Carolina’s thrilling second-round win over No. 1 seed Baylor set social media ablaze as the Bears mounted a furious second-half comeback after being down 25 points. The comeback started after UNC graduate forward Brady Manek was ejected due to a Flagrant 2 foul against Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan. The call sparked controversy, as some deemed the foul worthy only of a Flagrant 1, which would have kept Manek in the game.
What Manek did happen all the time and is usually assessed a flagrant 1 these guys decided to go flagrant 2 and take a guy with 26 points off the floor. Just garbage
— Brian Barbour (@briancbarbour) March 19, 2022
I’m old enough to remember Marquette not getting a flagrant 2 for putting a player in a headlock
— Adam Jordan (@adamjjordan) March 19, 2022
When I first saw the replay I didn't even think about a Flagrant 2. Just thought it was an easy call for a 1. If Carolina loses this game that's gonna be a major topic of conversation.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 19, 2022
Once Baylor began to come back, some viewers began to question the officiating crew working the game.
Literally won’t call a foul on Baylor when they trap the ball. This is like bad aau officiating
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) March 19, 2022
Baylor should be ashamed and the officials should be suspended for the rest of the season. I’m still beyond amazed.
— Matt (@StrayUNC) March 19, 2022
If any of the refs in this game advance to the next round, it's a disgrace. They've been terrible.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 19, 2022
It pains me to say this as a Duke fan:
But the refs are really screwing UNC.
They’re letting Baylor clutch and grab like it’s a hockey game out there.
— Andy Specht (@AndySpecht) March 19, 2022
UNC playing both Baylor and refs. Not an easy battle!
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) March 19, 2022
These refs have ZERO clue what they are doing
— Theo pinson (@tpinsonn) March 19, 2022
Once Baylor forced overtime, morale among Carolina fans was low. With Caleb Love and Brady Manek out for the game and Armando Bacot saddled with four fouls, things looked dire.
Heading to overtime.
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 19, 2022
This game can't go into overtime with no Manek, Love, and Bacot with 4 fouls.
— Keeping It Heel (@KeepingItHeel) March 19, 2022
North Carolina Atlanta Falcons
🤝
Giving up a 25-point second half lead— Clayton (@churdle76) March 19, 2022
Game is over. Heels won’t win this in OT
— UNC Humor (@UNC_Humor) March 19, 2022
Once in overtime, though, Dontrez Styles began the extra session with a clutch three-pointer. Styles was called into action as Carolina’s list of available players grew thin, and ended the night with nine points off the bench.
Can we talk about Dontrez Styles??
What a freaking performance from our freshman. pic.twitter.com/TWXg4otf84
— UNC Humor (@UNC_Humor) March 19, 2022
There’s a ton to talk about, but how about DONTREZ STYLES with the three to open overtime! HUGE!
— Jones Angell (@JonesAngell) March 19, 2022
dontrez styles picked a hell of a day to have his best game of his career
— bert (@brettlive) March 19, 2022
Eventually, Carolina fought past the Bears in a ragged overtime session, winning 93-86 and advancing to the Sweet 16. R.J. Davis poured in a career-high 30 points, including a much-needed three-point play late in overtime to help Carolina pull away.
This man is a hero. RJ Davis is carrying UNC to the finish. 30 pts. He has played every single minute of regulation and OT #MarchMadness @wral pic.twitter.com/c7K9chj1h8
— Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) March 19, 2022
Never too big of a moment for R.J. Davis 🔥 @ariidavis_@UNC_Basketball | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/ThUTTDS0XG
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2022
Since assists became an official NCAA statistic in 1984, here's the list of players in NCAA Tournament history to have 30 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in a win over a 1-seed:
RJ Davis
That's the list.@ariidavis_
@GoHeels
@UNC_Basketball— Jason McCallum (@JMacSC) March 19, 2022
RJ DAVIS! one of them ones! @ariidavis_
— Caleb Love (@caleb2love) March 19, 2022
Mainly, though, Carolina fans and players alike were just glad the game was finally over.
My god, guys. that was one of the most emotional, nerve-racking games I've ever watched, and I've been around a little while.
— Keeping It Heel (@KeepingItHeel) March 19, 2022
unc won that game but at what cost to my cardiac health
— emily padula (@emilypadula) March 19, 2022
Heels Win Baby!!!! 🐏 pic.twitter.com/uLTTUNwChl
— Garrison O. Brooks (@__garro) March 19, 2022
Thank you god!!!! Let’s go heels !!!
— Armando Bacot Jr. (@iget_buckets35) March 19, 2022
My team played an unbelievable game! So proud of them for pulling it out! TARRRR🗣🗣
— brady manek (@BradyManek) March 19, 2022
SURVIVE AND ADVANCE!!
— Theo pinson (@tpinsonn) March 19, 2022
Even Jeopardy! champion James Holzhauer gave his thoughts on the game.
BREAKING: (8)UNC upsets (1)Refs, advances to Sweet 16
— James Holzhauer (@James_Holzhauer) March 19, 2022
Speaking of upsets, Carolina was well-aware that few brackets picked them to advance past the Bears.
🤷♂️ @UNC_Basketball #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/z6xplqB2Ns
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2022
.@UNC_Basketball kept all the receipts ✍️ pic.twitter.com/6YMzejVbsv
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) March 19, 2022
Now, Carolina will face another of last season’s Final Four teams, No. 4 seed UCLA, in Philadelphia on Friday night.
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 19, 2022
Featured image via Todd Melet
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