers produces when he plays at least 10 minutes, with each of his four, double-digit point outings coming while doing so. Withers is primarily a post player, but can occasionally stretch the floor with perimeter shot attempts.

The best NCAA Tournament teams tend to have deeper benches. Withers has proven, time and time again, that he’s North Carolina’s best bench scorer.

Oh – did we mention that the more Withers plays, the more Hubert can rest up Bacot and Ingram for the big, late-game moments?

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This stat shows just how dominant South Carolina was against UNC

There’s not many women’s college basketball teams who can challenge South Carolina. UNC tried – and failed – during NCAA Tournament action last weekend.

Given how closely the UNC women’s basketball team played South Carolina back in late November, last weekend’s NCAA Tournament result came as a bit of a shocker.

The Gamecocks dominated the Tar Heels, 88-41, in a game which was pretty much over by halftime. North Carolina shot a horrendous 23.8 percent from the field, with star forward Alyssa Ustby the only UNC player scoring in double-digits.

The Tar Heels only scored 34 points through the first three quarters, while South Carolina scored 28 in the opening quarter along.

Want a crazy number?

If the Gamecocks had gone scoreless in the second half, they still would’ve won the NCAA Tournament matchup – assuming UNC’s scoring played out how it did.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4_iqu8v4YG/

You have to give South Carolina some credit for this, as it’s clearly the nation’s best team, but this was an embarrassing loss for North Carolina. The Tar Heels faced some bad injury lucky – Paulina Paris, Kayla McPherson,  but still were tied for first in the ACC at one point.

Stars Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby could still come back for a COVID year, but they could also declare for the WNBA Draft. Paris is in the transfer portal, but North Carolina has plenty of guards.

Will Dawn Staley lead the Gamecocks to a third NCAA Championship?

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USA Today likes UNC to reach the Final Four

Can UNC stay hot against Alabama on Thursday and move one step closer to the grand prize?

It’s extremely difficult to not look ahead, particularly when you’re so close to the Final Four.

As coaches have relayed to their players repeatedly, focus on what’s directly in front of you.

After last year’s disappointing result, UNC is one of the favorites to win this year’s NCAA Tournament. North Carolina (29-7, 17-3 ACC) has won 10 of its past 11 games, including Big Dance victories over Wagner and Michigan State.

The Tar Heels have another hurdle to clear on Thursday, as they play Alabama in the Sweet 16. The Crimson Tide (23-11, 13-5) last matched up with UNC in last year’s Phil Knight Invitational, beating North Carolina 103-101 in quadruple overtime.

This year is different, though, with national media boldly predicting UNC (and all other top seeds) to the Final Four.

“(USA Today writer) Eddie Timanus is already on record predicting this on his expert *snort* bracket, so he backs it up here with this prediction – all four Number One seeds to the Final Four,” USA Today wrote in a recent story. “It might not seem very bold, but in the 64-team era it’s only happened once – in 2008. Three of the four have breezed through up to this point, but none of them have an easy path ahead. History and the odds say at least one of them won’t make it, but we’re all about being bold here.”

The USA today also highlighted how the Tar Heels will need someone to score besides RJ Davis.

Who will step up for North Carolina? Will it be starters Harrison Ingram and/or Cormac Ryan? Can Elliot Cadeau deliver another breakout game. Is Jae’Lyn Withers capable of a second-consecutive double-double off the bench?

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North Carolina well-represented in the Sweet 16

UNC, Duke and NC State are giving the ACC an impressive showing in the NCAA Tournament. Will any of these three North Carolina schools be able to bring home the gold?

North Carolina and Duke are consistently the ACC’s best basketball programs.

There are 11 NCAA Titles and 53 conference tournament championships between the two archrivals, plus a countless number of NBA players from each school. There is also no shortage of fireworks in the Tobacco Road Rivalry – just see Caleb Love’s shot in the 2022 Final Four for reference.

Both programs show that North Carolina is the nation’s best state for college basketball, but there’s a third in-state school – NC State – making its case amongst the ACC’s best.

The Wolpfack needed to win the ACC Tournament – and did – to have a shot at the Big Dance. They’ve won seven straight games, largely behind the post play of big man DJ Burns.

UNC, Duke and NC State have rarely been good at the same time, but this year is an exception.

For the first time since 2015, all three in-state rivals are in the Sweet 16.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C49OiuYswTH/

North Carolina has reached the Sweet 16 by downing Wagner and Michigan State. The Tar Heels next face Alabama on Thursday, March 28 at 9:39 p.m. ET.

That dark blue school from Durham dispatched College of Charleston and whooped James Madsion en route to the Sweet 16. The Wolfpack upset Texas Tech in the Round of 64, then came back to beat one-round Cinderella team Oakland last weekend.

Will we see two of these programs in the Final Four? There’s a possibility of UNC facing either Duke or NC State – if each team wins three more games apiece.

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How to watch UNC-Alabama Sweet 16 rematch

We expect to see a high-scoring game in Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup between UNC and Alabama. The question is: who will score more points?

When UNC and Alabama faced off in last year’s Phil Knight Invitational, both teams were viewed as early-season contenders for the National Championship.

The Crimson Tide were led by Brandon Miller, who eventually became the second overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft, while the Tar Heels returned most of their starters from the 2022 National Championship run.

Alabama ended up winning 103-101. Despite the loss, UNC proved it could still hang with the big boys.

What the loss didn’t foreshadow, however, was underlying issues that would eventually prevent North Carolina from making the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide earned the Big Dance’s top overall seed, but lost in the Sweet 16 to San Diego State.

This year, UNC is still viewed as a National Championship contender. Alabama is a great team, but its lackluster defense doesn’t label it in the title conversation.

The Tar Heels and Crimson Tide will face off in the Sweet 16 on Thursday at 9:39 p.m. ET. North Carolina easily beat Wagner and pulled away late from Michigan State, while Alabama played closed against College of Charleston and Grand Canyon.

Many eyes will be on the RJ Davis-Mark Sears matchup, but the bigger question is if UNC can compete with yet another strong program.

See below for more information on how to watch Thursday’s high-scoring battle:

UNC-ALABAMA TV, RADIO, AND STREAMING INFORMATION

WHAT: North Carolina (29-7, 17-3 ACC) vs. Alabama (23-11, 13-5 SEC)

WHEN: Thursday, March 28 at 9:39 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.

TV: CBS (Watch and stream the game live on NCAA.com)

ANNOUNCERS: Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce

SATELLITE RADIO: SiriusXM (Channel 201)

WEBSITE: NCAA.com

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USA Today praises the ACC’s effort in NCAA Tournament

UNC, Duke, NC State and Clemson are all still alive heading into the Sweet 16. What about the “down year?”

For a “down year,” the ACC is faring pretty well in the NCAA Tournament.

The ACC, which we’ll always argue is college basketball’s deepest conference, sent just four teams to the Big Dance. UVA being in over Pitt was a joke (see Colorado State game for example), but there was an argument for more conference teams (Syracuse, Wake Forest).

Heading into the Sweet 16, four ACC teams are still alive: NC State, Clemson, Duke and our beloved North Carolina Tar Heels.

The Wolfpack are continuing their torrid run through the ACC Tournament, which includes downing UNC in the title game. Duke has shaken off any notions of being a “choker.” Clemson looks like the early-season version of itself, while North Carolina has beaten Wagner and Michigan State comfortably.

Check out what the USA Today had to say about the ACC’s early dominance in the Big Dance:

“It’s been an epically successful tournament for the ACC,” USA Today’s Paul Myerberg wrote. “The conference is 8-1 overall and has four teams in the Sweet 16 in No. 1 UNC, No. 4 Duke, No. 6 Clemson and No. 11 N.C. State. The one loss for the ACC came from No. 10 Virginia in the play-in round, giving the league a perfect record in the first and second rounds. The four Sweet 16 bids are the most for the ACC since 2019 and come after having just one last March and a combined six across the past three tournaments. In addition, all three of the Tar Heels, Blue Devils and Wolfpack are in the Sweet 16 for just the third time, joining 2005 and 2015.”

If all goes well Thursday, UNC and Clemson will play in the Elite 8 Saturday. If NC State and Duke take care of business Friday, they’ll face off Sunday.

Quite a “down year,” right?

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WATCH: Revisit Luke Maye’s buzzer-beater vs. Kentucky in 2017 NCAA Tournament

Luke Maye will forever have a special place in UNC basketball lore, thanks to his game-winning shot against Kentucky in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. It happened seven years ago today – on March 26.

We’re already past the first weekend of March Madness and – let me just say – there’s already been a full meal worth of watchable games.

The opening weekend saw Oakland (MI) upset Kentucky, while 11-seed NC State held off the Golden Grizzles this past weekend for a Sweet 16 berth. Jack Gohlke became a March Madness legend with his 3-point ability, while Alabama showed it’s one of the Big Dance’s top offensive teams.

It’s always fun re-visiting old March Madness moments, particularly big comebacks and game-winners.

One of the most memorable game winners came from UNC legend Luke Maye in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

After Kentucky’s Malik Monk tied the game with a wild 3-pointer, North Carolina pushed the ball up court for one last chance at a regulation win. Theo Pinson found Maye near the perimeter and, as Marv Albert would say, “BANG!”

Re-live the legendary moment here, which occurred seven years ago today:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4-v9_8uBx3/?img_index=2

Maye became a hero and the Tar Heels won, 75-73, en route to their most recent National Championship. Maye played in the G-League for the Milwaukee Bucks’ affiliate in 2019-2010, but now is in Japan.

The UNC faithful are certainly grateful for Maye’s big moment, as it nearly fell victim to another Kris Jenkins-esque moment.

Who will create the next March Madness memory for North Carolina?

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North Carolina a Top-3 team in CBS Sports’ re-seeding of NCAA Tournament

After two massive wins over Wagner and Michigan State to open up NCAA Tournament play, UNC was re-ranked amongst the teams still alive.

Can you believe that the first weekend of March Madness has already come and gone?

While the Rounds of 64 and 32 saw a few upsets (Oakland over Kentucky, Grand Canyon over Saint Mary’s, NC State over Texas Tech), a lot of the favorites in this year’s NCAA Tournament have performed fairly well.

One of those favorites who’s been playing excellent basketball is North Carolina, which has cruised past Wagner and Michigan State in its first two games. UNC’s had a couple tense moments, but able to pull away thanks to the veteran leadership of RJ Davis and Armando Bacot.

As we head into the Sweet 16, the Tar Heels are ranked third in CBS Sports’ re-seeding of NCAA Tournament teams.

“The Tar Heels had one of the toughest second-round draws of any top seed, having to face a Michigan State team that returned much of the core from last year’s Sweet 16 run and started the season in the top five of the AP Top 25 poll,” CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson wrote. “North Carolina not only passed the test, but did so with flying colors, overcoming an early deficit to pull away and defeat the Spartans by double-digits. When this team has not only ACC Player of the Year R.J. Davis running hot, but the complimentary pieces like Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan, the Tar Heels are capable of beating anyone in the country.”

UNC has looked every part of a National Championship contender in the last month, winning all but the ACC Tournament Championship since Feb. 17. Jae’Lyn Withers delivered a double-double in the win over Wagner, while four of five starters scored in double-digits against Michigan State.

Alabama, who the Tar Heels will face on Thursday at 9:39 p.m. ET, was seeded 15th.

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ESPN favors Alabama over UNC in Sweet 16 matchup

Thursday’s UNC-Alabama Sweet 16 matchup is going to be a track meet. A few early predictions have the Crimson Tide winning.

The UNC men’s basketball team truly looks like a National Championship contender heading into the Sweet 16, dominating Wagner and largely Michigan State in its first two NCAA Tournament matchups.

Alabama also looks hungry for revenge after bowing out early last year, as the Crimson Tide have scored 181 total points in their two victories.

Both programs sport high-octane offenses – and will match up in the Sweet 16.

You would think that North Carolina, winning both games by comfortable margins, would be favored.

Not quite.

According to ESPN Analytics’ matchup predictor, Alabama is favored 52.2% to 48.8%. This is despite the current betting odds favoring UNC at -4.5.

As we’ve learned a bunch across sports this year, pre-game predictions mean nothing. We’ve also seen that a couple times in the NCAA Tournament already – just look at the Oakland-Kentucky and Grand Canyon-Saint Mary’s games for reference.

Whereas North Carolina easily controlled most of its Wagner and Michigan State matchups, it might have a tougher time against the Crimson Tide. The Tar Heels will be able to score at ease, but they might have trouble slowing Alabama down offensively.

The Crimson Tide lead all of Division I with 90.7 points per game. Similar to UNC with RJ Davis, Alabama has a guard-centered scoring attack led by Mark Sears (21.5 points per game).

Both schools will tip off at 9:39 p.m. ET Thursday. Which offensive juggernaut will advance to the Elite 8?

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