NCAA Tournament Preview
The Tar Heels, having won nine out of their last eleven matches, are set to face No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the opening round of the NCAA South Regional. The game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. on Friday, March 21, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and will be broadcast on TNT. Carolina, seeded 11th, holds a record of 23-13, while the Rebels stand at 22-11.
Recent Performance
In a recent victory against San Diego State, RJ Davis contributed significantly by making six of Carolina’s record-breaking 14 three-pointers. Elliot Cadeau provided 12 assists, and the Tar Heels’ offensive output was the highest this season against a San Diego State opponent, culminating in a 95-68 win in the First Four game in Dayton, Ohio. Carolina’s shooting percentages reached 52.6% from the field, 58.3% from beyond the arc, and 87.5% from the free-throw line, achieving the remarkable feat of shooting 50/50/85 while scoring over 95 points.
Historical Context
This marks Carolina’s 54th season in the NCAA Tournament, a record second only to Kentucky’s 62 appearances. The Tar Heels hold the highest number of NCAA Tournament wins at 134 and are known for competing in a record 21 Final Fours, last appearing in 2022 when Hubert Davis first took the helm. Carolina has secured six NCAA Tournament championships, with their round of 64 record standing at 34-2 since the format was introduced in 1985.
Against Ole Miss
This matchup against Ole Miss will be the first encounter between the two teams in nearly a century, with both sides having won one game in their previous meetings. Carolina triumphed in the Southern Conference Tournament semifinals in 1926, while Ole Miss claimed victory in a 1923 tournament match.
Season Review
This season, the Tar Heels recorded 23 victories, achieving over 20 wins for the 65th time in their history. In ACC play, they tied for fourth place with a 13-7 record, marking the 62nd time they finished within the top four in the conference. Carolina faced a rigorous non-conference schedule and recorded a 10-6 record outside the ACC, with several losses to ranked teams.
Player Highlights
RJ Davis has been a standout player, with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances and a scoring average of 16.1 points during these games. He has made notable contributions, including multiple three-pointers, and is recognized for his free throw percentage among the best in tournament history. Other players who played in last year’s tournament, such as Elliot Cadeau and Jae’Lyn Withers, are also poised to make an impact in the upcoming games.
Coach Hubert Davis’ Milestones
Hubert Davis recently celebrated his 100th career victory as head coach of the Tar Heels, making him the third fastest to achieve this milestone at UNC. Under his leadership, the team has had a successful four-year tenure, marked by consistent winning seasons and tournament appearances.
