WASHINGTON, D.C. – UNC basketball didn’t waste any time flexing its muscle tissue as the highest seed within the 2024 ACC Event.
The fourth-ranked Tar Heels set the tone in Thursday’s quarterfinals with a formidable first half, cruising to a 92-67 win towards Florida State at Capital One Area.
Elliot Cadeau was diving on the ground and doling out assists, Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram had been snatching rebounds, and RJ Davis teamed up with Cormac Ryan to knock down a couple of pictures from the perimeter.
Davis, the ACC Participant of the Yr, scored 18 factors to guide an all-around effort for UNC (26-6), which is able to face Wake Forest or Pitt at 7 p.m. in Friday’s first semifinal recreation.
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Right here’s what stood out within the Tar Heels’ debut in D.C. towards FSU (17-16).
UNC basketball stayed in assault mode
The Tar Heels didn’t get jumpshot pleased towards the aggressive Seminoles, scoring 62 of their 92 factors within the paint or on the free-throw line. Defensively, UNC lived as much as its defensive popularity with 21 factors off 10 FSU turnovers and scored a season-high 24 fast-break factors. It’s a method that helped the Tar Heels win the ACC regular-season title, and one that would result in a championship within the nation’s capital.
Armando Bacot’s aggression for Tar Heels
In his closing ACC Event, Armando Bacot got here out with an enhanced aggression in an effort that led to 12 factors and 7 rebounds within the first half. On one possession, UNC snagged 4 offensive rebounds in a row earlier than Bacot completed the possession with a layup. Bacot completed with 14 factors and 10 rebounds towards a Florida State staff that ranks first in common peak.
UNC to face Wake Forest or Pitt subsequent
The Tar Heels confronted Wake Forest and Pitt within the common season, successful each video games. UNC gained 70-57 at Pitt on Jan. 2 in its first street recreation of the season and beat Wake Forest 85-64 on Jan. 22 on the Smith Middle. Each of these opponents are thought of bubble groups because it pertains to the NCAA Event.
Employees author Rodd Baxley might be reached atrbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.