First Report: UNC Topples Louisville in ACC Tournament Quarters (via InsideCarolina.com)

The Tar Heels reach the ACC Tournament semifinals for the 46th time in school history.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 3 North Carolina opened postseason play in much the same way it concluded its regular season schedule, by forcing tempo and playing the aggressor in Thursday’s 83-70 victory over Louisville in ACC Tournament quarterfinal action.

The Tar Heels, who have won 15 of their last 16 ACC games for the first time since 1986-87, led by 10 points at halftime and extended their lead to 13 early in the second half. Louisville pulled to within six points with 12:12 remaining but failed to reduce its deficit further. UNC cemented its 46th trip to the ACC Tournament semifinals with an 11-0 run that began with Sterling Manley’s dunk with 8:10 to play.

UNC averaged 1.14 points per possession over 73 possessions, stressing Louisville’s defense with 27 fast break points and nine second-chance points off nine offensive rebounds.

“Carolina is a great team,” Louisville head coach Chris Mack said. “They were better than us tonight, that’s for sure. And it’s nothing that we didn’t know coming in. But I thought where the game got out of reach for us early on was because of their transition. I mean it’s phenomenal – as fast as any team I’ve coached against. And you talk about it, you talk about it, but talking doesn’t prepare you sometimes.”

The Tar Heels shot 46.2 percent from the floor (35.0% 3FG) while holding the Cardinals to 40.9 percent shooting (30.6% 3FG). UNC has held six of its last eight opponents below 41 percent shooting.

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Source: https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/UNC-Basketball-Topples-Louisville-ACC-Tournament-Quarterfinals–130088407/?utm_source=247Sports%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=190315_090906_North%20Carolina%20Tar%20Heels&utm_content=Link&liveconnect=88-C2-6B-96-4F-4C-2D-60-F3-71-D7-C1-64-51-1E-3D190315_090906NorthCarolinaTarHeels