With all the snow and ice covering the East Coast, you can’t blame the No. 2 UNC men’s basketball team for thinking this game against Virginia Tech was some sort of vacation.

The Tar Heels came into Cassell Coliseum on Sunday riding a 10-game win streak–then opened up a 20-point lead on the Hokies in the first half.

But after a furious Virginia Tech rally, the Tar Heels were forced to hang on for a narrow 75-70 victory.

Joel Berry scored 13 points, and was one of only two Tar Heels in double figures against Virginia Tech. (AP Photo/ Matt Gentry)

Joel Berry scored 13 points, and was one of only two Tar Heels in double figures against Virginia Tech. (AP Photo/ Matt Gentry)

It was a comeback that quickly reminded Roy Williams’ team that they were, in fact, on a business trip.

“We started thinking it was gonna be easy,” the UNC head coach said after the game. “And I also took out Brice [Johnson]. I took out Kennedy [Meeks]. Isaiah [Hicks] was out. So three of our top six guys were out because they had two fouls.

“I’ve said all year long, our depth has got to be important to us, and I think it was,” he added.

Johnson, the Tar Heels’ best player as of late, added to his ACC Player of the Year resume with 19 points and 17 rebounds. He also made a significant impact on the defensive end–chipping in four steals and three blocks to help put away the upset-minded Hokies.

UNC is now 18-2 this season (7-0 ACC), but has not played the prettiest basketball over its past three games.

Joel Berry was the only Tar Heel to join Johnson in double figures–scoring 13, despite making just three of his 11 shots.

The struggles also continued for Marcus Paige.

Paige, the senior guard who came into Sunday shooting a combined 3-for-25 from the field with eight points over the past three games, finished with just seven points and made just two of his 10 shots. He did contribute seven assists, however, and hit a pair of critical free throws down the stretch.

“I know there’s frustration,” Williams said of Paige. “I don’t think it’s pressure. He and I talk, so I don’t think he’s pressing or anything. I think he’s extremely frustrated, which, I think he should be extremely frustrated.

“If I had made three of my last 25,” the coach continued. “Hell, I’d be hesitant too.”

As a team, the Tar Heels connected on just three of their 23 attempts from three-point range on Sunday–and made just 37.8 percent of their field goals.

The foul trouble that hampered UNC’s big men early on against the Hokies forced freshman Luke Maye into 11 minutes of playing time.

It also allowed Virginia Tech (12-8, 4-3 ACC) to get to the free throw line 32 times–of which it made 22. The Hokies–led by Zach Leday’s 17 points–drilled eight three-pointers on the day, with three of them coming during the 18-3 run that closed out the first half.

Through it all, UNC still found a way to win–as ugly as it may have been.

“I was not concerned,” Williams said about his team’s recent shooting woes. “But now, I can be concerned if I want to, because three games in a row is enough. [We’ve] got to be able to step up and make some shots.”

Luke Maye played 11 minutes for UNC, which got into serious foul trouble in the frontcourt. (AP Photo/ Matt Gentry)

Luke Maye played 11 minutes for UNC, which got into serious foul trouble in the frontcourt. (AP Photo/ Matt Gentry)

It’s been well-documented in recent weeks the amount of depth the Tar Heels have. But this win was more about grit than it was about having a number of different players step up.

As the lead dwindled and the clocked ticked away, Virginia Tech seemed to have an answer for everything the Tar Heels threw its way–until it mattered most.

With the score tied at 68 and just two minutes to play, UNC tightened up defensively and made plays when they were needed.

Johnson and Paige combined to hit five free throws down the stretch, while Berry found Justin Jackson underneath the rim for an easy layup in between.

The Hokies during that span missed three shots and turned the ball over twice.

Williams’ team simply put on its hard hats and did what it’s become accustomed to lately.

Grinding it out, no matter how much whiter it makes the coach’s hair.

Now, the number one ranking awaits.

Up Next:

If the Tar Heels do return to the top of the polls, they won’t make their first defense until Saturday, Jan. 30 at home against the Boston College Eagles–the ACC’s last place team.

Game Notes:

  • It’s the first time UNC has won three straight games shooting under 40 percent since the 2010-11 season when the Tar Heels did it in wins against Clemson, Wake Forest, and Boston College.
  • Brice Johnson’s dunk in the first half was his 164th in a Tar Heel uniform, passing Tyler Hansbrough for the most in the Roy Williams era.
  • UNC’s three worst shooting percentages as a team this season have come in its last three games.
  • Justin Jackson fouled out in just 24 minutes, while Kennedy Meeks was limited to just 20 minutes with four fouls.

 

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