it was Friday afternoon, and there was a palpable buzz in the air. Everyone was fired up for the NCAA Tournament, but things took a turn when the Tar Heels faced off against the Ole Miss Rebels in the first round.
Now, the Tar Heels had been given a lot of hype this season, right? They had some serious talent in their lineup, and expectations were soaring. But sometimes, things just don’t click the way you hope. That first half? Yikes! They fell behind early, and it looked like they’d be buried. But just when you thought it was over, the Tar Heels staged this epic 22-point comeback. I mean, it was classic basketball drama—like a thriller movie where the hero almost gets knocked out but then rises up at the last moment.
And in the heat of it all, right when they made it a one-possession game, the Rebels struck back. Sean Pedulla, their point guard, nailed a clutch 3-pointer and just like that, BOOM! The lead was five with less than a minute left. You could almost feel the collective sigh of disappointment from Tar Heels fans echoing through the arena. The final score was 71-64, and just like that, RJ Davis, their standout point guard, faced the reality of his last game.
Can you imagine that moment? Here’s a guy who’s poured his heart and soul into the program for five years, leaving as the all-time leader in free throw percentage in UNC history and ranking fifth in scoring. After the game, he candidly shared, “It’s going to hurt.” And honestly, you could just feel the weight of those words. It’s not just a game; it’s so much more than that—join me in tearing up a little. 😢
Q: What's it going to be like to take that jersey off for the last time?
RJ Davis: "It's going to hurt."@wcnc @WFMY pic.twitter.com/zg9wQ23wb5
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) March 21, 2025
On one hand, Davis didn’t snag that national championship; but on the other hand, who can ignore the impact he’s had? He racked up 2,725 points—just think about how many balls that is flying into the net! He reflected on those five years saying, “The past five years have been the best five years of my life. It’s bigger than basketball.” Just wow, right?
The ups and downs, the sweat, the tears, it’s all part of the game. And while it didn’t end the way fans had envisioned, RJ’s journey is definitely one for the books. Here’s hoping for whatever’s next for him—maybe that NBA dream?
RJ, thank you for the last five years. I have enjoyed every moment you played. A lot of young players could have learned from you, and not the game of basketball, but the young behaved on and off the floor. Your sportsmanship and always loving for the best in everyone. May your wings fly you on your next adventure.
Thanks for sportsmanship and reppin UNC. Proud of you. Your future is unlimited.
You are loved