Kan. — In a game filled with high stakes, thrilling comebacks, and late-game drama, No. 1 Kansas fended off a fierce rally from No. 9 North Carolina, securing a 92-89 victory at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks appeared to be in control for most of the game, only for the Tar Heels to mount a gutsy second-half comeback, before Kansas closed out the win with clutch plays in the final minutes.
Early Dominance by Kansas Sets the Stage
From the opening tip, it was clear that Kansas had come ready to play. The Jayhawks, led by All-American center Hunter Dickinson and an impressive roster of transfers, opened the game with an explosive 15-3 run. Their early dominance was built on Dickinson’s presence in the post and sharp shooting from South Dakota State transfer Zeke Mayo, who quickly found his rhythm and scored 21 points.
By the 2:00 mark in the first half, Kansas had stretched its lead to 20 points, with a commanding 49-29 advantage. The crowd at Allen Fieldhouse, always a tough venue for visitors, was rocking, and it seemed like the Jayhawks were cruising toward a comfortable win. However, North Carolina had other plans.
The Tar Heels, led by their backcourt trio of RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, and Seth Trimble, had other ideas. Despite Kansas’ early barrage, North Carolina wasn’t about to fold. The Tar Heels began to find their rhythm late in the first half, though they still trailed by 15 points at the break.
North Carolina’s Surge in the Second Half
The second half was a different story altogether. North Carolina came out with renewed energy and immediately began chipping away at the lead. The key to their resurgence was their ability to draw fouls and convert from the free-throw line. The Tar Heels shot an impressive 28-for-31 from the charity stripe, a major factor in their ability to claw back into the game.
RJ Davis was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 16 points and orchestrating the offense. Elliot Cadeau, the dynamic freshman guard, added 12 points and 7 assists, providing the spark for the Tar Heels as they started to look more like the team that had reached the national title game just two seasons ago.
As the minutes ticked down, the Tar Heels closed the gap. Back-to-back baskets by Jalen Withers gave North Carolina their first lead of the game at 80-79 with 7:06 remaining. From that point on, it was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading blows as the game became more intense by the minute.
Clutch Performances and a Heart-Stopping Finish
Kansas, however, showed why they are the top-ranked team in the nation. Despite struggling for stretches of the second half, the Jayhawks found a way to close out the game with key plays down the stretch.
With 1:15 left in the game, Dickinson scored the go-ahead basket for Kansas, putting them ahead 90-89. The veteran center, who finished the game with 20 points, would then hit one of two free throws with 12 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 92-89.
North Carolina had one final chance, but it was not meant to be. With 5 seconds left, Elliot Cadeau launched a three-pointer to potentially tie the game, but the shot bounced off the rim as time expired, sealing the win for Kansas.
Kansas coach Bill Self, who earned his 590th career victory to match the legendary Phog Allen for most wins in school history, acknowledged that his team didn’t play their best but still found a way to get the job done.
“Total class on both sides. It was cheer your team but don’t get after the other team,” Self said. “Even though we didn’t play our best, we found a way to win. I think it was a good game for both programs.”
Stars Shine in Historic Showdown
The game was a showcase of college basketball at its finest, with both teams featuring future NBA talent and a rich history of success. Kansas was led by Dickinson, who contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Mayo, who finished with 21 points. KJ Adams Jr. added 14 points for the Jayhawks, all of whom had to step up as North Carolina’s defense tightened.
For the Tar Heels, it was their backcourt trio of Davis, Trimble, and Cadeau that kept them in the game. Davis’ 16 points were crucial as he led his team through the most intense moments of the second half. The Jayhawks’ defense, particularly on the perimeter, made it difficult for the Tar Heels to convert in the final moments, but North Carolina’s ability to get to the line kept the game tense all the way until the end.
The game marked the 13th meeting in history between these two storied programs, with Kansas now holding a 7-6 edge in the series. The next chapter will be written in 2025 when the Jayhawks visit North Carolina for their first game in Chapel Hill in nearly 60 years.
A Rivalry for the Ages
The rivalry between Kansas and North Carolina has been one of the most iconic in college basketball. The two teams have faced off in five Final Fours and two national championships, with Kansas emerging victorious in their most recent meeting for the 2022 national title. Friday night’s matchup lived up to the hype, with both teams showing why they are among the best in the nation.
Despite the loss, North Carolina’s coach Hubert Davis was proud of the fight his team showed. “It’s going to be competitive,” Davis said after the game. “You run through that tunnel and you see that crowd, and you see Kansas across the court — if you can’t be fired up to play and compete in this type of atmosphere, something must be wrong with you.”
In the end, it was Kansas that proved to be a little too much, surviving a near-collapse to hang on for the win. Both teams will look to build on this thrilling contest as they move forward into the season.
