North Carolina jumped two spots to No. 9 in the AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll after an impressive victory over Oklahoma.
Tag: NCAA
UNC holds spot in Top 25 women’s poll after win over Oklahoma
After rallying for a victory over Oklahoma, North Carolina stayed at No. 24 in the latest AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll released on Monday. The Tar Heels (8–4) pulled away from a game tied at halftime to earn a 61–52 victory over the Sooners on Tuesday in the Jumpman Invitational at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.
Love hits 26, makes many big shots, but last one doesn’t fall in Arizona loss
Caleb Love has never been shy about taking a shot in a pressure situation on a national stage, and he showed that again Saturday in Las Vegas. His last one, a long 3-point attempt that would have won the game, didn’t fall, though, after repeatedly coming up clutch after halftime on a day when he scored 26 points, four 3-pointers, made all four free-throw attempts and pulled down five rebounds.
UNC’s ACC men’s schedule good for NET ranking, but makes winning title tougher
Since the days of the double round-robin ACC schedule are long over, there will always be inequities in the conference schedule. This season, that’s good for No. 11 Carolina’s NET ranking, but winning the regular-season conference title will be more challenging than it will be for other teams.
Episode 2 of the “Bleav in Heels Hoops” podcast
Former Carolina star center Tyler Zeller joins co-hosts Desmond Johnson and Tyler Zeller to talk about the Tar Heels’ win over No. 7 Oklahoma, RJ Davis’ monster season, the passing of Eric Montross and what players, such as Zeller, do to get their jerseys honored.
How North Carolina shut down Oklahoma’s high-powered motion offense
Ahead of the final game before the holiday break, North Carolina had its hands full trying to prepare for an Oklahoma Sooners offense, led by sophomore guard Otega Oweh and junior guard Javian McCollum. Here’s a look at what strategies Carolina coach Hubert Davis employed on the defensive end and how they were able to take the 10-0 Sooners out of their normal rhythm.
Heels turn up the defense in impressive victory over No. 7 Sooners
CHARLOTTE — No. 11 North Carolina finished a pre-Christmas gauntlet of challenges against highly ranked teams impressively against No. 7 Oklahoma, fueled by the Tar Heels’ best defense of the season. RJ Davis collected 23 points, four 3-pointers, five assists, three steals and no turnovers as UNC ended a two-game losing streak with an 81–69 victory Wednesday at the Spectrum Center at the second Jumpman Invitational.
UNC signs fifth straight top-25 football recruiting class
Carolina football welcomed 27 newcomers, including 20 early enrollees, on National Signing Day on Wednesday to give the program five consecutive top 25 recruiting classes
Kelly heroically scores 21, despite throwing up during time outs, as UNC surges to win in second half
CHARLOTTE — The game started late, and No. 24 North Carolina found the offensive rhythm late. Despite being sick for three days and throwing up during time outs, senior Deja Kelly fixed that,and the Tar Heels pulled away in the second half for a 61–52 victory Tuesday night at the Jumpman Invitational in the Spectrum Center.
Love’s 29 not enough against Purdue; Dunn’s career-high 17, Johnson’s 15 can’t push Penn State over Jackets
Three former Carolina players had big games in tough losses Saturday.
Caleb Love’s season-high 29 points, 20 in the second half, weren’t enough for No. 1 Arizona to overcome No. 3 Purdue. D’Marco Dunn scored a career-high 17 points and Puff Johnson had a season-high 15 points in a tough overtime loss with a controversial finish.
UNC can’t match Kentucky’s physicality or make enough plays at the end
ATLANTA — Cormac Ryan found his shot in Atlanta, but Armando Bacot could barely get off any shots against No. 14 Kentucky’s tall, physical lineup that dominated the boards. Even with Bacot neutralized for most of the game, No. 9 Carolina challenged No. 14 Kentucky until the end but couldn’t get enough stops or plays in the final minutes as the Wildcats held on for an 87–83 victory Saturday at the CBS Sports Classic in the State Farm Arena.
NCAA resume-building time is next 3+ weeks, beginning with Kentucky game
It is still early in the season, but it’s already NCAA resume-building time for the No. 9 North Carolina men’s basketball team. Tuesday’s 87–76 loss at Madison Square Garden to No. 5 and reigning NCAA champion UConn (NET ranking of 7) was the first of six Quad 1 opponents in seven games under the current NET rankings.
Healthier Heels pick up the pace, roll past Western Carolina
CHAPEL HILL — In probably the last sure win on No. 25 North Carolina’s schedule, the Tar Heels took full advantage on a feel-good night full of holiday cheers and torrid defense. Eager to rebound from a short-handed loss to No. 17 UConn, the Tar Heels — with two players back who didn’t play in that game — dominated Western Carolina at Carmichael Arena. UNC led by 64 points late before finishing off a 96–36 win behind senior wing Alyssa Ustby’s 23 points.
To rebound from UConn loss, Hubert Davis says Heels have to rebound
CHAPEL HILL — “Rebounding.” Carolina coach Hubert Davis, in lightning-fast fashion, provided that one-word answer Thursday afternoon when asked what his team had worked on — even before the reporter completed the question — since the No. 9 Tar Heels lost 87–76 on Dec. 5 in New York to No. 5 UConn.
Debut episode: “Bleav in Heels Hoops” podcast, presented by Tar Heel Tribune and Tobacco Road Sports Radio
This is the first episode of the “Bleav in Heels Hoops” podcast, presented by Tar Heel Tribune and Tobacco Road Sports Radio, with c-hosts Desmond Johnson and R.L. Bynum talking about Carolina basketball. In the first episode, they discuss this list of the top 10 UNC-Kentucky games, look back at the loss to UConn and ahead at Saturday’s game in Atlanta against Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic.
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