The atmosphere in the UNC locker room that night was like a funeral. Heads drooped, bodies slumped, and tears were choked back. Everyone in the room struggled to comprehend what was happening.

It was Wednesday, December 3rd, and the Tar Heels had just finished up a disappointing 60-55 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. After losing to Butler a week earlier, this marked their second upset loss in eight days, dropping them to 5-2 on the year.

A firestorm of criticism and worries rained down upon the team. Marcus Paige wasn’t vocal enough as a leader. The freshmen didn’t produce enough. And most of all, after a second half in which they gave up 16 offensive rebounds to the Hawkeyes, the big men weren’t tough enough.

Marcus Paige is getting the help he's been seeking. (Todd Melet)

Marcus Paige is getting the help he’s been seeking. (Todd Melet)

The Paige uproar was put to bed weeks ago, with the game winner at home against Louisville, and the Picasso-like masterpiece he painted on the road against N.C. State – not to mention the revelation of the plantar fasciitis he’s been playing with all year long.

Recently, he’s had plenty of help from his teammates, who have all begun to step up to the challenge of quieting the haters. The result has been the team’s most impressive stretch of play all season.

Crazily enough, nobody was quieter after the Iowa game than junior forward Brice Johnson. Foul trouble limited him to just 12 minutes. In the time he was on the floor, Johnson scored two points on seven shot attempts, while only snagging four rebounds. It was easily his worst performance of the season.

Questioned about missing a few layups around the rim that night, an extremely somber and emotional Johnson said to reporters that for the team to improve in the future he needed to “Stop being a baby and just go up there and dunk it.”

It’s time to take notice, because for Brice Johnson and the rest of the Carolina supporting cast, that future is starting to come to fruition. The Tar Heels have won four in a row, sport a 15-4 overall record, and they sit at 5-1 in the brutal ACC, trailing only Virginia and Notre Dame. These guys are the reason why.

Brice taking on Louisville star Montrezl Harrell (Todd Melet)

Brice Johnson taking on Louisville star Montrezl Harrell (Todd Melet)

I mention Brice because his up-and-down play throughout his career has seemingly turned him into a lightning rod for criticism.

His play is often the X-factor when determining whether the Heels win or lose. In each of the losses he’s failed to record more than five rebounds, despite averaging close to eight per game for the season. During the recent winning streak, he’s posted two double-doubles, scored in double figures in every game, and held Louisville’s All-American forward Montrezl Harrell to just nine points and five boards.

Oh yeah, and he’s been dunking the ball…A lot.

Kennedy Meeks has unintentionally given birth to one of Chapel Hill’s newest traditions, with viewers at home tipping their glasses back each time they are reminded by TV announcers that Meeks lost fifty pounds during the offseason. Also, in his spare time he’s managed to lead UNC in rebounding and shooting percentage, forming what could possibly be considered the ACC’s best frontcourt tag-team along with Johnson.

Their play up front has also been supplemented by freshman Justin Jackson, who has started every game but is just now starting to find his groove. His three point shot is falling, he’s getting to the free throw line, and his long, wiry frame has helped him play excellent defense on the wing.  The last two games have been Jackson’s best of the year, scoring 16 and grabbing seven rebounds against Virginia Tech followed by 17 more points Wednesday night at Wake Forest.

Justin Jackson showing his length (Todd Melet)

Justin Jackson showing his length (Todd Melet)

The other freshmen on the roster, point guard Joel Berry and small forward Theo Pinson, are each sidelined with injuries, but have made their mark in recent wins. Berry’s second half three-pointer that ignited the Tar Heels’ comeback victory from 13 down with eight minutes to play against Louisville stands as the most notable.

Sophomore guard Nate Britt has also come off the bench and added some much-needed outside shooting.

Since the beginning of the season, it’s been known that for Carolina to reach the ceiling their preseason #6 ranking created for them, Paige playing outstanding would not be enough. The development of the rest of this young, athletic team, loaded with potential, was always going to be the key.

Johnson has put his big boy pants on, and the rest of Paige’s posse has followed suit.

Two home games against Florida State and Syracuse are next on the schedule for the Heels. If these boys continue to play like they have, the streak will be at six heading into Louisville, with a home contest against undefeated Virginia on the horizon.

Funeral plans have been canceled. Casket talk has been put to rest. This team is very much alive.