GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina’s freshmen once again stole the spotlight at the ACC Tournament, combining to score 51 points to lift the sixth-seeded Tar Heels to an 81-73 victory over No. 3 seed Virginia Tech in quarterfinal action on Thursday.
Less than 24 hours after UNC’s rookie class scored 70 points in a 101-59 blowout win over Notre Dame, they tallied the second-highest point total by Tar Heel freshmen in ACC Tournament history. R.J. Davis scored 14 of his team-high 19 points after halftime, while Day’Ron Sharpe added 10 points and five rebounds.
UNC (18-9, 10-6 ACC) fell behind by eight points early, but retook the lead courtesy of the freshmen, who scored 26 straight points over a 17-minute stretch. Armando Bacot made sure to represent for the sophomore class by scoring 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbing a team-high 13 rebounds.
The Tar Heels trailed 35-32 and by as many as six points early in the second half before outscoring the Hokies, 32-24, over the final 11 minutes.
UNC shot 44.4% from the floor, including 38.1% from 3-point range. Virginia Tech connected on 46.7% of its field goal attempts. The Tar Heels outrebounded their opponent, 43-32.
Rebounding Edge Returns
If Wednesday was an offensive rebounding clinic for the Tar Heels, Thursday had the potential to offer a counter to their work on the boards. UNC had totaled 12 offensive rebounds against Notre Dame by the second media timeout, yet only managed two in the first half against the Hokies, who entered the ACCT quarterfinal round ranked third among major conference teams in defensive rebounding percentage (76.5).
The Tar Heels, who lead the country in offensive rebounding percentage (41.4), got back to their imposing approach after halftime, pulling down 13 offensive rebounds and scoring 15 second-chance points.
Brooks Delivers on Defense
Garrison Brooks returned to the starting lineup after missing Wednesday’s second-round game due to a left ankle injury. It was a key development for the Tar Heels, who needed the senior’s defensive prowess to contain second-team All-ACC forward Keve Aluma.
The Hokie standout’s ability to play on the perimeter is a tough ask for UNC’s other three bigs, although Brooks was able to limit his effectiveness. Aluma scored two points on 1-of-8 shooting in the first half and finished with nine points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Highlight Plays
RJ Davis trey ball, steal & AND OONNEEE! ??@UNC_Basketball | @GoHeels
??: https://t.co/Gbci2dUcV4 pic.twitter.com/0ffLNGbyCH
— ACC Men’s Basketball (@accmbb) March 12, 2021
Roy Williams Career Wins Mark
The UNC Hall of Fame head coach passed Bobby Knight on the all-time career wins list with his 903rd victory on Thursday night. Williams now ranks third all-time behind Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim.
ACCT Notes
UNC improved to 104-48 all-time in the ACC Tournament, including a 42-19 record in Greensboro. Williams is 29-14 all-time in the ACC Tournament. His 29 wins are the third-most in ACC Tournament history.
Up Next
The Tar Heels advance to the ACC Tournament semifinals and will play No. 15 Florida State. The Seminoles have yet to begin their postseason after earning a double bye and then having Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Duke canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test in the Blue Devils’ basketball program. UNC upset FSU, 78-70, on Feb. 27.
