The UNC basketball program hasn't had the best record against Kansas in recent years. Roy Williams, ever the gentleman, lost all three contests against the Jayhawks, his previous employer. Hubert Davis lost to Kansas in the 2022 national championship after Tar Heel fans collectively bargained with God to let UNC beat Duke in Coach K's final season, no matter the cost. He lost again last season in Lawrence in a thrilling comeback bid. The last UNC team to beat Kansas was Matt Doherty's 2002 squad in the Preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden.
This year's team topped that game's 11-point margin by three, and mostly through its defensive intensity and a blistering second-half offensive explosion. Let's look at some lessons learned from UNC's first signature win of the season.