North Carolina head coach Roy Williams stands by his statement about his team and was shocked it got so much attention. (1:40)

Williams stands by his statement about his team not being as gifted (1:40)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- After North Carolina dropped an ugly game to Georgia Tech on Saturday, coach Roy Williams said this was "the least gifted" team he has had. If the Tar Heels were going to use that comment for motivation, it didn't last Wednesday.

They blew a 14-point lead, dropped their second straight and seventh in the past 10, and fell to Pitt for the first time at home, 73-65. It was Pitt's first ACC road victory in more than two years.

"People will say what they say about us," UNC senior Brandon Robinson said. "But we're going to come out and compete. It's not like we don't care and we're giving up. We're going to try to make a change."

Williams didn't back down from his comments and suggested that, indeed, North Carolina played with little energy in the second half as a large lead slipped away amid cascading turnovers and a suddenly electric Panthers offense.

Williams said his assessment of the Tar Heels' talent was "the truth" and suggested the media was sensationalizing an honest evaluation.

"I just made a statement. If anybody in here disagrees with it, that's your prerogative, But my guess is, if you look at it, you'd probably agree," Williams said. "... To me, that's the most ridiculous thing to get attention. It's like me wearing lucky socks or something. You've got to play the damn game."

Inside the locker room, players said they didn't exactly disagree with Williams' take.