Five takeaways from UNC's comeback win over Wake Forest in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals
Wow. That's all I have to say. The North Carolina Tar Heels, who needed to play their best basketball in this week's ACC Tournament for a shot at the NCAA Tournament, delivered an instant classic Thursday afternoon against Wake Forest.
UNC led by two points at halftime, then seemingly traded runs with the Demon Deacons throughout. Facing a 56-54 deficit with 4:42 remaining in the second half, North Carolina roared back for a 68-59 victory, setting up another matchup with archrival Duke in Friday's ACC Tournament semifinals.
We can credit RJ Davis and Jae'Lyn Withers for keeping the Tar Heels (22-12 ACC, 13-7) in Thursday's game, particularly deep into the second half, but Ven-Allen Lubin won his team the game.
Lubin recorded his second-consecutive double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds, but focus in on how Lubin played during the final three minutes.
Lubin subbed in with 3:22 remaining in the game, with UNC clinging to a 57-56 lead. Efton Reid hit his first free throw to tie the game, then Lubin took over. Lubin drained a tie-breaking free throw, then blocked Hunter Sallis' lay-up attempt. 18 seconds later, RJ drained a 3-pointer that extended North Carolina's lead to four points.
With two minutes remaining, Lubin cashed in on a putback dunk and, off a Withers miss, tipped the shot back in to set the Tar Heels' bench off. Lubin later blocked Cam Hildreth's layup attempt and, shortly after, one thing was clear – UNC was moving on for a shot at the ACC Tournament Final.
RJ Davis can always be counted on to score
For the first 15 minutes of Thursday's ACC Tournament Quarterfinal matchup, RJ Davis found himself without a point.
As North Carolina faced a 22-15 deficit with 4:34 left in the first half, RJ drained his first 3-pointer and snapped his scoring drought. RJ drained four more free throws and nailed another three, helping the Tar Heels build a 33-31 halftime advantage.
RJ ended Thursday's NCAA Tournament resumé-boosting victory with 23 points, leading UNC and all scorers. Never panic when RJ's on a cold spell, because chances are he'll heat up at some point.
Jae'Lyn Withers played a major role again...even on an off-shooting day
Jae'Lyn Withers couldn't miss anything against Notre Dame – and Tar Heel Nation hoped he could bring that same production Thursday against Wake Forest.
Withers only made two of his 10 field goal attempts, but both makes were from deep, including one that gave UNC a 57-56 lead with 4:35 remaining in the game (never trailed again). Withers grabbed nine rebounds, dished out three assists and stole the ball one time. Defensively, Withers helped hold Wake to just three points over the final six minutes.
Today's performance showcased that players can help their teams win in areas besides scoring. Withers did exactly that – and you can bet he wants to beat Duke as bad as anybody.
Ven-Allen Lubin is playing like the center North Carolina longingly craved
The Tar Heels struggled to get production from their post players all season long. Head coach Hubert Davis tried starting Jalen Washington at center and got production, but not at a starting-caliber level. Withers slipped out of the starting lineup for most of the regular season, but recent hot play has him back in it.
Hubert snagged Lubin from Vanderbilt late in the transfer portal recruiting period, but he wasn't the towering figure like Armando Bacot.
That doesn't matter now, with Lubin playing his best basketball of the year. Lubin recorded a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double against the Demon Deacons, his second straight game with a double-double and third in four days. Lubin now also has eight consecutive games scoring in double-figures, giving UNC the post production it craved for so long.
While you can point to Lubin's double-double as the most recognizable part of his game, Lubin's late-game blocks were the highlight of his afternoon.
North Carolina's defense prevented another second-half collapse
The Tar Heels have a penchant for enduring prolonged scoring stretches this season, particularly in the second half when they need to put teams away.
At one point Thursday, I remember seeing a stat where North Carolina made just one of its 10+ shots in the second half. This allowed Wake to climb back into the game and put a scare into UNC.
After Reid pushed the Deacs' lead to 56-54 with a second-half free throw, the Tar Heels held Wake to just three points in the final six minutes. North Carolina's shots started to fall, but its defense played a deciding factor late.
Friday night is UNC's best chance to beat Duke
I always hate to see players go down with injuries, but that's a part of sports. During Duke's 78-70 victory over Georgia Tech earlier Thursday, star forwards Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown exited with injuries.
Flagg's X-rays are negative, but his status for Friday is questionable. Brown is done for the year, re-separating his shoulder.
The Tar Heels will likely be facing their archrivals without the latter's best player and shot-blocker. There's no excuse for UNC not to win now.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Five takeaways as UNC downs Wake Forest in ACC Tournament, faces Duke
Topics
-
UNC basketball escapes with win over Wake Forest to advance
North Carolina beat Wake Forest 68-59 in a hard-fought battle in the ACCT quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
UNC basketball wants 'revenge' in rematch with Duke at ACC Tournament
Following UNC basketball's win against Wake Forest at the ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels' immediately shifted their focus to No. 1 Duke.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest odds, prediction, line: 2025 ACC Tournament picks, best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its college basketball picks for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC Tournament on Thursday afternoonCBS Sports - 5d -
Kon Knueppel, Duke basketball survive comeback bid from UNC basketball in ACC Tournament
Duke basketball and UNC played a thriller in the ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center. Here are the observations.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Duke survives, beats UNC for third time
As good as Duke’s first half was, the Blue Devils’ second half was nearly a disaster. Duke survived North Carolina’s second-half rally to win 74-71 in an ACC tournament semifinal game on Friday ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
UNC basketball sits in good spot in latest Bracketology
The UNC basketball program moved up in Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology after beating Wake Forest.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's win over Oregon in the Big Ten Tournament
Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's Big Ten Tournament win over OregonYahoo Sports - 4d -
Everything Hubert Davis, RJ Davis said after UNC loss to Duke in ACC Tournament
UNC lost to Duke for a third time this season Friday – this time in the ACC Tournament Semifinals. Hubert and RJ Davis spoke to the media afterwards.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
4 takeaways from Clemson basketball's come-from-behind win over SMU in the ACC Tournament
Chase Hunter carried the Clemson Tigers on his back in a second-half comeback against SMU in the ACC Tournament Thursday night in Charlotte.Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Commanders WR Deebo Samuel picks his number and you can buy his jersey now
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel has decided on a number. You can order his jersey. .Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Bob Long, member of Packers teams that won Super Bowls I and II, dies at 83
Bob Long, a wide receiver who was on the Packers' teams that won the first two Super Bowls, has died at the age of 83.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Barcelona prioritising €45m-rated captain’s renewal with new three-year deal
According to an update shared by SPORT, it has come to light that Barcelona are prioritising a contract renewal for Frenkie de Jong, with Deco and Hansi Flick keen to secure the Dutch midfielder’s ...Yahoo Sports - 29m -
As Brandon Graham retired, Jalen Hurts showed why Eagles don't have a leadership void
This player showed why Eagles have a true leader as Brandon Graham joined Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox in retirementYahoo Sports - 31m -
Greeks summon legend of King Otto before Scotland tie
Almost 21 years on from Greece's greatest triumph, Scotland's opponents have their sights set on Nations League A.Yahoo Sports - 32m
More in Sports
-
Commanders WR Deebo Samuel picks his number and you can buy his jersey now
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel has decided on a number. You can order his jersey. .Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Bob Long, member of Packers teams that won Super Bowls I and II, dies at 83
Bob Long, a wide receiver who was on the Packers' teams that won the first two Super Bowls, has died at the age of 83.Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Barcelona prioritising €45m-rated captain’s renewal with new three-year deal
According to an update shared by SPORT, it has come to light that Barcelona are prioritising a contract renewal for Frenkie de Jong, with Deco and Hansi Flick keen to secure the Dutch midfielder’s ...Yahoo Sports - 29m -
As Brandon Graham retired, Jalen Hurts showed why Eagles don't have a leadership void
This player showed why Eagles have a true leader as Brandon Graham joined Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox in retirementYahoo Sports - 31m -
Greeks summon legend of King Otto before Scotland tie
Almost 21 years on from Greece's greatest triumph, Scotland's opponents have their sights set on Nations League A.Yahoo Sports - 32m