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UNC Basketball Champ Claims One More Piece Would Ensure Tar Heel Title

Former UNC basketball star Ty Lawson is well aware of what it takes to cut down nets in early April.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard Ty Lawson
UNC basketball guard Ty Lawson / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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UNC basketball treasure Ty Lawson hadn't posted on X since September. But on Saturday afternoon, the 2009 Tar Heel national champion point guard surfaced with excitement about his alma mater's pre-Christmas showdown against the No. 18-ranked UCLA Bruins at the CBS Sports Classic in Madison Square Garden.

ALSO READ: Updated UNC Stat Leaders Following Clutch Victory

And roughly an hour before tipoff, the 37-year-old Lawson delivered a guarantee to his followers:

"We gettin this dub! Book it. I’m hype."

Of course, the Tar Heels did exactly that. Freshman guard Ian Jackson and graduate guard RJ Davis fueled the remarkable comeback from a 59-43 deficit with under 13 minutes to play, pulling off a 76-74 win to ensure UNC's first positive outcome against a ranked-at-the-time opponent in five tries this season.

Around the time the prolific UNC basketball rally began, Ty Lawson, who became the 2008-09 ACC Player of the Year as a junior before enjoying a seven-year NBA career, suggested via the following post that the only thing missing from UNC's roster is a floor general matching the abilities of himself or the program's 2012-16 backcourt sensation, Marcus Paige:

Lawson never expanded on that observation. Perhaps the late takeover by Ian Jackson and RJ Davis convinced him that Hubert Davis and his staff may have championship-caliber firepower on the perimeter after all.

The Tar Heels (7-5, 1-0 ACC) don't play again until they complete their non-conference slate by hosting the Campbell Fighting Camels (5-7, 0-0 CAA) in the Dean E. Smith Center next Sunday at 8 p.m. ET (ACC Network).

ALSO READ: Tar Heel Rookie Enters Splash Zone in Team Locker Room

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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