NCAAB · 1 year ago

March Madness: 5 Things We Learned About the North Carolina Tar Heels

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Hubert Davis Joins Elite Company
Many had doubts about North Carolina’s hiring of Hubert Davis. Although there have been bumps in the road, the Tar Heels head coach is now 7-1 as the head coach at North Carolina in NCAA Tournament games, and UNC is in the second Sweet Sixteen in three seasons under Davis. He is the fourth head coach in the last 50 years to win at least seven of his first eight NCAA Tournament games. That list includes national champions Steve Fisher, Billy Donovan, and Kevin Ollie.
1. RJ Davis Rises to the Occasion
The Michigan State Spartans got off to a hot start and led the North Carolina Tar Heels for much of the first half. The only thing keeping the Tar Heels in the game early was leader and All-American RJ Davis. He was not perfect (three turnovers), but in 34 minutes of action, Davis was 7-15 with three three-pointers and a team-high 20 points. When the Tar Heels were flailing early, Davis grounded them and kept them within touching distance, and a late first-half run essentially put the game to bed for the No. 1 seed.
2. Rock Steady Armando Bacot
Armando Bacot is often forgotten, but the steady big man was rock-solid again. He was 8-10 from the free throw line and shot 5-10 from the field on his way to 18 points. His seven rebounds were tied for the team-high, and he added three assists and two blocks. Bacot does his work without getting in foul trouble, and his consistency provides an anchor in the middle for the Tar Heels, which Michigan State did not have an answer.
3. UNC Owns Michigan State
Tom Izzo has had a legendary career, and few teams can legitimately say they have his number. The one squad that Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans have never had an answer for is the North Carolina Tar Heels. UNC is now 6-0 in the NCAA Tournament against Izzo and the Spartans, 13-4 overall. Michigan State was inconsistent all season, and that continued in March Madness. The Spartans were fantastic against Mississippi State and started well against North Carolina but faded rapidly in the final 25 minutes of the contest.
4. Balanced Effort
RJ Davis and Armando Bacot are the stars, but a balanced effort for the Tar Heels led them to a victory. UNC had four players in double-figures, and the one starter without double-digit scoring was the team leader in assists, Elliot Cadeau. He had four assists with no turnovers in 22 minutes. Cormac Ryan had 14 points with no turnovers, and Harrison Ingram was massive with five three-pointers, 17 points, and seven rebounds. That kind of balance will be necessary as UNC advances in the tournament.
5. Hubert Davis Joins Elite Company
Many had doubts about North Carolina’s hiring of Hubert Davis. Although there have been bumps in the road, the Tar Heels head coach is now 7-1 as the head coach at North Carolina in NCAA Tournament games, and UNC is in the second Sweet Sixteen in three seasons under Davis. He is the fourth head coach in the last 50 years to win at least seven of his first eight NCAA Tournament games. That list includes national champions Steve Fisher, Billy Donovan, and Kevin Ollie.
1. RJ Davis Rises to the Occasion
The Michigan State Spartans got off to a hot start and led the North Carolina Tar Heels for much of the first half. The only thing keeping the Tar Heels in the game early was leader and All-American RJ Davis. He was not perfect (three turnovers), but in 34 minutes of action, Davis was 7-15 with three three-pointers and a team-high 20 points. When the Tar Heels were flailing early, Davis grounded them and kept them within touching distance, and a late first-half run essentially put the game to bed for the No. 1 seed.