The UNC basketball program bounced back from its Michigan State loss with a thrilling win over Kentucky at Rupp Arena as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Tar Heels were locked in a thrilling blue-blood contest tied at halftime, with Kentucky's six-point lead as the largest point difference.
Once again, foul trouble bit North Carolina, but not hard enough to cost them the game. Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson were twin towers of power against a formidable Wildcat frontline, but most of the plaudits will fall on the sturdy shoulders of freshman point guard Derek Dixon, who had his number called at the end of regulation with the game on the line.