1. Carolina got what it needed in a pre-Christmas 70-50 win over Appalachian State. The Tar Heels weren't great but they were good, and everyone can go home for Christmas feeling they did a little something to aid the win.
2. Chief among those winning characteristics: the Tar Heels did a much better job on the backboards than they did in Las Vegas. Coming off a 44-26 rebounding demolition by Kentucky--the worst Tar Heel rebounding deficit since 2009--Carolina was more active both offensively and defensively. One of the standouts: Brady Manek, who collected six first half rebounds, including two on the offensive end, and finished with eight.