North Carolina dismantled the East Carolina Pirates 99-51 to put a beautiful, holiday bow on its non-conference schedule. The No. 12 Tar Heels enter ACC play next week with an 12-1 record.

It is the program's best mark since UNC's perfect non-conference slate in 2008-2009. Tyler Hansbrough went on to help Roy Williams earn the second of his three national championships. 

The early stages of this season have already featured victories against fellow blue bloods Kansas and Kentucky, which is a feat UNC hasn't achieved since 1981-1982.  That squad — led by James Worthy and Michael Jordan — also cut down nets for Dean Smith's first title. 

The special talent on this year's Tar Heels is undoubtedly freshman phenom Caleb Wilson. On Monday night, Wilson booked 21 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three steals.

He is just the second freshman in UNC history to stack five consecutive 20-point outings. It is the eighth time this season he has compiled 20 points and 10 rebounds in a game.

Not to be overlooked, Wilson's front-court mate Henri Veesaar turned in a double double, too, with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

This start is a far cry from last year's Tar Heels that lost five times in non-conference play and snuck into the NCAA Tournament as the final at-large team in the field. 

According to the NET rankings, that team had zero quad 1 wins. This season's Heels already have three.

It's also worth noting that UNC was without senior guard Seth Trimble for nine games.

Trimble, who broke a bone in his forearm during an early-season practice, doesn't seem to have missed a step. He finished with 12 points, five assists and four rebounds against the Pirates.

Monday's 48-point margin is UNC's most lop-sided margin in a win this season. 

After winning two games in three days, the Tar Heels will have an eight-day, holiday layoff before their ACC opener. UNC will host the Florida State Seminoles at the Smith Center next Tuesday night.