AARON BEARD

Sports writer

Beard covers sports in North Carolina for The Associated Press with an emphasis on college basketball. His coverage includes ACC sports and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.

North Carolina State's Aziaha James, left, attempts a shot ahead of Tennessee's Jasmine Powell, right, during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

James, Rivers help No. 3 seed NC State hold off No. 6 seed Tennessee to reach Sweet 16

Aziaha James scored 22 points and No. 3 seed North Carolina State blew nearly all of a 20-point lead before holding off No. 6 seed Tennessee 79-72 in Monday’s second round of the NCAA Tournament.

UConn guard Tristen Newton (2) and his teammates react in the final seconds of the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Northwestern in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in New York. UConn won 75-58. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

UConn’s efficiency data on both sides of the ball looks worthy of another March Madness title

Reigning national champion Connecticut has rolled through the regular season, the Big East Tournament and now two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina guard Cormac Ryan (3) celebrates after scoring against Michigan State during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

North Carolina beats Tom Izzo, Michigan State in March Madness again to reach Sweet 16

RJ Davis scored 20 points to help North Carolina beat Michigan State 85-69 in the NCAA Tournament, pushing the Tar Heels to the Sweet 16 while keeping them unbeaten in March Madness against Spartans Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo.

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) reacts to being fouled while making the basket against Wagner during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in that NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Bacot’s wild 5-year ride is down to its final March Madness run for No. 1 seed North Carolina

North Carolina fifth-year big man Armando Bacot is down to his final March Madness run with the Tar Heels.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo speaks to an official during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in that NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Michigan State’s Izzo goes for his 1st March Madness win against North Carolina in the West Region

Top-seeded North Carolina and ninth-seeded Michigan State will meet in Saturday’s second round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region.

Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo dunks over Saint Peter's guard Armoni Zeigler during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Knecht, Aidoo help No. 2 seed Tennessee roll past 15-seed Saint Peter’s in March Madness

Dalton Knecht scored 23 points and Tennessee shot 64% in the first half to build a huge lead before beating Saint Peter’s 83-49 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina forward Jae'Lyn Withers shoots over Wagner forward Keyontae Lewis (32) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Bacot, Withers help No. 1 seed North Carolina beat No. 16 seed Wagner in March Madness

Armando Bacot had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and No. 1 seed North Carolina beat 16th-seeded Wagner 90-62 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) hanging from the basket after scoring against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Friday, March 15, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

If it seems like everyone can score in March Madness, there is a reason. Offense has evolved

Offensive efficiency is at its highest level in Division I men’s college basketball going back almost three decades.

Wagner's Melvin Council Jr. (11) reacts after scoring against Howard during the second half of a First Four college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Wagner has 7 scholarship players for the March Madness. The Seahawks are eager to keep playing

Wagner is down to just seven available scholarship players as it prepares to play No. 1 regional seed North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans argues with an officail during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Auburn at the Southeastern Conference tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Defense is set to take a major role in March Madness games in Charlotte

Defense is set to take a major role in Thursday’s first-round game at the NCAA Tournament’s West Region in Charlotte, North Carolina.

FILE - Purdue center Zach Edey (15), guard Fletcher Loyer (2) and forward Caleb Furst (1) walk off the court after losing to Fairleigh Dickinson 63-58 in a first-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 17, 2023. Yes, Purdue has looked like a title contender all season and owns another 1-seed as the NCAAs begin this week. Yet one bad night at the worst possible time hangs over the program, standing as the worst of the program’s multiple March stumbles.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Purdue faces the ghost of a shocking March Madness loss. Virginia has some advice on how to move on

Purdue is back in the NCAA Tournament with a No. 1 seed with the goal of regrouping from last year’s shocking upset loss to Fairleigh Dickinson.

Purdue center Zach Edey, right, shoots over Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Purdue’s Edey, Tennessee’s Knecht, UNC’s Davis headline the AP men’s college All-America teams

Purdue big man Zach Edey is an unanimous first-team All-American for The Associated Press for the second straight season.

FILE - TCU forward JaKobe Coles (21) drives the lane for a basket past Arizona State forwards Alonzo Gaffney (32) and Warren Washington (22) during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament, March 17, 2023, in Denver. Coles hit the winning shot with 1.5 seconds left in the first round to beat Arizona State. (AP Photo/John Leyba, File)

March Madness is known for late-game winners. The guys who hit those last year are back for more

The last-second shot fuels to the allure of the NCAA Tournament and March Madness. San Diego State’s Lamont Butler understands that well after hitting a buzzer-beating jumper in last year’s Final Four to send the Aztecs to the title game.

UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) and teammates celebrate during the final minutes of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Marquette for the championship of the Big East men's tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

UConn back at No. 1 in AP Top 25 ahead of repeat bid in March Madness; Houston, Purdue, Iowa St next

Reigning national champion Connecticut is back at No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley, center, talks to guard Tristen Newton (2) as he comes to the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Marquette in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Reigning NCAA champ UConn tops the East Region bracket as the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness

Reigning national champion Connecticut is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and headlining the East Region bracket.

North Carolina guard RJ Davis (4) celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against Notre Dame during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March. 5, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Tar Heels get top AP honors for RJ Davis and coach Hubert Davis to headline all-ACC team

North Carolina guard RJ Davis is the unanimous choice as The Associated Press men’s basketball player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while the Tar Heels’ Hubert Davis was voted as coach of the year.

Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey, right, talks with Hannah Hidalgo, left, during the first half against NC State in an NCAA basketball game for the Women's Atlantic Coast Conference championship in Greensboro, N.C., Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo rides a star-making season to individual awards - and an ACC title

Hannah Hidalgo has been a rapid star for No. 14 Notre Dame. The high-scoring guard was named the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman and defensive player of the year.

Notre Dame players take a selfie with the trophy after defeating NC State in an NCAA basketball game for the Women's Atlantic Coast Conference championship in Greensboro, N.C., Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Hidalgo helps No. 14 Notre Dame edge No. 10 NC State for ACC Tournament title

Star freshman Hannah Hidalgo had 22 points as No. 14 Notre Dame held off No. 10 North Carolina State 55-51 in Sunday’s championship game at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

North Carolina's Cormac Ryan (3) reacts ahead of Duke's Jared McCain (0) after hitting a three-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, March. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

UNC’s Cormac Ryan was dominant in a win at Duke. He let the Cameron Crazies know about it, too

North Carolina graduate guard Cormac Ryan turned in a huge performance in the seventh-ranked Tar Heels’ win at No. 9 Duke.

Duke's Kyle Filipowski (30) handles the ball as North Carolina's Armando Bacot (5) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, March. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Duke’s Kyle Filipowski denies intentionally tripping UNC’s Harrison Ingram in rivalry loss

Duke star big man Kyle Filipowski said he didn’t intend to trip North Carolina forward Harrison Ingram during the first half of Saturday night’s rivalry game after the two got tangled as Filipowski defended a shot by Ingram.

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis shouts towards the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Saturday, March. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Ryan, No. 7 North Carolina turn back No. 9 Duke 84-79 to claim outright ACC regular-season crown

Cormac Ryan scored a career-high 31 points, including a huge 3-pointer with 1:38 left, to help No. 7 North Carolina beat No. 9 Duke 84-79.

James, Brooks help No. 10 NC State hang on to beat Duke 54-51 in ACC quarterfinals

Aziaha James scored 16 points and No. 10 North Carolina State overcame three quarters’ worth of offensive struggles to hold off Duke 54-51 in Friday night’s quarterfinals at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley (33) shoots over Virginia's Paris Clark (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March. 3, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)

No. 11 Virginia Tech rules out 3-time ACC player of year Elizabeth Kitley for league tournament

Three-time Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year Elizabeth Kitley won’t play in this week’s league tournament.

Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley (33) shoots over Virginia's Paris Clark (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March. 3, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)

No. 11 Virginia Tech faces uncertainty over Kitley’s injury entering the ACC Tournament

No. 11 Virginia Tech is the top seed at this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. The Hokies are in search of a second straight ACC championship after claiming their first regular-season title in program history.

Duke's Tyrese Proctor (5) tries to drive the ball around North Carolina State's Mohamed Diarra (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Roach, McCain help No. 9 Duke push past NC State after halftime in 79-64 win

Jeremy Roach had 21 points and freshman Jared McCain scored 14 of his 16 after halftime to help No. 9 Duke pull away and beat North Carolina State 79-64.

Duke's Kyle Filipowski (30) reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia in Durham, N.C., Saturday, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Filipowski leads No. 10 Duke to big 1st-half showing on way to beating Virginia 73-48

Kyle Filipowski scored 21 points and No. 10 Duke shot 59% before halftime to build a huge lead on the way to beating Virginia 73-48.

Samantha DiMartino, 10, gets high-fives from fans in the Duke student section after being honored as a part of the Scheyer Family Kid Captains Program, which recognizes patients and families of Duke Children's Hospital, during a timeout at an NCAA college basketball game between Duke and Louisville in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

At Duke, basketball provides the perfect backdrop to salute ‘kid captains’ facing medical battles

The Duke men’s basketball program is in its second year of honoring patients of the nearby children’s hospital.

FILE - South Florida guard Chris Youngblood (3) celebrates with teammate Corey Walker Jr. (15) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida Atlantic, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. South Florida entered The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time in program history this week at No. 25. (AP Photo/Scott Audette, File)

No. 25 South Florida enters the week with an AP Top 25 ranking for the first time ever

No. 25 South Florida enters the week with its first ranking ever in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll.

Fans storm the court as they celebrate with Wake Forest players after Wake Forest defeated Duke in an NCAA college basketball game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Duke’s Scheyer wants the ACC to implement measures to prevent court-storming after Filipowski injury

Duke coach Jon Scheyer wants the Atlantic Coast Conference to implement measures to prevent court-storming after star big man Kyle Filipowski was hobbled following a collision with a fan during a weekend loss at Wake Forest.

Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) is greeted at the bench by teammates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Houston rises to No. 1 in AP Top 25 ahead of Purdue, UConn; South Florida makes its rankings debut

Now it’s Houston’s turn at the top of The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. The Cougars moved to No. 1 for the first time this season in Monday’s latest poll.