UNC Tar Heels Prove Doubters Wrong with Commanding Win Over San Diego State in NCAA Tournament Opener
The North Carolina Tar Heels faced skepticism after being included in the NCAA Tournament, with many arguing they didn't deserve a spot among the 68 teams. However, their performance on Tuesday night may have quieted those critics. The Tar Heels convincingly defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 95-68 in their "First Four" game, securing the No. 11 seed in the South Region. They will now face No. 6 Ole Miss in the first round on Friday.
Despite being the last team to secure a tournament spot, UNC showcased their prowess against one of college basketball's top defenses. The Aztecs, known for their defensive strength under head coach Brian Dutcher, couldn't contain the Tar Heels. UNC dominated the first half, shooting 60.9% from the field and hitting seven of nine three-pointers. They were also perfect from the free-throw line, scoring 47 points, capped by RJ Davis' buzzer-beating three-pointer at halftime.
In contrast, San Diego State struggled offensively, shooting only 26.7% in the first half and making just four of 16 three-point attempts. They ended the half with 23 points and couldn't recover from the 24-point deficit.
The second half saw UNC continue their dominance, outscoring the Aztecs 48-45 to secure the win. Overall, the Tar Heels shot an impressive 52.6% from the field and 58.3% from beyond the arc, while converting 21 of 24 free throws.
RJ Davis led the scoring with 26 points, hitting all six of his three-point attempts. Jae'Lyn Withers contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Seth Trimble added 16 points off the bench. Ven-Allen Lubin also scored 12 points, primarily from the free-throw line.
San Diego State finished with a 39.7% shooting percentage, which fell short in the competitive March environment.