The ACC Tournament has not always been a top priority for the North Carolina Tar Heels, but this year they have approached it with a sense of desperation. Their last win in the tournament came way back in 2016, and they seem determined to win it this year. The team played with a sense of urgency in their quarterfinal victory against Florida State on Thursday, booking themselves a place in Friday’s semifinals against Pittsburgh.
The Tar Heels took some time to get going but eventually pulled away from Florida State with a 20-7 run to close out the first half. The onslaught continued in the second half, with UNC eventually leading by 24 points with 10 minutes left in the game. RJ Davis led the team with 18 points, while Armando Bacot and Cormac Ryan each scored 14. The team put a balanced attack on display as six players finished with at least eight points.
Despite their slow start, the Tar Heels proved that they have a variety of contributors and don’t rely on one particular player to win games. They dominated defensively against the Seminoles and gradually stretched their lead to a comfortable margin in the second half.
They’re favored to beat the Panthers on Friday night and are 6.5-point favorites while attached to odds of -285. Pitt is a +230 to win but, with NC sports betting now a thing, we imagine most of the bets will be on the favorites.
Point guard Elliot Cadeau was singled out for praise on Thursday as he made a significant impact, helping UNC score 23 points off 12 Florida State turnovers. Cadeau’s growth as a defensive player was evident as he used his athleticism to his advantage. He demonstrated his defensive skills by diving for loose balls, climbing into the ball, boxing out, and communicating with his teammates.
“Elliott every day is understanding how important and how good of a defensive player he can be,” head coach Hubert Davis said, “and that leads to him diving on loose balls and getting extra possessions, climbing into the ball, boxing out, talking on defense. So you just continue to see that growth in him, and it’s been fun to watch.”
The player’s motivation to improve his defense has led to impressive growth, and it’s been fun to watch. Cadeau’s teammate, Zayden High, always encourages him to take advantage of his ability to finish and get to the basket.
“I’m just telling him, ‘Yo, get to the rim,’” High said. “‘Nobody can stay in front of you. You’re one of the quickest dudes that I’ve ever played against. No one can stay in front of you.’”
Cadeau also showed off his passing skills, often throwing his teammates open and threading the needle to set up scoring opportunities. One of his standout passes was a bounce pass from the top of the key to the corner over to Cormac Ryan, which resulted in a 3-point attempt.
Scoring eight points and adding six assists, four rebounds, and three steals, his contribution went beyond the stats. He changed the game’s temperature by diving for the ball twice in less than a minute in the first half, even if the wounds on his knee kept reopening every time he fell.
In the first instance, Cadeau attacked Baba Miller’s dribble, forcing the opposition’s big man into a foul. UNC took possession, and Harrison Ingram scored a layup. In the second instance, the guard fought Jaylan Gainey for a loose ball with blood already dripping from his legs. He forced a tie-up, giving UNC possession of the ball again.
Cadeau’s willingness to put his body on the line and dive for the ball helped his team gain momentum and turn the game in their favor.
Despite his injuries, Cadeau continued to play with determination and resilience. His efforts showed that basketball is not just about scoring points but also about making the extra effort to help the team win.
The Tar Heels’ sense of desperation bodes well for the competition in the tournament as they have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with. While the team has not always prioritized the ACC Tournament in the past, they are determined to win it this year and have the talent and depth to do so.
Overall, the Tar Heels’ victory against Florida State was a game of balance, with contributions from an assembled cast of players. They will need to continue to play with a sense of urgency and maintain their balanced attack if they hope to win the ACC Tournament and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.