By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Tar Heel Times
UNC men’s basketball made a statement by demolishing the San Diego State Aztecs, 95-68, on Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio.
The Tar Heels became public enemy number one in NCAA basketball because many felt they didn’t belong in the tournament. Carolina silenced the critics and hate fluke comments by playing outstanding offense and defenses
The Aztecs are a very good team and one of the best defensive teams in the nation. They have never allowed this many points by halftime and have never allowed 95 points all season long.
The Tar Heels started the first five minutes of the game with six turnovers. When UNC went on a 20-2 run, it was over for the Aztecs, who were shocked by Carolina’s performance.
Carolina played tenacious defense in the first half. Elliot Cadeau was terrific during hall time. Great defense and didn’t get in foul trouble. He finished with 12 assists in the game.
UNC leads 47-23 by halftime. RJ Davis hits a three at the buzzer. Seth Trimble led the team with 10 points and finished the game with 16. He went perfect from the line 6 for 6. The team overall went flawlessly from the line, 12 for 12 in the first half.
UNC was speedy. They had 10 fastbreak points, while San Diego State had none.
UNC was the more athletic, physical, and confident team all night long. The Aztecs looked depleted. There was no fight in them in the second half.
RJ Davis led the Tar Heels with 26 points, going 6-for-6 from the three-point line.
“We did a good job sticking to our game plan,” Davis said. “Stick to Carolina basketball. We got in transition. We shared the ball, and that’s what we’re going for. Everyone contributes in so many ways. Our defense set the tone for the remainder of the game.”
Trimble shared his thoughts on the crowd and atmosphere in Dayton. Many Tar Heels fans were in attendance, rooting for the team.
“The atmosphere was amazing,” Trimble said. “North Carolina fan base comes through no matter where we go. Regarding March, we always have home court advantage no matter where we are.”
The Tar Heels embraced the hate and used it to their advantage. Whether they will say it out loud or not, their performance against the Aztecs showed the world never to count them out or underestimate them.
“We know we deserve to be here,” Trimble added. “We’re not looking to send a message to anyone. We’re just here to compete and be the team we can be. I think we did that tonight.”
UNC will have an extra day off before Friday’s matchup against Ole Miss.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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