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North Carolina Basketball: Inside Look at Round of 32 History

Just like the Round of 64, let's take a closer look at Carolina's recent history during the second-round of the NCAA Tournament.

By Jeremiah Artacho

Jae'Lyn Withers completed his outing with a double-double against Wagner in the Round of 64.
Jae'Lyn Withers completed his outing with a double-double against Wagner in the Round of 64. / Jacob Kupferman/GettyImages
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2019: #9 Washington vs. #1 UNC - (Won, 81-59)

Coby White - 17 PTS, 6 REBS, 2 ASTS, 6-11 FG, 4-7 3PT, 1-2 FT
Kenny Williams - 2 PTS, 4 REBS, 3 ASTS, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3PT
Cam Johnson - 13 PTS, 3 REBS, 7 ASTS, 5-10 FG, 3-8 3PT
Luke Maye - 20 PTS, 14 REBS, 8-19 FG, 1-2 3PT, 3-3 FT
Garrison Brooks - 5 PTS, 5 REBS, 3 AST, 2-4 FG, 1-2 FT

This UNC squad was starred by freshman standout Coby White, who's in the big leagues playing in Chicago, Carolina legend Luke Maye, and Cameron Johnson, now with the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. Off the bench, Nassir Little, who plays for the Phoenix Suns, always entered the game for former Coach Roy Williams with highlight plays and energy sparks. A vital piece of this team's success.

Against the Huskies, Coby White was able to spot up and create his shots, adding in a barrage of three-pointers throughout the contest. Luke Maye was doing Luke Maye things, accomplishing a huge double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Maye's ability to stretch the floor was one of the very few times that Coach Williams employed a stretch four in his offense.

North Carolina never trailed in this game while their lead grew to 25 points. The Heels shot over 50% for the game and 43% from three. Plus, having a wide margin in the rebounding department, finishing with a 48-24 edge.

2018: #7 Texas A&M vs. #2 UNC - (Lost, 86-65)

Joel Berry II - 21 PTS, 5 REBS, 2 ASTS, 7-17 FG, 2-10 3PT, 5-5 FT
Kenny Williams - 5 PTS, 4 REBS, 2-8 FG, 1-5 3PT
Cam Johnson - 7 PTS, 3 REBS, 2 ASTS, 3-11 FG, 1-7 3PT
Theo Pinson - 4 PTS, 7 REBS, 11 ASTS, 2-7 FG, 0-2 3PT
Luke Maye - 13 PTS, 11 REBS, 2 ASTS, 6-16 FG, 1-4 3PT

In the final year for seniors, Joel Berry and Theo Pinson, following their 2017 National Championship victory against Gonzaga, getting bumped out of the tourney in the second round was not exactly the way they hoped to end their careers as Tar Heels.

North Carolina had a bad shooting night at the wrong time. On the other end, Texas A&M made more than half their shots during the two halves of play. It was a recipe for disaster that did not play in favor of the guys from Chapel Hill.

At least those two guys will always be able to say they stood atop college basketball's biggest stage to everyone they come across.

Joel Berry is now a part of the ACC Network, while Theo Pinson continues his hoops career playing in the NBA G League for the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks affiliated team.

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