Hubert Davis found himself at a loss for words.
Just moments after Seth Trimble's electrifying game-winning 3-pointer against archrival Duke, the Tar Heels' coach was still processing the victory.
"I'm still a little numb right now," Davis admitted in the postgame interview.
That unforgettable night, UNC players celebrated with students on Franklin Street, eventually making their way to the balcony at Top of the Hill Restaurant, where they were greeted by a sea of jubilant fans. Caleb Wilson held up a sparkly belt, a nod to his viral promise earlier in the season that UNC would virtually dominate everyone.
At that moment, the Tar Heels were riding high in the world of college basketball.
Fast forward ten days, and UNC's fortunes have dramatically shifted. Now, the team finds itself at a critical juncture, with its future hinging on a left hand and a tendon.
In their matchup against Miami, UNC never held the lead for the full 40 minutes. Shortly after, news broke that Wilson would be sidelined indefinitely with a fractured left hand.
Despite these setbacks, they managed a win over Pittsburgh - the ACC's bottom team - without center Henri Veesaar, who was battling the flu and a likely Achilles issue. But the real blow came when UNC, still without Veesaar, suffered a 24-point drubbing at the hands of NC State - their worst loss to the Wolfpack in 64 years.
Wilson's preseason boast to "put a belt" on every opponent seemed distant as he watched from the bench, his hand in a brace, while NC State dismantled UNC.
Adding insult to injury, Wolfpack guard Quadir Copeland made a pointed comment during the handshake line.
"Lace up next time…," Copeland quipped, as former Tar Heel Ven-Allen Lubin stood nearby with a red NC State belt over his shoulder. "...It's crazy how fast the tables turn."
No one could have predicted such a dramatic 10-day turnaround. A loss to Miami?
Perhaps, given the emotional high from the Duke win. But the injuries and the thrashing by NC State?
"It's definitely been a roller coaster," UNC forward Zayden High reflected on the tumultuous week. "But it's nothing that Coach Davis hasn't prepared us for."
Davis was philosophical about the challenges faced over the past eight days.
"That's life," Davis remarked. "I don't know how else to put it.
I'd like to hear of anybody in this room who has had consistent sunny, clear sky and no wind days. You have to adjust.
The only thing you have control over is how you react and respond. We'll get back to work and move forward."
Moving forward is the only option for UNC - and hope. Wilson's return date remains uncertain, and Veesaar's status is day-to-day, with no immediate return to practice in sight.
One thing was clear from the Miami and NC State games: the Tar Heels lacked physicality. They were caught off guard and didn't rise to the challenge.
"I just felt like our competitive fight wasn't there," Davis said after the NC State game.
"We've just got to clean (the slippage) up, be more physical and take it from there," added forward Jarin Stevenson.
No matter who takes the court, UNC must find the urgency to fill the void left by Wilson and Veesaar's combined 36.2 points and 18.4 rebounds per game. That urgency seemed to have been left behind in Chapel Hill on Tuesday.