What a win for Carolina over Michigan State. Not only was it on the road, it was against the No. 1 team in the country, without PJ Hairston, and coming off a demoralizing loss.

The Tar Heels, all of whom seem to have been in Coach Roy Williams’ doghouse since the UAB effort or lack thereof, played harder against Michigan State and even looked to be the superior team.

They may not have had the superior talent but they had the superior team. (Coach Williams is now 6-0 against Tom Izzo’s Michigan State teams.) Five guys scored in double figures and none of them was James Michael McAdoo.

You could tell that McAdoo was putting forth a better effort but his shooting, both from the field and the free throw line, remains a concern.

But never mind on this night. When North Carolina blew a 14-point lead in the first half, fans must have thought the Spartans would take over in the second half.

But Carolina hung tough, never giving up the lead and seemed to be the better conditioned team.

The Tar Heels played hard and tough and that might have to be the team’s calling card this year because it’s not looking like the Heels will be getting Hairston back.

Some unconfirmed reports have Hairston being disqualified for the season by the NCAA with an announcement coming very soon.

So, while the Tar Heels can be confounding, we can at least see how the team could survive and thrive as the young guys continue to mature.

For more on the game, please click here.