Carolina barely met its meager numbers in the loss at Louisville.

Steve Kirschner, UNC’s sports media director, sends out comprehensive notes after every Carolina basketball game. For more than 25 years, this duty has mostly been a joy for the man they call “Kirsch.” This season, though, sending those notes must be very painful.

Statistically, the Tar Heels are at or near the bottom of every ACC team category, except for first in rebounding. That, too, is misleading — because with such a poor shooting percentage there are many more misses to go after.

Against Louisville, Carolina fell short of most average stat numbers. Field goals made were 39 percent, less than the 41 season average; 3-pointers went in only 27 percent of the time; that season stat is 29. Free throws were much better, but UNC only shot eight of them for the game.

The Heels were out-rebounded by the Cardinals, 38-29, dropping their season margin to plus-8, when it is usually well into double figures. The ‘Ville even had five more offensive rebounds than their visitors, who did not get more than two from anyone. Carolina was only out-rebounded more by Ohio State’s plus-16 in that December ACC-Big Ten Challenge loss.

Cole Anthony was the lone Heel in double figures, as Garrison Brooks sat out for the first time in his career, 99 straight games. With Brooks and Justin Pierce, scholarship players have now missed a total 85 this season, an ACC high by far. It caused Roy Williams to start his ninth different lineup. Carolina has had some teams that rarely changed starters.

The seven straight defeats are significant for several reasons. It is the Tar Heels’ longest losing streak since 1951, the longest ever in ACC games and Carolina must beat State Tuesday night to avoid Williams tying his personal college blooper record. His first Kansas team suffered eight straight losses.

If karma means anything, though, you know how Williams’ teams have dominated State over the years. Will the numbers be back in Carolina’s favor enough to get a win and sweep the Wolfpack?

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