North Carolina
North Carolina blows out San Diego State in NCAA tournament: 3 takeaways
San Diego State’s basketball season came to an end on Tuesday night, falling to North Carolina 95-68 in the First Four of the NCAA tournament.
The Aztecs (21-10) fell behind by 24 points and halftime and saw that deficit grow over the final 20 minutes, ending their fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament after just one game. Guards Nick Boyd and Wayne McKinney (12 points each) were San Diego State’s only players to reach double figures. The Aztecs shot 26 percent from the field in the first half and 40 percent from the game but found their defense get sliced apart from a Tarheel team poised to go on a run.
Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s game.
NORTH CAROLINA FIGHTS TO KEEP THEIR SEASON ALIVE
San Diego State and North Carolina were the final two teams given at-large bids into this year’s tournament. On Tuesday, it was the Tarheels who played like their season was on the line. The Aztecs led 6-5 in the early going before a 30-5 North Carolina run over an 11-minute period gave the Tarheels a seemingly insurmountable lead.
North Carolina shot 61 percent from the field in the first half including seven of nine from three-point range and 12-12 from the free throw stripe. Star senior guard RJ Davis knocked down a three-pointer from the right wing in the closing seconds, his third of the half, to finish off a dominant 47-23 half.
The Tarheels did not let off in the second half, scoring 48 more points to finish with 95 against a San Diego State team that had not surrendered more than 80 points in a game this season. North Carolina grew the lead to as many as 40 (82-42) with just under eight minutes to play in the game. The Aztecs connected on each of their final seven shots of the game, reaching 45 points over the final 20 minutes to bring the final deficit below 30 points.
REBOUNDING A PROBLEM FOR SAN DIEGO STATE
Rebounding had been a strength for San Diego State in more than one way this season. The Aztecs entered Tuesday’s game having not lost back-to-back games all season. After an early exit from last week’s Mountain West Conference tournament, San Diego State spent the weekend back home awaiting their fate come Selection Sunday. Taking on a North Carolina team that many did not expect to make the tournament, San Diego State looked overmatched from the early minutes, unable to rebound from their previous loss to Boise State.
On the floor, San Diego State had struggled rebounding in the five-plus games towards the end of the year in which standout forward Magoon Gwath was unable to play in. Gwath returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday but did not look like the player that had earned Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year during much of this season. North Carolina won the rebounding battle 39 to 28, limiting San Diego State’s opportunities for easy offense.
DEFENSIVE LETDOWN
San Diego State’s defense, ranked No. 15 nationally per KenPom, was no match for North Carolina in Dayton on Tuesday. The Aztecs forced North Carolina into four turnovers in the first four minutes of the game before the Tarheel offense settled in and took over.
North Carolina point guard Elliott Cadeau led the offensive attack with nine points and 12 assists, setting up the other guards to score. RJ Davis, the ACC’s third all-time leading scorer and a veteran of the NCAA tournament had 26 points on 8-12 shooting, knocking down all six of his three-point attempts. Guard Seth Trimble had 16 points while Jae’Lyn Wither finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tarheels shot 14-24 from three-point range for the game, never allowing San Diego State hope to get themselves back in the game after the onslaught in the middle of the opening half.
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At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.
Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.
Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.
Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.
“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.
According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.
Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.
This is a developing story
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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