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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tom Izzo says it’s too early to declare anything definitive about his No. 11 Michigan State team, or any team, for that matter. After the Spartans thumped an overmatched East Carolina team 89–56 on Tuesday at the Fort Myers Tip-Off, the Hall of Fame coach has seen enough Novembers to know that early games don’t always tell the truth.
Bill Belichick didn’t need any reminders about the stakes. His first season at North Carolina has already introduced him to plenty of emotional swings, but this week’s challenge — a Saturday night finale at N.C. State — comes with its own gravity.
It was more Maui frustration for Ven-Allen Lubin despite a good game, while Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson had contrasting luck in Vegas as holiday tournaments tipped off on Monday.
Here’s a look at Tuesday’s Fort Myers Tip-Off matchup between No. 16 North Carolina and undefeated St. Bonaventure.
North Carolina moved up two spots in the AP Top 25 men’s poll to No. 16 on Monday after beating Navy in its only game last week. The Tar Heels (5–0), who beat the Midshipmen 73–61 on Tuesday, are ranked the highest since they were No. 12 nearly one year ago on Nov. 25.
North Carolina moved up two spots in the AP Top 25 women’s poll to No. 12 after a pair of blowout victories last week against in-state, nonconference competition, and remains the highest-ranked ACC team.
RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram stayed hot in the G League with standout performances Sunday night as their teams continued strong starts, while Cameron Johnson delivered his best game of the season Saturday.
Drake Maye said his game Sunday was about battling back from adversity. He threw for a career-high 294 yards and a touchdown in New England’s 26–20 come-from-behind win over Cincinnati to extend the Patriots’ win streak to nine. But his day started with an interception that was returned for a touchdown on the opening drive, the first pick-six of his career.
CHAPEL HILL — As Carolina’s relentless defense repeatedly caused havoc, the only question was whether UNCG’s field goal total would match its turnover total. It didn’t.
CHAPEL HILL — The story of North Carolina’s football season isn’t one game or one call. It’s the accumulation of small edges lost and big moments missed, all after a massive offseason roster turnover and a highly paid head coach and staff trying to install new standards and a new identity. Coach Bill Belichick and his staff have fallen well short of whatever identity he or Tar Heels fans expected.
Cade Tyson learned Saturday night what life is like when you’re at the top of an opponent’s scouting report. After leading Minnesota in scoring in each of its first five games, Tyson was held to a season low of 14 points in a season-high 39 minutes as the Gophers lost to San Francisco 77–65 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
For the third time this season, just like the games against California and Virginia, the Tar Heels found ways to lose the game. In a season of what might have been, this one will particularly sting in how it all fell apart.
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina’s small margin of error to beat Duke got thrown away in the form of repeated damaging penalty flags. Despite all that, the Tar Heels had a fourth-quarter lead and a shot at victory before the Blue Devils perfectly executed a fake field-goal attempt that led to the game-winning touchdown in a 32–25 victory Saturday at Kenan Stadium.
Here’s a look at No. 14 North Carolina’s home matchup Sunday night at Carmichael Arena against UNCG.
Portland Trail Blazers fans got their first taste of the Caleb Love Experience this week, complete with a huge late 3-pointer.
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