The Tar Heels jumped out to a 22–11 lead in the first 10 minutes that stretched to a 47–23 lead by halftime. By the time the game ended, North Carolina hit an NCAA tournament-record 14 three-pointers in the 95-68 win.

NCAA Tournament began from Dayton, Ohio, Tuesday in style, as No. 16 seed Alabama State defeated No. 16 seed Saint Francis 70-68 in the First Four. Alabama State guard Amarr Knox scored a game-winning layup with 0.

From the moment North Carolina lost to Duke in Friday's ACC tournament semifinal, anxiety began to build, just as it would for any NCAA tournament bubble team. Would the Tar Heels make the field or fall short,