UNC Basketball: Roy Williams and Harrison Barnes Begin to Weave Their Magic

The pace was a good one, making for a mix of up-tempo basketball and careful half-court. The opponents were well-coached and it showed.

But only one was going to win, and only one team had Harrison Barnes.

And so it was that: UNC beat the Miami Hurricanes on the 'Canes court 74-71, running their ACC record to 4-1.

There were very good signs all around.

Coach Roy Williams seems to have gotten back his manners in sufficient time to make a belated apology to the fans, although only willing to say he was not going to respond immediately in a way that was antagonistic, if not down-right rude.

Barnes was back on track to make up for his slow start in the season, scoring the last five points of the game including one three that just made the shot clock. Here, Barnes, hit this tough three-pointer he was told—and that he did.

Let's not forget: This team has only one ACC loss and was very close to having only a loss or two. Why it and the rest of the ACC have dragged themselves all over the courts while Syracuse maintained its plainly illogical lofty perch is only for fools and the East Coast press to let us know some day.

For now, let's be certain of one thing. While Syracuse was beating the low and little and playing on its own and as much as its own courts, the ACC has not shirked from its mission of being college basketball's best. 

It showed tonight.

Miami is no stiff in the basketball department. Their team was ready to go, making a lot of noise when the going got tough. Perhaps this is not Tobacco Road, but it is now a real ACC center and Miami will make noise whatever tournament it gets into. 

Meanwhile, we have to think that the new starting guard and defensive prowess shown by UNC will make for a better, if not questionable result when the Tar Heels finally meet Duke for first place, assuming the other obstacles in the way do not bring one of those teams down.

For all the malarkey of this being another down year for ACC basketball, it is beginning to seem like the ACC does not have so far to go after all.

And old Roy, for one, is beginning to work his magic on this team in ways that show it will far exceed last year's bunch.

Just how far? Too early to tell.