Five takeaways from UNC's comeback win over Wake Forest in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals

Wow. That's all I have to say. The North Carolina Tar Heels, who needed to play their best basketball in this week's ACC Tournament for a shot at the NCAA Tournament, delivered an instant classic Thursday afternoon against Wake Forest.

UNC led by two points at halftime, then seemingly traded runs with the Demon Deacons throughout. Facing a 56-54 deficit with 4:42 remaining in the second half, North Carolina roared back for a 68-59 victory, setting up another matchup with archrival Duke in Friday's ACC Tournament semifinals.

We can credit RJ Davis and Jae'Lyn Withers for keeping the Tar Heels (22-12 ACC, 13-7) in Thursday's game, particularly deep into the second half, but Ven-Allen Lubin won his team the game.

Lubin recorded his second-consecutive double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds, but focus in on how Lubin played during the final three minutes.

Lubin subbed in with 3:22 remaining in the game, with UNC clinging to a 57-56 lead. Efton Reid hit his first free throw to tie the game, then Lubin took over. Lubin drained a tie-breaking free throw, then blocked Hunter Sallis' lay-up attempt. 18 seconds later, RJ drained a 3-pointer that extended North Carolina's lead to four points.

With two minutes remaining, Lubin cashed in on a putback dunk and, off a Withers miss, tipped the shot back in to set the Tar Heels' bench off. Lubin later blocked Cam Hildreth's layup attempt and, shortly after, one thing was clear – UNC was moving on for a shot at the ACC Tournament Final.

RJ Davis can always be counted on to score

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) handles the ball against Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Efton Reid III (4) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

For the first 15 minutes of Thursday's ACC Tournament Quarterfinal matchup, RJ Davis found himself without a point.

As North Carolina faced a 22-15 deficit with 4:34 left in the first half, RJ drained his first 3-pointer and snapped his scoring drought. RJ drained four more free throws and nailed another three, helping the Tar Heels build a 33-31 halftime advantage.

RJ ended Thursday's NCAA Tournament resumé-boosting victory with 23 points, leading UNC and all scorers. Never panic when RJ's on a cold spell, because chances are he'll heat up at some point.

Jae'Lyn Withers played a major role again...even on an off-shooting day

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) and forward Jae'Lyn Withers (24) and guard Seth Trimble (7) react near the end of the game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Jae'Lyn Withers couldn't miss anything against Notre Dame – and Tar Heel Nation hoped he could bring that same production Thursday against Wake Forest.

Withers only made two of his 10 field goal attempts, but both makes were from deep, including one that gave UNC a 57-56 lead with 4:35 remaining in the game (never trailed again). Withers grabbed nine rebounds, dished out three assists and stole the ball one time. Defensively, Withers helped hold Wake to just three points over the final six minutes.

Today's performance showcased that players can help their teams win in areas besides scoring. Withers did exactly that – and you can bet he wants to beat Duke as bad as anybody.

Ven-Allen Lubin is playing like the center North Carolina longingly craved

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) blocks a shot by Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Hunter Sallis (23) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels struggled to get production from their post players all season long. Head coach Hubert Davis tried starting Jalen Washington at center and got production, but not at a starting-caliber level. Withers slipped out of the starting lineup for most of the regular season, but recent hot play has him back in it.

Hubert snagged Lubin from Vanderbilt late in the transfer portal recruiting period, but he wasn't the towering figure like Armando Bacot.

That doesn't matter now, with Lubin playing his best basketball of the year. Lubin recorded a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double against the Demon Deacons, his second straight game with a double-double and third in four days. Lubin now also has eight consecutive games scoring in double-figures, giving UNC the post production it craved for so long.

While you can point to Lubin's double-double as the most recognizable part of his game, Lubin's late-game blocks were the highlight of his afternoon.

North Carolina's defense prevented another second-half collapse

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Hunter Sallis (23) handles the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have a penchant for enduring prolonged scoring stretches this season, particularly in the second half when they need to put teams away.

At one point Thursday, I remember seeing a stat where North Carolina made just one of its 10+ shots in the second half. This allowed Wake to climb back into the game and put a scare into UNC.

After Reid pushed the Deacs' lead to 56-54 with a second-half free throw, the Tar Heels held Wake to just three points in the final six minutes. North Carolina's shots started to fall, but its defense played a deciding factor late.

Friday night is UNC's best chance to beat Duke

Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) appeals to the fans after a three point play near the end of the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

I always hate to see players go down with injuries, but that's a part of sports. During Duke's 78-70 victory over Georgia Tech earlier Thursday, star forwards Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown exited with injuries.

Flagg's X-rays are negative, but his status for Friday is questionable. Brown is done for the year, re-separating his shoulder.

The Tar Heels will likely be facing their archrivals without the latter's best player and shot-blocker. There's no excuse for UNC not to win now.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Five takeaways as UNC downs Wake Forest in ACC Tournament, faces Duke

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