GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Boston College Eagles on Wednesday 81-63 to move into Thursday's ACC quarterfinals against the No. 4 seed Louisville Cardinals. The Tar Heels and Cardinals split their regular-season meetings, with both teams posting come-from-behind wins on their home courts. Here are five observations from the Tar Heels' win:

• Sophomore center Kennedy Meeks missed the game with an illness. He could be a game-time decision for Thursday's game. Joel James, who averaged just 9.6 minutes per game, started in Meeks' place and scored six points with three rebounds in 15 minutes. Forward Isaiah Hicks also played extended minutes, which moved Brice Johnson to center with their rotation of post players limited. Hicks had seven points and five rebounds. Should Meeks miss the quarterfinals, it could impact the Heels' offensive rebounding. While they dominated the Eagles 43-25 on the boards, they had just 13 offensive rebounds. Carolina ranked fifth nationally in offensive rebound percentage according to Ken Pomeroy. Reserve forward Theo Pinson dressed out but also did not play due to a sore foot. Pinson had missed 10 games this season.

• Much has been made of Carolina's lack of perimeter shooting, but it's steadily improved down the stretch. Over the past six games, the Heels have shot a combined 32-of-78 from 3-point range. The biggest improvement has come from Justin Jackson, who is at just 24 percent for the season, but has shot 9-for-23 over his past eight games.

• During the second half, coach Roy Williams used a three-guard lineup with Marcus Paige, Joel Berry II and Nate Britt in at the same time. He's done so occasionally during the season, but it could especially come in handy during Thursday's quarterfinal matchup with Louisville. The Heels committed 19 turnovers against the Cardinals in their loss at Louisville. Late in regulation and overtime, Carolina's guards wilted under the Cards' press. Berry's presence should help influence that category; the loss to Louisville was one of seven that he missed with a groin injury.

• Carolina's defense rendered the league's leading scorer ineffective. Boston College guard Olivier Hanlan entered the game averaging 19.6 points per game. He torched the Heels in their regular-season meeting for 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting. The combination of Berry, Britt and J.P. Tokoto chased Hanlan and did not allow many open looks for the junior guard. He finished with 18 points but shot just 5-of-19 from the floor. His most effective move was to drive and kick it out when Carolina defenders clogged the lane, but more often than not, his teammates missed open shots. Hanlan had four assists.

• Carolina has had problems putting teams away and that continued against the Eagles. Despite leading by 13 at halftime, the Heels allowed the Eagles to chip their deficit to single digits several times. Considering Carolina blew an 18-point lead against Louisville in its loss, that could be a factor in the quarterfinals.