All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Falls Flat Late in First Half at Kansas

Kansas put together a 34-20 run to take a double-digit lead over the UNC basketball visitors at halftime.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball versus Kansas
UNC basketball versus Kansas / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
In this story:

In the UNC basketball program's second trip to Allen Fieldhouse in history, looking to snap a four-game losing streak against fellow blueblood Kansas, the visiting No. 9-ranked Tar Heels (1-0, 0-0 ACC) held their own early versus the No. 1 Jayhawks (1-0, 0-0 Big 12).

ALSO READ: UNC Pro Harrison Ingram Logs First NBA Minutes

UNC jumped out to a 7-2 lead behind five points out of the gates from the Tar Heels' defending ACC Player of the Year in graduate guard RJ Davis. And head coach Hubert Davis' fourth UNC basketball squad trailed Bill Self's Kansas bunch by only one point just over seven minutes into the contest.

However, the Jayhawks boosted their advantage from there, as Kansas shot 59.5 percent from the field before the break to take a 53-38 lead. UNC hit only 35.5 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half while committing seven turnovers and getting outrebounded, 21-18.

The series record between UNC basketball and Kansas stands at 6-6. Again, though, the Jayhawks have won four straight against the Tar Heels, including their most recent meeting prior to Friday night, a 72-69 Kansas victory in the 2022 national championship game.

Following the second half in Lawrence, Kan., the Tar Heels will return to Chapel Hill and have a week off before hosting the American Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Patriot League) at 8 p.m. ET next Friday (ACC Network).

ALSO READ: Tar Heel Presence on Hand for No. 1 Prep AJ Dybantsa

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more on the 2024-25 Tar Heels and other UNC basketball news.

Published |Modified
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.

Home/Basketball