During Seth Trimble's six-week hiatus, the Tar Heels went 9-1. Those nine victories included a road result inside Rupp Arena at Kentucky and a 20-point rout of Georgetown.

Freshman phenom Caleb Wilson emerged as one of the early frontrunners to win National Player of the Year during this period. UNC did not look shorthanded by any means as it climbed near the Top 10 in the AP poll.

With Trimble back in the fold for the last two games, the Tar Heels look prepared to elevate to another level.

The homegrown senior booked 17 points, which outscored UNC's four other guards, in the 71-70 victory over Ohio State on Saturday. He sunk a team-best three triples and assumed his role as the team's best perimeter defender, too.

Two nights later, the Tar Heels earned their most lopsided win of the season — 99-51 — against East Carolina. At no point during Monday's demolition did the visiting Pirates make the game interesting, which was a refreshing difference from prior non-conference home dates.

While Trimble was on the bench wearing street clothes, the Tar Heels struggled to emphatically handle their overmatched opponents.

Radford went on a 12-2, second-half run. USC Upstate was within eight points at the four-minute mark of the second half. Navy went on a 15-0 spurt, which prompted a player's only meeting after the game.

Who was the driving force behind calling that meeting? Trimble, of course.

Through four games this season, Trimble averaged 14.5 points and 3.8 assists per game. And while UNC enjoyed a shot in the arm of his return, the other top contenders endured difficult weeks. 

No. 6 Duke labored in a mid-week, home win over Lipscomb and then were handed its first loss by Texas Tech on Saturday night. Meanwhile, No. 16 Louisville was blasted by 21 points — 83-62 — at Tennessee. 

The Tar Heels will begin their chase for an ACC title next Tuesday night when the Florida State Seminoles visit the Smith Center.