WATCH: Caleb Love has emotional meeting with family following UNC win over UCLA
North Carolina, the second seed in the East Region, is now on to the Elite Eight after defeating fourth-seeded UCLA 73-66 on Friday night. The Tar Heels were led by a strong performance from sophomore guard Caleb Love, who went for 30 points on 11-for-24 shooting, including 6-for-13 from three-point range. Love also grabbed three rebounds and has four assists, and he played in all 40 minutes for UNC.
After UNC completed the victory of UCLA to advance to the Elite Eight, Love shared an emotional embrace with his family that was in the stands.
Love has been one of the key parts of UNC’s team this season. On the season, he is averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 33.8 minutes. Love is shooting 37.2% from the field and 37.8% from three-point range. Last season was Love’s first with the Tar heels, and he averaged over ten points per game.
Interestingly, 27 of Love’s 30 points against UCLA on Friday night came in the second half. He came on in a big way during the final 20 minutes of the game, and turned into a key force on UNC’s offense. The key behind Love’s strong second half? A simple wardrobe change at halftime.
Love has come on strong for UNC in the NCAA Tournament
UNC hasn’t had an easy path to the Elite Eight, but the Tar Heels have played well over the course of the NCAA Tournament. In the opening round, UNC defeated ninth-seeded Marquette 95-63, cruising to a huge victory. In the second round, UNC went up against Baylor, the No. 1 seed in the East Region. The Tar Heels held a 25-point victory in the second half before Baylor came back to force overtime, but UNC was able to hold on and win.
In UNC’s win over Marquette in the opening round, Love had 23 points, three rebounds, and an assist. He made six three-pointers on 13 attempts in that victory. Against Baylor, Love struggled a bit with just five points and six turnovers. He got into foul trouble and shot just one-for-six from the field.
UNC needed Love against UCLA, and he came through in a big way. Love was one of four players in the Tar Heels starting five to score in double figures, but he was undoubtedly the most consistent option down the stretch. As a team, UNC shot 40.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range.
Now, UNC is onto the Elite Eight to face off against 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s.