The North Carolina Tar Heels made a strong statement in their NCAA Tournament debut, defeating the San Diego State Aztecs 95-68 in a "First Four" matchup on Tuesday night. This game took place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, where UNC was looking to prove their critics wrong after facing backlash for being included in the tournament.
Many fans felt the Tar Heels did not deserve a spot among the 68 teams in the tournament, but they silenced those doubts with an impressive performance. From the start, UNC showed they were ready to compete. They shot an impressive 60.9% in the first half, making 14 of 23 shots and hitting seven of nine three-pointers. They also went a perfect 12 for 12 from the free-throw line, ending the first half with a commanding 47 points.
RJ Davis led the charge for North Carolina, scoring 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. He capped off the first half with a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Jae’Lyn Withers contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Seth Trimble added 16 points off the bench.
On the other side, San Diego State struggled to find their rhythm. They shot only 26.7% in the first half and finished with just 23 points. This poor shooting left them with a daunting 24-point deficit that they could not overcome. The Aztecs did manage to score 45 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap as UNC continued to dominate.
The Tar Heels’ overall shooting was remarkable, finishing the game with 52.6% from the field and 58.3% from three-point range. They also excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 21 of 24 attempts. This victory allowed UNC to advance as the No. 11 seed in the South Region, where they will face No. 6 Ole Miss in the first round on Friday.
The win not only boosts the Tar Heels’ confidence but also quiets the critics who questioned their place in the tournament. As they prepare for their next game, UNC will look to build on this momentum and continue their journey through March Madness.