Toughness Improved
Hubert Davis had a focus on adding size to his squad after last season's Lilliputian squad failed to measure up. He may have also dug up more toughness.
Last season, UNC had the indignity of losing six game by double-digits, including two to Duke and a 20-point drubbing to Clemson that I listened to during a drive in a torrential downpour to Dulles Airport that had me at times determined to swerve off the road to end my suffering. I still have not been able to watch that game.
Considering what they were up against, it would have been easy for UNC to have a similar performance against BYU in the exhibition. But the Tar Heels never fell behind by more than eight in the first half, held the Cougars in close contact all through the second half, and even briefly took the lead on a Veesaar shot with seven minutes left in the game.
The Tar Heels will lose games this season, but don't expect to see the numb performances from last season.