The ACC tournament will always hold a special place for me because it brings back great memories from my childhood and my teenage years. The first day of the tournament (back then the first day was always on Friday) was the only day of the year that my mother would allow me to skip school. That was a huge deal for me because I could be throwing up all night and my Mom would send my ass to school the next day. That's how fanatical she was about my school attendance.
The Tarheels were usually the #1 seed back then and at the worst, they were a #2, so they always played at Noon. The first game was usually a butt kicking against the lowest seeded team in the ACC but I was always right there glued to my TV set. I had the house to myself and it was my little piece of heaven. During halftime, I would go outside and shoot baskets to really get into the spirit of things.
My father and I were completely different people but the love of Tarheel basketball was always one connection that we had. I must admit that I lost alot of passion for Tarheel basketball when he passed away in January 2007 because it just doesn't seem as important now as it used to. I am hoping that watching the ACC Tournament today and posting these memories of my father will rekindle some of that lost passion for Tarheel basketball. I may even go outside and shoot a few baskets at halftime.
Showing posts with label ACC tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACC tournament. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tarheels on a Roll
The Tarheels vanquished rival NC State last night for the tenth straight time. I would love to say it was easy but nothing is easy this season for the Tarheels. This is easily the worst shooting team in Tarheels basketball history at least since I have been an ardent fan since the Phil Ford years of the mid-1970's. It used to be news if the 'Heels shot under 50 percent for a game, now it is a major part of the story if they shoot over 50 percent. One reason for this is they are not getting as many fast break points as they have in past seasons and and are not pushing the ball up the court as hard.
They are 21-6 on the season and should be a lock for the NCAA's this season and are slowly working their way back up the polls. The last I checked they were #19 in one poll with a game against Duke on the horizon. I really can't explain how the 'Heels have been winning but they just have is the bottom line. Some credit their defense, others point out the weak ACC this season, and I am beginning to believe smoke and mirrors.
They still have a few weaknesses and the two most obvious are three point shooting and inside depth. The Tarheels bench has all but disappeared over the course of the past 5 or 6 games, Justin Knox is the only big man coming off the bench and no one is providing any points. Other ACC teams are finally figuring out to beat the 'Heels or at least to stay with them, you have to play zone and the 'Heels are incapable of shooting them out of it. The ACC tournament should be very interesting this year and I am hoping the 'Heels will snap out of their team wide shooting slump and get really hot for the tournament.
On a very positive note, center Tyler Zeller was named Academic All-American just a few days ago. That is the first Academic All-American the Tarheels have had since Eric Montross in 1994. Most fans forget that the players are student athletes and that the student part is more important than the basketball or football part.
They are 21-6 on the season and should be a lock for the NCAA's this season and are slowly working their way back up the polls. The last I checked they were #19 in one poll with a game against Duke on the horizon. I really can't explain how the 'Heels have been winning but they just have is the bottom line. Some credit their defense, others point out the weak ACC this season, and I am beginning to believe smoke and mirrors.
They still have a few weaknesses and the two most obvious are three point shooting and inside depth. The Tarheels bench has all but disappeared over the course of the past 5 or 6 games, Justin Knox is the only big man coming off the bench and no one is providing any points. Other ACC teams are finally figuring out to beat the 'Heels or at least to stay with them, you have to play zone and the 'Heels are incapable of shooting them out of it. The ACC tournament should be very interesting this year and I am hoping the 'Heels will snap out of their team wide shooting slump and get really hot for the tournament.
On a very positive note, center Tyler Zeller was named Academic All-American just a few days ago. That is the first Academic All-American the Tarheels have had since Eric Montross in 1994. Most fans forget that the players are student athletes and that the student part is more important than the basketball or football part.
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