The third-best ACC team in the state still might be the best in the end.

That is the case with the North Carolina Tar Heels despite a bitter 12-point defeat to the North Carolina State Wolfpack in Chapel Hill. The loss gave the Tar Heels a 2-2 mark against the Wolfpack and the Duke Blue Devils. The Tar Heels’ saving grace for a winning record comes in courtesy of a win over the 12-16 Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Still, the team is a dangerous threat moving forward and into the NCAA tournament. The Tar Heels are first and second respectively in assists and offensive rebounds per game, averaging 17.8 and 42.2 per contest. Much of that has to do with the team’s up and down mentality on the floor, led by ACC Preseason Player of the Year Marcus Paige.

While Paige’s offensive numbers are virtually down across the board compared to last season, he is still a talented commodity in the landscape of college basketball. Add junior J.P. Tokoto to the mix and the Tar Heels have the most athletic high-flying player in the nation.

If you need further proof, check out the frontcourt. On top of the Tar Heels’ dominance on the offensive glass by sophomore Kennedy Meeks and junior Brice Johnson, the tandem has been nearly just as good on the defensive end. The Tar Heels are fourth in the nation in defensive rebounds, averaging 27.5 per game. Both Meeks and Johnson have also contributed by averaging more than 12 points and nearly eight rebounds while shooting 58.5 percent and 57.3 percent respectively.

How many teams can match up with everything the Tar Heels bring to the court?

The answer is very few, and that is why the Tar Heels are a threat to do serious damage in the NCAA tournament. Do not be surprised at all if they are the last team standing in the NCAA tournament from the conference. The Blue Devils have struggled lately in the NCAA tournament and are compiled mostly of freshmen. The Virginia Cavaliers are superb defensively, but they lack an explosive offense that could be needed late in tight games. Speaking of offense, the Louisville Cardinals are shooting a paltry 42.8 percent as a team from the field, good for the 211th best mark in the country. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have won just two NCAA tournament games since 2007.

Sure the Tar Heels have flaws, but with their talent they can go on a run that has resulted in many of the recent NCAA National Championship winners.

In a year with academic scandals riddling the athletic department, the death of legendary coach Dean Smith and a triple homicide resulting in student deaths, the Tar Heels could use a feel-good ending. After all the clouds over the program, the sky is still Carolina Blue in the end.

Michael Costeines is the ACC basketball Blogger for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MCosteines, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.