Despite Sunday's 76-66 loss to No. 3 Notre Dame in Carmichael Arena, the Tar Heels have shown resilience against top-five opponents this season. They're still in search of more program-defining title wins that set apart the elite from the programs on the fringe, but games like Sunday's are preparing North Carolina for those opportunities in March.

The Fighting Irish were solid from 3-point range and won the rebounding battle, a combination that spelled trouble for North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Sunday.

It wouldn't be a UNC basketball game without a little-late game drama, which ensued on Saturday afternoon in South Bend, Indiana. North Carolina trailed Notre Dame by three points with 14 seconds left,