Survive and Advance: UNC Battles Past Wake Forest, Sets Up Do-or-Die Showdown with Duke
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The season was on the line. The NCAA Tournament hopes were in jeopardy. The Tar Heels responded.
In a game that embodied the March mantra of "survive and advance," No. 5 seed North Carolina overcame a relentless Wake Forest squad with a 68-59 victory in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night at the Spectrum Center.
RJ Davis, playing in what could have been his final game as a Tar Heel, refused to let it end.
The senior guard delivered when UNC needed him most, finishing with 23 points, 5-of-6 from three, and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. His clutch shooting and leadership helped North Carolina (22-12) escape a 10-minute field goal drought in the second half, a stretch that nearly derailed their season.
Now, the Tar Heels get their shot at No. 1 seed Duke in Friday’s semifinal—a team that swept them in the regular season.
A 10-Minute Drought, A Season on the Brink
With 15:15 left in the second half, North Carolina led 42-32, seemingly in control. Then, the offense disappeared.
UNC went over 10 minutes without a made field goal (15:15 to 4:35), missing 15 straight shots.
Wake Forest capitalized with a 14-3 run, taking the lead at 11:50 and putting the Tar Heels on the ropes. The offense stalled, shots weren’t falling, and turnovers mounted. The weight of the season seemed to be crashing down.
"We've been in these situations before earlier in the year, and we weren't able to get stronger," Hubert Davis said. "We were able to do it today."
Finally, Jae’Lyn Withers ended the drought, drilling a corner three with 4:15 left to put UNC back on top, 57-56. That sparked the defining stretch of the game.
The Block That Changed Everything
With UNC clinging to a one-point lead (57-56) at the 3:00 mark, Wake Forest had a chance to retake control.
That’s when Ven-Allen Lubin delivered the biggest defensive play of the game.
Hunter Sallis drove into the lane, looking for a go-ahead layup, but Lubin rose up and swatted the shot away—a thunderous rejection that sent the ball flying and ignited the Tar Heel crowd.
The momentum completely shifted. UNC raced the other way, and RJ Davis buried a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, extending the lead to 61-57 with 2:36 left.
"It was huge," Lubin said. "Coach always preaches ‘whatever it takes,’ and at that moment, I knew we needed a stop."
Wake Forest never got within one possession again.
Ven-Allen Lubin: The Difference in the Paint
Lubin wasn't just a defensive force—he controlled the glass and sealed the game inside.
The junior forward recorded a double-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks, despite playing the final stretch with four fouls.
His exclamation point? Two monster putback dunks in the final two minutes that sealed the victory.
"It was just electric," Lubin said of his dunks. "Coach always emphasizes going to the offensive boards, getting us second-chance opportunities. I just wanted to attack the rim and help us get the win."
A Chaotic, Physical Battle
With UNC’s season on the line, tensions ran high.
At the 3:00 mark, a double foul was called on Elliot Cadeau (UNC) and Cameron Hildreth (Wake). Moments later, Wake’s Juke Harris was hit with a flagrant one foul for tripping, leading to two UNC free throws. On the very next possession, the UNC bench was assessed a technical foul, allowing Hunter Sallis to drill two free throws and give Wake a 53-52 lead with 7:19 left. The game was slipping away. But UNC never wavered.
"That's just part of the game," Lubin said of the chaos. "The five guys on the court just had to stay together, make the right plays, and get stops."
They did exactly that, closing the game on an 11-3 run, suffocating Wake Forest defensively while executing offensively when it mattered most.
RJ Davis: The Leader UNC Needed
With four minutes left in his potential final game at UNC, RJ Davis had a choice: fold under pressure or take over. He did the latter.
His clutch three with 2:36 left pushed UNC’s lead to four. He later hit four free throws to ice the game.
"RJ’s toughness is something we feed off of," Hubert Davis said. "Having a guy like that, who's been there and done that before, is invaluable."
Davis' leadership and shot-making helped UNC avoid what would have been a devastating loss. Instead, they live to fight another day.
What’s Next: A Rivalry Rematch with Everything at Stake
UNC now faces No. 1 seed Duke for the third time this season. The Blue Devils swept the regular-season series, most recently winning 82-69 in Chapel Hill on March 8.
Elliot Cadeau made the stakes clear.
"It's giving more of a get-back game because we lost twice already."
Seth Trimble added:
"We believe we are a tournament team right now. But we know if we win that game tomorrow, without a doubt, we are in."
North Carolina has won 9 of its last 11 games, building momentum at the right time. But with Duke standing in their way, there’s no room for error.
Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET Friday.
Final Box Score:
North Carolina 68, Wake Forest 59
UNC Leaders: 🔹 RJ Davis: 23 PTS, 5-9 3PT, 8-8 FT 🔹 Ven-Allen Lubin: 10 PTS, 13 REB, 3 BLK 🔹 Jae’Lyn Withers: 9 PTS, 9 REB, 2-7 3PT 🔹 Seth Trimble: 10 PTS, 8-9 FT
Wake Forest Leaders: 🔹 Hunter Sallis: 11 PTS, 4-9 FG 🔹 Tre’Von Spillers: 8 PTS, 4-6 FG 🔹 Cameron Hildreth: 2 PTS, 1-5 FG
UNC held Wake to 34% shooting, including a brutal 2-of-22 (9%) from three, while winning the rebound battle 46-38.
The Stakes: UNC’s Tournament Future
UNC has now won 9 of its last 11 games, pushing its record to 22-12. The Tar Heels entered the ACC Tournament as one of the "last teams in" the NCAA field—a status that could shift with Selection Sunday approaching.
Seth Trimble knows what’s at stake.
"We believe we are a tournament team right now," he said. "But we know if we win that game tomorrow, without a doubt, we are in."
Everything UNC has fought for comes down to one final battle—against their biggest rival, with everything on the line.
One more game. One more chance. Survive and Advance.
