3 Exciting Observations From UNC's Second-Round Win vs. Michigan State

North Carolina overcame an early 12-point deficit to throttle Michigan State 85-69 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They'll now face Alabama in the Sweet 16, inching closer to the school's first Final Four appearance since losing in the 2021-22 championship.

The offense was once again impressive, putting up 45 second-half points to overwhelm the Spartans and pull away. Alabama has one of the country's most explosive offenses, so the Tar Heels need a similar effort to overcome the Crimson Tide and advance to the Elite Eight.

As we get set for a Thursday night tip, let's look at three thrilling observations from UNC's double-digit win.

3 Exciting Observations From UNC's Win vs. Michigan State

1. Harrison Ingram Was Everything the Tar Heels Needed

Ingram wasted no time in showing why he's a potential first-round NBA Draft pick this summer, knocking down five three-pointers on just seven attempts en route to 17 points with seven rebounds. He was tremendous on both sides of the floor, giving UNC a legitimate "Big Three" alongside RJ Davis and Armando Bacot.

When the Tar Heels found themselves down 28-17 halfway through the first half, Ingram drilled a trio of three-pointers to cap off the comeback and put UNC ahead for good.

After struggling in the ACC Tournament, shooting just 7-23 in three games, Ingram is now shooting over 55% from the field and 66% from beyond the arc in two March Madness contests.

We know that UNC can hang with the best of them defensively. The biggest questions surrounding the team's national title hopes centered around the offense. RJ Davis can light it up from outside and Armando Bacot is a beast down low, but could the Tar Heels get enough help from their ancillary pieces to compete with the deeper teams in the sport?

Through two games, the answer to that question is a resounding yes thanks to Ingram. If he keeps this play up, there's no reason to think UNC can't make a Final Four run and possibly even win a national championship.

If you want to score a nice payday backing the Tar Heels, FanDuel Sportsbook has a $200 sign-up bonus available for any $5 bet! Just sign up, deposit at least $10 and bet $5 or more on any UNC bet and you'll get $200 in bonus bets even if the wager loses. Click here to sign up for FanDuel now!