Five takeaways from UNC basketball’s victory at Florida State

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To have any shot of making the NCAA Tournament in March, the North Carolina Tar Heels need to win every basketball game they can.

Luckily, UNC is starting to string together wins at the right time, with the latest instance coming Monday night away from the Dean Dome.

North Carolina traded buckets with Florida State early, but utilized a late first-half run and closed the game out late in the second, winning 96-85 to keep its slim March Madness hopes alive. The Tar Heels (18-11, 11-6 ACC) also matched their season-high 4-game winning streak in the process.

I really had no idea what would happen after the first 10 minutes, as Florida State (16-12, 7-10) matched seemingly every UNC bucket. The Seminoles used their height advantage, driving to the rim with little resistance, while making tough turn-around shots against outstretched North Carolina defenders.

After a Jamir Watkins 3-pointer that moved FSU back into a 39-all tie, the Tar Heels started clicking. UNC ended to first half on a 10-4 run, starting with Cade Tyson’s putback off an offensive rebound.

North Carolina didn’t skip a beat in the second half, with Ven-Allen Lubin’s dunk seeming to energize a spark. RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, pushing the Tar Heels’ lead to 63-49 and forcing the host Seminoles into panic mode.

As any UNC basketball game goes this year, defense lulled for a small portion in the second half, allowing FSU to close its deficit to six points. Jae’Lyn Withers then made a pair of free throws – after previously missing two – and North Carolina’s defense locked in.

What did the Tar Heels do so well? How did they keep their season alive? Which individual players and units shined? Keep reading below for our five takeaways from tonight’s big win.

UNC’s current starting lineup continues to be its best option

Feb 24, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jamir Watkins (1) is defended by North Carolina Tarheels Jae’Lyn Withers (24) during the…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/five-takeaways-unc-basketballs-victory-035117710.html

Author : Tar Heels Wire

Publish date : 2025-02-25 03:51:00

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