MJ never had a night like Brice Johnson had for North Carolina on Monday
Michael Jordan never had the type of game for North Carolina that Brice Johnson produced on Monday night in a 106-90 victory at Florida State.
The 6-foot-10 senior forward tallied 39 points and 23 rebounds as the sixth-ranked Tar Heels improved to 14-2 and 3-0 in the ACC with the double-digit victory at Tallahassee, Fla.
Billy Cunningham is the only other Tar Heel to finish with at least 39 points and 23 boards in a game ... and he did it twice, back in 1964. The eventual Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer tallied 40 points with 28 rebounds vs. Maryland on Jan. 13, and had a 48-point, 25-rebound outing vs. Tulane on Dec. 10. (FYI: Yes, this is the same Billy Cunningham who coached the Philadelphia 76ers from 1977-85.)
"Man, can't really put it into perspective. It was a great night for me," Johnson told reporters after the game, via The Associated Press. "I was looking at the rebounds the entire time. I kept telling myself I wanted more than 20. It's always been a goal I had."
Coach Roy Williams added (per The AP): "I've had guys, Nick Collison against Duke one time had over 20 points, 20 rebounds. Same thing against Texas. Sean May, last game of the regular season over 20 points and rebounds.
"But this is about as good as any I've ever seen. Particularly on the road."
Meanwhile, it's been a tough two days for Michael Jordan records.
On Sunday, Jimmy Butler scored 40 points in the second half of the Bulls' 115-113 victory in Toronto, breaking Jordon's franchise record of 39 second-half points set in 1989 vs. Milwaukee. Butler scored 21 in the third and 19 in the fourth.
