3 UNC Tar Heels On Thin Ice Ahead of NCAA Tournament
The Tar Heels might be in trouble if these players don't step up
By Joe Summers
North Carolina landed the No. 1 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament, taking on the winner of Howard vs. Wagner in a play-in game. The Tar Heels were one of the best teams in college basketball this season but fell in the ACC Tournament Finals to their in-state rivals, the NC State Wolfpack.
The 84-76 loss came despite a 30-point effort from ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, though North Carolina won eight straight games prior to the loss. There are a number of talented teams in the West, so the Tar Heels need to play their best basketball if they're going to make a run to the Final Four and beyond.
With that in mind, let's take a look at three Tar Heels on thin ice heading into March Madness. They currently have +1700 odds to win the championship, though their hopes may rest on these players' shoulders.
3 UNC Tar Heels On Thin Ice Before NCAA Tournament
1. Harrison Ingram
North Carolina often goes as Ingram does. He shot only 3-of-11 from the field and 3-of-9 from beyond the arc with three rebounds in the loss to NC State with a turnover and foul. He was 8-of-14 in the win over the Wolfpack near the end of the season, a tidy piece of evidence showcasing his impact on the Tar Heels.
Overall, Ingram really struggled in the ACC Tournament. The potential first-round NBA Draft pick was 7-of-23 in three games with six turnovers and North Carolina needs him to get right if they're making it out of the West.
Harrison Ingram made a huge impact in his first UNC-Duke rivalry game. 21 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals, 5/9 3P and the win for the 6'7 projected 2nd round pick. Shooting 41% for 3 on the season. pic.twitter.com/y2hNIrsu2H
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 4, 2024
When Ingram is playing well, I believe the Tar Heels are the best team in the country. His ability to crash the glass and hit three-pointers makes him the perfect compliment to RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, though North Carolina's offense craters when Ingram isn't making shots.
Only securing three rebounds was particularly concerning against NC State. Ingram averaged nine rebounds per game on the season and this performance was his second-lowest total of the year.
The Tar Heels are one of the best rebounding teams in the country. If that advantage dissipates, it'll be difficult for the team to reach the heights it's capable of.
Nonetheless, you can score a guaranteed $250 bonus from FanDuel Sportsbook betting on North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament! New users who bet $5 or more (with a $10 deposit) on the Tar Heels or any other team will automatically receive $250 in bonus bets win or lose. Click here to sign up for FanDuel now!