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UNC Basketball: Roy Williams ties Bobby Knight on wins list

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 06: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts following a play during the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center on March 06, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 06: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts following a play during the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center on March 06, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Roy Williams and the UNC Basketball program got their 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament off to a big start using a 37-2 run late in the second half to blow past Notre Dame on Wednesday night. 

While UNC dominated on the boards early, creating second chances and limiting the Fighting Irish, they really didn’t pull away until that second half. But in the end, they got the big win and have advanced to Thursday’s quarterfinals against Virginia Tech.

The win not only helped UNC’s seed in the NCAA Tournament but it also was a milestone for Williams.

The head coach earned win No. 902, which now ties him with Bobby Knight for third all-time among men’s division 1 coaches. It comes just a few weeks after he earned win No. 900 in comeback fashion over Florida State.

Williams will have at minimum two chances to pass Knight for sole possession of third most wins all time this season. The first opportunity comes Thursday night as UNC takes on Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals. If the Tar Heels lose, his next shot would be next week in the NCAA Tournament as the Tar Heels are firmly in the field of 68.

The head coach might have a slim shot to catch Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim who is third and is still active. Syracuse also won on Wednesday and is playing Virginia on Thursday. However, Williams would need to have a few big seasons here down the stretch to have any shot at catching Boeheim in the near future.

Still, this is an incredible accomplishment for Williams who turns 71 this August.

Next. UNC vs. VT: Game preview, info and more. dark

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