“We’re not finished yet,” UNC coach Roy Williams told those thousands who remained for Senior Night activities after North Carolina got some revenge on Wake Forest, 93-83. (3/3)
His last words gave Carolina fans some hope with one regular season game left at Duke before the ACC Tournament. The only way UNC can make the NCAA Tournament is to win the conference tournament’s automatic bid. And the only way to make the National Invitational Tournament is to go deep into the ACC tourney.
Carolina, virtually wiped out by a seven-game losing streak highlighted by last-second losses, is perhaps playing its best basketball of the season after a third straight victory – this one avenging a 17-point loss at Wake Forest Feb. 11.
An early 12-0 run gave the Heels an early 10-point lead at 12-2 before the Deacons went on a 7-0 run of their own to close the gap. The game stayed close most of the remainder of the game as the Heels led just 35-34 at the half and were tied at 39-all with 18 minutes left.
But the Deacons could never take the lead as freshman Cole Anthony and senior Brandon Robinson hit from outside and Garrison Brooks played strong inside, taking up the slack for fellow big man Armando Bacot who missed the game with an ankle injury.
Robinson, who tallied 18 points as the only four-year senior who plays regularly, drilled a three from the left corner with 17:50 left to give the Heels a 42-39 lead they’d never relinquish.
Wake Forest, led by Brandon Childress’ 24 points, stayed within striking distance but a modest 8-2 Carolina run – highlighted by two buckets from Brooks in the lane and four points from Anthony, including a highlight reel up-and-under nearly impossible shot – gave the Heels a modest 55-47 lead with just over 13 minutes remaining.
The Deacons didn’t go away, hitting five of six shots to close the gap to two at 65-63 with under nine minutes to go.
A 10-3 Carolina run over the next three minutes virtually ended it as Christian Keeling started the run with a three from the left wing and Robinson ended the run with a three from the left side that put the Heels up 75-66.
The game was never really in doubt the rest of the way despite Wake cutting it to six twice in the last 1:40.
“It was definitely important for me to get this win on my senior night,” Robinson said. “I did not want to look back and be like, man, I lost my last game ever in the Smith Center. Not only that, it is another win for us in the ACC and we are on a three-game winning streak. That is important to me.”
Robinson said Coach Williams has been telling the team for a while that they aren’t finished yet. “That is just the first time he said it in public,” he said.
Robinson said these Heels are capable and are still growing. “We still have a lot of confidence to go to the ACC Tournament and win it,” he said.
Anthony, who hit four of five three pointers, led all scorers with 28 points while Brooks, who hit nine of 12 field goals mostly inside, added 25 points.
The Tar Heels took good care of the ball on offense, turning the ball over seven times, and took advantage of the Deacons’ 13 turnovers by scoring 21 points off them.
Carolina, now 13-17 and 6-13 in the conference, travels to Duke for a Saturday matchup at 6 p.m.
For a box score and more analysis of the game, please click here.