UNC Basketball: Reactions and takeaways from road win at NC State

UNC Basketball kept the momentum going from the convincing win over Miami by continuing their dominance over Tobacco Road rival NC State. What are the biggest takeaways from the win?

After going 1-5 over the course of the last six games, UNC Basketball got a little medicine for what ails them in the form of the North Carolina State Wolfpack.  The Heels have owned the Pack of late and continued that trend with the 75-65 victory in Raleigh.  UNC has won seven straight on the road against NC State and have to feel like the PNC Arena is a second home for them.

The game wasn’t all a walk in the park though as the Wolfpack led early and kept it close throughout until they had a five-minute scoreless stretch at the worst possible time with a little under seven minutes to go.  Brandon Robinson also battled injuries but valiantly kept returning to the court to help seal the win.

UNC has to feel a bit cursed this season as key contributors have been lost for the year or hurt to the tune of over sixty games missed by important players including their best and probable lottery pick in point guard Cole Anthony.  That his supposed backcourt mate, Anthony Harris, tore an ACL and Jeremiah Francis, another possible PG, has also been injured, UNC has faltered offensively.

Most fans are probably already prepping for the reinforcements coming next year in the form of the number three ranked recruiting class, but there are still reasons to be hopeful this season despite the probable absence of the NCAA Tournament.  Let’s take a look at a few things that may help some light shine through the darkness that seems to hang over Chapel Hill this year.