NOTRE DAME, Ind.
North Carolina found itself looking for something it often has in recent years, something it has shown in flashes, here and there, but something that went missing, again, during an 80-76 defeat at Notre Dame on Saturday.
The No. 2 Tar Heels (19-4, 8-2 ACC) were looking for it often in the second half, while the Fighting Irish (16-7, 7-4) continued to chip away at a UNC lead that had once been 15 points strong. UNC was looking for it in the final moments, when it was clinging to hope that didn't evaporate until the final seconds.