The Tar Heels’ hustle at Gonzaga provided hope for the future.

As soon as the Carolina game tipped off in the Zags’ intimidating home gym, we saw a much different team than against Wofford just three days earlier. In their second start without leading scorer Cole Anthony, the Heels played much more team ball.

They were moving, passing, screening and shooting better than in the dismal performance at Carmichael against the Terriers. And the numbers back up that effort in a game that was close for 30 minutes before Gonzaga’s depth, size and offensive prowess prevailed.

Against any opponent, when have we seen a Roy Williams team force only five turnovers and allow 19 assists on 25 made baskets? Never is the answer. And the defense also allowed Wofford to shoot 40 3-pointers and drain 14, including three in a row during a 12-0 run that broke open the game in the second half.

Yes, Armando Bacot was missing in action, shooting only 2 of 14 from the floor and, yes, the Heels had to figure out how to play without Anthony after only one day of practice. But, going to Spokane, the prognosis was not favorable.

And while Carolina did lose its fourth straight game to fall to 6-5 on the season, the mostly young guys played with intensity and poise in a hostile environment. The good news is if they keep up that effort, there is room for improvement. Bacot was ineffective again in only 14 foul-plagued minutes, and Brandon Robinson left the game early with an illness. That gave the unknowns a chance to step up, and they did.

Don’t expect freshmen Jeremiah Francis and Anthony Harris to become solo difference-makers, but their combined 19 points and 3 for 5 from the arc helped improve a dwindling 3-point team percentage. The seven made treys are the most since the first two games, while Francis and Harris were the only regulars who were on the court during positive point production for the Tar Heels.

Carolina out-rebounded the bigger Zags 35-30, although having more of its own misses to go after with 9-1 edge off the offensive board. But we saw a lot more energy and Carolina-style ball than at any other time during a season that has been dominated by Anthony.

The Heels headed for Vegas with hope — and UCLA is no Gonzaga.

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