Cameron Johnson
FILE - At left, in a Feb. 2, 2019, file photo, Oregon State forward Tres Tinkle (3) shoots against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Salt Lake City. At right, in a Jan. 17, 2019, file photo, Washington's Jaylen Nowell (5) shoots during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, in Seattle. The top conferences in college basketball are wrapping up regular-season play, along with the races to determine each league’s player of the year. Washington has long since wrapped up the regular-season Pac-12 title behind sophomore Jaylen Nowell. Oregon State forward Tres Tinkle (20.5 points, 8.0 rebounds) would be the likely top contender.(AP Photo/File)
Top-player races in power conferences enter final weekend

By Aaron Beard Mar. 08, 2019 02:46 AM EST
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The top conferences in college basketball are wrapping up

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2019, file photo, North Carolina's Nassir Little (5) reacts following a basket against Virginia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Little has carved out a role as third-ranked North Carolina's top reserve, not as a starter like many projected when he arrived on campus as one of the nation’s top freshmen. Yet Little is focusing on one stat _ wins _ for a team chasing at least a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championship and looking like a Final Four contender. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
Little aims to make impact off bench for No. 3 Tar Heels

By Aaron Beard Mar. 07, 2019 05:57 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Nassir Little has carved out a role at third-ranked North

North Carolina's Luke Maye (32) misses a dunk during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Boston College in Boston, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
No. 3 North Carolina beats Boston College 79-66

By Jimmy Golen Mar. 05, 2019 09:57 PM EST
BOSTON (AP) — North Carolina forward Luke Maye grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds in

Boston College's Ky Bowman shoots against North Carolina's Kenny Williams (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Boston, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
North Carolina Tar Heels at Boston College Eagles 3/5/2019

Mar. 05, 2019 08:37 PM EST

North Carolina coach Roy Williams discusses a call with an official during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Clemson on Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
After Williams falls and leaves, No. 5 UNC outlasts Clemson

By Pete Iacobelli Mar. 02, 2019 08:27 PM EST
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — After coach Roy Williams fell in front of North Carolina's bench

North Carolina's Garrison Brooks (15) goes for a dunk on Syracuse's Oshae Brissett (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
White's 34 helps No. 5 North Carolina beat Syracuse 93-85

By Aaron Beard Feb. 26, 2019 11:24 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The shots were falling again for North Carolina's Coby White

North Carolina's Coby White tries to shoot as Florida State's Devin Vassell (24) and Raiquan Gray (1) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Johnson, Maye lead No. 8 UNC past No. 16 FSU, 77-59

By Joedy Mccreary Feb. 23, 2019 05:53 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — No. 8 North Carolina convincingly beat both of the Atlantic

North Carolina's Coby White tries to shoot as Florida State's Devin Vassell (24) and Raiquan Gray (1) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Florida State Seminoles at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/23/2019

Feb. 23, 2019 05:13 PM EST

North Carolina's Cameron Johnson (13) dunks against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
With Zion injured, No. 8 UNC routs No. 1 Duke 88-72

By Joedy Mccreary Feb. 20, 2019 11:21 PM EST
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Zion Williamson blew out his shoe, and then No. 8 North Carolina

North Carolina's Cameron Johnson (13) gets around the defense of Wake Forest's Torry Johnson (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Feb 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Woody Marshall)
No. 1 Duke and No. 8 North Carolina renew rivalry this week

By John Marshall Feb. 19, 2019 02:14 AM EST
North Carolina coach Roy Williams set his sights on landing Zion Williamson out of

North Carolina's Brandon Huffman (42) drives to the basket as Wake Forest's Sunday Okeke (34) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Feb 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Woody Marshall)
Johnson, No. 8 North Carolina roll past Wake Forest 95-57

By Aaron Beard Feb. 16, 2019 01:59 PM EST
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Eighth-ranked North Carolina responded to its first loss

Wake Forest's Brandon Childress (0) falls in the lane during the first half of an NCAA college basketball against North Carolina in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday, Feb 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Woody Marshall)
North Carolina Tar Heels at Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2/16/2019

Feb. 16, 2019 01:14 PM EST

No. 8 Tar Heels banged up entering trip to Wake Forest

Feb. 15, 2019 03:29 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — It's unclear whether eighth-ranked North Carolina will have

File-This Jan. 19, 2019, file photo shows Purdue guard Carsen Edwards (3) shooting over Indiana forward Juwan Morgan (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind. Edwards, a junior and preseason AP All-American listed at 6-0 on the NCAA leaderboard but 6-1 by the school, is seventh, national scoring at 24.6 points per game. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
TOP 25 THIS WEEK: Big matchups abound in SEC, Big Ten

By Aaron Beard Feb. 12, 2019 03:11 AM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — It's going to be a big week for the top teams in both the

North Carolina's Garrison Brooks, left, guards Virginia's Ty Jerome, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Virginia won 69-61. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Guy, No. 4 Virginia rally past No. 8 North Carolina 69-61

By Aaron Beard Feb. 11, 2019 09:04 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Virginia's halftime lead was gone. North Carolina was

Virginia's De'Andre Hunter (12) and North Carolina's Luke Maye reach for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/11/2019

Feb. 11, 2019 07:52 PM EST

North Carolina's Seventh Woods, left, and Miami's Chris Lykes (0) fall to the floor chasing the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Miami (FL) Hurricanes at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/9/2019

Feb. 09, 2019 12:59 PM EST

North Carolina's Brandon Huffman blocks while North Carolina State's DJ Funderburk (0) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Maye helps No. 8 Tar Heels roll past rival Wolfpack 113-96

By Aaron Beard Feb. 05, 2019 10:17 PM EST
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's Luke Maye just loves playing against rival

North Carolina's Nassir Little, center, loses the ball while driving to the basket against North Carolina State's Devon Daniels, left, and C.J. Bryce, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina State Wolfpack at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/5/2019

Feb. 05, 2019 08:59 PM EST

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams shouts instructions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
No. 9 Tar Heels avenge loss, topping No. 15 Louisville 79-69

By Gary B. Graves Feb. 02, 2019 04:40 PM EST
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — This time around, No. 9 North Carolina returned to form