by Ralph Russo, Associated Press
BROOKLYN—Brady Manek outscored Virginia in the first half on the way to 21 points and No. 25 North Carolina cruised into the Atlantic Coast Conference semifinals with a 63-43 victory Thursday night.
The third-seeded Tar Heels (24-8) will face seventh-seeded Virginia Tech (19-13) on Friday night in Barclays Center, having won 12 of 14.
The sixth-seeded Cavaliers leave Brooklyn with an ignominious record. They scored just 13 points in the first half against UNC, the fewest in the first half of an ACC Tournament game in the shot-clock era.
Jayden Gardner was the only Cavalier in double digits with 17 points.
Virginia went 5 for 27 from the field in the first half, its final bucket coming on a putback dunk by Kadin Shedrick with 6:15 left.
Manek scored 19 in the half on his own, finishing it off with a dunk in the final seconds to put the Tar Heels up 33-13 at the break.
According to North Carolina, it was the first time one of its players outscored an opponent in a first half since Reggie Bullock edged Maryland 21-20 in 2013. It was also the fewest points the Tar Heels allowed in a first half since 12 to East Tennessee State on Dec. 8, 2012.
Armando Bacot had 11 points and 10 rebounds to tie North Carolina’s single-season record for double-doubles.
BIG PICTURE
Virginia: A night after the Cavaliers beat Louisville 51-50 while going 0 for 8 from 3-point range, they went 3 for 11 from distance against the Tar Heels. Reece Beekman made Virginia’s first 3-point attempt of the game at 15:22 of the first half.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels finished the regular season with their best game, beating Duke to spoil coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. They followed it up with another strong effort to reach the ACC semifinals for the seventh straight tournament.
FLIPPED
North Carolina beat the Cavaliers for the second time this year. Virginia had won seven straight against the Tar Heels coming into the season.
UP NEXT
Virginia: An NIT bid likely awaits the Cavaliers, snapping a seven-year run of NCAA Tournament appearances — not including the 2020 canceled tournament.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels swept Virginia Tech in the regular season.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 1 day agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Fri April 26th 2024
Outta Pocket with Michael Davis Fri Panel: Cody Lachney, Kevin Avery, Desmond Johnson (Producer)...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Thurs April 25th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisPanel: Mike Mele, Aaron Schneider, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Part of Tobacco...
-
Podcast
/ 3 days agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One Before The Draft – Tues April 23rd 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson and Panthers all time leading rusher...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoOutta Pocket with Michael Davis – Fri April 19th 2024
Hosted by Michael DavisFriday Panel: Austin Summers, Carsen Williams, Desmond Johnson (Producer) Participate live...
WWE
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Lodi Interview & Revolution Recap – Weds March 7th 2024
Lodi, former WCW wrestler, joins Drop the Mike this week for a special interview...
-
Podcast
/ 2 months agoDrop the Mike Podcast – Ep 75 – Weds Feb 14th 2024
The slap heard around the world! Join host Michael Davis and John Anthony (from...
-
Podcast
/ 3 months agoDrop The Mike Podcast – Wed Feb 7th 2024
The Rock or Cody Rhodes? Michael Davis is joined by Mike Mele (Mouthing Off...
-
WWE
/ 3 months agoThe Rock vs. Roman Reigns: Dream Match to Reality
On this Friday’s SmackDown, the Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes arrived to make his...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 13 hours agoTrevin Wallace should get development year before inheriting big role with Carolina Panthers
Published by On3 Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper and Michigan’s Junior Colson were the first...
-
NFL
/ 13 hours agoCarolina Panthers select Trevin Wallace in third round of 2024 NFL Draft
Published by On3 Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace has found his NFL home. He was...
-
NFL
/ 13 hours agoCarolina Panthers Bolster Offense with Xavier Legette and Jonathan Brooks in 2024 NFL Draft
In a strategic move aimed at fortifying their offensive arsenal, the Carolina Panthers made...
-
NFL
/ 13 hours agoPanthers share why they drafted South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
Published by On3 South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette predicted before the NFL Draft...