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It’s always interesting to see how a team that has been eliminated from postseason contention plays its final game, especially against a rival. Does it play inspired, or does it just show up to play out the string? It was the latter that showed up for the annual renewal of the UNC-N.C. State clash on Saturday night in Raleigh, as the Tar Heels put up a mostly uninspired effort in a generally demoralizing 42–19 loss.
RALEIGH — The undisciplined penalties, costly mistakes and lapses that have made Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina a flop all came together on one cold night.
Carolina finished off a dominant week at the Cancun Challenge with another one-sided victory on Saturday, led by huge days from Lanie Grant and Ciera Toomey. After winning their first two games by 35 points and 12 points, the Tar Heels pulled away from a close game in the second half. The 80–63 victory over Columbia at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, earned UNC the tournament title.
In a pivotal NBA Cup battle between the Tar Heels on Friday night, Cameron Johnson capped a strong week with his best game as a Denver Nugget. But it wasn’t enough against Harrison Barnes’ San Antonio Spurs.
Jalen Washington enjoyed the best two-game stretch of his college career to help unbeaten Vanderbilt win the Battle 4 Atlantis championship on Friday, when Cade Tyson had another prolific game in another Minnesota loss.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The No. 16 Tar Heels were part of history in defeat on Thanksgiving Day. North Carolina’s matchup with Michigan State in the Fort Myers Tip-Off was the most-watched college basketball game in Fox Network history, according to Nielsen fast national data.
No. 12 North Carolina continued to rain in the 3-pointers, but it felt like a storm of them Friday at the Cancun Challenge. Lanie Grant scored a season-high 15 points and a career-high four 3-pointers as UNC tied the program single-game record of 14 3-pointers. The Tar Heels eased to an 85–73 victory over Kansas State at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya to extend their win streak to five.
Tyler Nickel and Jalen Washington both scored in double figures in a Vanderbilt victory, while Cade Tyson scored 19 points in a Minnesota loss.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — When the outside shot failed No. 16 North Carolina, the Tar Heels fell out of their comfort zone, and No. 11 Michigan State pounced. With the Spartans collapsing to shut off driving lanes and the Tar Heels’ ball movement not as good, unbeaten Michigan State took control. The Spartans were ultimately more physical and used a late 9–0 run on their way to a 74–58 victory Thursday at the Fort Myers Tip-Off.
On Thanksgiving Day, No. 12 North Carolina has to be thankful for the versatility of senior guard Indya Nivar. Nivar registered the second triple-double in program history with 13 points, 12 rebounds while tying a 40-year-old program record with 10 steals as the Tar Heels rolled to an 83–48 victory over previously undefeated South Dakota State at the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico.
Here’s a look at the UNC at N.C. State matchup with lines, statistics, notes and depth chart.
Elliot Cadeau’s outstanding floor game led to another blowout Michigan win on a night that Ven-Allen Lubin’s big numbers weren’t enough for N.C. State and Ian Jackson had a quiet night in another St. John’s loss.
Here’s a look at Thursday’s Cancun Challege game between No. 12 North Carolina and South Dakota State.
Here’s a look at Thursday’s marquee matchup at the Fort Myers Tip-Off between No. 16 North Carolina and No. 11 Michigan State.
Ian Jackson rebounded from a bad first game at the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas with a solid effort on Tuesday. Meanwhile, No. 7 Michigan advanced to the championship game of that event for the right to win big money despite Elliot Cadeau’s struggles on a day when Ven-Allen Lubin registered a double-double in Maui.
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