First Report: Heels Coast into Sweet Sixteen (via InsideCarolina.com)

UNC will play No. 5 seed Auburn in Kansas City on Friday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – North Carolina is returning to the Sweet Sixteen for the third time in four seasons and for the 36th time in program history. The top-seeded Tar Heels dismantled No. 9 seed Washington’s matchup zone from the inside-out in claiming an 81-59 victory at Nationwide Arena on Sunday.

Luke Maye, who notched his 15th double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds, paired with Nassir Little (20 points, seven rebounds) to serve as UNC’s zone breakers, executing efficiently from the soft spot of Washington’s zone at the free throw line. Maye scored seven straight points to push UNC’s lead from 10 to 17 early in the second half, and after Washington knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, Little scored 11 straight points to keep the working margin safe.

The Tar Heels used a 13-0 run early in the second half to create separation, turning a five-point margin into a 54-36 lead. Washington was held scoreless for a five-minute, 22-second stretch, missing all five of its field goal attempts while coughing up three turnovers.

UNC built a 34-20 lead before committing five turnovers over the final six minutes of the opening half that allowed Washington to cut its deficit to 41-33 at the break.

UNC shot 50.8 percent from the floor, including 42.9 percent from three-point range, while holding the Huskies to 38.3 percent shooting (29 percent after halftime). The Tar Heels outrebounded their opponent, 48-24, and posted a 17-4 advantage in second-chance points.

Coby White scored 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and Cameron Johnson added 13 points and seven rebounds.

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Source: https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/UNC-Tar-Heels-Coast-into-Sweet-Sixteen-NCAA-Tournament-March-Madness–130478131/?utm_source=247Sports%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=190325_044050_North%20Carolina%20Tar%20Heels&utm_content=Link&liveconnect=88-C2-6B-96-4F-4C-2D-60-F3-71-D7-C1-64-51-1E-3D190325_044050NorthCarolinaTarHeels