Social media reacts to UNC basketball’s gritty win over Pitt
The UNC men’s basketball program traveled to Pittsburgh for their first road conference game of the season, as UNC looked to kick off the new year with a victory.
UNC had yet to beat Pitt in the Hubert Davis era, losing three straight. So, when the Tar Heels got off to a slow start, going 0-10 before RJ Davis broke the scoring seal, overreactions had already filled the timelines on social media.
In Pitt fashion, they kept the game physical, and without too many whistles blown, it was the ideal recipe to keep UNC uncomfortable. The lack of a whistle didn’t go unnoticed as social media gave referee Ted Valentine a piece of their mind, even former UNC QB Marquise Williams got in on the action calling out Valentine’s “agenda”.
Despite fighting tooth and nail for every ball with not much help from the refs, the Tar Heels were able to go on a few runs, creating a sizable lead late in the second half. Even with Pitt’s attempts at a comeback, UNC was able to close the show, beating the Panthers 70-57.
The hard-fought victory swept through social media, as some praised the Tar Heels and others saw a blind spot in UNC’s strengths. From the good to the bad, we take a look at how social media reacted to UNC’s gritty win over Pitt.
That kinda night huh
— Blake Jones (@BlakeJones00) January 3, 2024
Calm down.
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) January 3, 2024
RJ getting going! Let's go
— All Things UNC (@AllthingsUNC) January 3, 2024
Well, #UNC is certainly lucky it's only 4-0. Some themes from earlier games showing up again, namely the smaller guards not getting a lot of airspace against a long backcourt. Just a cost of doing business for Hubert Davis at this point.
— Michael Koh (@michaelkohwchl) January 3, 2024
I see TV Teddy isn’t calling anything.
— UNC Humor (@UNC_Humor) January 3, 2024
Pitt when playing UNC under Capel. pic.twitter.com/hBpKl1bKzE
— Blake Ziegler (@BLAKEZIEGLER69) January 3, 2024
Not sure if this UNC/Pitt game has been bad offense or good defense. Mix of both honestly. Ugly 1H especially with a total nearly 160
— BryceHarperSZN (@j_coop131) January 3, 2024
Cadeau dives on the floor for the ball, gets the ball, Pitt player dives on top of him AND THE FOUL IS CALLED ON CADEAU?!?
— BrianUNC (@BrianUNC) January 3, 2024
Teams are a combined 16-56 with 3:46 to play in the 1st half, UNC leads 19-18
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) January 3, 2024
So unc can get hit and bumped all over the place but they barely touch Pitt and teddy makes his call?
— Joseph (@JosephBailey_15) January 3, 2024
Anytime you have Cory Alexander in the booth and Ted Valentine on the floor, it feels like a punishment for something
— Tar Heel Nation (@UNC_TarHeelFan) January 3, 2024
Did I just witness a UNC lob? I missed those pic.twitter.com/UOF49yEejP
— FQ North Carolina🐏 (@FQNorthCarolina) January 3, 2024
Seth Trimble is a FREAK athlete.
— Tar Heels of NYC (@TarHeelsofNYC) January 3, 2024
SETH TRIMBLE HAS GOTTEN MORE CONFIDENT IN HIS GAME NOW??? #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/OFDJ0cBj1W
— FLAWLESS.LIKE.DENJI /// 😈 (@MillyBeamen) January 3, 2024
Unc would be up 7 to 19 if refs called this game evenly.
— Seahawk98 (@JaySharpe15) January 3, 2024
1st half buzzer beater *for* UNC? pic.twitter.com/2kMZh06dYF
— Doc Kennedy (@DocHeelfire) January 3, 2024
Teddy Valentine-get your hands OFF our coach.
— Countesses of UNC (@CountessesofUNC) January 3, 2024
Keep fighting UNC !!!! Don’t let them get to you.
— Jman (@jhardy252) January 3, 2024
Really need to extend the lead here. Last year we had a chance to do so in both Pitt games and didn’t
— “Casual” UNC Fan (@sportsfan513) January 3, 2024
This UNC squad is like that
— Sterlito (@iSterling1914) January 3, 2024
TV Teddy doing TV Teddy things pic.twitter.com/2esrdMJoTH
— Noah Powers (@NoahJPowers) January 3, 2024
Why do I feel like Ted Valentine has something against us every year🤬
— Marquise Williams (@1MjWilliams2) January 3, 2024
To hell with Ted Valentine ban him ACC! @GoHeels @UNC_Basketball
— Elegant Elk (@elegantelk) January 3, 2024
Lmao Imagine losing to Pitt , Heels Win @UNC_Basketball 🕺🏾 pic.twitter.com/0usuVlXHs4
— Uncle 🅿️🚦 (@MettaWorld_Mack) January 3, 2024
I guess "Lil Bug" couldn't get it done for "Big Bug" 🤷♂️
— Tar Heel Nation (@UNC_TarHeelFan) January 3, 2024
This UNC team is its best since 2018/19. So much fun.
— Mario Yamasaki’s Burner (@jonodonodono) January 3, 2024
Pitt doesn't look very good this year. Still, they were energized. They're physical. They pushed UNC around early on the defensive end. UNC didn't blink. They pushed back & eventually wore down the team that was trying to wear them down. That's a good win.#Tarheels#UNCvsPItt
— Tripp Smyth (@Trippo7) January 3, 2024
I hope the Capel brothers cry in the car. What a win by #UNC. Feeling a bit better about the remaining two road games on this stretch.
— Brandon Anderson brandonanderson@bsky.social (@THBBrandon) January 3, 2024
UNC would’ve lost a game like this like year but this team is different. They play defense when the offense ain’t clicking and no hero ball
— Mr. Aviator 🇧🇸 (@MDemeritte) January 3, 2024
That’s a tough gritty win @UNC_Basketball!
— Jordan May (@_JordanMay) January 3, 2024