CHAPEL HILL There were moments this season when North Carolina players doubted themselves after defeats – when they questioned their abilities.

Now, in the midst of their longest winning streak of the season, the Tar Heels believe they’re starting to show their potential.

North Carolina’s 79-58 victory against Florida State on Sunday was the Tar Heels’ fifth consecutive, and it was among their most complete of the season.

The Tar Heels (21-8, 11-5 ACC) controlled the game on offense and shot 55.4 percent. They dominated on defense and forced 15 turnovers that UNC converted into 23 points.

It was a performance that would have pleased coach Roy Williams at any point this season. That it came in UNC’s first game in March, though, was another positive sign for the Tar Heels, who have appeared reborn since Williams changed his starting lineup and style of play in the middle of February.

“We’re still in the process of getting used to” it, Williams said of the four-guard lineup.

“It’s all about winning,” he said. “So you have to be happy with that part.”

The Tar Heels played their sixth game since Williams inserted guard P.J. Hairston into the starting lineup. The change made them a more potent offensive team, and one more capable of running in transition and scoring in a hurry.

The Tar Heels did that particularly well during one stretch in the first half, after Florida State (15-14, 7-9) took a 16-15 lead. From there, forward James Michael McAdoo scored inside.

Moments later, he made a steal near midcourt and sprinted in for a dunk. Fouled, McAdoo completed the three-point play at the free-throw line.

“The biggest thing was trying to play with energy,” said McAdoo, who scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half. “Nobody was necessarily playing with energy – including myself.

“And coach was really preaching that in the huddle.”

McAdoo’s quick five points ignited the Tar Heels. After trailing by a point with about nine minutes remaining before halftime, UNC outscored Florida State 31-11 to close out the half.

McAdoo scored 15 of the 31 points during that span, and he ended the half with a layup that just beat the buzzer.

Florida State never made a significant dent in the Tar Heels’ 19-point halftime lead. The Seminoles never cut their deficit into single digits, and UNC led by as many as 23 points during the second half.

Offensively, the Tar Heels played as efficiently as they have all season. Their shooting percentage represented a season high for a conference game. It was their defense, though, that had them hopeful that this winning streak could persist.

“If everybody buys in on the defensive end, I believe that we can continue winning games for the rest of the season,” guard Reggie Bullock said. “… We’re definitely going to score the ball. So if we just focus in on defense and live on the backboards by going small, I believe we can continue this run for a long time.”

Bullock finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and made four of seven 3-point attempts. Hairston made four 3s, too, and finished with 16 points. McAdoo, Bullock and Hairston – UNC’s top scorers – combined for 57 points and almost outscored Florida State by themselves.

“I think we’re getting more confident,” Williams said. “And we should be.”

After his team’s lackadaisical performance during its victory Thursday at Clemson, Williams vented. He was frustrated most of all by his team’s inability to rebound during the second half, and he challenged the Tar Heels to play with more toughness.

He cracked a joke that the Tar Heels aren’t “going to win many brawls.”

“We’re basketball players and we’re cute and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “But we have to have toughness going after the loose ball.”

Williams, then, liked it Sunday when forward Jackson Simmons dove on the court for a loose ball and saved a possession that turned into a 3-pointer. Williams appreciated it, too, when Hairston drew a charge.

The numbers on the box score reflected the success, but UNC excelled in areas that didn’t show up on the stat sheet.

“We didn’t have those kinds of plays earlier in the year that we’re having now,” Williams said. “I think that’s really helping us, too.”