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CHAPEL HILL — Uncommon, unconscious shooting calls for creative celebrations on the bench. That happened on Saturday when UNC graduate guard Lexi Donarski scored five 3-pointers in the third quarter of the No. 3-seed Tar Heels’ 70–49 victory Saturday in the first round of the NCAA tournament over Oregon State.
CHAPEL HILL — If there was ever any chance that Oregon State could pull the upset, graduate UNC guard Lexi Donarski shot them down — repeatedly — on a day that Alyssa Ustby became the program’s all-time leading rebounder. Donarski was the catalyst in delivering a third-quarter knockout with five 3-pointers as the No. 3-seed Tar Heels turned a two-point halftime lead into a thumping and coasted to a 70–49 victory over the No. 14-seed Beavers in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Carmichael Arena.
MILWAUKEE — North Carolina’s biggest issue all season was roster construction, and the Tar Heels will immediately begin working to prevent the same problem from happening again. With the transfer portal opening Monday, General Manager Jim Tanner, Coach Hubert Davis and his staff will be able to concentrate totally on next season’s roster after the Tar Heels’ season-ending 71–64 loss Friday to Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
MILWAUKEE — Carolina nearly made up for one of its worst halves of the season, refusing to exit the NCAA tournament without a fight. It just wasn’t enough.
MILWAUKEE — Here is a video and a full transcript of North Carolina’s press conference, with Coach Hubert Davis, RJ Davis and Seth Davis, after the Tar Heels’ 71–64 first-round loss Friday afternoon to Ole Miss.
CHAPEL HILL — When Alyssa Ustby didn’t hear her name called on senior day against Virginia in Carmichael Arena, she was heartbroken. The graduate forward had waited five years for the moment. But an injury against N.C. State on Feb. 16 derailed that opportunity. Ustby had to have surgery on her left knee, forcing her to miss the last four games of the season.
MILWAUKEE — Here is a video and a full transcript of North Carolina’s press conference Thursday at the Fiserv Forum, with Coach Hubert Davis, Seth Trimble and RJ Davis, ahead of the Tar Heels’ first round game on Friday against Ole Miss.
DAYTON, Ohio — Seth Trimble’s versatility and ability to do whatever it takes to leave Tar Heels fans happy knows no bounds. He had left the court during Tuesday’s 95–68 First Four victory over San Diego State, but he was still making a difference, at least to some young fans, signing autographs before the game ended.
Alyssa Ustby had surgery on her left knee after getting hurt in mid-February and returned 14 days later. Ustby disclosed the surgery during Wednesday’s “Holding Court with Courtney Banghart” radio show ahead of the 4:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU) NCAA tournament opener for No. 3-seed and No. 12-ranked UNC (27–7) at Carmichael Arena against No. 14-seed Oregon State (19–15).
DAYTON, Ohio — It’s hard to stop this North Carolina team when it’s locked in, even against a highly touted defense. The Tar Heels rolled in and out of the First Four with a dominating effort, dispatching San Diego State 95–68 in a battle of No. 11 seeds Tuesday at the UD Arena, with peak-level RJ Davis and another impressive game from point guard Elliot Cadeau.
DAYTON, Ohio — Ian Jackson’s Muslim faith means a lot to him, which has meant some challenges that would be daunting for most players in March. Fasting during Ramadan, first during the ACC tournament and now the NCAA tournament, is routine for the freshman guard.
DAYTON, Ohio — North Carolina coach Hubert Davis and guards RJ Davis and Seth Trimble met with the media on Monday at the University of Dayton Arena ahead of the Tar Heels’ First Four game at 9:10 Tuesday night against San Diego State. Here are a video and a transcript of the press conference, in addition to the video and press conference for the Aztecs, with Brian Dutcher, Nick Boyd, Miles Byrd, Jared Coleman-Jones.
The NCAA tournament field was announced Sunday afternoon, and the North Carolina Tar Heels snuck in the back door, as UNC was the last team included. The content gods delivered, and, as The OG Podcast host Joe Ovies noted, the discussion regarding Carolina’s selection was immediately lively.
North Carolina’s non-conference strength of schedule ultimately was enough to get the Tar Heels into the NCAA tournament field. In the program’s 54th appearance they’ll play in the First Four. UNC (22–13) will meet San Diego State on Wednesday at 9 p.m. (truTV) for the right to advance to Milwaukee on Friday to meet No. 6-seed Ole Miss (22–11). If UNC wins that round of 64 game, it would play on Sunday against the winner of the game between No. 3-seed Iowa State (24–9) and No. 14-seed Lipscomb (25–9).
The projections for North Carolina have only become less favorable since Friday’s ACC tournament semifinal loss to No. 1 Duke. If the NCAA tournament selection committee agrees, winning eight of their last 10 games — with the only losses against the Blue Devils (31–3; 1st in NET) — won’t be enough for the Tar Heels (22–13) to make the field. It could be a rare year where a team 36th in the NET, which is where UNC stands, misses the field.
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