Let's get one thing straight: what happened to the UNC women's basketball team on Sunday evening was embarrassing.
There's no sugarcoating an 84-39 loss, regardless of who the opponent is. The Tar Heels were thoroughly outplayed by No. 1-ranked South Carolina, struggling to generate offense while having virtually no answers for the Gamecocks on the other end of the floor.
For a program that entered the season ranked No. 12 nationally, the Tar Heels' 0-2 start is certainly not what anyone expected in opening week, especially since it's only the second time in program history they've lost both of their first two contests.
Naturally, some frustration and concern have followed.
However, before anyone starts writing off Courtney Banghart's team, there's something worth remembering.
It's November. Not March.
There's plenty of reason to believe UNC will turn things around
First, let's consider the competition.
UNC didn't open its season against teams they were supposed to beat up on. Instead, the Tar Heels faced No. 21 Oklahoma and No. 1 South Carolina, two programs with the talent to make significant noise on the national stage.
In fact, the Tar Heels haven't even played a game at Carmichael Arena yet, playing one game in Paris, France and the other in Greensboro, a game that felt like a South Carolina home game.
Those factors don't excuse Sunday's performance. Shooting just 25 percent from the floor, committing 24 turnovers, and getting outrebounded 48-33 are legitimate concerns that Banghart and her staff must address.
However, losing to the nation's top-ranked team doesn't automatically mean the Tar Heels can't put together a successful season.
South Carolina is operating at a different level right now. Dawn Staley has built one of the premier college basketball programs, and the Gamecocks have the depth, athleticism, and experience to overwhelm even talented opponents.
UNC learned that lesson the hard way.
There's also the matter of this team's construction.
The Tar Heels entered the season with eight returning players, four transfers and two incoming freshmen. That's a lot of talent, but it's also a group that needs time to build chemistry.
Let's also remember one very important aspect: not a single starter from last year's team is currently playing for UNC.
Indya Nivar is playing in the WNBA. Nyla Harris is competing overseas, while Lanie Grant and Elina Aarnisalo departed via the transfer portal. Ciera Toomey, the fifth starter, is currently sidelined with an injury, and don't forget that Reniya Kelly didn't play much last season either.
Highly touted freshman Kate Harpring is playing college basketball for the first time. Nyla Brooks is stepping into a larger role as a sophomore, while the newcomers are still learning how to complement their teammates.
Those adjustments don't happen overnight, especially when your first two opponents are nationally ranked.
And while Sunday's performance left very little to celebrate, let's not forget that this same team scored 79 points against Oklahoma just six days earlier. The offensive potential is there. The challenge is finding a way to produce consistently against high-level competition.
Banghart has also earned some patience.
Under her leadership, UNC has reached the Sweet 16 three times in the last five seasons, including back-to-back appearances entering this year. That track record doesn't guarantee another successful postseason run, but it should give the coaching staff confidence that they know how to prepare a team for the challenges ahead.
More importantly, the Tar Heels have plenty of opportunities to correct their mistakes.
UNC finally returns to Carmichael Arena on Wednesday night to face NC Central. This matchup should help them regain confidence and establish a rhythm before the schedule gets challenging again.
Of course, there's a difference between remaining optimistic and ignoring the warning signs.
If the turnover problems continue, if the rebounding struggles persist, and if UNC can't find consistent offensive production, the concerns surrounding this team will become increasingly justified.
Those are issues that need to be addressed immediately.
But two games, regardless of how ugly one of them was, shouldn't define an entire season.
North Carolina wasn't going to win a national championship in November, and it certainly hasn't lost the opportunity to accomplish something special because of its opening two games.
The Tar Heels have talent. They have a proven head coach. And they have months of basketball remaining to figure things out.
Our message to UNC fans is simple: it's okay to be frustrated and demand better. Holding them accountable for the early-season performances isn't a bad thing.
However, just don't confuse a disappointing beginning with a disappointing season.
There's still plenty of time for this group to write a much different ending, and will need the support of the fan base in order to do that.
Don't write them off because of one bad week of basketball.
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