Rare year on bubble worked out for UNC in 2000, but navigating it this year will be challenging

While life on the NCAA tournament bubble is an annual routine for Syracuse, North Carolina rarely faces pressure to win in February just to make the field. In 2010 and 2020, the Tar Heels weren’t even playing well enough to ascend to the bubble. They had to settle for the NIT in 2010, one year after winning the 2009 NCAA title. It didn’t matter in 2020 because the NCAA tournament got canceled. But, other than those years, UNC hasn’t tasted life on the bubble since 2000, and that turned out pretty well.

Tar Heels in NBA: With trade unlikely, Barnes hits 30 in Kings win; White starts, scores 15 in Bulls win

With it appearing more likely that Harrison Barnes won’t get traded before the 3 p.m. Thursday deadline, he continues to be on a roll for the Sacramento Kings. One night after scoring 21 points in a 20-point loss to Minnesota, Barnes scored 30 in a 132–119 victory Wednesday over the Timberwolves in his second-best game of the season. In those two games, Barnes made all 12 free-throw attempts and is shooting 82.9% from the line for the season.

Tar Heels in NBA: Anthony has ‘stuff in the bag’ for the dunk contest; he and Barnes have big nights

Cole Anthony and Harrison Barnes each put together impressive late games on the West Coast on Tuesday night but only Anthony’s effort came in a victory. Anthony collected 23 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two blocks while battling foul trouble to lead the Orlando Magic to a 113–95 victory at Portland. His 19.1 game score was his 10th this season of at least 19 after doing it only twice during his rookie season.

Davis’ big game, Love’s big plays at end give UNC huge win at Clemson

As Caleb Love’s struggles continued, RJ Davis gave North Carolina just the backcourt boost it needed for 39 minutes. Then Love came through at the end. Love followed up a huge 3-pointer with 36 seconds left with a drive and dish for a Brady Manek layup with 3.1 seconds left. His heroics, and 60.7% second-half shooting, gave the Tar Heels a wild 79–77 bounce-back win at Clemson on Tuesday night.

Mavs coach Jason Kidd calls Pinson ‘our MVP’ for his ‘spirit and soul’

Is there any doubt that Theo Pinson will thrive as a coach if that’s what he wants to pursue when his playing career ends? Pinson has been a team favorite at every NBA stop even when he hasn’t played much, and that’s been no different this season as a Dallas Maverick. With the New York Knicks last season, he was called the ultimate teammate while playing only 34 minutes over 17 games.

UNC moves up in AP Top 25 women’s poll

After two impressive blowout ACC victories last week, North Carolina moved up one spot to No. 23 in the latest AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The Tar Heels (18–4, 8–4 ACC), who won 78–59 at Wake Forest on Thursday and 85–38 Sunday at Carmichael Arena against Miami, more than doubled their poll points from 66 to 136.

Walker Miller scores 22 to lead Monmouth to win; impressive games for Brooks, Huffman and Kessler

Walker Miller’s amazing season at Monmouth just keeps getting getter. Miller scored a game-high 22 points in Sunday’s 76–63 road victory over Quinnipiac for his fifth game of at least 22 points this season. He added a 3-pointer, six rebounds and two steals.

Tar Heels in NBA: Bullock’s roll continues with career-best streak of 3 consecutive games scoring at least 20

Reggie Bullock, in his ninth NBA season, stayed on a roll Sunday, scoring at least 20 points in three consecutive games for the first time in his career. Bullock scored 22 points, including a six 3-pointers and nine rebounds, both season-highs, in the Dallas Mavericks’ 103–94 home victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Dallas improved to 9–1 when Bullock scores at least 15 points.

No. 24 UNC thumps good Miami team by 47 behind Kelly, Todd-Williams

CHAPEL HILL — With an attention-getting blowout of a good Miami team, No. 24 North Carolina showed that it belongs in the upper-tier of the rugged ACC and that Deja Kelly is still one of the most dangerous scorers in the league. No. 4 Louisville and Miami are the only conference teams to defeat No. 12 Georgia Tech. But the Hurricanes never had a chance against a UNC team that played well in all phases of an 85–38 victory Sunday at Carmichael Arena.

Tar Heels in NBA: With Barnes in trade rumors ahead of deadline, he has another big game; Anthony hits 22

Playing for the Sacramento Kings, some of Harrison Barnes’ best nights this season haven’t always been enough to produce victories. With the trade deadline looming Thursday and his name coming up in trade rumors, that wasn’t the case Saturday. Barnes collected 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in one of his best games of the season to lead the Kings to a 113–103 home win over the Oklahoma City to snap the Thunder’s three-game win streak.