In a game that felt over shortly after the opening tip, the UNC basketball program suffered an ugly double-digit loss to Duke in Durham. While the final score only showcases a 17-point margin, this game was much, much farther apart than the score indicates.

With a massive size advantage, Duke took control early and kept their foot on the gas. North Carolina had no answers to slow down projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, and when they tried, Flagg found the open man that was created due to the Tar Heels double-team effort.

From Elliot Cadeau’s multiple turnovers early on in the first half to the Tar Heels essentially generating no offensive rhythm, it was an ugly performance that UNC basketball fans will quickly want to forget.

However, it’s one that shows the difference in talent between the two programs. Duke’s roster is on a whole different level, one that the current UNC basketball team is far from. The Tar Heels were essentially going through the motions, looking to rely on iso ball offensively to make things happen.

Unfortunately, iso ball really hasn’t worked much at all this season for the Tar Heels.

If it hadn’t been for a very strong second half by Drake Powell, the final score would’ve been much farther apart. While fans are clamoring for Hubert Davis’ job, the blame needs to be distributed evenly.

Sure, this roster isn’t well-constructed (which is an NIL issue as well as a coaching issue), but Davis and his staff aren’t the ones out there shooting the ball and playing defense. At some point, the players need to put more care into their play, as this team is essentially going through the motions.

It doesn’t help that this unit lacks a true leader, something past UNC basketball teams had no problem finding.

We’re currently in a frustrating state of UNC basketball, as this team is certainly not living up to the expectations that we all have for them. Saturday night was another reminder that things need to change quickly, as the Tar Heels are a whole level below the elite caliber teams that college basketball has to offer.