Brice Johnson rage dunking, blocking Tar Heels to Sweet 16 run

When Brice Johnson is excited, he gets angry.

It’s a frequent sight now during North Carolina games — the All-American big man dunks with authority, then screams in elation to the crowd.  Commonly referred to as a “rage dunk,” Johnson demoralized many defenders throughout this season.

Recently, Johnson has found even more reason to show his rage. Following every massive block, No. 11 stomps and screams at the top of his lungs. After his block against Providence? He put the fear of God into fans and media with his flexing and stank face.

After setting a UNC-record with eight blocks in an NCAA Tournament game against Florida Gulf Coast, Johnson needed just one swat to get the crowd roaring.

While he’s not that way all of the time, Johnson knows when to turn it on. That’s exactly what makes him so critical to the Tar Heels’ ACC and NCAA Tournament runs.

“If you were to ask our guys on the team who is the most intense guy, Brice wouldn’t get a vote,” Carolina coach Roy Williams said. “He’s really intense when he blocks the shot that goes into the 12th row. He’s really intense when he dunks and that usually comes because he’s growling so hard. …

“His play on the defensive end of two things — blocking shots and defensive rebounding — have been huge for our basketball team.”

Johnson has come into his own this season, developing from a solid post player last year to an ACC Player of the Year candidate. That growth has taken a UNC team capable of making a run to Houston to a favorite to do so.

For example, scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds seems like child’s play for Johnson now. His 21-10 game against the Friars marked his sixth-such performance this season while making grown men like Ben Bentil look inferior in the post.

“I mean, essentially nobody really heard of him until this year,” Johnson said of Bentil through laughter. “I mean, he’s essentially a guard. He’s a very good player.”

The matchups don’t get any easier for Johnson, who will likely have to face Indiana freshman Thomas Bryant in the Sweet 16. Bryant is coming off a 19-point outing against Kentucky and provides a similar versatility to Bentil in the post — shooting 70 percent or better in both NCAA Tournament games. The frosh made all six shots from inside against the Wildcats, missing only two shots from three-point range.

Williams has shared his fond memories of the 2005 and 2009 national championship teams all season for a reason. This team is capable of mirroring that success, and it starts inside with Johnson.

Whether he’s doing it on the offensive end with a dunk or the defensive end with a massive block, Johnson has a way of electrifying his teammates. Heading to Philadelphia with momentum clearly on their side, Johnson’s play and charisma will continue to be a catalyst for the Heels.

 

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