CHARLOTTE – You know those tools the Tar Heels used in the first half versus Tennessee but didn’t bring with them to Atlanta last weekend?

They found them in Charlotte on Wednesday night.

The North Carolina team that took the floor versus 7th-ranked Oklahoma carried itself as if it’s all about the hardware, and perhaps had reinforced a very valuable understanding: Never leave home without them.

UNC 81, Sooners 69. And underneath that score is a litany of tools the Heels have now proven multiple times they possess and know how to use constructively. Let’s take a look.

Before outlining Carolina’s outstanding defensive effort, it must first be understood that excellent performances on that end of the floor begin long before a team takes the court. Long before it arrives at the arena. And even before they wake up on game day.