UNC’s women start impressively, show better fight this time against State in loss

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina showed much more fight in its rematch with No. 3 N.C. State and even delivered a solid punch early. But that only delayed the Wolfpack’s big punch until midway through the game. The difference from the first meeting was that an 18–0 Wolfpack run wasn’t a knockout punch. The Tar Heels battled back until the end before falling 66–58 Sunday at Carmichael Arena in front of a season-high home crowd of 4,136.

Tar Heels in NBA: Bullock has best game in 2 years; Barnes hits 16, misses shot to win at end vs. Green’s 76ers; Jackson scores 22 in G League

Reggie Bullock has dealt with struggles and shooting slumps in his first season with the Dallas Mavericks but produced his best game of the season Saturday night. Bullock came off the bench to score 23 points on eight field goals and six 3-pointers, all season-highs, in the Mavericks’ 132–104 home win over the Indiana Pacers.

UNC frickin’ blows out State on Roy Williams Day with best performance of season

CHAPEL HILL — As much as the Hall of Fame coach loves beating N.C. State, there was no way that Carolina wasn’t going to take it to the Wolfpack on Roy Williams Day. But leading by a frickin’ margin of 35 points in the second half? The Tar Heels (15–6, 7–3 ACC) made it a rout with their best first half of the season and coasted to 100–80 victory Saturday at the Smith Center on an afternoon when they put it all together with a season-high 15 3-pointers and won the third consecutive game.

Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson ties career-high for 3-pointers; Green returns from injury but Little likely out for season; White hits 18; NBA fines Anthony

While Cameron Johnson appears to be back to playing at the high level he reached before missing three games with an ankle injury and Danny Green returned after missing seven games, Nassir Little’s breakout season is likely over. An MRI revealed that Little suffered a left shoulder labral tear late in Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota. Portland didn’t announce a timetable for his return, but a team source told The Oregonian that Little would be out for the season.

UNC rolls past No. 21 Duke for impressive win to end 5-game skid vs. rival

DURHAM — Any questions from the AP poll voters who didn’t think North Carolina’s women deserved to be ranked? The Tar Heels, who fell out of the AP Top 25 after seven consecutive ranked weeks, blew past No. 21 Duke in the second quarter and rolled to a 78–62 victory Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium to snap a five-game losing streak to their rivals.