The NCAA Tournament is almost over. Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and UConn will compete for a National Championship over Easter weekend.
UNC blew a 19-point lead to VCU back in its NCAA Tournament opener, leading to Hubert Davis’ firing five days later. On Sunday, North Carolina’s archrival blew a 19-point lead to UConn, but Jon Scheyer is still head coach.
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Speaking of blown leads, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils are both on the wrong side of NCAA Tournament history. Since 2015, UNC and Duke are the only teams to blow second-half leads of 14+ points – and lose.
North Carolina led Kansas by 15 at halftime of the 2022 National Championship game, but lost 72-69. As previously mentioned, the Tar Heels led VCU by 19 in both programs’ First Round matchup, but lost 82-78 in overtime.
The Blue Devils led Houston by 14 in the 2025 Final Four – and later six points with 34 seconds left – but lost 70-67. Duke looked in control Sunday, but UConn roared back in the second half.
There aren’t many things both fanbases agree on, but the concern for blowing big leads is a shared one. Duke at least advances further in the NCAA Tournament, while UNC hasn’t been past the First Round since 2024.
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Momentum swings are super common in basketball, especially when your season is on the line in postseason play. Leading by five possessions in the second half, though, should be plenty for teams to win.
Will North Carolina or Duke ever find the solution to closing out games? In Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels will search for a coach who is known for that clutch factor.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Tar Heels and Blue Devils make NCAA Tournament history
