There's no room for moral victories in college athletics.
Sure, the UNC basketball program nearly erased a 20-point deficit against Cal. Yes, the Tar Heels brought the intensity down the stretch.
However, it doesn't erase the ugly, ugly performance we've been seeing: a lackluster defense, horrible free-throw shooting, and the sense that this team just doesn't feel the need to compete under this coaching staff.
Another day, another ACC loss for North Carolina, as they go winless on their two-game West Coast trip. Essentially, you can use the recap from the Stanford game to describe this one, only North Carolina never led in this game.
The Golden Bears continued the stretch of ACC teams torching the Tar Heels from beyond-the-arc, as they connected on 10 triples in the first half. They ended the night with 14, shooting 54% from three and 50% overall from the floor.
North Carolina, on the other hand, would be in major trouble if their lives were on the line, and they had to make a three or a free throw to survive.
The UNC basketball program missed 11 of their 28 attempts from the free throw line. In comparison, Cal, who shot 12 less free throws, made 12 of their 16 freebies.
Sure, the coaching staff can't go out there and make free throws or play defense, but they sure can make adjustments to put this team in a better position to succeed. This group seems to freelance way too much (as evident by Seth Trimble's attempted behind the back pass down 15), as the coaching staff seems to be content with how this ship is quickly sinking.
Let's face it: when you're in a close game down the stretch, why is Trimble chucking up contested threes, shots he regularly wouldn't take? How do you not get the ball in Caleb Wilson's hands?
Another instance of Hubert Davis being the one to slow the projected top-five pick down!
We were fooled throughout non-conference play. This team is showing signs of being fraudulent, a group that is simply defeated. No communication, horrible coaching and questionable personnel decisions play factors into all of this, as North Carolina went from being a sure-fire NCAA Tournament team to a group that is trending toward the bubble once again.
Oh yeah, Hubert Davis' seat is burning.