Luck with Tar Heels, not the Fighting IrishNorth Carolina clung to a slim one-point lead with seven seconds left when sophomore guard Marcus Paige uncharacteristically missed a free-throw attempt. Sophomore Brice Johnson just barely got a finger on the rebound, and tipped the ball out to Paige, who made one more free throw before clinching a senior night 63-61 win against Notre Dame with a game-ending block. (Daily Tar Heel)
Tar Heel seniors play final game at homeAt 7 p.m. Monday night, Leslie McDonald danced one last time. It’s something he hasn’t been able to do lately. After all, it’s difficult to keep his pregame “Jump Around” dancing routine while squatted around the center circle waiting for the opening tip. But for one more time, McDonald let the rhythm course through him for a few seconds before getting down to business. (Daily Tar Heel)
Are Tar Heels in danger of taking their success for granted?Monday’s 63-61 Senior Night win against Notre Dame was North Carolina’s 12th straight, its longest winning streak in five years. Based solely on that information, it could be assumed that the Tar Heels are rolling into the postseason playing their best basketball of the long season. And in most aspects, they are. But there have also been a few red flags raised along the way. (Wilmington Star News)
UNC-Notre Dame NotesUNC has won 12 straight regular-season ACC games for the first time since going 14-0 in 1986-87. The 12-game streak is UNC's longest heading into a game against Duke since 2000-01 when the Tar Heels won 14 in a row, won at Duke and three more games after that to post an 18-game streak. (GoHeels.com)
Locking Down a 12th-Straight VictoryMarcus Paige made his second-half presence felt at the buzzer, blocking Eric Atkins’ driving attempt to secure a 63-61 victory for No. 14 North Carolina despite coughing up a 14-point halftime lead and matching a season-low with 22 points in a half. The Tar Heels' 22 points after the break marked their fewest points scored in a half in a win since scoring 20 in the second half against Maryland, (Inside Carolina)
Lucas: Basketball InstinctsAccording to the scouting report, Marcus Paige was wrong. He knew immediately he was breaking assistant coach C.B. McGrath's Notre Dame scouting report when he committed to challenging Eric Atkins at the rim with seconds to play and a two-point lead rather than staying with his (potentially game-winning) man near the three-point line. But he also knew something else. (GoHeels.com)
Video: UNC Basketball Senior Day Intros & SpeechesSeniors James Manor, Wade Moody, Denzel Robinson, and Leslie McDonald spoke to the Dean Smith Center crowd and were honored before and after the final home game of the 2013-2014 season.
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Reggie Bullock, Jerry Stackhouse share kinship with KinstonJerry Stackhouse, like Reggie Bullock, grew up in Kinston, North Carolina. He endured the gangs, drugs and violence that have at times overwhelmed the community there. But he’s also seen what happens when it supports someone trying to make it out. So, when I asked Stackhouse if he had a minute to spend talking about the 22-year-old Bullock, he gleaned a familiar smile. (NBA.com)
Thought of the week: Roy Williams' best job?Roy Williams has done the best work of his North Carolina coaching tenure. Other seasons have been noteworthy, starting with the 2005 and 2009 national championship teams. Even though Carolina was built to win in both seasons, it’s not easy to deliver especially when you’re supposed to win. (Shoutout to John Calipari and the 40-0 Wildcats.) (ESPN.com)
UNC tops Notre Dame, extends winning streak to 12North Carolina sophomore Marcus Paige can now add game-saving block to his growing resume of clutch plays. After Notre Dame point guard Eric Atkins (21 points) drove past freshman Nate Britt, Paige came over from the baseline to block Atkins’ shot with one second left and preserve a 63-61 win Monday night at the Smith Center. (Durham Herald-Sun)
Recap & Analysis: UNC 63 Notre Dame 61A win is a win right? The Tar Heels have won three straight games by a total of seven points. In two of those games, Marcus Paige has been held to a total of 16 points. While winning in cleaner fashion would be preferable, there is value in seeing this team respond in a tight game without the benefit of Paige carrying them. (Tar Heel Blog)
Roy Williams Post-Notre Dame QuotesRoy Williams: "Senior night is always emotional to me. It's emotional for Leslie McDonald because he didn't have the kind of game that he's had recently. Those four seniors have meant a lot to us. As Leslie said, five years; he's been around quite awhile and suffered through a lot of stuff. I just feel very lucky, I guess." (GoHeels.com)
Video: UNC-Notre Dame Game HighlightsView complete game highlights from North Carolina's 63-61 win over Notre Dame on Senior Night in Chapel Hill.
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Video: Roy Williams Post-Notre Dame Press ConferenceNorth Carolina coach Roy Williams addresses the media following the Tar Heels' 63-61 victory over Notre Dame in Chapel Hill on March 3, 2014.
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Lucas: Rapid Reactions - Notre DameMarcus Paige did not have one of his typical nights (2-for-8 from the field, 1-for-5 from three) but he did manage to knock down two out of four free throws in the final minute. More importantly, though, he came up with the key blocked shot on what looked for just a second like it might be a game-tying drive to the hoop in the final seconds. (GoHeels.com)
Tar Heels push through for 12th straightMonday was Senior Night in Chapel Hill as UNC bid farewell to Leslie McDonald and a few other players in their final home game in the Smith Center. Notre Dame and North Carolina have been a pair of teams going in opposite directions for the better part of two months, and the Tar Heels again got the better of their new ACC rivals with a 63-61 victory. (Tar Heel Illustrated)
Video: Marcus Paige's Game-saving Block vs. Notre DameMarcus Paige's block at the end of the game preserved the Tar Heels' Senior Day win against Notre Dame and extended UNC's win streak to 12 games.
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No. 14 North Carolina holds off Notre Dame 63-61James Michael McAdoo hit the go-ahead shot in the lane with 3:09 left and Marcus Paige blocked Eric Atkins' driving shot on the final play to seal No. 14 North Carolina's 63-61 victory over Notre Dame on Monday night. McAdoo finished with 14 points to lead the Tar Heels, who blew a 14-point halftime lead and had to fight to the horn for their 12th straight win in their home finale. (ESPN.com)
Box Score: North Carolina 63, Notre Dame 61View the complete box score from North Carolina's 63-61 win against Notre Dame in Chapel Hill on Monday. (View Box Score)
This Week With Mike FoxCoach Fox, can you reflect back on the last week for the Tar Heels? "It was certainly a good week for us, getting a win in all four games. We didn't have an easy time against Appalachian State but we got off to a good start. Some of it they helped us a little bit. Getting an early lead is always good and I think it helped Luis Paula in his first start of the year." (Inside Carolina)
A Closer Look: Notre DameForceful defense will be as key as ever for North Carolina as Notre Dame starters Pat Connaughton and Eric Atkins are both in the ACC's top 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio and the team ranks 11th nationally and second in the conference for the same. (Tar Heel Illustrated)
Preview: Notre Dame At UNCThe Irish head to Chapel Hill for their final regular-season game of the season Monday. At 15-15 (6-11 ACC), Notre Dame is searching for its second true road win of the season. Head coach Mike Brey’s squad is coming off an overtime loss on senior day to Pittsburgh and the limited roster is a bit banged up heading into Monday’s season finale. (Carolina Blue)
Another ACC Player of the Week Honor for Marcus PaigeUNC sophomore guard Marcus Paige is the Co-ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Week along with Virginia's Malcolm Brogdon. Syracuse guard Tyler Ennis is the ACC Freshman of the Week. Paige was cited for his performances in UNC road wins over NC State and Virginia Tech. It is the second week in a row and the fourth time this season Paige has won ACC Player of the Week honors. (GoHeels.com)
J.P. Tokoto Soaring to New Heights with Strong Family Values and SupportFor athletes as naturally blessed as UNC small forward, J.P. Tokoto, the game tends to come pretty easy. But being gifted only gets one so far in life and on the hardwood. That's something his parents, Trevor and Laurence Trimble, have always understood. It's a message they continually deliver to their son, making sure he stays grounded as a player, a teammate and a human being. (Bleacher Report)
Video: J.P. Tokoto Highlights and InterviewUNC sophomore JP Tokoto's numbers have all increased from his freshman year, including exciting dunks. Tokoto talks about his development as a player and some of his favorite plays.
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