UNC Basketball: Tar Heels blowout Wolfpack at home

The UNC basketball program routed NC State on Saturday afternoon to extend their win streak to three-straight

Saturday afternoon was a special day for the UNC basketball program with legendary head coach Roy Williams being honored as well as the 1982 national championship team. And in front of Williams, Michael Jordan and others, the Tar Heels put on a show in their 100-80 win over NC State.

Hubert Davis’ team came out on fire making their first six shot attempts of the game to grab an early lead and they never looked back. UNC’s lead stretched out to 40-19 in the first half before the team took a 56-51 lead at the break, after scoring just 58 total points in the win over Boston College on Wednesday. 

And a big reason why was their three-point shooting.

The Tar Heels went 10-of-15 from the three-point line in the first half including four from transfer Brady Manek. But it wasn’t only Manek draining threes, six Tar Heels made three-pointers in the first half including sophomores Kerwin Walton and Puff Johnson, both who were struggling coming into the game.

UNC’s hot shooting continued in the second half as they led by 30 or more for most of that half in the blowout.

On the game, the Tar Heels shot 54.8 percent from the field while making 55.6 percent of their three-pointers. The Wolfpack, despite a strong effort from  Terquavion Smith (32 points) and Jericole Hellems (25 points), just couldn’t keep up with the hot shooting from UNC. NC State finished the game shooting 38.8 percent from the field as their struggles continued.

UNC had four of their five starters score in double digits led by 21 from Caleb Love. Armando Bacot added 18 points and 13 rebounds finishing with another double-double while R.J. Davis and Brady Manek added 17 on the day.

In total, 11 Tar Heels scored in the game as Davis was able to empty his bench late and get Blue Steel some run. The win now moves UNC to 15-6 overall and 7-3 in conference play as an important week looms with games at Louisville and then at home vs. Duke. Davis also gets his first win in this rivalry, going 1-0 while Roy Williams (38-5 overall vs. the Wolfpack) watched.

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