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Check back prior to the 2008 season for a preview and a program outlook.

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Off the cuff: The Tar Heels had to postpone home games against Clemson (Jan. 9) and No. 16 Virginia Tech (Feb. 16), and a road game against Boston College, amid COVID-19 issues involving their opponents.

So, it made sense to schedule another game. Unfortunately, it was Marquette who said yes. They were energetic and ready to play.

The Golden Eagles had trouble with Carolina's pressure in the second half as the Tar Heels got within striking distance but that was the only problem they had.

It was Carolina's first loss of the season at home after winning eight straight. And it was just the 18th non-conference loss in the Smith Center in 229 games.

Marquette 83, Tar Heels 70
Heels fall flat during late-added game

North Carolina, looking for more games to add after having games canceled due to other teams' COVID protocols, picked up a game against a storied program with a losing record. Turns out, Marquette defeated the flat Tar Heels, 83-70, and put Carolina's tournament hopes in jeopardy. (2/24)

Coming off two of their best wins of the season, North Carolina was perhaps a little cavalier about it at practice. Coach Roy Williams said at practice said he saw a problem with attitude. "We can't stand a little prosperity," he said. "That's my take on it."

After getting out to a 2-0 lead, Carolina never led again the rest of the game. Marquette raced out to a 14-4 advantage early and was in command at 45-29 at the half.

"It kills you when at halftime your three perimeter players are 0 for 11 from the floor, and we have 19 turnovers," Coach Williams said.

The Tar Heels showed a little life when they went on a 9-2 run that started midway through the second half. During that stretch, freshman guard R.J. Davis drove the baseline for two and then dished to fellow freshman Day'Ron Sharpe for a dunk to draw the Heels within seven at 65-58 with just under eight minutes to play.

Marquette's Theo John scored twice in a row at that point and Carolina never got closer than eight the rest of the way, settling for a 13-point loss.

Davis said the team has to play it's best every game because there are no easy ones. "We are trying to play our way into the NCAA Tournament, so we have to remain focused throughout every game that we play. Every game that we play is going to be a dog fight, we have to come out ready to play."

The Golden Eagles, next to last in the Big East, entered the game having lost six of their last eight.

UNC, led by Garrison Brooks' 18 points, falls to 14-8 while Marquette, led by Dawson Garcia's 24 points, improves to 11-12.

The Tar Heels play a key ACC matchup at home against Florida State Saturday.

Box Score

UNC's Garrison Brooks led the team with 18 points included two of them on this power dunk (UNC sports information photo by Morgan Pirozzi.)

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