1. No other way to put it: that's a very disappointing start to Atlantic Coast Conference play and a very difficult way to go into a quick Christmas break. NC State survived two Tar Heel three-pointers at the buzzer to win, 79-76.
2. Carolina shouldn't have needed those late attempts to tie, but they played themselves into a deep hole by allowing a 14-2 run late in the second half. After closing within 63-62, the Tar Heels missed shots and committed three straight turnovers before righting the ship. Those three turnovers turned into five Pack points.