Since the NCAA Tournament bracket was announced, the North Carolina Tar Heels have faced significant backlash for being included in the 68 teams chosen to participate. However, the Tar Heels silenced their critics by dominating the San Diego State Aztecs in their “First Four” matchup, winning 95-68 and securing the No. 11 seed in the South Region. Despite being the last team chosen for the tournament, UNC proved their worth on the court by outplaying one of the top defensive teams in college basketball, the Aztecs.
In their matchup against San Diego State, the Tar Heels had a strong offensive performance in the first half, shooting 60.9% as a team and making almost all of their three-point attempts. They also had a perfect free throw shooting performance, scoring 47 points in the first half alone. The Aztecs, on the other hand, struggled offensively, shooting just 26.7% from the field and 4-of-16 from beyond the arc. UNC’s dominant first half performance gave them a comfortable lead that the Aztecs could not overcome.
The second half of the game continued to be in UNC’s favor as they outscored the Aztecs, securing a convincing victory. Overall, the Tar Heels had an impressive shooting performance, with a 52.6% field goal rate and 58.3% three-point shooting rate. RJ Davis led the team in scoring with 26 points, including six three-pointers, while Jae’Lyn Withers recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Seth Trimble contributed 16 points off the bench, and Ven-Allen Lubin had 12 points, eight of which were from the free throw line.
Despite their dominance on the defensive end, the Aztecs were unable to match the Tar Heels’ offensive firepower, finishing the game shooting just 39.7% from the field. The loss marked the end of San Diego State’s tournament run, while UNC advanced to face Ole Miss in the first round. The Tar Heels’ strong performance in the “First Four” matchup led to a reevaluation of their tournament bid and silenced many of the critics who believed they did not deserve a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Overall, North Carolina’s decisive victory over San Diego State showcased their offensive prowess and ability to compete against top-tier defensive teams. The Tar Heels’ impressive shooting percentages and balanced scoring effort propelled them to a comfortable win and secured their place in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. As they prepare to face Ole Miss in the next round, UNC will look to build on their momentum and prove that they belong among the top teams in the tournament.
