Loss to SC looms large for UNC

It will be a big deal for Northern Iowa when No. 1 North Carolina visits the McLeod Center on Saturday.

Senior guard Wes Washpun had 21 points and eight assists, and senior guard Matt Bohannon scored 19 points as Northern Iowa beat a No. 1 team for the second time in school history by recording a 71-67 victory over North Carolina at Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The Northern Iowa Panthers and the North Carolina Tar Heels face off on Saturday in college basketball action. The Tar Heels led by as much as 16 points, but with about three minutes left, the Panthers took a slim lead and held on to it for the win.

As the Tar Heels prepare for the Panthers (1-1), a major winter storm is barring down on the Midwest and have dumped 12-plus inches already. “But North Carolina still plays”.

USF 58, UC Riverside 57: Devin Watson hit four free throws in the final 43 seconds and hit Tim Derksen for a layup with 3.7 seconds left to lift the Dons (3-1) over the visiting Highlanders (2-1). Bryant’s steals in the first half and assists from her teammates, would help make Bryant the second leading scorer for the Heels, ending with 15 for a career high.

North Carolina scared their fans in the previous game when they let the Wofford Terriers hang around in the first half by a single-digit deficit.

Northern Iowa came back from nine points down at halftime to up three with less than 30 seconds left.

SAINT LEO 93, NOVA SE 88: Caleb Stewart had 26 points and eight rebounds to lead the host Lions (2-2, 1-1 SSC).

Meeks finished with just 10 points, a total matched by Brice Johnson.

The Tar Heels are 3-0 and have been without Marion native Marcus Paige who is sidelined with a broken bone in his hand.

Early in the second half, Duke drew another corner and after the first shot was blocked, junior Kristy Bernatchez made a diving save at the goal line to keep a second shot out of the cage and keep the Blue Devils off the board. UNC’s defense was also a bit shaky, as the experienced Panther guards continually beat Jackson, and guards Joel Berry and Nate Britt off the dribble. Without their field general, it was apparent that the Tar Heels were not at full strength.

Wagner 87, ME 73 – Freshman Issac Vann provided 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a losing effort for the Black Bears (0-3) in Staten Island, New York.

So even with Justin Jackson scoring 25 points in his best performance of the season to date, these issues were bound to catch up with North Carolina playing against a team as sound defensively as UNI.