GAME RECAP: Auburn 97, North Carolina 80

J’Von McCormick sliced through the lane and laid home a bucket at the end of the first half to give Auburn a 41-39 lead at the intermission, and that’s where the party began for the Tigers in Kansas City.

Auburn raced away from North Carolina in the second half, hitting 12-18 three-pointers in that period, and beat the Tar Heels 97-80 to advance to just the second Elite Eight in program history.

It was an epic performance as the Tar Heels bore witness to the mighty fury of a fully-operational orange and blue battle station. Auburn pushed North Carolina to frustration and got double-digit efforts from six players in what turned into a surprising blowout win. Chuma Okeke led all players with a…