UNC Basketball: Joel Berry sets new program record with win over Duke
By Zack Pearson
Joel Berry is now atop a big list at the University of North Carolina following the win over Duke
University of North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Joel Berry has already racked up some accolades in his college career but he’s not done yet.
Berry has helped UNC reach back-to-back Final Fours, won the 2017 Final Four Most Outstanding Player and is a national champion. He’s been a special player for the Tar Heels since the first time he stepped on the court in 2014.
As we approach the final games of Berry’s career, the point guard is still reaching milestones and climbing up big program lists. His latest one came Friday night after the Tar Heels held off a late Duke run to beat the Blue Devils and advance to the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Championship.
With the win, Berry has now played in 60 ACC wins during his time at North Carolina which is the most-ever by a Tar Heel in their career. Berry passed his former teammates Isaiah Hicks and Nate Britt who played in 59 wins each.
h/t to Pat James for the stat:
With tonight's victory, Joel Berry has played in 60 ACC wins (50 regular season and 10 ACC Tournament) during his career. That's the most ACC wins by any player in @UNC_Basketball history. Nate Britt and Isaiah Hicks played in 59 ACC wins.
— Pat James (@patjames24) March 10, 2018
Berry is now atop the list that includes UNC legends such as Marcus Paige, Tyler Hansbrough and Brice Johnson among others.
UNC has now won three games in three days in the ACC Tournament after grabbing the No. 6 seed. They beat Syracuse to open the tournament, then No. 3 Miami and finally No. 2 Duke to reach the title game against No. 1 Virginia.
It will be Berry’s final conference game of his career with one more chance to add to his total.
The senior finished the game with 13 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds as UNC held on despite a long span without a field goal to end the game. Saturday’s ACC Championship Game will be the third in Berry’s career with UNC beating Virginia in 2016 and losing to Notre Dame in 2015.
The Tar Heels currently sit on the No. 2 line in the NCAA Tournament according to multiple bracket projections and may have an outside shot at a No. 1 seed with a win over Virginia on Saturday.
Next: UNC holds off a late Duke rally to advance to ACC Championship Game
For complete coverage of Saturday’s game, please check back with Keeping It Heel.