Tarheels remain undefeated after buzzer beater in OT

I knew ACC play would bring out the best in the Tarheels as well as their competition. Last night in Little John Coliseum it was a frenzied up and down battle between UNC and Clemson. Both teams brought their A-game with non-stop pushes to the basket and bunches of lead changes. As a college hoops fans you couldn't ask for better game. Wayne Ellington stole the show, netting the game-winning three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left. The Tigers set up in a zone defense for the final possession and got burned when trying to go for a steal on the left wing. Ellington was the player of the game with 36 points (11-19 FGA-M) in 90-88 thrilling victory.

With the pass Ty Lawson made in the corner to Ellington he almost turned it over and the game could've gone into double overtime. Tyler Hansbrough took a charge with under a minute in the second half then hit a free-throw on the next possession to tie the game. Although the junior forward was held to 7 shots he delivered with the big plays when the Heels truly needed them. Hansbrough also grabbed 14 rebounds. Free-throws were a major factor in the game, especially in the closing seconds. North Carolina's shot 80% from the line to Clemson's dismal 52%.

Both ACC teams were playing out of control at times with drives to the basket and rushed shots. UNC racked up 19 turnovers compared to the Tiger's 13. So far the Tarheel's undefeated streak stays intact at 15-0. The game really could've gone either way, but the Heels would have not still be ranked as the no. 1 team in the coach's poll. They are a couple other undefeated them in the nation which include Vanderbilt, Memphis, Kansas, and Mississippi. The best record UNC ever had in a season was a 32-0 mark in 1956-57.

Much of the remaining schedule for Tarheels have them playing their conference rivals: NC State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Duke. Wednesday the Tarheels will look to dispose another out of conference foe in North Carolina-Asheville. This one is expected to be another blowout as the no. 1 ranked team awaits their top competition. I expect more big games from the top starting 3 players in Hansbrough, Ellington, and Lawson.