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UNC obliterates San Diego State's top defense in NCAA Tournament game
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- UNC obliterates San Diego State's top defense in NCAA Tournament game
The North Carolina Tar Heels fell behind 2-0 in the First Four game against San Diego State in Dayton on Tuesday night. But after that, they never really looked back in the game.
Thanks to a scorching-hot performance shooting from the field.
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The Tar Heels tore the Aztecs' top-ranked defense to shreds, dominating 95-68 on a night where they shot 52.6 percent (30-of-57) as a team. UNC (23-13, 13-7) was even more unconscious from the perimeter, shooting 58.3% and making 14-of-24 3-pointers.
Just how good was the San Diego State (21-10, 14-6 Mountain West) defense entering Tuesday? The Aztecs held opponents to a Division I-best 37.8 field goal percentage, plus their defense ranked 14th in the country with 63.6 opponent points per game.
SDSU hadn't allowed 80 points in a game this season since November 18, 2024 against Gonzaga. North Carolina's 95 points were the most SDSU allowed since 2006.
It wouldn't be a magical postseason game for the Tar Heels without RJ Davis , who anchored his team with 26 points. RJ shot 8-of-12 from the field, drained all sixthree point attempts to match a UNC NCAA Tournament record, plus he made 4-of-5 free throws.
Seth Trimble provided North Carolina a massive boost off the bench once again, this time by scoring 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting – and draining all six free throw attempts. Ven-Allen Lubin scored 12 points, reaching double-digits for the 10th-straight game, while Jae'Lyn Withers more than made up for his gut-wrenching lane violation with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
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Next up for the Tar Heels is a loaded Ole Miss squad Friday, March 21 at 4:05 p.m. in the Round of 64. The Rebels (22-11, 10-8) allow opponents to score 71.7 points per game and shoot 43.2% from the field.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball looked impressive against top-ranked SDSU defense
