The Latest Breaking News from Pete Nance

PORTLAND, Ore. — Alabama coach Nate Oats said on Friday after both the Crimson Tide and North Carolina lost games in the Phil Knight Invitational that Sunday’s matchup would be as close to a must-win game as one could be in November.

The Tar Heels earned their No. 1 ranking based on last March, but this year's group has yet to play up to that level.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The experience that was supposed to help No. 1 North Carolina in tough games was no help at all in its 70-65 loss to Iowa State on Friday in the Phil Knight Invitational.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Pete Nance shouldn’t be compared to Brady Manek. But after No. 1 North Carolina’s tougher-than-expected 72-66 win over Gardner-Webb, the graduate transfer from Northwestern proved, just like Manek did last season, why he was a coveted addition to the lineup.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — No. 1 North Carolina didn’t show much of the offensive explosiveness that helped it reach the national championship game last season in its opener against UNC Wilmington on Monday night.

Plus, we predict the Player of the Year, mid-major to watch and overrated teams.

“We’re going to go as our perimeter goes,” coach Chris Collins said. “I mean, that’s where the strength of our team lies.”

LEXINGTON, Ky. — College football is starting, but here are five basketball notes worth mentioning for 2022-23:

UNC and Kentucky made out very well, while Michigan State did not. Who else joins them?

Nance gives the Tar Heels the potential to replace at least some of the production they lost.

Trailing by two with seconds left in the district championship game, Pete Nance dribbled up the floor, anticipated the double team coming, and whipped a pass to his Revere High School teammate for the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.