UNC-MSU Clash Eyed by March Madness Fans as R.J. Davis, Bacot, Tar Heels Rout Wagner

zach bacharContributor IMarch 21, 2024

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

North Carolina cruised to a victory over Wagner in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday, as the top-seeded Tar Heels won by the final score of 90-62.

2023-24 ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis took over during the final 20 minutes of the game after scoring just five points in the first half. Davis finished with 22 points, two rebounds, and two assists while shooting 8-13 from the field and 4-7 from three.

Fans were impressed with the strong second-half performance from the senior.

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBBRJ Davis has locked in for the Heels in the second half 🔥#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/BCl67Ij3rk

Zach Maskavich WESH @ZachMaskavichRJ Davis can’t miss right now

Great Day Tar Heel @GreatDayTarHeelRJ Davis just passed Lennie Rosenbluth for 5th all time in scoring at UNC. 🏀🐏

𝒟ℯ𝓁𝓊𝓈𝒾ℴ𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝒮𝓅ℴ𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝒻𝒶𝓃 @Hoopsfan800RJ Davis so good bro

Michael Koh @michaelkohwchlSometimes, your offense stalls and RJ Davis just hits a long 3. What a luxury for #UNC.

Tar Heels of NYC @TarHeelsofNYCRJ Davis in 1 seed North Carolina’s win over 16 seed Wagner:

▫️22 PTS (8-13 FG)
▫️2 AST (0 TO)
▫️2 REB
▫️1 STL
▫️4-7 3PT
▫️2-2 FT

Showing exactly why he notched First Team All-American and ACC POY. pic.twitter.com/meki8ir6yv

The Tar Heels also received major contributions from another senior, Armando Bacot. He was dominant on the glass, scoring 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in 30 minutes on the floor. As a team, Wagner recorded just 20 total rebounds.

Bacot was also locked in on the defensive end of the court, recording a steal and a block apiece while picking up just two fouls.

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBBArmando Bacot MUSCLES one in 💪#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/FoXDMQ5bOV

Carolina Basketball @UNC_BasketballLet the big dawg eat 🍴

86 career double-doubles for Armando Bacot. pic.twitter.com/ouK9M3vDMr

Brendan Marks @BrendanRMarksArmando Bacot is now second in North Carolina history in points scored, behind only Tyler Hansbrough.

Just passed Phil Ford.

Bacot already has the program’s all-time rebounding and double-double records.

ACC Network @accnetworkARMANDO BACOT IS AMONG THE GREATS‼️

The longest streak by any player over the last 50 seasons. @UNC_Basketball pic.twitter.com/Kgp5CStidn

Unc Zone @ZoneUncArmando Bacot with a double-double in the first half 😤💪

OptaSTATS @OptaSTATSIncluding today, Armando Bacot of @UNC_Basketball has recorded 15 or more rebounds in six consecutive NCAA Tournament games.

That’s the longest streak of 15-rebound games in the tournament since Jacksonville’s Artis Gilmore had six straight in the 1970 & 1971 editions. pic.twitter.com/CGFmL7sLfI

FQ North Carolina🐏 @FQNorthCarolinaBacot now with 12 and 10, another double double pic.twitter.com/QfOWSXqy8P

The victory by head coach Hubert Davis’ team sets up a second-round clash with Michigan State after the Spartans defeated Mississippi State on Thursday. The two schools haven’t faced off in the tournament since the 2009 National Championship game, which resulted in a North Carolina victory under former head coach Roy Williams.

Fans were excited about the rematch between the Tar Heels and the Spartans.

MyBackCourt @MyBackCourtNorth Carolina vs Michigan state oooo weeeee baby

CJ Adler @cj_adlerNorth Carolina- Michigan State is a very interesting 2nd round matchup. #MarchMadness

Cameron Mingo @CamMingoIt’s UNC vs. Michigan State in round 2 on Saturday

Kevin Sweeney @CBB_CentralUNC 90, Wagner 62

As blowouts come, that was a fairly competitive one. Wagner stayed within striking distance for awhile, made some tough shots, but eventually got blown away. Heck of a year for Donald Copeland’s group.

Heels vs. Michigan State Saturday will be fun!

Andrew Carter @_andrewcarterUNC pulling away here, with a 26-point lead, but the Tar Heels have had to work to get there. Final score will look a lot more one-sided than this game actually was, for long stretches.

Still, UNC will be onto the round of 32, and a date with Michigan State here on Saturday.

Daniele Franceschi @Daniele_MediaUNC vs. Michigan State in the Round of 32!

That’s going to be a blast!

Jonathon Crofts @jcrofts35Michigan State vs North Carolina is gonna be a very fun game to watch

As a UNC fan I just have to embrace the Madness

After easily avoiding an upset, North Carolina will battle against Michigan State on Saturday. If the Tar Heels deliver a performance similar to their showing on Thursday, they’ll likely be headed to the Sweet 16.