No. 1 North Carolina is Candy 16 sure, thanks largely to ahead Harrison Ingram’s unconscious taking pictures efficiency from past the arc.
Ingram was remarkably environment friendly from three, making 5 of seven makes an attempt, scoring 17 factors in an 85-69 win over No. 9 Michigan State within the Spherical of 32.
The juniors’ 5 three-pointers had been a career-high and just one fewer than Michigan State’s (6-of-16) as a staff. In the meantime, it was a bounce-back efficiency for Ingram, who had made solely seven of 27 makes an attempt from three-point vary over his earlier six video games.
Ingram’s greatest three of the sport might have been his final. With 6:23 remaining and North Carolina nursing a nine-point lead, he hit his fifth three of the night time, serving to the Tar Heels draw back for good.
Trailing the Spartans by as many as 12 within the first half, the Tar Heels battled again, in the end taking a 40-31 lead at halftime. They stored Michigan State at arm’s size within the second half, incomes a breezy 16-point victory.
Ingram, who additionally added seven rebounds, was one in every of 4 North Carolina gamers to complete in double figures. Guard RJ Davis recorded 20 factors, together with three three-pointers, whereas ahead Armando Bacon completed with 18 factors, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Saturday’s 12-point deficit is the largest overcome by UNC because the program got here again from 16 factors right down to defeat USC within the 2007 Candy 16. In the meantime, the victory extends the Tar Heels document for Candy 16 journeys to 31, three greater than Duke (28).
North Carolina now awaits the winner of No. 12 Grand Canyon and No. 4 Alabama, whom they will meet for the suitable to play within the Elite Eight.
