Leslie McDonald News

North Carolina got some of what it needed most for its men's basketball team this week: practice.

That is the best description I can give of the Tar Heels right now. I am a huge Heels fan, but it is really frustrating to watch a team as talented as they are play as soft as they do.

Carolina basketball was back in action last night as the Tar Heels took on Ohio State in a battle of two nationally ranked teams.

While Fridaya TMs 87-71 loss to Syracuse was both staggering and humiliating for North Carolinaa TMs basketball team, the experience should provide the Tar Heels with a valuable measuring stick.

They lost just about everything. A four-year All-American and player of the year.

Roy Williams had promised there would be times when his North Carolina team looked ready to make a serious run at defending the national championship.

As the college basketball world waited breathlessly, Iowa prep phenom Harrison Barnes dialed into a video conference with his future coach.

The returning North Carolina Tar Heels -- notably Marcus Ginyard , Deon Thompson and Ed Davis -- were hanging out on the east side of the White House this May, soaking up the visit with President Barack Obama and enjoying the final celebration of their 2009 title.

Marcus Ginyard matched his career high with 17 points to help No. 6 North Carolina beat North Carolina Central 89-42 on Wednesday night in the 2K Sports Classic.

" Marcus Ginyard stole the ball near midcourt, drove to the basketball, then elevated over two Florida International defenders for an explosive dunk that brought the less-than-capacity crowd at the Smith Center to its feet.

The defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels open the 2009-10 campaign against the Florida International Golden Panthers and new head coach Isiah Thomas in a Coaches vs.

This is the one piece of advice Marcus Ginyard wishes someone had given him before his freshman year at North Carolina: "Coach Williams is right 100 percent of the time, no matter what," Ginyard said.

PPG RPG APG Tyler Hansbrough 20.7 8.1 1.0 Ty Lawson 16.6 3.0 6.6 Wayne Ellington 15.8 4.9 2.6 Danny Green 13.1 4.7 2.7 Totals 66.2 20.7 12.9 Team averages 89.8 42.0 18.0 Key resources remaining PPG RPG APG Deon Thompson 10.6 5.7 0.7 Ed Davis 6.7 6.6 0.6 Marcus Ginyard* 6.9 4.5 2.2 Totals 24.2 16.8 3.5 Note : Averages for Ginyard, who was injured ...

OUTLOOK: Thanks to North Carolina's dominance, the ACC added another national title to the trophy case in 2008-09. The Tar Heels ripped off 34 victories en route to the national championship, but weren't the only squad in-conference with banner seasons.

Coach: Roy Williams . Last season's record: 34-4 overall, 13-3 in ACC . Postseason: Won NCAA title by beating Michigan State in championship game.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. North Carolina shooting guard Marcus Ginyard has been a part of one NCAA championship team and another that reached the Final Four.