Duke and North Carolina will tip things off in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday at Legacy Arena. The two in-state rivals split their regular season series. Please click here for more.
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Tar Heels click in NCAA tourney, show they belong
North Carolina showed all those with UNC Derangement Syndrome that the Tar Heels belong in the NCAA Tournament as they were locked in during a 95-68 romp over San Diego State in a game that wasn’t even that close. (3/18)
The Tar Heels, who led by as many as 40 points, figured to have a tough go against a taller team that leads the nation in defensive field goal percentage. But it was the Carolina defense that set the tone and fast break buckets and three-pointers followed as the Heels poured it on.
Up just 13-11 after turning the ball over seven times, Carolina went on a 20-2 run over six minutes to take command of the game at 33-13. During that stretch Drake Powell and Jae’lyn Withers both swished threes and Eliott Cadeau had a couple off flashy assists and a spinning drive of his own to the hoop.
“Our defense was real, especially in the first half,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “We did a good job defending the paint and then getting out in transition…
“This group is getting better – our confidence is growing.”
RJ Davis, playing in his final NCAA Tournament, made it one to remember as he hit all six off his three-point shots and finished with a game-high 26 points, including a three at the first-half buzzer to give the Heels their largest lead to that point at 47-23.
Carolina kept the up-and-down offense and stingy defense going in the second half working the lead up to 40 at 82-42 following Davis’ final three of the game with 7:32 to go. Soon thereafter Coach Davis started taking the starters out as the Heels settled for a 29-point win.
“We know we deserved to be here,” said UNC’s Seth Trimble, who scored 16 points. “We’re not sending a message to anybody else. We hear what people say but it doesn’t make any difference.”
The three-point shot made a difference for the Heels as they hit 14 of 24 for their best three-point percentage in a game this season. Carolina also outrebounded the Aztecs 39-28. After turning the ball over seven times in the first six minutes of the game, UNC turned it over just four more times over the last 34 minutes of the game.
“We have focused guys,” Coach Davis said. “It doesn’t surprise me that they had one of their best games of the year.”
The other two Tar Heels in double figures were Ven-Allen Lubin, who had 12 points, and Jaylen Withers, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The 11th seeded Heels, now 23-13, advance to play No. 6 seed Ole Miss Friday at 4 p.m.
Flagg’s mom discusses Duke basketball national championship chances, NBA Draft
Kelly Flagg went viral on the final weekend of the regular season. In the latter stages of Duke’s win at rival UNC, Cooper Flagg threw down a two-handed dunk that served as the final dagger for the Blue Devils in a regular-season sweep. After the play, ESPN’s cameras showed Kelly Flagg tapping her head while appearing to yell expletives in celebration of the play. Please click here for more.
Watch these NC high school basketball alums in the men’s NCAA tournament
A total of 43 NCAA men’s basketball athletes who made this year’s tournament played at North Carolina high schools. Please click here for more.
No. 10 Wolfpack Women to begin 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships
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Panthers WR David Moore reaches 1-year deal
he Carolina Panthers welcomed back wide receiver David Moore on a one-year contract Tuesday. Financial terms were not disclosed by the Panthers. Please click here for more.
Duke women’s basketball on a crash course with UNC for the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
When it comes to Duke’s rivalry with the North Carolina Tar Heels, it isn’t just about one sport, although men’s basketball will certainly take the cake for ratings and such. The women’s basketball side of the rivalry saw a split in its two regular season games, each team winning on their home court. Please click there for more.
Data indicates that North Carolina is actually under-seeded in the NCAA Tournament
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Potential Threat to NC State Basketball Pursuit of Will Wade
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Bill Belichick Lands Highest-Rated UNC Recruit Yet in Flip From SEC Program
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