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College Basketball Power 10: Duke Rises, North Carolina Falls

By Jeremy Karll

Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) is introduced as one of the Duke Blue Devils starting five before the start of their game against the Maine Black Bears at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This was the first game Tatum has played in this season. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) is introduced as one of the Duke Blue Devils starting five before the start of their game against the Maine Black Bears at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This was the first game Tatum has played in this season. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports /

8. North Carolina (10-1)

The love fest of North Carolina’s impressive 7-0 start is quickly fading. After looking lost and losing to Indiana at the end of November, the Tar Heels lost Joel Berry II against Radford and did not look the same last week.

Some struggles are expected when losing your best player, especially when it’s a dynamic point guard like Berry. To an extent, letting Davidson, which is one of the better mid-major programs in the nation, hang around is understandable with the loss of Berry.

The Tar Heels fell in the Power 10 due to nearly being upset by Tennessee on Sunday evening.

To be blunt, Tennessee is not a good team. They’re 4-4 with a loss to Chattanooga and struggled against Chaminade in the Maui Invitational. With or without Berry, the Tar Heels should have won by a lot more than 73-71.

Besides, the Tar Heels trailed by eight points at halftime and didn’t take their final lead until a Justin Jackson layup with 2:15 gave them a 70-69 advantage.

That speaks louder than just the loss of Berry.

Just as most teams would be, the Tar Heels are a completely different team without Berry. However, to have as drastic of a change as they had due to one player is not just surprising given the depth North Carolina has, but also somewhat troubling for a top 10 team.

Joel Berry II should return this week, but the Tar Heels have more to worry about than just getting him back. Their defense is struggling, as they’ve given up 70-plus points in back-to-back games after only giving up 70 points twice in their first nine games, and their offense isn’t as explosive as early in the season.

North Carolina will play Kentucky in Las Vegas this week in a game that will tell a lot about each team.