North Carolina blows out Virginia, advances to ACC Tournament semifinals

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North Carolina took care of business in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night, beating Virginia 63-43.

The Tar Heels will now face Virginia Tech in the semifinals on Friday. Virginia Tech upset Notre Dame in the other quarterfinal.

Brady Manek was the key player for North Carolina vs. the Cavaliers. He finished with 21 points, but 19 of those came in the first half. Manek out-scored Virginia 19-13 before the break.

Manek is the first UNC player in over nine years to outscore an opponent in the first half of a game.

Brady Manek (19) outscored Virginia (13) in the first half tonight.

The last time a Tar Heel outscored an opposing team was 1/9/13 vs. Maryland when Reggie Bullock outscored the Terps, 21-20.

— Carolina Basketball Stats & Info (@UNCMBBStats) March 11, 2022

Armando Bacot and Caleb Love also scored in double-figures, putting up 10 points each.

North Carolina swept Virginia Tech during the regular season. The Tar Heels won by 12 in Chapel Hill on Jan. 24 and then by 8 in Blacksburg on Feb. 19. UNC’s most recent win over the Hokies was it’s most important win of the season until its victory over Duke last weekend.

Tipoff is at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday.