RALEIGH, N. C. — North Carolina’s recognizable stars — Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson — all did their usual outstanding jobs in the Tar Heels’ victory against Arkansas.

Throw in showcase performances from North Carolina role players Deon Thompson, Alex Stepheson and Quentin Thomas and you’re staring scary good in the face. It’s also lends further explanation for the rout, as the Tar Heels trampled the Razorbacks 108-77 Sunday.

Thompson made all eight of his field-goal attempts, while Stepheson and Thomas went a combined 8 for 8 as No. 1 North Carolina flexed its depth, strength and versatility.

“Me and Alex are playing well right now, along with the rest of our teammates that’s always been playing well all season,” Thompson said.

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Thompson posted up on the left block, took precision entry passes from the North Carolina guards and stroked his turnaround jumper and soft bank shots like a maestro on his way to 16 points.

“Deon may have talked about it. We have worked hard in practice about shooting shots that he shoots in [practice in ] the game,” North Carolina Coach Roy Williams said. “I even got a tape and showed part of his routine for 10 straight practices and he was not shooting the shots he shoots [in practice ] in a game, and I think he got re-focused.”

Thompson made his 12- and 14-foot jumpers like clockwork — one on a splendid behind-theback assist from Danny Green — and spiced up his stat line with a dunk and layup.

The 6-9, 235-pound Stepheson had a rim-rattling rebound jam on his 5-for-5 shooting line.

“Yeah, I don’t think we planned on those two frontcourt guys — am I correct here in saying [they shot ] 13 for 13 ?” Pelphrey said. “No, I didn’t plan on that. A lot of that stuff was jump shooting. They had big-time moves.

“ They play like that, and with the other pieces that you know you’re going to have to deal with, then that’s hard.”

Thomas, the Tar Heels’ lone senior, went 3 for 3. He and point guard Lawson had 11 assists and no turnovers combined.

“You don’t get to be the No. 1 team in the country with just one player,” Arkansas guard Gary Ervin said. “[Hansbrough ] is the national player of the year, but it’s not all about him. They’ve got a great point guard, great wings, great bench.”

By the way, Hansbrough had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and he and his fellow Tar Heels starters combined for 76 points, just one shy of Arkansas’ team total.