UNC Basketball: Ninth Straight Victory over Wake Forest - Yahoo Sports

UNC men's basketball program defeats Wake Forest with RJ Davis scoring a career-high 36 points, extending their win streak to nine games.

The third-ranked UNC men's basketball team faced off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Monday night, and it was a slow start for both teams. They struggled to find their rhythm in the first seven minutes of the game, with a combined 5 for 23 shooting. However, the shots started to fall, and UNC and Wake Forest traded buckets.

In the first half, the Tar Heels relied on their guard play, particularly RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau, who impressed the crowd with their skills. Davis made tough finishes driving to the basket, while Cadeau's defense and ankle-breaking moves energized the Dean Dome.

Unlike previous ACC opponents, Wake Forest didn't rely on physicality to keep up with UNC. Instead, they matched the Tar Heels' offensive output. The second half continued to showcase the guard play, with Cadeau and Davis attacking Wake's defense and slowly creating separation.

What was once a close game quickly turned into a substantial lead for the Tar Heels midway through the second half after a 26-11 run. Wake Forest's attempts at a comeback were swiftly shut down, as the home crowd fueled UNC to their ninth consecutive win.

There's no doubt that Davis was the standout player of the game, with an impressive scoring output of 36 points, setting a new career high. He also broke Justin Jackson's record for the most consecutive games (16) with multiple three-pointers. Davis's stellar performance has solidified his position as a contender for player of the year.

UNC will now have a four-day break before their ACC road game against FSU on Saturday. The Tar Heels previously defeated the Seminoles with a 78-70 victory in Chapel Hill earlier in the season. With FSU showing vulnerability at home with a 7-4 record, UNC has a good chance of extending their win streak to 10 games.