CHARLOTTE — When Joel Berry II and Theo Pinson checked out of Sunday night’s game, they did so together, just like they’ve done so many other times.
Together for a national championship loss, and for a national championship win. Together for their senior night speeches, and for the Instagram videos of them dancing to Migos.
And now, together for one last time as members of the North Carolina men’s basketball team.
In the final minutes of UNC’s 86-65 loss to Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the two seniors left to a standing ovation. Their coaches and teammates stood to greet them, as is customary for any UNC player subbing out of a game. But this time, it was different.
First came a hug from head coach Roy Williams, who told Berry and Pinson that he loved them — simple as that. Then, the long walk down the bench. Pinson and Berry embraced every assistant coach and teammate before taking a seat.
“I didn't picture it ending it like this,” Williams said afterward, his two seniors sitting beside him dismally. “I pictured it ending with these guys having a huge smile on their face, but that's not college basketball.”
As expected, North Carolina made no lineup tweaks and rolled with the same five players who have started since early January: Berry, Pinson, Kenny Williams, Cameron Johnson and Luke Maye. By the second media timeout, the Tar Heels led 18-13 in a fast-paced game that suited their style well.
The onslaught began right after that break. Fresh off the bench and ready to combat the Aggies’ frontcourt, reserve Sterling Manley sank a short turnaround jumper at the 11:37 mark. That gave UNC a 20-13 lead: one that ended up being its largest of the game, and one it would never get back.