The UNC basketball program left us all feeling a wide range of emotions on Saturday afternoon.
Fortunately, this roller coaster ended with a win for the guys in Carolina Blue, a much-needed one at that!
North Carolina was on the brink of suffering another conference loss, one that would have definitely put even more negative feelings toward the Tar Heels' NCAA Tournament hopes. However, sophomore Elliot Cadeau came up clutch, knocking down a three-pointer while drawing a foul to tie the game up at 73 all with 4.8 seconds remaining.
In case you missed it, it's a shot you need to see:
Elliot Cadeau with the CLUTCH four point play to win it for UNC! pic.twitter.com/KwiFlGO2pQ
— Keeping It Heel (@KeepingItHeel) January 4, 2025
Cadeau made his free throw to give the Tar Heels the lead, and a defensive stop, one that had us all holding our breaths, captured the nail-biting victory over the Fighting Irish.
The UNC basketball program started out strong, courtesy of a stellar first-half from Ian Jackson. The freshman guard scored 17 points in the first half of play, finishing the game with a career-high 27 points.
While North Carolina didn't get much offensively from the rest of the roster, guys stepped up in big situations (like Cadeau).
RJ Davis only scored eight points but was outstanding in terms of facilitating the basketball, dishing out a career-high seven assists. Guys like Drake Powell, Jalen Washington and Jae'Lyn Withers also made some timely baskets that helped lead to the victory.
North Carolina would falter in the second half, mostly due to the outstanding effort from Notre Dame's Markus Burton. The sophomore guard returned after sitting out weeks due to injury and look like he didn't miss a beat, scoring 23 points off the bench.
A 12-0 run by the Fighting Irish put them right back into the game, as the lead went back and forth over the final 13 minutes of action. While you can point to the second half as a less than ideal performance for the Tar Heels (especially given their foul situation), There is simply no Tar Heel fan who won't gladly take the win.
Cadeau's shot is not only a big one in regard to securing this win for North Carolina, but it is one that could help change the trajectory of the season for the UNC basketball program.