Finding An Identity

In the Tarheels 77-72 win over Florida State this afternoon, the Tarheels may have found their identity. P.J. Hairston took over the leadership role on the court today. He was taking it hard to the basket and hitting his outside shots and when he is doing that, he is the hardest Tarheel to defend. He had two thunderous dunks and was 4-9 from the three point line. He led the way with 23 points. James Michael McAdoo had 14 points and Reggie Bullock had 12. The Tarheels were beasts on the boards, outrebounding FSU by 16 and the opportunity at second chance points is what won the game for the 'Heels. UNC had 14 offensive rebounds to FSU's 5. I was also impressed by the play of Sophomore Jackson Simmons as he had a career high 8 points and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, diving on the floor for loose balls, and playing solid defense. I believe that if North Carolina is going to go with Marcus Paige as their starting Point Guard, then they need to start Hairston at the Shooting Guard and bring Strickland off the bench. With Strickland in his offensive slump the past couple of games and Desmond Hubert being an offensive project, the 'Heels cannot afford to play 3 on 5 on offense. It was a badly needed win and hopefully a mission of discovery for the 2012-13 North Carolina Tarheels and what they need to do as a team to win games.