North Carolina made it through the Second Round and this game epitomized doing whatever you have to do to win. Coach Williams instinctively put in three Point Guards-Paige, Britt, and Berry II- with about 15 minutes to go in the game to help break down the Arkansas pressure. Marcus Paige scored 20 of of 22 points in the last 13 1/2 minutes to put Arkansas away 87-78.
Arkansas's game plan came straight from the the pages of the Tarheel playbook except it is a little more amped up with the full court pressure. That was a very fun game to watch. It was end-to-end, full court action, with both teams' athleticism on display. When the 'Heels won, it made it more fun, but it was still very entertaining.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Survive And Advance
I never thought that I would be celebrating a two point win over Harvard but there I was high fiving my roommate after North Carolina squeezed out a 67-65 win over the #13 seed. The key to any NCAA Tournament is survive and advance. I remember win North Carolina won the 1982 National Championship their first game in that tournament was a 52-50 win over James Madison.
The Tarheels played well in spurts. They racesd out to a 13 point lead in the first half and a 14 point lead early in the second, but if you keep letting a lower seed hang around, they start gaining confidence. Harvard got back in it and had a chance to win it at the buzzer.
Harvard Head Coach Tommie Anaker knows North Carolina. The Tarheels have glaring defensive weaknesses like not being able to stop anyone off the dribble and the standard North Carolina "help" defense has been helpless. I think they need to completely scrap this defense in favor of another defensive philosophy.
The Tarheels offense is based on their size, their ability to rebound, and their ability to run. They have only one feared outside shooter and that is Marcus Paige. Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson have stepped up their three point games but still not enough to be feared as a consistent threat.
None of that really matters. All you have to do is survive and advance no matter what you have to do.
The Tarheels played well in spurts. They racesd out to a 13 point lead in the first half and a 14 point lead early in the second, but if you keep letting a lower seed hang around, they start gaining confidence. Harvard got back in it and had a chance to win it at the buzzer.
Harvard Head Coach Tommie Anaker knows North Carolina. The Tarheels have glaring defensive weaknesses like not being able to stop anyone off the dribble and the standard North Carolina "help" defense has been helpless. I think they need to completely scrap this defense in favor of another defensive philosophy.
The Tarheels offense is based on their size, their ability to rebound, and their ability to run. They have only one feared outside shooter and that is Marcus Paige. Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson have stepped up their three point games but still not enough to be feared as a consistent threat.
None of that really matters. All you have to do is survive and advance no matter what you have to do.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Back To The Finals
North Carolina returns to the Finals of the ACC Tournament thanks to a 71-67 victory over Top-seeded Virginia last night. North Carolina built up a 13 point lead in the second half and held on.
I said before the game that it is much easier to hold a double digit lead over Virginia than it is to come back from a double digit deficit against their defense. The Tarheels ballhandling left a lot to be desired as they ended up with 18 turnovers in the game and the 'Heels defense was shredded in the last ten minutes as Virginia repeatedly drove to the basket and they ended up with with either layups or trips to the foul line.
Freshman Justin Jackson finally had the "breakout" game that all Tarheel fans had been expecting all season long with 22 points with four three-pointers in five attempts. This helped the Tarheels shoot almost 55% in the game, a season high for opponents against Virginia.
I don't believe any of the so called experts expected the North Carolina Tarheels to make it to the ACC Finals. The experts point to so called missing or injured players from both Louisville and Virginia but UNC has not been at full squad strength in about two months. The Tarheels are doing what they have to do and that is win one game at a time.
I said before the game that it is much easier to hold a double digit lead over Virginia than it is to come back from a double digit deficit against their defense. The Tarheels ballhandling left a lot to be desired as they ended up with 18 turnovers in the game and the 'Heels defense was shredded in the last ten minutes as Virginia repeatedly drove to the basket and they ended up with with either layups or trips to the foul line.
Freshman Justin Jackson finally had the "breakout" game that all Tarheel fans had been expecting all season long with 22 points with four three-pointers in five attempts. This helped the Tarheels shoot almost 55% in the game, a season high for opponents against Virginia.
I don't believe any of the so called experts expected the North Carolina Tarheels to make it to the ACC Finals. The experts point to so called missing or injured players from both Louisville and Virginia but UNC has not been at full squad strength in about two months. The Tarheels are doing what they have to do and that is win one game at a time.
Friday, March 13, 2015
The Louisville Slugger
The North Carolina Tarheels beat Louisville yesterday 70-60 to advance to the ACC semifinal round. The 'Heels will play #1 seed Virginia.
The game the 'Heels game played yesterday was maddeningly typical for this season. They play a bad half of basketball and they play a good half of basketball. Against Louisville, the first half was much worse than the second half but luckily for the Tarheels, the second half was much more important.
The Tarheels were down 37-32 at halftime and were down by as many as 10 points. It could have been and probably should have been much worse. Their shooting percentage was in the 30's while allowing Louisville to shoot about 50 percent. Head Coach Roy Williams had a jacket throwing fit and I don't know if that provided the inspiration or what but whatever works.
We also saw the worst of Brice Johnson in the first half (2 for 9 shooting, 4 points) and best of him in the second (6 for 8 shooting, 8 for 9 from the free throw line, and 6 of his 7 rebounds) for a total of 22 points. He rose to the occasion in the second half and carried the Tarheels to victory.
The Tarheels Defense was also vastly improved in the second half, holding Louisville to 23 points. The Tarheels went to a Zone defense in the second half and it seemed to take Louisville out of their game. They only hit 4 of 22 three pointers for the game and their shooting percentage plunged into the 30's.
It was a solid win for North Carolina over a higher ranked team but they only have about 24 hours to en joy this victory. A well coached Virginia team awaits them in the semifinals. The Tarheels neede to bring that intensity for another game.
The game the 'Heels game played yesterday was maddeningly typical for this season. They play a bad half of basketball and they play a good half of basketball. Against Louisville, the first half was much worse than the second half but luckily for the Tarheels, the second half was much more important.
The Tarheels were down 37-32 at halftime and were down by as many as 10 points. It could have been and probably should have been much worse. Their shooting percentage was in the 30's while allowing Louisville to shoot about 50 percent. Head Coach Roy Williams had a jacket throwing fit and I don't know if that provided the inspiration or what but whatever works.
We also saw the worst of Brice Johnson in the first half (2 for 9 shooting, 4 points) and best of him in the second (6 for 8 shooting, 8 for 9 from the free throw line, and 6 of his 7 rebounds) for a total of 22 points. He rose to the occasion in the second half and carried the Tarheels to victory.
The Tarheels Defense was also vastly improved in the second half, holding Louisville to 23 points. The Tarheels went to a Zone defense in the second half and it seemed to take Louisville out of their game. They only hit 4 of 22 three pointers for the game and their shooting percentage plunged into the 30's.
It was a solid win for North Carolina over a higher ranked team but they only have about 24 hours to en joy this victory. A well coached Virginia team awaits them in the semifinals. The Tarheels neede to bring that intensity for another game.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Taking Two From Duke
The Diamond Tarheels did what the Tarheel Basketball team coudn't do and that was beat Duke twice. I do not know if the rivalry is as big in baseball, but Duke is Duke, no matter what the sport.
They won the first game 8-1 behind the pitching of Zac Gallen and the second game 6-2 behind J.B. Bukauskas. That puts the 'Heels at 10-3 on the season and are looking for the sweep today.
They won the first game 8-1 behind the pitching of Zac Gallen and the second game 6-2 behind J.B. Bukauskas. That puts the 'Heels at 10-3 on the season and are looking for the sweep today.
Dropping The Ball
After a strong defensive first half the Tarheels collapsed under Duke's full court pressure in the second half and lost to Duke for the second time this season 84-77. Marcus Paige had one of his best offensive games of the season scoring 23 points including 5 for 9 from the three point line and Brice Johnson scored 17.
There were times in the second half, the Tarheels acted like they were throwing around a hand grenade rather than a basketball. They could not break Duke's press, they could not get into their offense, bad turnovers, and the ball seemed to bounce right to Duke on several loose ball situations.
Head Coach was as intense as I have seen him all season on the sidelines but his team could not match that intensity. The Tarheels have several things they can build on from this game. They hit 8 out of 16 three pointers, were a perfect 13 for 13 from the free throw line, and had a great defensive effort.
Duke eploited North Carolina's weaknesses. The most glaring weaknesses were their ball handling and their inability to come off of ball acreens or to switch off on defense. Duke continually drove the ball down the middle for layups and North Carolina did not take advantage of their size inside.
The loss had no bearing on North Carolina's seeding in the ACC Tournament but this was still Duke. They have a few days to iron out the kinks before the start of the Tournament. They play the winner of the Boston College/Georgia Tech game on Thursday.
There were times in the second half, the Tarheels acted like they were throwing around a hand grenade rather than a basketball. They could not break Duke's press, they could not get into their offense, bad turnovers, and the ball seemed to bounce right to Duke on several loose ball situations.
Head Coach was as intense as I have seen him all season on the sidelines but his team could not match that intensity. The Tarheels have several things they can build on from this game. They hit 8 out of 16 three pointers, were a perfect 13 for 13 from the free throw line, and had a great defensive effort.
Duke eploited North Carolina's weaknesses. The most glaring weaknesses were their ball handling and their inability to come off of ball acreens or to switch off on defense. Duke continually drove the ball down the middle for layups and North Carolina did not take advantage of their size inside.
The loss had no bearing on North Carolina's seeding in the ACC Tournament but this was still Duke. They have a few days to iron out the kinks before the start of the Tournament. They play the winner of the Boston College/Georgia Tech game on Thursday.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Pre-Game Routines
Just about every fan has a pre-game ritual in which they go through. There are also in game rituals, rally rituals, and my personal favorite, free throw rituals. I have every TV in the house turned to the game which right now is three. I pace from room to room and I don't think I ever sit down. I yell at the TV, I disagree with every call that goes against the Tarheels, and I dispute everything the announcers say.
My free throw ritual I cannot claim as my own because I borrowed it from the classic movie Caddy Shack. When the main character Danny was putting the guys in the background were saying "Nnnooonan! Nnnnnooonan!" to try to make him miss the putt. It rarely works for me either. Some player shooting 25% of his free throws on the year will come in against the 'Heels and go 5 for 6. After all of these years you would figure the law of averages would catch up but it hasn't.
My free throw ritual I cannot claim as my own because I borrowed it from the classic movie Caddy Shack. When the main character Danny was putting the guys in the background were saying "Nnnooonan! Nnnnnooonan!" to try to make him miss the putt. It rarely works for me either. Some player shooting 25% of his free throws on the year will come in against the 'Heels and go 5 for 6. After all of these years you would figure the law of averages would catch up but it hasn't.
The Anticipation
The Anticipation for the Duke-North Carolina game is nerve wracking so I can only imagine what the players go through. It is Senior Night at North Carolina so that means all of the Seniors no matter if they are walk-ons or All-ACC get to start and I am glad North Carolina has kept that tradition alive.
As a diehard Tarheel fan, I want the Tarheels to dunk the Duke Blue Devils back into the stone age of College Basketball. I have been looking at great Tarheel dunks over Duke over the past several years. Those were some great players and some great dunks. Jerry Stackouse's under the rim reverse where he strutted up the court after that one (Dean Smith had something to say about that), Vince Carter, Brendan Haywood, Antwan Jamison, Danny Green, and so many others. Those should be in the Dunk Hall-Of-Fame. J.P. Tokoto needs to add his name to that impressive list.
As a diehard Tarheel fan, I want the Tarheels to dunk the Duke Blue Devils back into the stone age of College Basketball. I have been looking at great Tarheel dunks over Duke over the past several years. Those were some great players and some great dunks. Jerry Stackouse's under the rim reverse where he strutted up the court after that one (Dean Smith had something to say about that), Vince Carter, Brendan Haywood, Antwan Jamison, Danny Green, and so many others. Those should be in the Dunk Hall-Of-Fame. J.P. Tokoto needs to add his name to that impressive list.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
A Freshman Steps Up
The North Carolina Tarheels crushed Georgia Tech again last night for the second time in two weeks, this time on the road by the score of 81-49. The Tarheels only had two players in double figures, Joel Berry II with 15 and Justin Jackson with 13.
The play of the Tarheel Freshmen has been inconsistent this season as it is with most Freshmen. Joel Berry II has earned more playing time over the past couple of weeks and his play has been much improved. He has battled illness and injury the majority of the season but his 15 points included 3 of 5 from beyond the arc and the Tarheels need to add another consistent outside scoring threat. His improved play has bumped him ahead of Nate Britt on the depth chart.
The Tarheels bench is also finally getting healthy as Freshman Theo Pinson saw action for the first time in 12 games. He only played 3 minutes but scored 5 points and it was more important for him to see some court time. The Tarheels also got some playing time in for backup Point Guards Stillman White and Luke Davis and it is good to get the starters a little bit of rest and the players on the bench a little bit of playing time.
The play of the Tarheel Freshmen has been inconsistent this season as it is with most Freshmen. Joel Berry II has earned more playing time over the past couple of weeks and his play has been much improved. He has battled illness and injury the majority of the season but his 15 points included 3 of 5 from beyond the arc and the Tarheels need to add another consistent outside scoring threat. His improved play has bumped him ahead of Nate Britt on the depth chart.
The Tarheels bench is also finally getting healthy as Freshman Theo Pinson saw action for the first time in 12 games. He only played 3 minutes but scored 5 points and it was more important for him to see some court time. The Tarheels also got some playing time in for backup Point Guards Stillman White and Luke Davis and it is good to get the starters a little bit of rest and the players on the bench a little bit of playing time.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
A Badly Needed Win
In my last blog, I wrote about how the Tarheels needed an emotional leader and someone to step up. It doesn't even have to be the same player in every game which might even be better for the team in the long run. The player that came through today was Brice Johnson- 22 points and 11 rebounds on 11 for 15 shooting and Marcus Paige put up 17 points in the 73-64 win over Miami.
J.P. Tokoto also had a stat stuffing kind of game-10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 6 assists. He was only 3 for 10 for the game but he was working his way into open shots. He utilized the pump fake well but he was missing the open 10 to 15 footer. He always plays an athletic game but he is prone to make turnovers. I can't wait until he puts a complete game together.
That was the Tarheels 20th win on the season and the announcers were precicting a #6 seed for North carolina in the NCAA's but I see them needing at least 3 or 4 more wins to get that high of a seed. They are at Georgia Tech on Tuesday and finish at home against Duke. The Duke game needs to be their statement game on the season.
J.P. Tokoto also had a stat stuffing kind of game-10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 6 assists. He was only 3 for 10 for the game but he was working his way into open shots. He utilized the pump fake well but he was missing the open 10 to 15 footer. He always plays an athletic game but he is prone to make turnovers. I can't wait until he puts a complete game together.
That was the Tarheels 20th win on the season and the announcers were precicting a #6 seed for North carolina in the NCAA's but I see them needing at least 3 or 4 more wins to get that high of a seed. They are at Georgia Tech on Tuesday and finish at home against Duke. The Duke game needs to be their statement game on the season.
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