UNC Basketball: Senior duo make the most of final home game

On ‘Senior Night,’ the UNC basketball program picked up an overtime victory against Syracuse, thanks in large part to contributions from two of their current seniors.

It’s crazy to think that we’ve reached the point of the 2021-22 college basketball season where there will be no more home games at the Dean Smith Center.

On Monday night, the UNC basketball program celebrated their annual ‘Senior Night,’ as they honored three members of the team for their contributions over their collegiate careers. The actual festivities were a bit different than what we’re used to seeing, but the same objective remains in place:

Win the final game at home to send the seniors off on a good note.

Typical to this year’s Tar Heels squad, they definitely like to make things interesting. After trailing late in the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels forced overtime and ultimately secured a victory against Syracuse.

When thinking about naming a “Tar Heel of the Game,” you could look at a few different options.

Armando Bacot was outstanding again, as he tied Brice Johnson’s single-season double-double record with his 17-point, 18-rebound performance. Fellow co-captain R.J. Davis was also very good, as he also scored 17 points while recording five assists. Although he did struggle from the field throughout, Caleb Love made a late push to be in the conversation, as he connected on a few timely shots that helped propel the team to victory.

However, as good as those guys played, it’s only fitting to give the award to two senior members who were also standout performers in this one.

Let’s start with Brady Manek. The senior transfer from Oklahoma once again led the Tar Heels in scoring with 22 points, as he drained nine of his 18 shots from the floor. He was also impactful in other ways, as he recorded five rebounds to go along with three assists.

We say this a lot, but we DEFINITELY wish that Manek could stay at least another season!

Regarding the next senior, I think it’s time that we start the #BringBackLeakyBlack movement.

Black has been coming into form of late, and it truly has been a pleasure to watch. Not only has he been much better shooting the basketball, but he’s still doing the little things that made him so impactful to begin with.

In this contest, his biggest assignment was to slow down Buddy Boeheim, who came into the game second in scoring among all ACC players. Black made it difficult for the senior guard, as he held him to just 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the floor. He also recorded three blocks, which tied his most in a single game this season.

Offensively, Black only made two of his six shots but recorded eight points which turned out to be a major boost. The senior forward was very active passing the basketball, as he recorded a season-high seven assists. Like normal, Leaky Black did a little bit of everything for the Tar Heels in this one.

The end of regulation got a bit nerve-wracking, but the end result was a favorable one for the UNC basketball program. It’s fitting that the Tar Heels not only won the game but also got big contributions from two of their senior leaders in what could be their final time taking the court at the Dean Smith Center.

Brady Manek and Leaky Black are your co “Tar Heel Players of the Game” for the win against Syracuse. Who will win the award for the final regular-season game against that team from Durham? Check back with the Keeping It Heel team to find out!

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