UNC needs deep outings from starters, beginning with DeCaro in opener

CHAPEL HILL — Last season, North Carolina could usually count on ace Jake Knapp to go deep into each start, which kept the bullpen fresh for the rest of the weekend. That’s even more important in the postseason when falling into the losers’ bracket could mean the pitching staff has to cover many innings, often with little recovery time between games. The margin for error shrinks in a four-team regional, and the pressure on a bullpen can compound quickly if a starter cannot provide length in the opener.

Jackets’ potent offense too much for Heels in ACC final

CHARLOTTE — Few teams have been able to hold back Georgia Tech’s potent offense this season. No. 2 North Carolina is one of them, holding the Yellow Jackets to 11 runs in winning two of three during a mid-April series. But the Jackets, who came into the ACC tournament championship game averaging 10.7 runs per game, bettered that series output on Sunday.

UNC blasts six homers to power into ACC championship game

CHARLOTTE — There have been plenty of home run derbies at the ACC tournament this week, and No. 2 North Carolina joined in the fun Saturday. The Tar Heels belted a season-high six home runs and rolled to a 13–5 victory over No. 14-seed Pittsburgh in the semifinals in front of 6,313 fans at Truist Field. It was the most UNC home runs since they blasted seven at Pittsburgh nearly 13 months ago, and the 22 hits were the most in seven years.

Keita slams on defender, puts up more good numbers as Barcelona makes championship game

Sayon Keita continued to put up impressive numbers in limited minutes for Barcelona at the NextGen EuroLeague Finals in Athens, Greece. The 7–1, 215-pound incoming UNC freshman only played 15 minutes, 50 seconds in Saturday’s 101–84 victory over Team 3SSB, but still had 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, making both free-throw attempts. He pulled down five rebounds and blocked two shots.

UNC faces hot Pitt team in ACC semifinals, but one with taxed pitching staff

CHARLOTTE — No. 2 North Carolina will play a hot team in Pittsburgh in the semifinals of the ACC tournament, but one that comes in with a very taxed pitching staff. The No. 14-seed Panthers were down to their final strike trailing by two in the top of the ninth inning Friday night against No. 11-ranked Florida State when Kai Wagner blasted a three-run home run in an 8–6 quarterfinal win.

Tar Heels’ youth, pressure defense and poise have them back in national championship game

North Carolina’s latest step toward another national title looked like it would be a semifinal between heavyweights. On the field Friday, it looked like a team that knew exactly what it wanted to be and how to impose it.

The reigning NCAA champion Tar Heels dominated Maryland 16–6 at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill., closing the game on a 13–3 run and holding the Terrapins to one goal over the final 27 minutes.

Schaffner, Glauber lead UNC to rout of Hokies in ACC quarterfinals

CHARLOTTE — Jake Schaffner has been Carolina’s sparkplug at the top of the order all season and was the Tar Heels’ catalyst offensively on Friday. The shortstop blasted drives to the outfield wall for a double and a triple and drove in four runs as No. 2 UNC rallied to roll past No. 7-seed Virginia Tech 10–4 in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament at Truist Field.

Keita productive again in another Barcelona victory

Incoming Carolina freshman Sayon Keita added another productive outing at the NextGen EuroLeague Finals on Friday, collecting seven points and 12 rebounds in FC Barcelona’s 110–80 victory over Žalgiris Kaunas. The win pushed Barcelona to 2–0 in Group B. Keita’s team will meet Next Gen Team 3SSB at 9:45 a.m. ET Saturday in the final group game for a spot in Sunday’s championship game.

Levy says daily work foundation of reigning champion UNC’s return to Final Four

North Carolina has spent the past two seasons setting a championship standard, and the reigning national champion Tar Heels are back in the Final Four with another chance to add to it. No. 2-seed UNC (18–1) meets No. 3 Maryland (18–3) at 3 p.m. Friday on ESPNU in a national semifinal in Evanston, Ill., with the other semifinal matchup pitting No. 1 Northwestern (17–3) against No. 4 Johns Hopkins (17–4).

Keita blocks seven shots, nearly produces triple-double in EuroLeague tournament

Incoming North Carolina freshman Sayon Keita nearly produced a triple-double in his team’s opener of the EuroLeague NextGen Finals on Thursday in Athens, Greece. The 7–0, 215-pound center from Mali collected 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks in 18 minutes as his FC Barcelona team earned a 97–83 victory over Crvena Zvezda Belgrade.

Able has ‘two great options’ as he weighs staying in draft, playing at UNC

Matt Able put himself in front of pro scouts again on Tuesday, a week away from the deadline to decide whether to remain in the NBA draft process or continue his college career. The Carolina commitment and former N.C. State star has been navigating that timeline while building on the momentum he generated during the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. That continued Tuesday in El Segundo, Calif., where he performed in front of scouts at the Life Sports Agency Pro Day.