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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels off to best start in ACC play under Roy Williams

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 09: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a three-point shot in the second half of their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Dean Smith Center on February 9, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. UNC won 88-85 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 09: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a three-point shot in the second half of their game against the Miami Hurricanes at Dean Smith Center on February 9, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. UNC won 88-85 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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The North Carolina Tar Heels moved to 9-1 in conference play this season with their comeback win over Miami on Saturday afternoon

It took some heroics from freshman Coby White, but the North Carolina Tar Heels are now off to their best start in Atlantic Coast Conference play under Roy Williams.

After falling behind in the second half of Saturday’s thriller against Miami, the Tar Heels were able to fight back and force overtime thanks to White essentially putting the team on his back late in the game. The freshman set a new career-high finishing with 33 points including making 7 of his 10 three-point attempts.

With White keeping UNC in the game, senior Luke Maye was the one that sent it to overtime by draining a three-pointer with just over 10 seconds left.  In overtime, UNC took control on a big three-pointer from Kenny Williams and they never lost the lead after that.

The win was the seventh-straight for the Tar Heels in ACC play, moving them to 9-1 in the conference. That 9-1 mark is the best under Williams, who has spent the previous 16 seasons as head coach.

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In 2015-16, the Tar Heels started 8-0 before losing two straight to Louisville and Notre Dame, both on the road. That team would go on to play in the National Championship Game.

Not only are the Tar Heels sitting tied atop the ACC but they are on a big seven-game win streak.

After opening 2-0, UNC dropped their home opener to Louisville in embarrassing fashion as they suffered their worst loss at home in the Williams era. But that game was a turning point for the Tar Heels as they have rallied seven-straight including a double-digit win on the road at Louisville.

UNC is currently unbeaten on the road, winning their first two at Pitt and then at NC State when the Wolfpack were ranked No. 15. They also have wins at Miami, Louisville, and Georgia Tech.

While the Tar Heels are playing some of their best basketball of the season, things are going to get a bit tougher in the next two weeks. Their next game is a quick turnaround as they will host Virginia on Monday night with the Cavaliers fresh off a loss to Duke.

The Cavaliers have two conference losses this season, both to Duke, and are in third place going into Monday’s game. It will be UNC’s toughest test this season but a win would boost their confidence even more and keep this train rolling.

Following that game, the Tar Heels will play at Wake Forest on Saturday before heading to Durham for a Wednesday night showdown with Duke. The Blue Devils are also 9-1 in conference play and that game could very well determine the regular season winner in the ACC.

For now though, the Tar Heels are worried about what’s in front of them and keeping this win streak going. It looks like this could be a special season in Chapel Hill with the potential to play in April, again.

Next. Here's where UNC ranks in initial NCAA Tournament seeding. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel for more on the Tar Heels hot start and upcoming games.

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