Thrilling Recap: NC Triumphs 100-92 Over TN, Nov 29, 2023 Game

North Carolina Triumphs in ACC/SEC Challenge

In a thrilling basketball match at Chapel Hill, N.C., the 17th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, under the guidance of Coach Hubert Davis, demonstrated a stellar performance against the 10th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Dominating the first half with a fast-paced game and flawless ball sharing, the Tar Heels left Tennessee’s Coach Rick Barnes utterly perplexed.

RJ Davis shone with a fantastic 27-point contribution as UNC built an unassailable lead to secure a 100-92 victory on Wednesday evening. The game marked the launch of the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge.

Tar Heels’ Scintillating Performance

Armando Bacot bolstered the Tar Heels’ score with an additional 22 points and 11 rebounds, aiding their 6-1 win. The first 20 minutes of the game saw a remarkable UNC dominance, leading by as much as 23 and scoring 61 points by halftime. Their lead further extended to 76-52 in the early part of the second half, even as the Volunteers (4-3) attempted a comeback spurred by Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht, who ended the game with 37 points.

“When obviously I\’m playing at my best, Harrison (Ingram), RJ, Elliot (Cadeau), Cormac (Ryan) — I mean, it’s hard to stop our team,” Bacot reflected. “We\’ve got a lot of different weapons.” UNC’s opening half heroics played a crucial role in clinching the game.

Davis’ Praise for the Team

The Tar Heels demonstrated an impressive 58% shooting accuracy before the break, with 7 of 16 3-pointers and 13 assists on its 19 baskets. They also scored a perfect 16 for 16 at the line, nearly equaling Tennessee’s season defensive scoring allowance (61.5) by the break. Davis expressed his delight, praising the team’s offensive efforts. “From an offensive standpoint, it was one of the better halves since I\’ve been here for 12 years as an assistant and a head coach. It was pretty special.” Barnes, on the other hand, was left ‘baffled’ by the performance.

Upcoming Games

Following this game, Tennessee will host George Mason on Tuesday. On the other hand, North Carolina will start their Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday against visiting Florida State.

To receive alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season, you can Sign up here.

To stay updated with AP college basketball, visit AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll and AP College Basketball.