The N.C. State game was the seventh this season in which UNC hoisted 57 or fewer shots. UNC is 6-1 in such contests. Last year’s more experienced unit averaged 66 shots per game; this year’s team is 6-4 when trying that many shots or more. (Two losses came in games with 61 and 63 field goal attempts.)

Good point about the ball reversals. I had that in my original notes but neglected to put it in the post. UNC has shown a propensity to play to the left side of the floor, especially against Wake Forest (this is odd because most right-handed guards tend to go to the right side), but Carolina did a much better job reversing the ball, which may have been a function of being a little more deliberate on offense.

A breakdown of what’s left:

Must win these: vs. Virginia (on Sunday) vs. N.C. State (Feb. 13), at Boston College (Feb. 20); vs. Florida State (Feb. 24), vs. Miami (March 2).

Virginia and Miami, despite good starts, have shown why they were picked to finish near the bottom of the league in recent performances.

Even though it beat Clemson on Tuesday, Boston College hasn’t proven that its veterans know how to play together consistently.

The rematch with N.C. State, plus the matchup with FSU, are at home, and the Tar Heels must use their crowd to their advantage — especially since they have already lost two ACC games in the Smith Center.

Challenging, but winnable: at Virginia Tech (Feb. 4), vs. Duke (Feb. 10), at Georgia Tech (Feb. 16); at Wake Forest (Feb. 27).

The Tar Heels have won one ACC road game. Can they win more? That’s the conundrum here, especially against the Yellow Jackets and Demon Deacons, who have claimed wins already this season over the Tar Heels.

Duke, meanwhile, is clearly the better team right now, but it’s an anticipated national rivalry – and emotions will be running high, what with UNC planning to retire Tyler Hansbrough’s jersey at halftime.

Looking for an upset: at Maryland (Feb. 7) and at Duke (March 6).

Sure the Virginia teams are not going to the final four. I hope they get crushed by UNC.

However, if the team gets complacent you know what will happen. Again! One COC this year please.

Speaking of politics, did you see one or two favorable calls go for Duke at home last night? That stuff gives them a 10 point advantage. At Hansbrough Indoor. Where their only losses for the last two years have been to guess who!

There’s something about the Pomeroy model that seems to make more sense towards the end of the year, although it probably shouldn’t. Right now, for example, he has Maryland at #8 and Sagarin has them at #31. Maybe I just haven’t paid attention to the disparity between the two and this is fairly typical.

Charleston, you’re right about our perimeter passing improvement. As Doc said, we were putting our post players in better position to receive the ball and score, but our passing just seemed snappier and more accurate to me.

It wasn’t just Graves shooting or a couple of inside players.

It was a team effort. Not just a series of individuals.

As someone said, “you’re only as good as your last case”. But they’ve had a start.