Harrison Barnes led all scorers with 17 points in North Carolina's 67-55 win over Michigan State played on the USS Carl Vinson.

Barnes showed off the confidence he has developed in his jumper, making two quick shots to begin the game. Barnes shot 5-for-11 from the floor and 2-for-5 on his three-point attempts.

“It’s been such a journey for me,’’ said Barnes. “Starting off my freshman year, there were a lot of expectations, a lot of hype, and not playing to that caliber. Now coming in, and playing probably our biggest game of the year, on this stage and in this setting, coming out to perform, it’s a great feeling.” 

“His confidence has grown so much through the experience he had last year,’’ Dexter Strickland said. “And as you saw tonight, I think that’s going to help our team.”