Preseason ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis was THE X-factor in North Carolina's ability to pull away, scoring five consecutive points to give his team the lead for good, then later draining his third and final 3-pointer to unofficially put the opener out of reach (85-73 with 1:45 to go).

The UNC basketball starting backcourt looks the same as last go-round, but mostly new Tar Heel starters fill the other spots.