March Madness is in full swing, and the North Carolina Tar Heels just made a statement.
After weeks of debate over whether they even deserved a spot in the NCAA Tournament, UNC put all doubts to rest with a commanding 95-68 victory over San Diego State in the First Four matchup. Now, with momentum on their side, the Tar Heels are gearing up for a first-round showdown against Ole Miss on Friday in Milwaukee.
RJ Davis Leads the Charge with Historic Performance
If there was ever a way to prove the doubters wrong, RJ Davis found it. The junior guard put on a shooting clinic, scoring 26 points while going a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range. That feat tied a school record for the most three-pointers made in an NCAA Tournament game without a miss.
“I just felt in rhythm tonight,” Davis said after the game. “Once the first couple went in, I knew it was going to be a good night.”
Total Team Effort Fuels UNC’s Win
Davis wasn’t the only one shining in Dayton. The Tar Heels played one of their most balanced games of the season, with key contributions from across the roster:
Jae’Lyn Withers controlled the boards, securing a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Seth Trimble provided a major spark off the bench, dropping 16 points.
Elliot Cadeau orchestrated the offense beautifully, dishing out 12 assists.
UNC’s offense was clicking, shooting 52.6% from the field and a red-hot 58.3% from deep. Meanwhile, their defense shut down the Aztecs, holding them to just 39.7% shooting.
Shutting Down the Critics
Before the game, plenty of analysts—including ESPN’s Dick Vitale—had openly questioned UNC’s inclusion in the tournament. Some believed their resume lacked enough high-quality wins. But after watching the Tar Heels dominate a well-regarded San Diego State team, those same critics might be changing their tune.
Next Stop: Ole Miss
With one win down, the Tar Heels now shift their focus to Friday’s first-round matchup against the No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels, led by head coach Chris Beard, finished the season 22-11 and have a tough, physical playing style.
UNC will need another strong performance from Davis, Withers, and Cadeau if they hope to keep their tournament run alive.
Can the Tar Heels keep proving people wrong? We’ll find out Friday.
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For full details on UNC’s tournament journey, check out these sources:
UNC’s Dominant Win Over San Diego State
Full Game Recap and Highlights
March Madness Bracket & UNC’s Next Opponent