DAYTON, Ohio — RJ Davis and his fellow North Carolina players certainly showed that they deserved their spot in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday night. Davis excelled with 26 points, hitting every one of his six attempts from beyond the arc, leading the Tar Heels to a commanding 95-68 victory over San Diego State in their First Four matchup.
The selection of UNC for the tournament had raised eyebrows, but they played with determination to silence their critics. “We know we deserved to be here,” said junior guard Seth Trimble, reflecting the confidence of his team.
Coach Hubert Davis emphasized that his players were focused on their game rather than outside opinions. “It’s not about the noise from the critics. It’s about our preparation and our performance,” he stated, underscoring the importance of staying committed to their game plan.
The Tar Heels exhibited impressive shooting, especially from three-point range. Davis’ six triples matched a program record for an NCAA Tournament game, previously set by Caleb Love against UCLA in 2022. Davis acknowledged the crucial role of his teammate: “As a head coach, I can’t imagine coaching without him,” he said.
North Carolina’s 14 three-pointers marked a new record for the school during NCAA Tournament play, surpassing the 13 made against Marquette last year. Coach Davis expressed pride not just in their shooting, but also in their defensive effort, citing their steals and overall engagement on that end.
In this matchup of No. 11 seeds, Trimble contributed 16 points, propelling UNC to the next round where they’ll face No. 6 seed Mississippi in Milwaukee. On the other side, Nick Boyd and Wayne McKinney III led the Aztecs with 12 points each.
From the start, North Carolina set the tone with 61% shooting in the first half, clearly establishing themselves as the superior team. A long three-pointer from RJ Davis right before halftime expanded their lead to 47-23.
Trimble summarized the team’s performance well: “We did a good job of sticking to our game plan and playing Carolina basketball.” Despite earlier doubts, North Carolina made their case for inclusion in the tournament, thanks in part to a solid nonconference schedule.
San Diego State, known for its strong defense, could not contain the explosive offense of the Tar Heels. In fact, the 95 points they allowed was the highest they’ve given up all season. Coach Brian Dutcher admitted that his team failed to adapt to North Carolina’s rhythm, falling short of their usual defensive standards.
While uncertainty loomed about their tournament status, the Tar Heels remained committed to their training. On the day of the selection show, they continued to practice, showing dedication that undoubtedly paid off in their first-round performance.
This night in Dayton was a powerful reminder of the resilience and capability of the Tar Heels, who are aiming to make a significant run in this year’s tournament.
