Tag: UNC vs. Kansas

Where do Tar Heels land in Andy Katz’ latest Power 37 rankings?

North Carolina stayed in the Top 10 of Andy Katz’ Power 37 college basketball rankings.

At halftime of Friday’s highly-anticipated, early-season 2022 National Championship rematch with Kansas, I had my doubts about UNC’s ability to mount a comeback.

I’ve never been more happy to be wrong, with North Carolina coming back from a 17-point deficit and, late in the second half, holding a 4-point advantage after a Jalen Washington free throw. All-around contributions aided the Tar Heels, as they eventually took a lead (80-79 with 7:09 remaining) on a Jae’Lyn Withers layup.

The Tar Heels ended up losing to the Jayhawks, 92-89, not scoring over the final two minutes. This was pretty disappointing, considering how hard UNC fought when it looked like the game was over.

With how North Carolina played against Kansas – and comparing its performance to the hundreds of others teams who did over the weekend – North Carolina found itself at eighth in Andy Katz’ latest Power 37.

The Tar Heels found themselves sandwiched between Iowa State (seventh) and Tennessee (ninth). The Volunteers (2-1) beat Louisville on Saturday, while the Cyclones didn’t play over the weekend.

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It’s always tough to be encouraged after a loss, but UNC has every reason to be proud of how it battled against the Jayhawks. The Tar Heels were playing just their second game with an essentially, all-new starting lineup – and took it to the Preseason Number One.

If North Carolina hosted Kansas, you wonder if the outcome – and rankings – would be different. The Dean Dome is no stranger to rowdy crowds, particualrly when a top-notch opponent comes to town.

UNC’s first chance to rebound will be Friday Nov. 15 as it hosts American University. Will the Tar Heels move up the Power 35 next week?

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Re-visiting the 2022 NCAA Championship ahead of UNC-Kansas rematch

UNC and Kansas face off Friday in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA Championship. How’d that matchup two years ago turn out?

The North Carolina Tar Heels weren’t even supposed to be in the 2022 NCAA Championship game.

Throughout the regular season, UNC showed it struggled on the road against good competition. Playing in the NCAA Tournament, you’re away from home base the whole time – unless you’re hosting, like Creighton in Omaha.

Somehow, North Carolina ended up in the title game and played Kansas. The Tar Heels enjoyed a massive, 15-point halftime advantage, but that turned into a 3-point deficit and a 72-69 defeat.

On Friday, Nov. 8, UNC and Kansas will rematch in one of the college basketball season’s most highly-anticipated matchups.

Today, we’re here to re-visit that massive letdown. We know no lead is safe in college basketball, but when you’re as talented as UNC, what came in the second half was shocking.

After falling behind 7-0 early, then weathering a couple of early Jayhawk storms, the first half was all North Carolina.

The Tar Heels and Kansas found themselves tied at 22, then UNC embarked on a 16-0 run to give it the needed breathing room. Brady Manek, Armando Bacot and RJ Davis engineered this run, scoring all points during it.

Not even a minute out of halftime, Jayhawks center David McCormack slammed down a thunderous dunk that changed everything. Kansas kept chipping away, eventually taking the lead (53-50) on a Remy Martin 3-pointer at the 10:23 mark.

North Carolina wouldn’t lead again until just under two minutes remained, when Brady Manek tipped in a missed shot. 20 seconds later, McCormack gave the Jayhawks a lead they never relinquies.

Did the Tar Heels expend all their energy beating Duke in the Final Four? Was Kansas simply the better team (the answer is yes)?

Regardless, that 2022 title game left a sour taste in UNC’s mouth. Friday night is a perfect chance at revenge.

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Twitter reacts to UNC and Kansas setting a home-and-home series

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the UNC basketball program announcing a home-and-home with Kansas.

North Carolina delivered some blockbuster news, announcing that they would play Kansas in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.

The two programs agreed on a two-year slate of games, each taking a turn to play host. The announcement dropped right before noon, giving fans a mouthful of what-ifs to bring to the lunch conversation.
In a press release by the school, Men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis explained the impact these games will have.

“These two games should be exciting for players and coaches on both teams and a win for fans of college basketball,” says Davis. “It is an opportunity for two great programs to play in each other’s home arenas, which are among the best and most historic in our game.”

Unsurprisingly, the news brought quite the reaction, with fans excitedly oozing through their keyboards. These two programs are rich in basketball history, and both have a deep connection tied to legendary coach Roy Williams.

Let us look at how Twitter reacted to this groundbreaking announcement.