UNC vs. Virginia Tech - Player of the Game: Brandon Robinson

If UNC is going to pull off the improbable feat of winning five games in five days to win the ACC Tournament, they’re going to need contributions from all over the roster. On day one, they got that, with one of the seniors playing for their college basketball careers really balling out.

Brandon Robinson made contributions all over the box score for the Tar Heels, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal. He went 5-8 from the field, with all five of those made shots being from three. He missed just one attempt from deep and was +31 in plus/minus as UNC advanced with a 78-56 win over Virginia Tech.

After the Hokies scored the first four points of the game, UNC quickly struck back to wrestle control away. Robinson took control for the Tar Heels, scoring eight points in a 12-0 run, after which Carolina never trailed again in the game. Virginia Tech stuck around for most of the rest of the first half, but the Heels were mostly in control.

North Carolina quickly extended their lead to double digits early in the second half, but as we’ve seen several times this season, that doesn’t necessarily mean this team has the win locked down. However, another Robinson stretch insured they would finish off this one.

With just under 10 minutes left and UNC up 15, he came up with a big block. Meanwhile down the other end of the court, he scored nine of the Heels’ next 15 points. After that stretch was done, the lead was 25, and the game truly was over at that point.

Other Tar Heels worthy of consideration include the two starting big men. Garrison Brooks was the game’s leading scorer, finishing with 20 points. Meanwhile, Armando Bacot recorded a double double, putting up 12 points and 11 rebounds.

If UNC is going to pull this feat off, they’re going to need to keep this energy going. If game number one was anything to go on, Brandon Robinson isn’t going to go down easy.