Keeping It Heel
Fansided

NCAA Tournament Best UNC first and second round games of all-time

By Horran Cameron

Mar 15, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; General view of the March Madness logo during practice prior to the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; General view of the March Madness logo during practice prior to the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. UNC-Charlotte 49ers (1998), Second Round (Round of 32)

This second round matchup was a barn burner (Southern slang that refers to an “exciting game”).

No. 1 seed North Carolina was pushed to the limit by No. 8 seed UNC-Charlotte. The UNC-Charlotte 49ers had three players who played at least 40 minutes. Yes, that is correct. This game went to overtime.

In large part due to their rebounding and defense, Charlotte led North Carolina at halftime 36-32. Charlotte had 25 rebounds compared to UNC’s 12 rebounds at halftime.

UNC started the second half off hot. The Tar Heels went on a 12-0 run to take a 44-36 lead. For the rest of the game, Charlotte kept the game close.

The Tar Heels’ lead would not get past seven points or below one point.

The game became very interesting in the last seconds of regulation. Charlotte tied the game 74-74 with 2.9 seconds left in the game. After UNC mishandled a possession, Charlotte had 1.4 seconds to win the game. They could not convert a shot, which sent the game to overtime.

In overtime, UNC prevailed.

They outscored the 49ers 19 to 9 in overtime. UNC guard Shammond Williams led all scorers with 32 points (10-of-14 from the field, 6-of-9 from three-point range, 6-of-6 from free throw line) along with five assists and five rebounds.

Vince Carter finished the game with 24 points (9-of-15 from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point range), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. 1998 National Consensus Player of the Year Antawn Jamison had 19 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

UNC head coach Bill Guthridge utilized a “floating starting six.” Six players, Carter, Ed Cota, Jamison, Makhtar N’Diaye, Ademola Okulaja and Williams took turns starting games.

Charlotte was led by Sean Colson, DeMarco Johnson and Diego Guevara. Johnson finished the game with 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block. Colson had 21 points and 10 assists. Guevara scored 16 points (4-of-5 three point field goals).

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