Tag: North Carolina Tar Heels Baskeball

Marvin Williams or Brandan Wright: Who do you wish stayed at UNC for longer?

UNC basketball fans voted on X, formerly known as Twitter, if Marvin Williams or Brandan Wright was the better player in Chapel Hill.

Marvin Williams and Brandan Wright were two of the best one-and-dones to play basketball at UNC.

Williams, who helped the Heels capture the 2005 NCAA Championship over Illinois, averaged 11.3 points per game and shot 50.6% from the field, while grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game in Chapel Hill. He was named 2004-2005 NCAA and ACC Rookie of theYear, plus he earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.

Drafted 2nd in the 2005 NBA Draft, Williams averaged 10.2 points per game across 16 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks.

Brandan Wright, who played at Carolina in 2006-2007, averaged 14.7 points per game on 64.6% shooting and 6.2 rebounds per game. Wright was ACC Rookie of the Year, 2nd Team All-ACC and a member of the ACC All-Freshman Team.

Drafted 8th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, Wright averaged seven points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game across 14 season with the Golden State Warriors, New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets.

If either Williams or Wright stayed at Carolina for more than one season, it remains to be seen if there’d be any more titles for the boys in baby blue.

Tar Heel fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vote for who they wished played multiple years in Chapel Hill:

What’s hoppin’? Elliot Cadeau shows off hops with dunk

Elliot Cadeau, the UNC basketball team’s projected starting point guard for 2023-2024, turns on the jump boosters for this insane dunk.

The arrival of Elliot Cadeau on UNC’s campus gave Tar Heel basketball fans something they hadn’t experienced since the 2019 title season – a program-changing point guard who can play at a championship level and consistently score.

Cadeau is a player whose game models that of plenty past Carolina point guards. He has the passing ability of Kendall Marshall, the ability to knock down a shot from anywhere like Coby White, the shot creation skills of Cole Anthony and, despite his youth, the calmness in a floor general like Joel Berry.

Did we mention that Cadeau has hops?

Watch the following clip and see just a smidge of what Carolina is getting at the point guard – an electrifying player who’ll throw down dunks that make the Dean Dome feel like it’s about to explode.

Don’t panic – Cadeau is fine, despite hitting his head on the backboard. He sprints past his defender in practice, leaps up and throws the rock down from well above the rim.

Cadeau reclassified to the 2023 class, making the decision to enroll early at UNC. This decision was a much-needed boost for the Heels, who saw Caleb Love enter the transfer portal.

When the 2023-2024 campaign tips off, Cadeau will likely play in the starting lineup alongside R.J. Davis, UNC all-time double-double and rebounds leader Armando Bacot, plus transfers Harrison Ingram (Stanford) and Jae’Lyn Withers (Louisville).

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Twitter reacts to UNC’s gut-wrenching loss to Duke

Twitter reacts to UNC’s gut-wrenching 62-57 loss to Duke.

The North Carolina Tar Heels played their final game of the regular season on Saturday night against archrival Duke Blue Devils.

It was senior night, ESPN’s “College GameDay” came to town, and the weather peaked at 67 degrees to display Carolina blue skies. The stage was set, and the fans were lit as both programs prepared for battle.

It was a sluggish start, but the scoring began once both teams settled in. The first half stayed chippy, with players trading words in between plays. The momentum stayed on North Carolina’s side despite going into the locker room down, 33-31.

The second half started like the first five minutes after tip: slowly. However, once again, both teams found their groove, and shots began to fall. As time dwindled, the game grew more intense. Duke led by three with under a minute to go, and the lead remained as UNC failed to convert the chances it had.

Chapel Hill’s energy was electric, which matched on social media as fans reacted to the gut-wrenching defeat.

Let’s look at how Twitter reacted to North Carolina’s loss.

‘College GameDay’ expert Jay Bilas weighs in on the UNC vs. Duke X-factors.

College GameDay expert Jay Bilas weighs in on the UNC Basketball vs. Duke X-factors.

We are just moments away from college basketball’s biggest rivalry, UNC vs. Duke, tipping off.

To nobody’s surprise, the event brought high ticket prices and welcomed ESPNs’ “College GameDay” to Chapel Hill. The crew is in town, giving predictions on UNC tournament hopes while signs are displayed behind them, and Tar Heel chants echo.

Before the crew gave their picks on live TV, I had the opportunity to speak with [autotag]Jay Bilas[/autotag], and he gave me his key players to watch in the rivalry showdown.

Bilas opened up with Duke’s X-factor first and whom he believes UNC will need to stop.

“For Duke Derek Lively II,” Bilas said. “He had his best game overall of the season against North Carolina. He had a double-figure rebounding game (14) and controlled the paint, blocking eight shots and changing a fair amount of others. So I think he is a wildcard and an X-factor if North Carolina can get into his body a little better instead of trying to avoid getting your shot block.

Bilas then offered who he believed were the X-factors for UNC.

“There are two guys, Pete Nance, I think, has been playing at a higher level over his last several games. I don’t know how much these cookies have to do with it, but keep eating them and Leaky Black. Duke helped off of certain players in the last game between Duke and North Carolina. When you have those kinds of open shots, you gotta make some of them, and you know Leaky Black has proven to be a good corner shooter.”

The first meeting saw Duke take it 63-57. However, with home-court advantage and backs against the wall, the Tar Heels need to come out with better energy and secure a big win late in the season.

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UNC Basketball vs. Duke: Game preview, info, prediction and more

UNC Basketball vs. Duke: Game preview, info, prediction and more

The biggest rivalry in college basketball is here, as the North Carolina Tar Heels will host the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, March 4th.

The stakes for North Carolina could not be any higher as they fight for a chance to dance. North Carolina could desperately use another quad-one victory, especially when you consider the possibility of Virginia dropping again in the NET rankings, resulting in that 71-63 win no longer being a quad-one victory.

UNC lost the first meeting 63-57 against Duke. However, if you recall, North Carolina was in the ideal position to win despite the lack of calls. As a team, UNC only went to the free-throw line three times. Meanwhile, Duke had 15.

A benefit for UNC is where this game is being played, giving belief that the outcome will look much different in Dean Dome. The Tar Heels have had their ups and downs this season, but at home, they have shown dominance posting a 12-2 record on their court.

The first game was chippy, and with so much on the line, another fast pace start is expected.

Let us get into our preview of college basketball’s biggest rivalry.

Twitter reacts to UNC escaping with win at Florida State

Twitter reacts to North Carolina escaping a Florida State comeback for their third-straight win.

North Carolina escaped Florida with a win Monday night, keeping its dance hopes alive.

UNC had it all going in the first half, dominating Florida State thanks to Caleb Love and RJ Davis. The two combined for 27 of North Carolina’s 43 first-half points.

The second half of what looked like a leisurely cruise to victory turned bumpy as Florida State attempted another comeback. As Seminoles crawled back, the nerves began to flare since a loss would be devastating to North Carolina’s tournament hopes.

In the end, UNC held off Florida State, stopping the comeback and momentum with a monstrous dunk by Leaky Black. Black had a stellar game, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

As always, the game brought many reactions as many wondered if worse was in store for UNC. Let us see how Twitter reacted to North Carolina’s win.

Pete Nance does it all in UNC win over UVA

Following UNC’s 71-63 win over UVA, players spoke up about Pete Nance dominating the game.

This season has not been kind to North Carolina’s [autotag]Pete Nance[/autotag], but the shooting woes were quickly forgotten Saturday night after a blockbuster performance from the transfer.

Nance dominated against the Virginia Cavaliers. He led all scorers with a season-high 22-points while turning into Dikembe Mutombo on defense with four blocks.

Since Nance’s game-tying shot that sent UNC into overtime against OSU during the CBS sports classic, the transfer has seen his fair share of criticism. However, through all the memes and noise outside the locker room, Nance stayed competing, using his defense as an anchor.

Saturday’s performance was the perfect game for Nance and significantly boosted UNC. When the shots fall, Nance becomes one of the most dangerous players on the court with his ability to stretch the floor and defend.

Following North Carolina’s win over Virginia, I got to speak with some players about Nance’s colossal performance.

UNC big man Armando Bacot was all vibes after the win, and when asked about Nance’s impact, he echoed what everyone else saw.

“I thought he was amazing today,” Bacot said. “Scored from all over the floor. Shot the ball well, and he was aggressive. That is the main thing when Pete is aggressive and tries to look for a shot and score. He is huge for us, and that was huge for us today.” ‘

North Carolina guard Caleb Love shared the same thoughts while telling me why it was so good to see Pete dominate in the win.

“He put so much work in and is hearing a lot of stuff.” Love said. “The outside noise about he is not this, and he is not that. So for him to go out there and have that game and the mental toughness to block out all the noises is great.”

When Nance came out of the locker room to speak, he was bombarded immediately with mics and cameras as he spoke about what stood out the most from his performance following the win.

“I am most happy with the blocks, for sure. Nance said. “Defense is something you can do if shots aren’t going in. So that is the main thing I was happy about for sure.”

Nance followed up by describing North Carolina’s shift in the last two games.

“I think a lot of credit to each other,” Nance said. “We are boosting each other with confidence and sticking together through what we know is a hard time with our backs against the wall. There is no choice but to come together or go fast downhill. I think these last two games, we’ve really brought it together and are looking to build some good momentum heading into the last stretch of the season.”

A big quad one win is the ingredient North Carolina has been searching for in their NCAA tournament recipe. UNC has a chance to finish the season strong as they fight for a chance to dance.

The Tar Heels will be back in action Monday as they travel to take on Florida State University.

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Twitter reacts to UNC’s big win against Virginia

The North Carolina Tar Heels delivered a season-saving statement win over No. 6 Virginia, and here is how Twitter responded to it.

The Dean Dome rocked Saturday night as the North Carolina Tar Heels hosted the No. 6 Virginia Cavaliers and came away with a big win to save their NCAA Tournament hopes.

UNC had its backs on the wall as the uncertainty of an NCAA Tournament bid built over the last few weeks. As a result, it has not been on the better side of Joe Lunardi’s ESPN bracketology, listed among the first four out teams in the last update.

North Carolina entered the game in win-now mode, coming right out of the gate with an offensive explosion. The ball movement was the best it had been all year, and the open looks were falling.

Pete Nance played a significant role in that success, scoring 14 of UNC’s 42 first-half points. As Nance lit it up, UNC fans chanted the famous Tar Heel chant echoing a change of direction for the North Carolina basketball program.

The second half was a little rocky, but UNC could steer the ship, beating UVA, 71-63. This game showcased one of North Carolina’s best performances this season, and social media had much to say about it.

Let us look at how Twitter reacted to North Carolina’s big win.

Twitter reacts to NC State shirts mocking UNC

Twitter reacts to NC State mocking UNC with shirts after their weekend win.

The North Carolina Tar Heels and NC State have taken their rivalry to new heights this season: trash talk has come from both sides.

The back and forth initially started during the football season when Drake Maye stated: “People who go to State just cannot get into Carolina.” The harmless remark ruffled feathers, resulting in Maye apologizing for the comment.

The saltiness carried over to the basketball program. NC State guard Terquavion Smith rocked shades while making this comment.
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“I feel like other colleges in NC feel like they are better than us because they wear blue, but I just want people to know that you can come here, too. … They do the same stuff we do; they just have different courses.”

Following UNC’s 80-69 win over NC State in January, the response was brief: Armando Bacot rocked shades in the postgame interview. Since then, both teams’ trajectories have looked different.

UNC has struggled, and those struggles continued with NC State evening the season series Sunday with a 77-69 win over North Carolina. However, despite being 1-1 on the season with UNC, that did not stop the Wolfpack from producing shirts mocking North Carolina.

North Carolina has claimed for the longest that NC State is not its rival, but after this year’s events, you wonder if that tune will change. Regardless the shirts put Twitter in a frenzy,

Let us look at Twitter’s reaction to the shirts:

Lack of scoring options hurting Tar Heels as season winds down

The lack of scoring threats is hurting the UNC Basketball program as the season winds down.

The North Carolina Tar Heels were in action Monday night, and what started great ended in disbelief as Miami walked out of Dean Dome with a big win.

UNC played an excellent first half, despite being down by one point. The Tar Heels looked like they brought the same fight they had in their win against Clemson.

However, once the second half started, Miami went on a 19-6 run to extend the lead and North Carolina had no answer as once again a cold shooting night from the three-point line doomed the Tar Heels.

The biggest issue from the Miami loss is not the outcome but where most of the scoring came from. Leakey Black, RJ Davis, Armando Bacot, and Caleb Love combined for 68 of the 72 points scored. After the defeat, Love talked about what needs to change moving forward.

“When your number is called you gotta be ready that’s that’s what it is,” Love said.  “We in February now, so we know we got to do. The bench players know what they got to do. People know we got to step up including me, and it’s just all down the line. We just just man up. As we go into quarters, you got to be locked in and have the confidence to knock down shots.”

The Tar Heels are struggling to find others to step up and score in this stretch of losing four of their last five games. And graduate transfer Pete Nance has seen his fair share of struggles. In Nance’s last five games, he has point totals of 13, 2, 11, 0, and 2.

Getting production from the 4 spot in the lineup is crucial for the Tar Heels in order to find success. With Nance’s struggles, they could turn to Puff Johnson. However, Johnson hasn’t lit it up either scoring 3, 3, 6, 8, and 2 in that same stretch.

To find success, the Tar Heels are going to need all five in the lineup to step it up. That’s especially the case when they aren’t getting much off the bench in terms of scoring either.

North Carolina is on the brink of no NCAA tournament unless they can win out to end the regular season or win the Atlantic Coast Conference. And if they want to achieve their goal, they are going to need a quick turnaround from everyone on the roster.

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