N.C. State sophomore Lorenzo Brown proved his value with a multi-dimensional effort with 16 points, four rebounds and six assists, almost all of which came while being defended by Kendall Marshall. On defense, Brown, who is 3 inches shorter, held UNC forward Harrison Barnes to three points and no field goals in the first half. Barnes responded in the second half with 13 points, but was just 3 of 12 from the floor with four turnovers. Brown had a game-high four steals.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams usually catches heat for his in-game coaching and adjustments, or lack thereof, but his use of a zone defense and management of minutes with Kendall Marshall and James Michael McAdoo in foul trouble, was superb. Few coaches would use a zone against N.C. State shooter Scott Wood but it worked for long stretches in the second half, sparking an 11-0 run. Wood was 0 for 4 from the 3-point line.

There was only one blocked shot, by N.C. State's C.J. Williams. John Henson, who didn't play because of a wrist injury, had 13 against the Wolfpack last season