SETH DAVIS'S THREE-POINTER

North Carolina has a toughness problem. Even as the Tar Heels won 15 of their first 17 games, suspicion abounded that this team is soft. That was confirmed last Saturday as the Tar Heels quit during the second half of their 33-point rout at Florida State. It was the program's worst loss in the Roy Williams era... . Devoe Joseph has been a terrific addition at Oregon. Since becoming eligible on Dec. 10, the 6'4" senior guard, who transferred from Minnesota, has led the Ducks in scoring at 15.1 ppg. He had a team-high 13 points in a 59--57 win at Arizona... . St. Mary's should play a tougher schedule. Randy Bennett's Gaels scored a big conference victory over Gonzaga last week, but the coach needs to raise his team's profile by hitting the road to play important, nationally televised games during the nonconference portion of the season.

PHOTO

STEVEN BISIG/US PRESSWIRE