3 Big Observations from UNC's Narrow Win Over Miami

The Tar Heels survived a desperate push from the Miami Hurricanes to escape with a 75-71 victory to stay atop the ACC standings with just three games to go.

RJ Davis broke a Dean Smith Center single-game record with 42 points, willing his team to victory as the only player to score in double digits. Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan combined to go 6-26 from the field, so there were still issues despite Davis' heroics.

After allowing an 11-0 run fueled by consecutive turnovers, the Tar Heels were lucky to notch a victory. As the team gears up for an instate showdown on Saturday against NC State, here are three big observations following the win:

3 Big Observations from North Carolina's Win vs. Miami

1. RJ Davis Can Lead the Tar Heels to a National Championship

What an impressive, career-best performance from RJ Davis. North Carolina's leading scorer (21 PPG), Davis exploded for the aforementioned 42 while connecting on seven of 11 attempted three-pointers, adding six rebounds and four steals as well.

Armando Bacot struggled from the free throw line, making just one of six, while Ingram and Ryan couldn't get shots to fall. In a moment of true desperation, Davis took over and refused to let his team lose. Every other Tar Heel combined to score 33 points, so North Carolina needed every one of Davis' 42.

There are legitimate reasons for concerns, though this night should be about celebrating Davis. Miami knocked down 14 three-pointers on 30 attempts, and Davis was the only person who could keep the Tar Heels afloat down the stretch.

Inevitably, there will be at least one game during the NCAA Tournament in which the shots aren't falling. Championship teams find ways to win those games anyway.

Davis proved he can carry his squad to a victory. North Carolina came up just short in the title game two years ago and gutty victories like tonight's go a long way in giving your team confidence when an opponent makes a massive run.

That doesn't mean every takeaway should be positive, as you'll see on the next page.