University of North Carolina Athletics
JV Heels Beat Milligan, 100-78
February 21, 2017 | JV Men's Basketball
Following the water shortage in Chapel Hill in early February, the JV Tar Heels hit the road for their only away game of the season.
After a pit stop in Greensboro to support the varsity team at their game against Notre Dame, the JV team headed for Johnson City, Tennessee, where they would face the Milligan College Buffaloes the next evening. Approximately 36 hours, 600 miles, and 120 Jersey Mike's subs later, the Heels returned to Chapel Hill with another win. (I tried to keep track of how many times someone referenced the song “Wagon Wheel” over the weekend, but quickly lost count.)
For many of the players, this was the first, and only, trip they'll take with Carolina Basketball, but it was certainly one they'll remember.
In fact, the weekend was one of many firsts.
Once the team arrived in Johnson City, they watched the first-ever overtime in Super Bowl history. The following morning, they toured Bristol Motor Speedway and posed for team pictures where racing greats like Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon have celebrated wins. At shootaround, the guys learned that Milligan sold over 1,000 tickets for Monday night's game, meaning they'd be playing in front of a sold-out crowd that night.
Despite the unfamiliar atmosphere and size of the home crowd, the Tar Heels were still at the top of their game. They jumped to an early lead, and Milligan was left playing catch up. At the half, Carolina led 53-39. The Buffaloes shot 50 percent from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes of play, but couldn't keep it up after halftime. UNC maintained the quick pace they're used to and never looked back, winning the game 100-78.
Leaders for the Heels included Caleb Ellis with 14 points, and Andy Gillespie, Will Breck, and Robbie O'han, each with 10.
