Christmas came early in Chapel Hill as the North Carolina Tar Heels secured a potentially season-changing victory over the UCLA Bruins, winning 76-74 at the CBS Sports Classic held at Madison Square Garden. The Tar Heels overcame a staggering 16-point deficit to register this thrilling comeback win, marking their first victory against a ranked opponent this season.
With this victory, UNC not only helped ease growing doubts about their season but also showcased their budding star, freshman Ian Jackson. Jackson scored a team-high 24 points, shooting 61.5% from the field and knocking down three pivotal three-pointers. His performance was reminiscent of the excitement surrounding his recruitment as a 5-star McDonald’s All-American. “The energy here was electric,” Jackson said post-game, reflecting on the invigorated atmosphere of playing at Madison Square Garden, which stirred nostalgic memories from his childhood.
The Tar Heels had navigated through ups and downs this season, previously suffering narrow losses to Kansas and Michigan State, as well as to Florida, which stoked skepticism about their potential. That theme, characterized by slow starts and fierce comebacks, once again played out early against UCLA. The Bruins dominated the opening phases, largely led by Tyler Bilodeau, who scored all of UCLA's first 11 points and finished the game with 25 points. It was clear from the outset: the Tar Heels needed to find their rhythm quickly, but, yet again, they faltered.
Trailing 59-43 early in the second half, North Carolina seemed to be on the ropes with only 12:50 remaining. ESPN Analytics gave the Bruins a staggering 96.7% chance of victory at this juncture, making the Tar Heels’ eventual turnaround all the more dramatic.
The turning point for UNC came with strategic adjustments by coach Hubert Davis, who opted to shift to a four-guard lineup. This move not only opened up the floor for scoring but also changed the dynamics of the game. Davis stated, “I just felt like they were just loading up on RJ [Davis]. Just having multiple scorers out there I thought would be really good for us.” This change bewildered the Bruins, as UNC launched back to life, cutting the deficit with spirited performances across the board.
Jackson shone brightly during this resurgence. After being instrumental with 13 first-half points including three 3-pointers, he added more to his tally and demonstrated poise and athleticism throughout the game. His dynamic scoring ability energized the team and drew praise from analysts and fans alike.
But perhaps the clutchest play of the night came from Seth Trimble. With less than 30 seconds left on the clock, and trailing by one, Trimble executed tough defense against UCLA's Dylan Andrews. With swift reflexes, Trimble managed to knock the ball loose from Andrews, recovering possession for the Tar Heels. From this position, R.J. Davis sunk two free throws, putting UNC up 75-74 with mere seconds on the clock. R.J. finished the night with 17 points and was instrumental throughout the game.
Defensively, the Tar Heels held their ground when it mattered most. After securing the lead, they forced the Bruins to miss opportunities and grabbed significant rebounds to control the tempo of the game. Drake Powell, who was fouled with only 0.1 seconds left, added the last point to seal the win after hitting one of two free throws.
Despite the jubilation surrounding this important victory, challenges remain for North Carolina moving forward. The Tar Heels still need to address their habit of slow starts and find ways to avoid digging themselves such deep holes during games. After the match, fans celebrated loudly, but many understood the pressing need for consistency as ACC play approaches.
UCLA's coach Mick Cronin was unequivocal about where the Bruins fell short. The point guard play faltered, with Dylan Andrews struggling to find his footing late. “Hard to win when two things — when your point guard play is -14 and you turn it over late in the game,” Cronin lamented. Missing eight free throws during the second half certainly compounded their woes.
With their record now bolstered by this monumental victory, the Tar Heels will aim to carry their momentum forward. Whether this victory can serve as the catalyst for the rest of the season remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: they will need to build on this experience to qualify for the NCAA Tournament come March.
Indeed, as the sports community watches eagerly, they will see if Jackson's breakout performance this weekend continues to ignite the Tar Heels' season positively.
