Kerwin Walton
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis instructs his team in the second half of a second-round game agent Baylor in the NCAA college basketball tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, March, 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Tar Heels reach Sweet 16 leaning heavily on ironmen starters

By Aaron Beard Mar. 22, 2022 05:58 PM EDT

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) blocks Pittsburgh forward John Hugley during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Pitt starts strong, holds off Tar Heels 76-67

Feb. 16, 2022 10:36 PM EST

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) tries to shoot while Pittsburgh forward Mouhamadou Gueye (15), guard Femi Odukale (2) and guard Ithiel Horton (12) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Pittsburgh Panthers at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/16/2022

Feb. 16, 2022 08:48 PM EST

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot drives between Florida State center Tanor Ngom, left, and guard Caleb Mills during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Florida State Seminoles at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/12/2022

Feb. 12, 2022 03:00 PM EST

North Carolina guard R.J. Davis (4) tries to score while North Carolina State forward Ebenezer Dowuona (21) and forward Jericole Hellems (4) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina State Wolfpack at North Carolina Tar Heels 1/29/2022

Jan. 29, 2022 02:58 PM EST

Boston College guard Jaeden Zackery slaps the court following a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
UNC wins despite shooting under 30%, a program first

Jan. 26, 2022 09:24 PM EST

North Carolina guard Leaky Black (1) struggles for a rebound with Virginia Tech guard Hunter Cattoor (0) and forward David N'Guessan during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Virginia Tech Hokies at North Carolina Tar Heels 1/24/2022

Jan. 24, 2022 08:46 PM EST

North Carolina's RJ Davis (4) goes up for a shot next to Notre Dame's Prentiss Hubb during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
Laszewski helps lift Notre Dame over North Carolina 78-73

Jan. 05, 2022 11:34 PM EST

Appalachian State's Donovan Gregory (11) grabs a loose ball next to North Carolina's Brady Manek (45) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Appalachian State Mountaineers at North Carolina Tar Heels 12/21/2021

Dec. 21, 2021 07:56 PM EST

North Carolina's RJ Davis (4) brings the ball up as College of Charleston's Osinachi Smart (33) trails during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Bacot rallies No. 18 North Carolina past Charleston 94-83

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 16, 2021 11:14 PM EST

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Loyola Maryland in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
No. 19 UNC rolls past Loyola in Davis’ coaching debut

By Bob Sutton Nov. 09, 2021 09:23 PM EST

North Carolina guard R.J. Davis (4) drives to the basket while Loyola Maryland guard Kenny Jones (25) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Loyola (MD) Greyhounds at North Carolina Tar Heels 11/9/2021

Nov. 09, 2021 07:56 PM EST

North Carolina's Armando Bacot, center foreground, grabs a rebound during the NCAA college basketball team's season opening event and scrimmage in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Returnees, transfers lead No. 19 UNC in Davis' debut

By Aaron Beard Oct. 20, 2021 10:14 AM EDT

FILE - Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert prepares to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Loyola Marymount in Spokane, Wash., in this Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, file photo. Kispert has made The Associated Press All-America first team, announced Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Shooting the 3: Oral Roberts has put in the long-range work

By Dave Campbell Mar. 18, 2021 06:05 PM EDT

Florida State guard Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the basket at North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
No. 15 Florida State holds off North Carolina 69-66 in ACCs

By Aaron Beard Mar. 13, 2021 12:30 AM EST

Oklahoma State's Isaac Likekele (13) looks to pass under pressure from West Virginia's Taz Sherman, back, and Gabe Osabuohien (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big 12 Conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
ACC - Second Round - Game 4 (win) at Virginia Tech Hokies 3/11/2021

Mar. 12, 2021 12:09 AM EST

Syracuse forward Quincy Guerrier (1) battles North Carolina State forward Manny Bates (15)for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at North Carolina Tar Heels 3/10/2021

Mar. 10, 2021 12:22 PM EST

North Carolina forward Garrison Brooks (15) and guard R.J. Davis (4) reach for a rebound against Duke forward Matthew Hurt during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Bacot, Love and Walton score 18 each, UNC beats Duke 91-73

Mar. 06, 2021 09:05 PM EST

North Carolina forward Garrison Brooks, right, and Florida State center Tanor Ngom struggle for the ball while Florida State guard Anthony Polite (2) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Kessler, Tar Heels rally from 16 down to upset No. 11 FSU

By Aaron Beard Feb. 27, 2021 09:58 PM EST

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) and guard Kerwin Walton struggle with Florida State forward Malik Osborne (10) and center Tanor Ngom, rear, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina Central Eagles at North Carolina A&T Aggies 2/27/2021

Feb. 27, 2021 04:30 PM EST