College Basketball Power 10: Watch Out For Baylor Bears
By Jeremy Karll
4. North Carolina (8-1)
The team that looked almost unbeatable a week ago was beaten by Indiana this past week, 76-67. The Hoosiers took the Tar Heels out of their game early, and the usually composed Tar Heels unraveled and never found their rhythm.
It showed that North Carolina isn’t unbeatable and that hostile away environments could be their downfall this season.
Their usual explosive offense looked stagnant as they got nothing going inside and point guard Joel Berry II struggled shooting all game, finishing 3-of-13 from the field and 1-of-6 from three.
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Despite playing their worst game of the year, the Tar Heels still showed how great they are by hanging around against Indiana.
Even though the Hoosiers dominated the first 35 minutes, North Carolina cut the lead to five with 3:28 remaining and it looked like a comeback was possible.
Of course, a loss is a loss, but even on North Carolina’s worst night they almost beat a top-10 caliber team on the road in one of the hardest places to win in college basketball, Assembly Hall.
By the AP ranking North Carolina seventh, it shows how under the radar this team still is. Their dominating Maui Invitational might be a couple of weeks ago, but they’re still the same dominating team that looks like they have no weaknesses other than if they beat themselves.
North Carolina isn’t just good, they’re great. They have the team that can challenge a healthy Duke team in the ACC.
The Tar Heels will host Davidson and Tennessee this week.