Carolina’s NET ranking has dropped six spots in the last few days, going from 14 on Tuesday to 20 after the Tar Heels’ less-than-impressive Quad 4 victory.

Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel had the best night of his career, and Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau produced another outstanding floor game. Both teams extended their unbeaten streaks to 10 on a night when Ven-Allen Lubin’s double-double wasn’t enough for N.C. State to upset No. 19 Kansas.

CHAPEL HILL — Jonathan Powell’s scoring got all the attention Saturday night, but his defense also was nearly as impressive.

CHAPEL HILL — Seth Trimble was out of uniform again Saturday, but there was a noticeable difference as he watched North Carolina’s 80–62 win over USC Upstate from the bench: no brace on his left forearm.

CHAPEL HILL — Caleb Wilson played through a foot injury as No. 14 North Carolina slogged through an 80–62 victory Saturday over USC Upstate at the Smith Center. Wilson finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double but admitted that his preparation for the game wasn’t ideal.

CHAPEL HILL — Here are images from No. 14 North Carolina’s 80–64 Saturday victory over USC Upstate at the Smith Center.

CHAPEL HILL — Among the faults that irritate UNC coach Hubert Davis the most is failing to hit the boards hard and getting outhustled, and there were plenty of reasons for him to be agitated on Saturday. The No. 14 Tar Heels held on for an 80–62 victory at the Smith Center over upstart USC Upstate, but it wasn’t pretty. One day after final exams concluded, UNC appeared to be in a fog much of the afternoon.

When Ian Jackson walks onto the court as St. John’s starting point guard against Iona, it will mark a turning point in a journey back home to New York that began with high expectations and hard lessons.

The impressive start for No. 14 North Carolina has the Tar Heels at least a No. 4 seed on most early NCAA men’s tournament bracket projections, far from last season’s bubble drama. Instead of scrambling for a First Four spot, the Coach Hubert Davis’ Heels have built a solid résumé and will likely only have to worry about seeding.

The impressive performances keep coming for Elliot Cadeau, and No. 2 Michigan continues to bludgeon every opponent. Cadeau scored 18 points (one off his career-high) and a career-high four 3-pointers in 24 minutes Tuesday night as the host 9–0 Wolverines overwhelmed Villanova 89–61.