COLUMBUS, Ohio — UNC has a bit of a break Saturday before another big match Sunday.
The Tar Heels beat No. 16 Iona 88-73 Saturday, after a rough first half that left some on the edge of their seats. North Carolina picked it up going into the second half, though, and came out with a strong finish.
With no match-up Saturday, the team had a full day to prepare for the next step -- facing No. 9 seed, Washington.
No. 1 seed North Carolina knows they have to take each game seriously, especially after the close call against the Gaels. The team is trying to stay focused on each game instead of getting too lost thinking of what lies ahead.
"You've just got to stay focused and stay hungry throughout the tournament and just take it one game at a time," freshman Coby White previously said.
Saturday, UNC Coach Roy Williams spoke on Zion Williamson's performance with Duke. He said the praise around the Duke stand-out hasn't hurt the team, but acknowledges Zion's talent.
The UNC Coach said Williamson deserves the good credit he gets. He says he knows when the Tar Heels win, they get the good publicity they deserve too.
Williams said his wife went with him to see Zion play in a high school game once. He said she told him, "I don't think I've ever seen anything like that."
Williams said that was pretty perceptive.
North Carolina faces Washington at 2:40 p.m. Sunday.
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