Taking care of business
In the current five-game win streak, North Carolina has led wire-to-wire in the first three games against Syracuse, NC State, and Virginia. In Tallahassee, the Tar Heels fell behind the Seminoles before ultimately winning by 11. Against Miami, UNC got back to their dominant form, and save for the first made field goal of the game, the Hurricanes didn't lead.
Now, Miami is dead last in the ACC at 2-16, so a win was the only acceptable outcome of this contest. North Carolina's defensive intensity waned at times as their lead ballooned, which can be expected when you're putting the boots to a jobber, but Hubert Davis will be eager to nip that in the bud. Virginia Tech is up next and they are in the ACC top ten (at No. 9), but really, habits need to be fixed in time for Duke.
North Carolina will have a different face to show the Blue Devils with their rejuvenated traditional line-up, but there is still a talent gap the Tar Heels need to overcome. That difference will need to be overcome with effort, and at times, UNC didn't show the appropriate amount against Miami.