The ACC has been looking for a team to rival Duke all season and has finally found some competition in a familiar foe.
North Carolina began the season in the top 10 but dropped out of the rankings after losing four games before Christmas. But the young Tar Heels are back in the Top 25 and will head to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday just a half game behind the Blue Devils in the ACC.
Three players have really triggered the turnaround. Freshman sensation Harrison Barnes has started to shoot much better after hovering below 40 percent for much of the season. John Henson has had two double-doubles in the last three games and leads the conference in blocks. And after Larry Drew decided to leave the program Friday, Kendall Marshall embraced his starting point guard role by setting a freshman school record with 16 assists in an 89-69 win over Florida State on Sunday.
On a five-game win streak, North Carolina is ready for the Crazies.
