Photo via Todd Melet

It was almost as if the Tar Heels knew that Duke lost.

Those who could follow both the Duke-Virginia Tech and Syracuse-Carolina games saw the Blue Devils’ 77-72 loss to the Hokies end at almost the exact time the Tar Heels were tipping off against the Orange. Of course, it didn’t happen this way, but I could not help imagining it.

Right after the players gathered at the bench following the starting lineups and Jump Around started, one of them said under his breath, “Hey, Duke just lost.” The word spread around to the entire team and the starters opened the game like they were a little bit giddy about the possibility of moving ahead of the Dukies in the ACC standings.

Syracuse made six of its first seven shots and jumped out to a 15-6 lead, its largest of the game. Carolina was having trouble with the troublesome Orange zone, which looked more like a match-up and kept the Heels from getting the ball into the middle as easily as usual. They were playing pretty awful offense but somehow got to the foul line 21 times, making 19.

Roy Williams kept his team in the locker room longer than usual, perhaps dusting off his speech the night they all returned from the 16-point win in Durham. He said they had to get ready for Florida State because they don’t want to give this one back. He might have also told them to tighten up a defense that was allowing the ‘Cuse to outshoot them from the field and 3-point line.

Maybe someone leaked that while Zion didn’t play at Virginia Tech he was on the bench, with that “put me in, coach” look on his face. Without him, the Blue Devils were in a dogfight in Blacksburg, tying the game in the final minute before failing to score again and suffering their third ACC loss.

Perhaps Zion’s presence meant he might be ready for the rematch in Chapel Hill, when Carolina can sweep Duke and maybe win the ACC race. However Ol’ Roy got their attention for the second half, it worked. The Heels outscored Syracuse 15-3 the first five minutes and took control of the game.

Some sloppy defense and dumb fouls allowed the ‘Cuse to stay close and win most scoring stats besides free throws and 93-85 final. The Tar Heels made 91 percent from the foul line and Coby White had six 3-pointers and his third 30-point game, setting a UNC freshman record. And Luke Maye had a career-high six assists and 12 rebounds. And Cam Johnson had his 26th double-figure scoring game of the season.

And Nas Little hit 7 of 8 clutch free throws.

Oh, and did I mention that Duke lost?

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