Cormac Ryan vs. The Former

(Photo Courtesy Peyton Williams/Getty Images) 

By JEREMIAH ARTACHO 

Chapel Hill, N.C. --- Cormac Ryan is currently 25 years old and is about to play the last home game of his collegiate basketball career tonight against his former university, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. 

Ryan transferred this past off-season to Chapel Hill after spending three years in South Bend, Indiana. The sharpshooter averaged a career-high of 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists during his final year at Notre Dame, playing for previous coach Mike Grey. 

The 2021-22 season featured some of Ryan's best career games, such as his 29-point outing to knock off 6-seeded Alabama out of the NCAA Tournament in the second round. He shot 10 of 13 from the field, as seven of his makes were all from beyond the arc. 
 
Prior to that emphatic game, Ryan dumped in 16 points in their double-overtime victory against the Rutgers during their first four contest. The former Fighting Irish played a total of 46 minutes in that matchup. 
 
Fast forward to the present, wearing a Carolina blue and white uniform. Ryan has found himself in a new role that takes off the responsibilities of having to handle the ball like in previous seasons. Thanks to the likes of Elliot Cadeau and RJ Davis, it's easier to find him around the perimeter off a drive and kick or in transition. 
 
This season, Ryan is averaging 11 points per game, three rebounds, and one assist, plus shooting 37% FG and 32% 3PT. From the charity stripe, he holds the team's second-highest percentage behind Davis with 88%. 
 
Just recently, number three arguably had his best performance of the season against Virginia to help UNC break the long historical winning drought dating back to 2012 down in Charlottesville. 
 
Ryan entered the stat sheet with 18 points on 50% FG shooting on top of his six of 11 makes from three-point land. In a super slow contest between the Tar Heels and Wahoos, his shooting performance widened the margin when needed most. 
 
Out of UNC's last five games, Ryan has scored at least 15 points or more. There have been 15 different times where he has entered the double-digit column. His season-high in points was marked against Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic, scoring 20 points. 
 
Although this may be the final home game of Cormac Ryan's college career, it is now March. 
 
The ACC Tourney is right around the corner, with the NCAA Tournament scheduled to begin on March 21st. 
 
For Ryan, along with his fellow graduating seniors, there's one presumptive goal in mind. 
 
Winning on the last Monday of the season. 

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