Northwestern vs. UNC: Score, Highlights, Reaction from CBE Hall of Fame Classic

The No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the previously unbeaten Northwestern Wildcats, 80-69, on Monday in the opening round of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

It was a game full of North Carolina highlights, per GoHeelsTV:

North Carolina was coming off an upset loss to the Northern Iowa Panthers while ranked No. 1.

A defeat wasn't much of a concern against the Wildcats after the Tar Heels used a 14-1 run to close the first half and flipped a 35-29 deficit into a 43-36 lead.

Forward Justin Jackson led North Carolina with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while five other Tar Heels scored in double figures.    

North Carolina will take on Kansas State on Tuesday in the final of the Classic after the Wildcats knocked off the Missouri Tigers on Monday.

It looked like a possible all-Wildcat final early in the game, and Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star took notice:

Thankfully for North Carolina, the light turned on, and it looked like one of the country's top teams despite missing last year's leading scorer, Marcus Paige, who has not played this season after fracturing his right hand. 

However, Andrew Carter of the News and Observer and Charlotte Observer informed fans before the game a return may not be that far off for Paige:   

Jackson played well in his absence, putting together a highlight reel of his own, per GoHeelsTV:

He has played his best two-game stretch of his career, per UNC's official Twitter account:

The sophomore added four assists for good measure. The team dished out 21 on 28 made baskets, had fewer turnovers than the Wildcats and out-rebounded them 39-26.

It was a total-team effort for the 4-1 Tar Heels.

Paul Biancardi, ESPN.com's national director of recruiting, was impressed with North Carolina's defense, although he threw it a backhanded compliment:

After the defense clamped down, the closest the Wildcats would get was 50-46, but UNC's five unanswered points essentially put the game away midway through the second half.

Pinson had an all-around strong game with 10 points, eight assists and five rebounds. He has played well in Paige's absence, per the Tar Heels:

Tre Demps had 21 points and three assists for the Wildcats, and Bryant McIntosh added 14 points and nine assists.

The matchup in the final against Kansas State should be an interesting one for the Tar Heels. The Wildcats are 4-0, but they have not played a team anywhere near North Carolina's caliber.

If Paige happens to be cleared to play, it would go a long way in helping the Tar Heels claim the tournament championship.

Postgame Reaction

Winning coach Roy Williams was still holding on to the frustration of the Northern Iowa loss after the game, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "I was ticked off. I wasn't going to treat them with kid gloves. We screwed it up. Needless to say, we feel better than we did Saturday."

Northwestern head coach Chris Collins praised the Tar Heels, but said he was "encouraged" from the effort his team displayed, per SB Nation's Inside NU:

Williams addressed Paige's situation after the game, per the AP. "If we had to have him, we could have played him last week. We don't have to have him," Williams said. "We're trying to be very cautious."

The Tar Heels bounced back nicely from the loss and should be in good shape moving forward considering it doesn't look like Paige will miss much more action.