North Carolina’s hopes for an NCAA tournament run were dashed as they fell to Ole Miss in the first round on Friday. Despite a late rally, the Tar Heels couldn’t overcome a big deficit, eventually losing 71-64. Ole Miss dominated early, jumping out to a 44-26 halftime lead before North Carolina fought back to make it a close game.
The loss means that Duke is now the only remaining ACC team in the tournament, highlighting a disappointing end to what was once a promising season for North Carolina. The Tar Heels started the season as the ninth-ranked team in the nation but struggled against tough competition, finishing with a 1-12 record against top teams.
In their game against Ole Miss, North Carolina’s poor shooting – especially from beyond the arc – contributed to their downfall. Ole Miss was more efficient with their opportunities, shooting 44.4% from the field and hitting 8 of 20 from 3-point range. Sean Pedulla led Ole Miss with 20 points, while Dre Davis added 15 points.
Despite the loss, UNC guard RJ Davis had a strong performance, finishing with 15 points in his final game for the Tar Heels. Davis, who had a successful career at UNC, will be remembered as one of the top scorers in ACC history.
Overall, the game was a disappointing end to North Carolina’s roller-coaster season, while Ole Miss advances to face Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA tournament after a strong showing in the first round.
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