Category: Basketball

Monday on ‘The Tournament’: Intense UNC-Duke ’89 final, conclusion of Dean Smith’s career and Shammond Williams’ emotional recollections

On the week of UNC’s final visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium with Mike Krzyzewski as coach, Episode 7 of the ACC Network documentary “The Tournament” spotlights one of most memorable, physical battles in that rivalry during his career. That’s a highlight of the episode that debuts at 9 p.m. Monday. Episode 8, which debuts at 10 p.m., documents the end to the legendary career of Hall of Fame UNC coach Dean Smith. That second episode Monday includes an interview with 1997 tournament MVP Shammond Williams that John Dahl, the executive producer and a UNC graduate, calls one of the best in the entire documentary and one that will “bring you to tears.”

Tar Heels in NBA: Barnes has big night against Denver but frustrated with officiating; White, Johnson hit 15, Anthony 14; Jackson scores 30 in G League

Harrison Barnes had a big game on the road against one of the best teams in the NBA but he wasn’t doing any celebrating afterward.
Barnes collected 24 points, five rebounds and three assists for Sacramento against the Denver Nuggets, but in a 115–110 Saturday loss, the Kings’ fourth in a row.
“There are no moral victories,” Barnes said

Bacot, UNC dominate Pack again

RALEIGH — Far from the competitive rivalry of years past, North Carolina-N.C. State games recently have been like early non-conference football games: Get the expected win and don’t get anybody hurt. The Tar Heels easily did the first part with an 84–74 victory Saturday with Armando Bacot leading the way. But Leaky Black hyperextended his right knee in the first half. He went through warmups before the second half, but he didn’t come back into the game.

Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson starts, has big game for Suns; Draymond Green says Barnes holds grudge against him

While All-Star Chris Paul recovers from a fractured right thumb, the league-leading Phoenix Suns will need big contributions from other players.
In the first game after the All-Star break, Cameron Johnson — in his 11th start of the season and the first time since Jan. 30 — and was there to do his part. He collected 21 points, four 3-pointers, four rebounds, five assists and a block as the Suns easily won at Oklahoma City 124–104 for their eighth consecutive victory.

UNC women hold off Virginia, still have shot at double-bye in ACC tournament

No. 18 North Carolina has some big goals that it can meet in the last week of the regular season and easily kept them possible Thursday night. Beating a feisty Virginia team on its senior night wasn’t easy, tough. The Tar Heels led by 21 in the first half but Virginia fought back and made them earn a physical 68–57 victory. Carolina battled through its worst perimeter shooting night of the season by again being tough on defense and repeatedly beating the Cavaliers in transition.

Kelly’s endorsement money is good, but her deals are about more than that

When star sophomore Carolina guard Deja Kelly signed a big endorsement deal last week, building her brand and making a difference were as important to her as the money, which is the envy of former college athletes who never got this chance. Gone are the days of scholarship athletes pinching pennies because they weren’t allowed to make money off the court, thanks to the NCAA giving them the right to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL).

Carolina finally shakes off Louisville for 62nd 20-win season

CHAPEL HILL — It may not have come as smoothly as in most years, but Monday’s 70–63 victory over Louisville assured North Carolina of the 62nd 20-win season in program history. Like many other games this season, the Tar Heels’ inability to keep an opponent from driving to the hoop and collecting inside buckets made winning difficult. In the second physical battle of the season with the Cardinals and the better of the inside play for most of the night.

UNC women jump to highest AP ranking in 7 years

As North Carolina continues its breakthrough season in Coach Courtney Banghart’s third year, the comparisons to a Tar Heels team that made the Sweet 16 team seven years ago keep piling up. Another one got added Monday. The Tar Heels (21–5, 11–5 ACC) jumped six spots to No. 18 Monday in the AP Top 25 poll after winning at home against Louisville (23–3, 14–2) 66–65 (which fell one spot to No. 4) and at Florida State 64–49. It’s the highest UNC rank since that 2014–15 team finished the season 26–9 and ranked No. 15.

It was mixed week for Kessler and Brooks but big week for Huffman’s team; Miller scores 15

Walker Kessler and Garrison Brooks went through up and down weeks in the SEC while Brandon Huffman’s Jacksonville State team picked up two big victories and Walker Miller played well in a Monmouth victory. Kessler had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks in Auburn’s Wednesday’s 94–80 home win over Vanderbilt but was held to 11 points and three rebounds in Saturday’s 63–62 loss at Florida. The loss to the Gators was only the second game this season without a block for Kessler, who leads the country with 4.56 per game.