In their first game of the NCAA Tournament, the No. 1 seed North Carolina Tar Heels proved their mettle by comfortably defeating Wagner with a final score of 90-62. The game, held at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC, showcased the Tar Heels' prowess as they cruised to victory in the West Region matchup.

RJ Davis emerged as a key player for UNC, contributing 22 points to the team's dominant performance. Armando Bacot also played a crucial role, tallying an impressive 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Jae'Lyn Withers provided a significant boost off the bench with 16 points and 10 rebounds. As the game progressed, UNC steadily increased their lead, turning the matchup into a one-sided affair.

The Tar Heels capitalized on their advantage in the paint, outscoring Wagner by a notable 48-20 margin. Moreover, their dominance on the boards was evident as they secured a commanding 43-24 rebound advantage over their opponents.

Bacot's exceptional performance further solidified his place in both UNC and NCAA history. With his performance in this game, he became the second-highest scorer in UNC's history, surpassing Phil Ford. Additionally, Bacot now holds the esteemed position of being ranked third in NCAA history for double-doubles. His remarkable consistency was evident, as he recorded his seventh consecutive double-double in the NCAA Tournament and marked his sixth straight game with 15 or more rebounds.

UNC's victory in this NCAA opener now adds to their impressive record of 33 wins and only 2 losses in such games since the tournament field expanded in 1985. The Tar Heels will face off against the No. 8 seed, Michigan State, in the next round on Saturday.

Despite a valiant effort from Julian Brown and Melvin Council Jr., who scored 18 and 17 points respectively for the underdog Seahawks, Wagner was overmatched and limited by injuries, with only seven players available for the game.

Throughout the game, the Tar Heels displayed their workmanlike approach to take an early lead. Bacot and Withers provided ample production in the first half, both off the bench, with Bacot recording 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Withers adding 10 points and five rebounds. UNC's size advantage over the smaller and shorthanded Wagner team became evident right from the start.

Although there were some moments of turnover trouble and missed opportunities, the Tar Heels managed to maintain control of the game, employing effective movement against Wagner's zone defense. Their solid play allowed them to enter halftime with a comfortable 40-28 lead.

With the win, UNC advances to the Round of 32 and is set to face Michigan State. The Tar Heels hold a commanding 12-4 advantage in the historical head-to-head series against the Spartans, and have a flawless record of 5-0 against them in previous NCAA Tournament matchups. The last time these two teams met in the NCAAs, UNC secured a resounding victory with a score of 89-72 in the 2009 Final Four, en route to claiming the national championship.

The upcoming clash against Michigan State promises to be an exhilarating showdown as the Tar Heels aim to continue their tournament journey and secure a spot in the highly sought-after Sweet 16 in the West Region semifinals held in Los Angeles.