North Carolina remains No

The Tar Heels are in the mix for Crosby along with Tennessee, but the coaching futures in Virginia and Virginia Tech could play a key role down the line. Rookie season disappeared quickly for both of these teams as UNC freshman Destinee Walker became the leading scorer for the Heels and showed off her talent with a smooth layup assisted by Stephanie Watts in the Third.

North Carolina (9-1, 6-0) can even be a dark-horse candidate for a playoff spot if the team takes down Clemson in the ACC Championship.

N’Dea Bryant’s eight rebounds and five steals highlighted the Tar Heels’ defensive efforts, and rounded out a six-player rotation that averaged 31 minutes against a deeper and bigger-sized OR roster.

In his first two years, Britt was rarely the guy North Carolina would turn to for a big shot.

“The other night – one point – and then today Jamie’s shot could have easily been in, but it didn’t go in”. Lexi Bando led the team with 18 points and four players finished the game in double figures. The line has consistently failed to protect Kaaya or to create holes for running backs Joe Yearby and Mark Walton.

North Carolina’s Nate Britt (0) and Fairfield’s Marcus Gilbert chase the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Sunday, November 15, 2015.

This team is going to be well prepared and vastly more matured because of the Marcus Paige injury.

And there’s one telling stat in the No. 12 Tar Heels’ rise to their highest ranking in 17 years: three straight games with a “zero” in the turnover column.

At the other end, while North Carolina tried to work its fast break offense, OR was just as quick to transition into a zone defense.

“We separated a little bit from them”.

Bryant’s jumper in the paint pulled UNC back closer, as the Ducks led 76-74 with two minutes to go. The Garden State offensive tackle took to Twitter Saturday to let Tar Heels fans know he had a great visit.

Oregon’s defense played an aggressive zone that made it hard for North Carolina to penetrate.

Jackson is considered a lean to North Carolina.

The Tar Heels are doing that and in the process appear to be improving the longer the season goes on. With Miami already trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, Stacy Coley made a terrific catch for a 34-yard gain, only to draw an immediate 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting a UNC defender.

The difference was back down to one.

THE STAT SHEET: Alleyne, Oregon’s returning All-American, finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds for her 70th career double-double.

If she made it, the game was won.