This, in my opinion, was the first big game between two ranked opponents of the season. Did it live up to the hype? Eh, not really.

There was the Tar Heels’ big early lead that dwindled to two points in the final minute, something that can happen even to a fourth-ranked team early in the season.

The big early lead, which last for pretty much the entire game until the end. Besides giving credence to the idea that basketball is only important in the last few minutes, this game failed to live up to my expectations. For whatever reason, I thought Ohio State would be a bit more competitive going into the game, but they couldn’t hit shots and UNC simply had their way with them.

Of course, they came back within two points, but it really just seemed like North Carolina was letting them hang around for the sake of dramatic sports television. Mission not really accomplished, fellas.

But hey! There’s still the championship game to be played between UNC and Syracuse. Maybe that game will matter for more than just the final two minutes.

[via ESPN]