UNC rallies from nine down to surge past Boston College

GREENSBORO — Alyssa Ustby chest-bumped Maria Gakdeng and let out a loud, “Let’s go!” after converting an early inside second-half bucket on a three-point play. It was the sort of play No. 14 North Carolina had missed in the last four games. But the No. 5 seed needed plays like that and big games from Lexi Donarski and Indya Nivar to rally from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 78–71 victory over No. 12-seed Boston College in the second round of the ACC tournament Thursday at First Horizon Coliseum.

UNC jumps highest in NET since late January after blowout at Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. — North Carolina continues to do what it can control to improve its NCAA tournament resume, and the only way to improve it in a Quad 3 game is to win decisively.

Shades of ’22 as UNC continues to pour in 3s, rolls to 6th straight win with some program history

BLACKSBURG, Va. — North Carolina played like a team intent on breaking out of the bubble and making plans for March. A season-high six-game win streak is generating visions of the Tar Heels’ 2022 run with spirited play and precision perimeter shooting that has been fun to watch. UNC rebounded from some uneven play in the first 12 minutes and rolled to a 91–59 victory over Virginia Tech on Tuesday at Cassell Coliseum.

Most Tuesday bracket projections suggest UNC hasn’t done enough to make field

With Carolina’s small margin for error, winning all six games heading into Saturday’s senior day clash in the Smith Center against No. 2 Duke was always going to be crucial to making the NCAA men’s tournament field. Heading into Tuesday’s 7 p.m. game (ESPNU) at Virginia Tech, most projections suggest that the season-high five-game win streak for UNC (19–11, 12–6 ACC) against weak ACC competition hasn’t been convincing enough.

Banghart offers encouraging update on Ustby, Kelly; UNC falls in Top 25

Could stars Alyssa Ustby and Reniya Kelly play in Greensboro at this week’s ACC tournament? North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart had some hopeful words on the day that the Tar Heels fell six spots in the AP Top 25 poll to No. 14 after losing back-to-back games for the first time this season.

UNC women miss out on double-bye, will start ACC tournament play Thursday

With No. 8 North Carolina’s first back-to-back losses all season, the short-handed Tar Heels lost a chance to earn a double-bye in the ACC women’s tournament.

Hot-shooting Cavaliers upset short-handed Heels despite career day for Gakdeng

CHAPEL HILL — While two of No. 8 North Carolina’s best players watched from the bench, ensuring they’re ready for tournament play, the short-handed Tar Heels leaned on their depth and heavily on Maria Gakdeng. Even with a career day from the senior center, it wasn’t enough to pull out a senior day victory on Sunday as UNC blew an eight-point lead in the last 5:22 and lost 78–75 to a scrappy Virginia team at Carmichael Arena.

UNC’s win margin over Miami gives Heels boost in NET rankings

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina continues to beat the teams it has to beat to make the NCAA tournament field, easily knocking off Miami 92–73 for its season-high fifth consecutive victory. The victory margin boosted the Tar Heels’ NET ranking three spots to 42nd, even though it was only a Quad 4 victory. However, they had a Quad 2 win downgraded to Quad 3.

Tar Heels roll to fifth straight win with inside-out attack

CHAPEL HILL — The best version of this North Carolina team is when the Tar Heels play inside out on offense, creating good shots all over the court. Carolina did that impressively in Saturday’s 93–73 victory over Miami in the Smith Center, firing in 10 3-pointers and scoring 46 points in the paint to earn a season-high fifth consecutive victory.

Roy Williams dadgum voice of UNC’s PitchCom devices

CHAPEL HILL — Whenever a North Carolina pitcher hears the call for the next pitch through the PitchCom devices, it’s the voice of a dadgum legend.

Depleted Heels battle but run out of gas at Duke in second half

DURHAM — No matter how many players are out, No. 8 North Carolina just keeps putting up a fight, regardless of the opponent. Against No. 16 Duke, freshman Lanie Grant — in her first college start — did her best to make up for playing without stars Reniya Kelly and Alyssa Ustby as UNC led by one at halftime. But the Blue Devils had too much firepower at the end, pulling away for a 68–53 victory Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Coach Davis uses USA hockey fights to motivate Tar Heels

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Many have questioned where North Carolina’s passion and fight is during many games this season, and Coach Hubert Davis has done all he can to bring it out. Before Monday’s 96–85 victory, he had another game-day tactic to ensure his team came out fighting.

UNC’s NET ranking improves, but wins over Canes, Hokies crucial to NCAA resume

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — North Carolina’s NCAA tournament chances, which were remote two weeks earlier, continue to improve after Monday’s 96–85 Quad 2 victory at Florida State for the Tar Heels’ fourth consecutive victory.

With switch flipped, UNC rolls to fourth straight win

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Suddenly, North Carolina is playing confidently, finding the right combinations and looking nothing like the Tar Heels who hit rock bottom two weeks ago at Clemson. With balanced scoring, consistent rebounding and a verve the Tar Heels could only dream of most of the season, the Tar Heels rolled into the Tucker Center — where many better UNC teams have stumbled — looking dramatically different.