The ESPN College Gameday experience did not disappoint as No. 7 North Carolina (23-6, 12-4) visited No. 3 Virginia (22-6, 11-5) for the biggest game of the day. It lived up to its billing with a huge Cavalier win 79-74 over the Tar Heels. Despite UNC shooting better from the field and outrebounding UVA, the Cavs still found a way to win and move closer to the top spot in the ACC rankings.
Brice Johnson had another great game for UNC with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal. Fellow forward Justin Jackson had 12 points, Marcus Paige had 13 and Joel Berry led the Tar Heels with 21 points. UNC shot almost 50 percent from the floor and from beyond the arc, but Virginia's 18 made free throws were the difference as the Tar Heels were only able to get to the line a total of 13 times (and made 7 of those shots).
North Carolina next plays Syracuse on Monday and then will finish the season at Duke on Saturday.
