Lessons Learned from the UNC basketball program's inch-close loss at No. 1 Kansas

Free throw shooting a strength

Even though Roy Williams wasn't in attendance at Allen Fieldhouse, he must have been smiling looking at the box score. North Carolina accomplished one of his top goals: make more free throws than the other team attempts.

The Tar Heels seemed to have a simple directive from Hubert Davis. "Get to the rim, or else!" It was nerve-racking viewing for Tar Heel nation, watching 6' RJ Davis, 6'1" Elliot Cadeau, and 6'3" Seth Trimble attack the cup over and over again, sometimes getting clobbered without a call. Their shooting percentages reflect this (the trio shot 8-23 from inside the paint).

But look at this stat: collectively, the three starting guards were 25-27 from the free throw line. Even more impressive? Elliot Cadeau, a 65% free throw shooter last season, went 6-6 from the line, and Seth Trimble, a 61% career free throw shooter, went 10-10 from the line.

This is a well that can quench the offense's thirst throughout the season. North Carolina was able to hit their free throws in a white-hot environment. That could be the difference between a tight win and a heart-breaking loss later in the season.