Both the ACC Tournament and Regular Season Champions won their 1st game in the NCAA Tournament. "Tobacco Road" was strong in round one on Thursday and will await the outcome of the Duke vs Vermont game Friday night, to see if the entire neighborhood advances.
Nobody really expected #1 seed North Carolina to have trouble in their game with Wagner. The Tar Heels lead 40-28 at the half, they would then score 50 in the 2nd half. North Carolina had a 48-20 advantage in the paint. The Heels had four in double figures.
RJ Davis had a game high 22 points, Armando Bacot had a double-double with 20 points and 15 boards. Jae'lyn Withers had 16 points off the bench, Cormac Ryan added a baker's dozen.
In the night session, the "Cardiac Pack" used a late push, as they downed 6 seed TX Tech 80-67. NC State led just 52-49 with 11:45 left in the game, the Wolfpack then went on an 11-2 run to go up 63-51. That run gave NC State control of the game and they would then finish the job.
Clemson Transfer Ben Middlebrooks led NC State with a game high 21. Mohammed Diarra had a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Wolfpack also got 32 combined points from the Double DJ's". Both DJ Burns and DJ Horne had 16 each.
North Carolina with take on 9 seed Michigan State and legendary Coach Tom Izzo. The Heels and Spartans will meet Saturday at 530 PM in Charlotte. NC State moves on they'll take on 14 seed Oakland who upset Kentucky. That game is set for 7PM Saturday night in Pittsburgh.