Tar Heels' shots falling early

UNC's shots are falling early, a good sign and the opposite of last year's Final Four exit, against Villanova in the second semifinal at Ford Field.

The Tar Heels lead 15-8 at 14:33 in the first half. Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington each have hit a 3-pointer, one of the problems for previous UNC teams at the Final Four.

UNC shot 4-of-25 from 3-point range in last year's Final Four loss to Kansas in San Antonio. UNC is 2-6 in the national semifinals since 1987. In those eight games — all held at a dome — the Heels made 41 of 153 (26.7 percent) of their 3-point shots.

Lawson hit his first 3, at 18:03, while Ellington knocked down his triple at 16:52.

-- J.P. Giglio