UNC wraps up ACC, gets last laugh at Duke, fans
DURHAM, N.C.– North Carolina didn’t squander a chance to celebrate the program’s first straight-out Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title in seven years on the homecourt of intense competing Duke.The seventh-ranked Tar Heels collected by the midcourt sideline near the “Cameron Crazies” and waved goodbye in a taunting farewell, only to be responded to by several people tossing water and empty plastic bottles at them in frustration.No matter, figured the Tar Heels. Not after Saturday night’s 84-79 win that protected the top seed in the ACC tournament and a season sweep of the ninth-ranked Blue Devils that saw UNC track for just 16 seconds in between the 2 games.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated”I absolutely
believe it was uncalled for, but I suggest, it’s a competition game so I type of expected it,”UNC guard RJ Davis said with a smile.” We’re still going to enjoy it at the end of the day.”Cormac Ryan scored a career-high 31 points, shooting 8 of 12 from the field and 6 of 8 on 3-pointers to help the Tar Heels (25-6, 17-3 ACC )turn away push after push from Duke– and Ryan made sure to let the fans hear it with some fired-up reactions.He closed out the game with 2 clinching complimentary tosses with 4.7 seconds left.” We understood what it meant.
We understood what was at stake, “Ryan stated.”And to walk out of this structure is constantly great.
“Harrison Ingram added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Tar Heels, who shot 50 %for the game. UNC went out to a 15-point lead
with a dominant start, then remained in control all night.UNC big male Armando Bacot, who had nine points and eight rebounds, stated the key was following the directions of assistant coach Jeff Lebo throughout a halftime message with the Tar Heels up 40-31.”He informed us there was going to be a point in the game when they returned, however we just had to remain poised and refrain from doing excessive out of the regular,”Bacot said.To that point, Duke(24-7, 15-5)got within a single point on Jeremy Roach’s 3-pointer at the 16:59 mark. However the Blue Devils never ever totally eliminated the deficit and never ever led, leading to second-year coach Jon Scheyer asking forgiveness to the front row of Crazies later.”I’m sorry,”he informed them.”We’re going to keep going, we’re going to get this right.”Kyle Filipowski had 23 points to lead heaven Devils, while retired Hall of Popularity coach Mike Krzyzewski made an uncommon courtside appearance for the game.
“We didn’t play our finest basketball in general, “Filipowski said, adding:”
We’re still one of the very best teams in the country. Our season’s not specified by UNC.”The Associated Press added to this story.