North Carolina Met the Fight, Knocked Out Michigan State

The Tar Heels' toughness was on full display during game-changing 23-3 run.

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Michigan State socked North Carolina right in the mouth in the opening 11 minutes of Saturday night's Second Round matchup in Charlotte. The Spartans streaked to a 26-14 lead, quieting the partisan crowd. Then Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis identified the problem.

"We've got to get tougher," Davis said in an animated sideline interview with CBS-Turner Sports reporter Allie LaForce during a first half timeout. "Get tougher. They're catching the ball right underneath the basket. Until we meet the fight, then that's when things will turn around."

The public fighting words likely matched those shared in the private huddle. They immediately translated into action as North Carolina put together a 23-3 run to close the first half and seize control, eventually marching into the Sweet 16 with a 85-69 victory.

Seniors RJ Davis and Armando Bacot lived up to their standard as one of college basketball's best tandems, scoring 20 and 18 points respectively. Harrison Ingram also had a big hand in the victory, going 5-for-7 from beyond the arc en route to 17 points.

The Tar Heels were able to sustain a few second-half pushes from a Michigan State side that refused to go down without a fight. The Spartans were led by Tyson Walker (24 points) and Malik Hall (17). Michigan State cut the lead to two points early in the second half, and were within four twice before North Carolina opened it back up.

Davis' team now awaits the winner of Grand Canyon-Alabama for a spot in the Elite Eight.

In addition to showcasing North Carolina's high ceiling, the victory kept the Tar Heels a perfect 6-0 against Michigan State in NCAA Tournament play. They also improved to 36-2 in tournament games played in their own state.

Kyle Koster is an editor at The Big Lead.