Cormac Ryan reflects on big performance vs. Duke

The Tobacco Road Rivalry has had heroes and villains on both sides throughout its history. That now includes North Carolina’s Corman Ryan after his career night inside Cameron Indoor on Saturday.

Ryan spoke about his performance and his energy after the Tar Heels won 84-79 over Duke to sweep the Blue Devils. He said his fire in Durham wasn’t abnormal as its his usual reaction to playing in front of hostile crowds.

“Man, I just – I just love to compete,” said Ryan to the media postgame. “I love to play hard. I’m a little wild at times.”

“That’s just who I am, man. I can’t control it,” Ryan said. “It’s just I love playing in these environments, I love being in front of the fire – I love it.”

However, that passion fits in perfectly with the rest of the roster for UNC. They all have that spirit about them, which made it come out at it’s best this weekend in front of an arena that hates them more than any other.

“It’s all love from my guys and I’m just so proud that we were able to come in here,” said Ryan.

“I know these guys love it too and that’s what makes us such a connected group. We just share in that and we love to compete,” Ryan said. “It’s nothing better than playing alongside your best friends.”

Ryan went for a career-high of 31 points against Duke this weekend. He was on fire for the game as he made 8-12 (66.7%) from the field, including 6-8 (75%) from three, and nine of his 10 attempts at the free-throw line.

While several other Tar Heels contributed in the margins, it was that outburst from Ryan that won the day in the latest edition of college basketball’s top rivalry.

It represents almost everything for those two programs to beat one another each season. However, since the victory clinched the outright regular-season title in the ACC for North Carolina, Ryan knows how much more this season finale meant for them all in Chapel Hill.

“We knew what it meant. We knew what was at stake,” Ryan said. “To walk out of this building with a W is always nice.”

Armando Bacot reacts to Duke fans throwing bottles at players

There is no feeling sweeter for North Carolina fans than a season sweep over Duke. Of course, on the flip-side, such an experience is wretched for Duke fans and they sure let the Carolina players know just how much they had ruined their night in Durham.

After the game, as Tar Heel players and staff sauntered off the court, Blue Devil fans showered them with cups, water, and ice to signify their displeasure at the game’s result. Those actions became a major storyline and talking point coming out of the night. However, UNC’s Armando Bacot said he really didn’t take much offense to the whole ordeal. He just chalked it up to good ‘ole rivalry shenanigans.

“Oh, that’s great. I mean, rivalry like this, I mean, we win the game, they throw drinks on us, it’s amazing,” said the senior center. “I mean, shout out to them. They came out.”

“Like I said earlier, it wasn’t like regular years in a sense where you could really feel the fans. Today, I felt like we just went out there and played. I mean, it was a little loud, but it wasn’t the same Cameron Crazies as we’re used to”

Reporters were a bit surprised to hear that opinion on the Duke fans and asked if that’s more a credit to the veteran nature of this Carolina team, especially with a roster of guys who have played in Cameron before.

“It’s just a different team, man. We don’t really get nervous, right,” said Bacot. “We may lose. But we’re not going to be nervous in any situation. We just came in here with that edge to us that we’ve had all year.”