Free throws could have made a huge difference
North Carolina tied the game at 61 with 8:37 left in the game, then got within one on an Ian Jackson And-1 with 5:09 remaining.
What allowed the Tar Heels to remain that close despite Louisville making more field goals at a higher percentage? Free throws.
North Carolina went 18/23 from the free-throw line. Louisville was 25/39, but the heavy lifting was done by Chucky Hepburn, who went 16/20. The rest of his teammates were a bit of a drag, and the Cardinals missed the front end of three one-and-ones.
If UNC hadn't collapsed in the final five minutes of the game (where they only scored one more point to Louisville's 13), free throw shooting well could have made the difference.
In a bad night overall, that's something that can provide a glimmer of hope for the rest of the season.