Luke Maye Leads No. 8 UNC to 113-96 Blowout Over NC State, Tar Heels Complete Season Sweep Over Wolfpack

The eighth-ranked UNC men’s basketball team completed its 12^th season sweep over NC State during the Roy Williams era on Tuesday night at the Dean Dome, using 31 points and 12 rebounds from senior forward Luke Maye to defeat the Wolfpack by a score of 113-96.

For the Tar Heels (18.4, 8-1 ACC), the win marks six in a row and keeps them in a tie atop the ACC standings—while also making an emphatic statement against the rival school from Raleigh.

To make things even better for UNC fans, at no point through either of the two games between the local rivals this season did NC State (16-7, 4-6 ACC) ever manage to take the lead.

Fresh off an energizing revenge victory over Louisville this past Saturday, the red-hot Tar Heels jumped out to a 19-point lead in the first half and never looked back–leading by as many as 28 points late in the second half before sending in the bench players.

Led by Maye’s impressive effort—which is something he’s always found easy against the Wolfpack–UNC was able to impose its will on the offensive boards and get into a comfort zone scoring the ball in transition. A total of five Tar Heels ended the night scoring in double figures, while the team tallied 21 second-chance points and 20 points on the fastbreak.

Wearing its 1969 throwback jerseys, UNC delivered a throwback performance that should build some serious momentum for head coach Roy Williams and company entering the final half of the conference schedule.

“I think we’re getting better, but I don’t know that I’d compare them to anybody else right now,” Williams told reporters afterwards. “But I had the same kind of question at the press conference yesterday. I really don’t ever look and say, ‘Ok, this is where I want to be right now or this is where we were after 22 games 10 years ago.’”

In a series that has been played since 1913, UNC’s 113 points scored on Tuesday were the most it has ever scored against NC State.

Not only did Maye deliver another fantastic outing, the Tar Heels shot a season-high 56 percent from the floor and received 21 points from Coby White and 17 apiece from Cameron Johnson and Kenny Williams.

With each passing game, it’s becoming more and more obvious that this Tar Heel team is rounding itself into postseason form. The ability to play as fast and put up as many points as any team out there—while also improving each game on defense—has helped UNC make its case as one of the top teams in not just the ACC, but in the entire country.

Games against Virginia and Duke still remain during the season’s stretch run, but if the last six games have proven anything it’s that this group should be ready for those heavyweight showdowns.

Until then, though, all the Tar Heels can do to convince everyone they’re for real is continue to try and keep their impressive winning ways going no matter the opponent.

Earning a convincing win over a local rival on Tuesday was a great way to start.

“I told them, last thing I said, we’ll have clips pulled from this game and there will be lots of negative clips,” Williams said. “Because we’ve got to get better. And I know that’s corny as all get out, but that’s what I focus on every single day.”

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will return to the court at the Dean Dome this Saturday, when they host Miami for a game set to begin at noon.

Game Notes:

• UNC’s 17-point margin of victory was its largest over NC State since a 51-point drubbing at the Smith Center in a 107-56 win back on Jan. 8, 2017
• Luke Maye has posted at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in his last four games against the Wolfpack, with averages of 29 points and 13 rebounds in those games–including three of his four career 30-point games.
• Tuesday marked the sixth time in 22 games this season that the Tar Heels have scored at least 100 points.
• Roy Williams improved his all-time record against NC State to 35-4, including a 30-4 mark while at UNC.

 

 

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Cover photo via Todd Melet