WASHINGTON, D.C. – UNC basketball didn’t waste any time flexing its muscle teams as the very best seed inside the 2024 ACC Match.
The fourth-ranked Tar Heels set the tone in Thursday’s quarterfinals with a robust first half, cruising to a 92-67 win in opposition to Florida State at Capital One Enviornment.
Elliot Cadeau was diving on the bottom and meting out assists, Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram had been snatching rebounds, and RJ Davis teamed up with Cormac Ryan to knock down a few photos from the perimeter.
Davis, the ACC Participant of the Yr, scored 18 components to steer an all-around effort for UNC (26-6), which may face Wake Forest or Pitt at 7 p.m. in Friday’s first semifinal recreation.
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Proper right here’s what stood out inside the Tar Heels’ debut in D.C. in opposition to FSU (17-16).
UNC basketball stayed in assault mode
The Tar Heels didn’t get jumpshot blissful in opposition to the aggressive Seminoles, scoring 62 of their 92 components inside the paint or on the free-throw line. Defensively, UNC lived as a lot as its defensive standing with 21 components off 10 FSU turnovers and scored a season-high 24 fast-break components. It’s a formulation that helped the Tar Heels win the ACC regular-season title, and one that may end in a championship inside the nation’s capital.
Armando Bacot’s aggression for Tar Heels
In his final ACC Match, Armando Bacot obtained right here out with an enhanced aggression in an effort that led to 12 components and seven rebounds inside the first half. On one possession, UNC snagged 4 offensive rebounds in a row sooner than Bacot accomplished the possession with a layup. Bacot accomplished with 14 components and 10 rebounds in opposition to a Florida State crew that ranks first in widespread peak.
UNC to face Wake Forest or Pitt subsequent
The Tar Heels confronted Wake Forest and Pitt inside the widespread season, worthwhile every video video games. UNC gained 70-57 at Pitt on Jan. 2 in its first road recreation of the season and beat Wake Forest 85-64 on Jan. 22 on the Smith Coronary heart. Every of those opponents are thought-about bubble teams as a result of it pertains to the NCAA Match.
Employees writer Rodd Baxley could also be reached at[email protected] or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.