Five takeaways from UNC basketball’s Senior Night loss to Duke on March 8

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The North Carolina Tar Heels did all they could to try and beat Duke on the basketball court Saturday night in Chapel Hill.

UNC trailed by 15 points with seven-and-a-half minutes remaining in the first half, then cut its halftime deficit to one point. North Carolina played its best basketball early in the second half, holding a game-best 7-point advantage just 4:16 in, then the Blue Devils took over when RJ Davis went to the bench for a breather.

When the final buzzer sounded inside the Dean Dome, Duke left with a 82-69 victory that sucked the life out of Tar Heel Nation.

The Blue Devils (28-3, 19-1 ACC), who ended their regular season on an 8-game winning streak, won the ACC Regular Season Championship for the first time since Coach K’s final year. UNC (20-12, 13-7) dropped to the fifth seed in this coming week’s ACC Tournament, when it will face the winner of Pitt/Notre Dame on Wednesday, March 12 at 2:30 p.m.

On Saturday night, North Carolina once again proved it could play with the country’s best teams. RJ seemingly couldn’t miss, playing a major factor on anchoring the Tar Heels’ massive comeback, finishing his final game in the Dean Dome with 20 points.

In the end, Duke proved to be too much for UNC. North Carolina will need to win at least three games in Charlotte for a shot at the NCAA Tournament, but winning the entire ACC Tournament is the easiest path.

While you’re still thinking about how the Tar Heels can extend their season, make sure you read our five takeaways from tonight’s game.

UNC can play with the big boys, but struggles to close out

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 08: RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of the game at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

When UNC took a 56-49 lead over Duke just 4:16 into the second half, thanks to a Ven-Allen Lubin layup, the Dean Dome erupted. You’d…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/five-takeaways-unc-basketballs-senior-123041422.html

Author : Tar Heels Wire

Publish date : 2025-03-09 12:30:00

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