North Carolina started out aggressively in this 74-55 win over N.C. State. We may never know exactly what precipitated that but UNC coach Roy Williams said something, challenged the players, as the Heels played their first game without Dexter Strickland, who has been lost for the season.

In a post-game interview, Tyler Zeller, who scored a game-high 21 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, alluded to something that Coach Williams did or said but it sounded like a challenge of some sort. I know there has been a lot of excitement at State over the Wolfpack’s start under new coach Mark Gottfried and I wonder if it has something to do with that.

“They are just 30 minutes down the road so we’d have to hear about it if we lose this one,” Zeller said.

State’s shooting was cold but it looked like the Tar Heels were ready to play. A lot of times teams play well just after losing a key player but eventually it will show.

Reggie Bullock’s defense was more than acceptable in Strickland’s place, as were his 11 points. Freshman Stilman White did fine spelling Kendall Marshall but he only played two more minutes than he normally does. He did get more important minutes I suppose.

Conventional wisdom is that the Tar Heels will miss Strickland’s defense but I think it’s the speed on the fast break that’s going to hurt more. Marshall’s passing is tremendous on the fast break but Strickland’s run outs on the fast break will be missed.

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