The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Florida State Seminoles 77-66 in an important ACC basketball game at the Tucker Center. To overcome a scoreless performance by star player Armando Bacot, the Tar Heels relied on potent 3-point shooting. According to head coach Hubert Davis, UNC’s perimeter shooting was so good that some of the other “discipline and details” were outweighed. The Tar Heels made 14 of 29 3-point attempts, with six different players contributing successful attempts.
UNC’s Leaky Black Leads the Way
Leaky Black has been performing admirably under the radar over the last month, and he exploded on Monday with 18 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. His commanding finish with 90 seconds remaining in the game appeared to seal UNC’s victory. Black has had at least nine rebounds in six of the last nine games and continues to play excellent defense.
North Carolina’s Rim Defense is Improving
The Tar Heels’ rim defense has improved in the last week, with 10 blocks in the last two games. Forward Pete Nance, who has five blocks in the last two games, is a big part of that. Even though he didn’t get the block on Monday, he had an impact on several shots.
Dontrez Styles makes a cameo.
Dontrez Styles, a sophomore forward, came off the bench in the first half after Puff Johnson picked up two quick fouls and a careless turnover. The Tar Heels led 18-14 after Styles hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key off a pass from fellow reserve Seth Trimble. Styles’ first points since UNC’s win over Louisville on Jan. 14 and his second successful 3-point attempt of the season.
UNC Gets Ready for Rival Duke
North Carolina will enter Saturday night’s regular-season finale against rival Duke on a three-game winning streak. Aside from Senior Day, the Tar Heels are competing for ACC Tournament seeding and a better NCAA Tournament resume. The Tar Heels are most likely to be seeded seventh in Greensboro, but there are some scenarios in which they could be seeded eighth. Before facing NC State on Tuesday night, the Blue Devils have won four straight games and seven of their last nine. In their first meeting this season, Duke defeated UNC 63-57.
