The last time North Carolina lost to North Carolina State, Harrison Barnes was a freshman in high school.
For as long as Roy Williams has been courting the freshman forward, Barnes has never known the Wolfpack to have an edge on the Tar Heels in basketball.
So when he was asked after the game if this game felt more like a rivalry than January’s 20-point shelling at the Smith Center, Barnes didn’t quite feel the UNC-N.C. State game constituted a rivalry.
“Ah, I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry, but they’re probably the most competitive game we’ve played all year,” Barnes said.
The follow-up question: “What was the atmosphere like to play in? Their fans are pretty rough on Carolina guys.”
“Uhh yeah… they’re very competitive and we just wanted to play at their level,” Barnes said.
North Carolina holds the series record at 144-75 and has won 16 of the last 17 games.
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