Stupid fouls (at volume) have consequences
Since North Carolina is generally the smaller team, stacking up fouls is no surprise. But considering how quickly Wake Forest got into the bonus and how many free throws they took (Wake Forest went 21/27 from the line, compared to UNC's 6/10), this disparity more than made the difference in winning and losing this contest.
Fouls will occur naturally in the flow of the game, especially when the 6-foot-4 Cameron Hildreth busts out the vintage Mark Jackson New York Knicks tape and backs down smaller guards in the post. Where North Carolina got in trouble was with stupid fouls. Let me throw out three examples.
Jalen Washington getting whistled as soon as he set a bad pick, when he needs to save his fouls for battling in the post with Efton Reid. Ty Claude flying into the paint going after a missed shot and getting a clear over the back call. And Seth Trimble jumping onto Tre'Von Spillers's back when he was on the floor securing a loose ball. A potential tie-up instead becomes a foul.
Wake Forest was in the bonus at the 10:34 mark in the first half. North Carolina does not have the offensive firepower or suitable depth to keep up with a team that can go to the line over and over again. The Tar Heels need to play smarter moving forward, especially if they find themselves in one possession games.