Lost in the hoopla of back-to-back Duke-Carolina games is the lonely little jewelry-sponsored competition, the Carlyle Cup. The winter season began at the end of last month in wrestling, where UNC blew out the Blue Devils, 30-12. The Tar Heels are 7-7 on the year, but 4-2 in the ACC. Four of those losses are to traditional powerhouse conference the Big Ten - Purdue, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Illinois. N.C. State also has two match victories over Carolina.
At last mention, UNC had a 5.5 to 4.5 lead in the standings. With the wrestling win, plus half of the two points for the first basketball victory, UNC has extended its advantage to 7.5 to 5.5.
The next event is this weekend, when UNC and Duke meet in fencing. That's swordplay, not a competition to sell stolen goods.