Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Brice Johnson’s biggest moments as a Tar Heel

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) reacts after they scored in the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers during day three of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) reacts after they scored in the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers during day three of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Block Party

In North Carolina’s opening round game against 16-seed Florida Gulf Coast, the Tar Heels were simply too big and too talented for the small school underdog to truly compete down the stretch. Although the Heels were up only one point at halftime, they seemed to be on cruise control from the start of the game.

One player in particular though who was playing in high gear from start to finish was Johnson. In a game that Johnson played 32 minutes, it wasn’t his 18 points or seven rebounds that impressed onlookers. It was his eight blocks.

Johnson was the epitome of a rim protector against FGCU, denying any would-be scorers who threatened to shoot a short floater or put a ball off the glass. When FGCU guard Zach Johnson went up for an emphatic dunk, Johnson met him at the rim with a powerful block, pinning the ball against the backboard.

In a game where a talented and under-seeded team played really well against a 1-seed, Johnson’s defensive presence was a game-changer.

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