3 takeaways from UNC Basketball's loss to Kentucky in CBS Sports Classic

3) Do we need to worry about Carolina's defense?

The stats show that the Tar Heels' defense played pretty well against a very dynamic Wildcats offense, but it never felt like that during the game.

The good: Kentucky shot just 41.7% from the field and 34.8% from three, and though they entered the game as one of the best teams in the country at taking care of the ball, they turned it over 14 times.

The bad: For the second straight game, and the third time in four games, Carolina gave up at least 87 points. Part of that can be attributed to the up-tempo style found in most UNC games, but this is becoming a worrying trend.

Carolina struggled to contain Kentucky in transition, and they were powerless all game to keep the Wildcat ballhandlers out of the lane. UNC switched every pick, which resulted in mismatches on nearly every possession. Elliot Cadeau was matched up with the 7'1" Aaron Bradshaw on the block, Jae'Lyn Withers was left guarding D.J. Wagner on the perimeter, and so on.

Hubert Davis needs to figure out a plan that works, and switching everything ain't it. Armando Bacot was often out of rebounding position because he was busy trying to help off his man when one of several Wildcats blew by their defender and got into the lane. This resulted in 15 second chance points. Kentucky is not a team that gets to the free throw line, but they attempted 26 on Saturday because Carolina couldn't stay in front of anyone.

UNC has now lost two straight after a 7-1 start, and things don't get any easier with the unbeaten Sooners next on the schedule. We've been hyping the Heels as a true contender, but talk is cheap. It's time for them to start proving it on the court.