GREENSBORO — In the final game of the regular season, North Carolina learned what could happen – what would happen – when it failed to create quality shots on the perimeter. The Tar Heels’ lopsided loss against Duke was a painful lesson for a team that had been shooting well, mostly, since mid-February.

The struggles from the perimeter, though, proved to be short-lived. UNC regained its outside touch during its 83-62 victory against Florida State here on Friday night in the ACC tournament quarterfinals at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The victory, though, came with a price: P.J. Hairston, the sophomore guard who led UNC (23-9, 13-6 ACC) with 21 points, left the game late in the second half after suffering a gash between the ring finger and middle finger on his left hand. The cut was so deep it required eight stitches.

North Carolina needs Marcus Paige to be at his best in the ACC tournament. ROBERT WILLETT

CHAPEL HILL — About to get on the road to Greensboro, where tonight North Carolina plays Florida State at 9:30 in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The Tar Heels are coming off a disappointing performance in a loss against Duke on Saturday, but they’re hopeful that the early-season struggles they endured have prepared them to respond.

Onto the preview …

James Michael McAdoo scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half on Sunday against Florida State. ROBERT WILLETT

CHAPEL HILL — Don’t look know but North Carolina has won five consecutive games – its longest winning streak of the season. Here's the story about the latest victory, a 79-58 win against Florida State.

And as always, the look back …

North Carolina coach Roy Williams criticized his team’s toughness following a lackadaisical victory at Clemson last week. After a slow start on Saturday against Florida State, the Tar Heels showed some resolve took control before finishing with an easy 79-58 victory.

James Michael McAdoo led UNC with 21 points, 17 of which came during the first half. Reggie Bullock, meanwhile, scored 12 of his 20 points during the second half.

James Michael McAdoo (seen here in a game earlier this week against Miami) and his North Carolina teammates were the aggressors early on Saturday at Florida State. File photo. ROBERT WILLETT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — North Carolina entered Saturday in desperation mode and earned a hard-fought victory against Florida State. Here's the story..

And the look back …

Updated 7 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Haunting images began to come to James Michael McAdoo on Friday night when North Carolina arrived here for its game on Saturday against Florida State.

“We get to the hotel last night, I’m just like, man, this is bad memories all over,” McAdoo, the UNC sophomore forward, said following the Tar Heels’ 77-72 victory against the Seminoles. “Showing up to the arena today, just horrible memories in this place.”

Nearly a year ago to the day, UNC (11-5, 1-2) had suffered a 33-point loss against FSU here in the Donald L. Tucker Center. On Saturday, the Tar Heels celebrated a victory that both avenged that loss and provided a modicum of hope that perhaps they can turn around their season after an 0-2 start in ACC play.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — And welcome to Tallahassee, folks, where it’ll be about 70 degrees outside and a lot warmer inside for North Carolina if it can’t get things going against Florida State at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

We all remember what happened the last time UNC played at Florida State. As low as that 33-point defeat was for the Tar Heels, they’ve traveled here seeking a season-turning victory. I wrote about that in a story here.

A pregame look at Tar Heels vs. Seminoles: