UNC 72, Florida State 70

The Black Falcon.

That's really all you can say about this game.  I could spend some time talking about how UNC once again showed their youth and inexperience in failing to put a team away when they built a 6-7 point lead with under 4 minutes to go.  Or I could spend some time talking about how the usually defensively strong Heels gave up 48% shooting to a terrible offensive team playing without its leading scorer.  Or I could spend some time talking about how UNC went on the road against a team that was 7-0 at home in ACC play and desperate for a 2nd signature win on Senior Night and came out with a gutsy 2-point victory.  Or that John Henson beat back the ridiculous physicality of this game and answered some serious questions about his strength with a 19-point, 12-rebound performance.

But none of those things matter all that much, because in 2 years I won't remember any of those things.  In 2 years, I will remember this game however.  I will remember watching the team in the timeout huddle with 11 seconds left with Harrison Barnes CLEARLY demanding the ball to Roy Williams, and Williams responding by pointing at him, confirming with a head nod, then immediately going to the clipboard (seriously, if you have DVR go back and look at this- it's quite striking).  Then the Heels running a clear-out play for their freshman on the road in a game to put his team in the driver's seat for a conference championship.  If you have DVR also go back and watch when Dan Schulman exclaims "They're running a clear-out for the freshman!"  I got chills when he said that. 

And of course I will remember Harrison Barnes hitting a cold-blooded jump shot with a hand in his face as though he was playing pickup in his back yard.  The guy is absurd.  It's difficult to forecast exactly what the postseason expectations for this team should be, but with Barnes the Heels have a puncher's chance against any team in the country because he's always a threat to hit the big shot. 

I can't wait for Saturday, can't wait for the ACC Tournament, and certainly can't wait for the Dance.  Watching the Falcon take us through March is going to be one heck of a ride.