Staff photos by Robert Willett
CHAPEL HILL — The top-ranked Tar Heels were looking forward to starting ACC play because they figured they’d get more competition. They got it.
Boston College — picked to finish 11th in the league pre-season poll — handled North Carolina 85-78 at the Smith Center to halt any hype about UNC going undefeated.
Carolina trailed at halftime for the first time this season, 46-40, after the Eagles out-scored it 21-9 over the final 6:07 of the half.
UNC used Tyler Hansbrough to help chip its deficit to 58-56 in the opening minutes of the second half, only to have BC burst to another 16-4 run during which Reggie Jackson scored nine points to make it 74-60 with 9:19 left.
UNC trailed 78-63 with 6:07 left, and it systematically chipped away, using BC turnovers to feed a 15-4 run that cut the deficit to 82-78 on a Hansbrough free throw with less than a minute left. But Tyrese Rice hit two free throws with 27.7 seconds left, then Wayne Ellington and Danny Green missed three pointers before Rice buried another free throws to seal it.
Rice had 25 points for BC, and Rakim Sanders chipped in 22.
Hansbrough led UNC with 21.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
I had to work and forgot they were playing....
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 16:44 — UNC1998I guess it's good I didn't see it. Congrats to BC's coaches, players and fans. It was a terrific effort. UNC, on the other hand, will now here Williams' words, and will carry out his orders. They better, or more defeats will follow.
BC is like a good dose for the new year!
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 00:38 — jeromfitzThe BC crew appears to be on a winning trend in there record for the New Year. This was just a taste of what can happen in the ACC in given night. I saw BC earlier in the season and watch them just get rock out of the gym. Tonight they came with the desire and fire to win a game. This game might help the Carolina in the long run because they need to ask themselves “How can I perform better in clutch situations?” They had a few hot hands but refuse to let the hot hand take over and carry the load for the night. The same old script is getting no good looks at the basket. Rice is in very nice and remind me of how a street legend named “J’Mo’Net!” use to play with no fear on the opponent’s court. I was surprised by BC depth and coaching job. They see how hard it is to finish in the Dean Dome and barely got by at the end. UNC must learn how to play in clutch situation in finding ways to win a comeback from behind game. This is there falter for the last couple of years in the final four. Failing to show up when the big money is on the line.
I'm surprised
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 00:25 — bobderncatI didn't think Boston Market was supposed to be all that hot. I reckon th' Tarholes didn't either. Until this game.
Heels Will be fine
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 00:25 — joeYep!
the best coach
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 22:14 — saltydawg1just the latest proof that the best coach is in Durham, and not liberal hill!!!
liberal hill
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 23:43 — gvillegatrpot callling the kettle black.
how do you come to this
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 22:16 — JPMajorhow do you come to this conclusion? do tell..
Nice job BC
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 21:39 — elvis14It's really nice to see UNC start their losing this early. BC just did the entire ACC a favor by letting everyone see just how beatable UNC will be this year. UNC fans have been pretty much insufferable the last couple of months so this should help them get real. You see you actually have to play the games and win them all to get credit for going undefeated. Also note that the NCAA tournament will actually be played. Sorry UNC fans, the title has not been handed to you (just like last year). One thing I like saying and I won't get to say it much this year b/c UNC should end up on top....UNC, last place team in the ACC :-)
losing
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 21:02 — crawford51So much for old roy running the table !!!
so be it
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:37 — gvillegatrin the words of Jimmy Buffett,
"Breath In. Breath Out. Move On."
Didn't see that coming
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:27 — JPDOhioI figured that someone would beat UNC this year, but not BC this early. I turned the game on with less than a minute left and BC up by four. I would have guessed that Rice had at least 40, but wrong on that count too.
BC just did UNC a huge favor. The undefeated season is now off the table. And when Roy says they need to play better defense, maybe somebody besides his dog will listen.
true.. i do believe that
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:33 — JPMajortrue.. i do believe that this loss could have some good to it. Hopefully this is a very needed wake up call to the Heels telling them if they dont go out there every night with the same intensity and heart they *will*get knocked down.
i wonder if Danny Green is regreting saying that he wanted to play in a close game. he sure got his wish didnt he?
BC
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:15 — phattaTyrese Rice might be the best PG in the coutry the guy can flat out score and he showed tonight why.
So the HEELS lost! YEA!
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:10 — openyrmindsTar Heel players are cocky jocks and many of their fans are the league-leading snobs. May they continue to be brought back down to earth.
good call
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 21:04 — byebyebyeI definitely agree that they need to be brought down to earth. Saying they wanted a closer game and some real competition. Well, they got what they wanted, didn't they? It's nice to see the Tarholes brought down a peg!! :-) Nice job Eagles!!
we'll come down to earth
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:30 — JPMajorwe'll come down to earth when we bring that National Title to chapel hill..
thanks for the concern tho..
GO HEELS!
dream on
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 21:59 — crawford51dream on
dreaming sure worked when i
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 22:14 — JPMajordreaming sure worked when i said the same thing in 05'
BC must have read the
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 19:51 — jillmichelleBC must have read the article this morning....is that a close enough game for you, tarheels?? Seriously, if the heels are going to be that cocky, they deserved to lose...
hmm
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 19:55 — JPMajorI think sometimes when your as good as Carolina your aloud to be cocky..lol
but if your going to be cocky, make sure you can back it up.
Aloud?
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:50 — jhewellJust so you know, it's spelled "allowed".
excuse me. "allowed" guess i
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 20:58 — JPMajorexcuse me.
"allowed"
guess i didn't pass the spelling test today. Now if you don't mind, i will go study the dictonary.
losing?
Sun, 01/04/2009 - 19:51 — JPMajorthat just happend... wtf?? this one hurts.. is the season a dissapointment after this loss? i dont think it is. But im sure it could be the center of some talk..
also, i find it odd that the last couple days all the media has been praising UNC victory margians and such and saying that they need to play a close game... Blame the media! aha
get um ROY!