UNC rallies to win huge Garden classic over Ohio State

If it wasn’t clear before Saturday that North Carolina needs to run its offense through Armando Bacot, he left no doubt against No. 23 Ohio State. It also became clear that leaning on Bacot may not be enough if the Tar Heels can’t shake their perimeter shooting slump. That finally happened in the latter part of regulation — thanks to Caleb Love, RJ Davis and Leaky Black — and Pete Nance hit a huge shot at the regulation buzzer as they earned a thrilling 89–84 overtime victory over the Buckeyes in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Tar Heels in NBA: Barnes earns bling with defense, scores 19 in Kings win; Anthony hits 14 as Magic pull upset at Boston

Harrison Barnes keeps playing good all-around games, and it’s no coincidence that the Sacramento Kings are having one of their best seasons in years. He’s getting the job done on defense, and has the bling to prove it. Barnes made huge plays down the stretch as Sacramento ended a six-game Eastern Conference road trip with a 122–113 victory at Detroit on Friday night.

Love calls Nickel most confident shooter on UNC team

CHAPEL HILL — If you ask Armando Bacot or most Carolina fans which Tar Heel is the most confident shooter, the consistent answer would be Caleb Love. Love, however, would beg to differ. He gives that honor to freshman Tyler Nickel. “He’s got the most confidence on the team,” Love said after the 100–67 win Tuesday over The Citadel. “He thinks every shot is going in.”

Tar Heels in NBA: Anthony keeps producing off bench for surging Magic; Barnes, Bullock, White each score 12

Cole Anthony keeps producing efficient minutes off the bench, and Orlando keeps winning, something the third-year pro hasn’t seen much of with the Magic. Anthony contributed 13 points, five rebounds and six assists while playing good defense in 20 minutes as Orlando rolled to a 135–124 home victory Wednesday night over the Atlanta Hawks for their first four-game win streak since his rookie season.

Carolina rolls with season-high 15 3s, including late biscuits-winner

CHAPEL HILL — As Michael Jordan says in the pregame video, “This is Carolina basketball.” For the first time this season, North Carolina dominated an opponent thoroughly, thanks to season-high totals of 15 3-pointers and 24 assists, and it looked like what fans traditionally expect. A Hall of Fame coach likes to say it looks better when the ball goes in the basket. It does, and it did against The Citadel.

Tar Heels in NBA: Sharpe starts, ties career-highs in points, rebounds with double-double as short-handed Nets win

Day’Ron Sharpe got a golden chance to show what he could do in the NBA and, despite playing for a short-handed team, he started and put up a double-double in an amazing Brooklyn Nets win. Sharpe tied his career-highs with 20 points and 12 rebounds in a career-high 32 minutes as the Nets rallied to win Saturday at Indiana 136–133. They did it despite playing without Kevin Durant (knee), Kyrie Irving (adductor), Nic Claxton (hamstring), Joe Harris (ankle), Royce O’Neale (personal reasons) and Seth Curry (ankle), with only nine players available.