The North Carolina Tarheels beat the Tulane Green Wave last night in their first basketball game of the season last night 95-75 and it was your typical first game. Justin Jackson and Joel Berry II had career highs in points, 27 and 23 points respectively, and Kennedy Meeks had a career high in rebounds with 15.
Ten Players for the North Carolina Tarheels got at least ten minutes of playing time. Three of those players were freshmen- Tony Bradley, Brandon Robinson, and Seventh Woods. Tony Bradley got the most playing time of the with 17 minutes and he scored in double figures with 10 points but he also picked up four fouls in those minutes.
Head Coach Roy Williams place an emphasis on assists to made field goals and North Carolina was much better in the first half (14-17) than they were the second half (9-17) and 23-34 for the game. I do not know what Roy Williams considers an acceptable percentage but I don not think it is 67.7%. The Tarheels were also -1 in turnovers.
Showing posts with label Joel Berry II. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joel Berry II. Show all posts
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Monday, November 7, 2016
Ready To Lead
The North Carolina Tarheels got the 2016-17 basketball season started the other night with an exhibition game against UNC-Pembroke. I think I liked it better when they were Pembroke State. Joel Berry II looks like he is primed and ready to lead this team. A case could be made for Berry II as the team MVP down the stretch last season as he was the team's most consistent outside threat and stepped up in the big games.
With Theo Pinson out injured again until late December, someone needs to step up and take his 15-20 minutes a game. Sophomore Luke Maye brings a different skill set to the table but he made his case for more minutes with his play against UNC-Pembroke. Maye reminds me of a Pete Chilcutt type of player. He is not a great athlete but he is fundamentally sound in all areas of the game.
With Theo Pinson out injured again until late December, someone needs to step up and take his 15-20 minutes a game. Sophomore Luke Maye brings a different skill set to the table but he made his case for more minutes with his play against UNC-Pembroke. Maye reminds me of a Pete Chilcutt type of player. He is not a great athlete but he is fundamentally sound in all areas of the game.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
ACC Champs
North Carolina won the Acc Tournament Championship with a 61-57 win over Virginia, their first tournament championship since 2008. It was a gutsy performance and North Carolina beat Virginia on Virginia's terms- half court offensive basketball with tough man-to-man defense. It was the type of game that many in the sports media doubted they could win as North Carolina's toughness has been questioned all season long.
Joel Berry II led the scoring with 19 points with a perfect three for three from the three point line and six for six from the free throw line and he was named the Tournament MVP. Marcus Paige had a tough shooting night going zero for seven from the three point line but scored eight of his 13 points during a stretch in the latter stages of the second half by driving to the basket for layups or trips to the free throw line. Brice Johnson had 12 points and nine rebounds and led the team with five assists passing out of the high post.
Joel Berry II led the scoring with 19 points with a perfect three for three from the three point line and six for six from the free throw line and he was named the Tournament MVP. Marcus Paige had a tough shooting night going zero for seven from the three point line but scored eight of his 13 points during a stretch in the latter stages of the second half by driving to the basket for layups or trips to the free throw line. Brice Johnson had 12 points and nine rebounds and led the team with five assists passing out of the high post.
Friday, March 11, 2016
A Wide Open Tournament
This year's ACC Basketball Tournament is what the ACC seemed to be striving for. The ACC consistently had six teams in the top 25 and there were many upsets along the way. The Tarheels earned the #1 seed by finishing 14-4 in the conference but the Tarheels did not earn that seed until the final weekend of the regular season. A case can be made for any of the top four seeds- North Carolina, Miami, Virginia, or Notre Dame- to win the tournament.
The Tarheels took down Pittsburgh in the opening game 88-71 but it wasn't as easy as the final score indicated. Brice Johnson Had his usual double-double- 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots- and Joel Berry II led the way with 20 points and four steals. Theo Pinson came off the bench and only scored two pints but had seven assists. The Tarheels take on Notre Dame next as Notre Dame came back from 16 points down to beat Duke in Overtime. Notre Dame won in Chapel Hill earlier this season so it is a chance for a little bit of payback. Notre Dame presents matchup problems for North Carolina and the Tarheels ability to guard the perimeter is a key to the game.
The Tarheels took down Pittsburgh in the opening game 88-71 but it wasn't as easy as the final score indicated. Brice Johnson Had his usual double-double- 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots- and Joel Berry II led the way with 20 points and four steals. Theo Pinson came off the bench and only scored two pints but had seven assists. The Tarheels take on Notre Dame next as Notre Dame came back from 16 points down to beat Duke in Overtime. Notre Dame won in Chapel Hill earlier this season so it is a chance for a little bit of payback. Notre Dame presents matchup problems for North Carolina and the Tarheels ability to guard the perimeter is a key to the game.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Beatable
Wake Forest basketball head coach Danny Manning is right when he said that the North Carolina Tarheels are "beatable". The North Carolina Tarheels are winning in spite of the fact that their perimeter game has gone on an early spring break. Guard Marcus Paige has only scored eight points in his past three games on 3 for 25 shooting and 1 of 17 from the three point line and all three of those games the Tarheels won by double digits.
The Tarheels have won all six of their ACC games thanks in large part to their inside game. Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, and Isaiah Hicks have all had career games since the ACC season started. Joel Berry II has been the only consistent perimeter threat because of Paige's season long slump. Paige's slump is concerning but the Tarheels keep winning. Justin Jackson is also in the throes of a slump. For the Tarheels to keep winning and to go deep into the NCAA tournament, the Tarheels will have to get over their team wide case of the "yips" from the three point line. In today's game you have to be able to hit the three with something better than 25 percent consistency.
The Tarheels have won all six of their ACC games thanks in large part to their inside game. Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, and Isaiah Hicks have all had career games since the ACC season started. Joel Berry II has been the only consistent perimeter threat because of Paige's season long slump. Paige's slump is concerning but the Tarheels keep winning. Justin Jackson is also in the throes of a slump. For the Tarheels to keep winning and to go deep into the NCAA tournament, the Tarheels will have to get over their team wide case of the "yips" from the three point line. In today's game you have to be able to hit the three with something better than 25 percent consistency.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Bringing Down The Mountaineers
North Carolina played my alma mater Appalachian State and won fairly easily 94-70. This was one of those games that probably never should have been scheduled but they play anyway but as a fan, I really never come out of these games with a good feeling. The Tarheels won by 24 points but it feels like they should have won by 40. The Tarheels ended up being two starters short because Kennedy Meeks is still out and Marcus Paige tweaked his ankle and missed almost the entire second half.
Brice Johnson led the way with 22 points but it seemed like he could have scored 40 if the Tarheels would have force fed it to him inside. Justin Jackson had a double-double as did Joel Berry II. Luke Maye got some valuable playing time off the bench and he has been doing some nice things on the offensive boards. Maye turned that effort into a career high seven points against Appalachian State to go along with five rebounds. As Tarheel alum Rasheed Wallace kept imploring the Tarheel big men from behind the bench last night to "finish at the rim."
Brice Johnson led the way with 22 points but it seemed like he could have scored 40 if the Tarheels would have force fed it to him inside. Justin Jackson had a double-double as did Joel Berry II. Luke Maye got some valuable playing time off the bench and he has been doing some nice things on the offensive boards. Maye turned that effort into a career high seven points against Appalachian State to go along with five rebounds. As Tarheel alum Rasheed Wallace kept imploring the Tarheel big men from behind the bench last night to "finish at the rim."
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Balling In Brooklyn
The North Carolina Tarheels had their first big test without Kennedy Meeks when they took on UCLA in Brooklyn. Joel James got the start again in his place and rebounding and blocking shots are the biggest parts of his game. He normally doesn't contribute to much offensively.
The Tarheels were down by as much as 11 points in the first half, Brice Johnson had been pulled from the game by Coach Roy Williams, and UCLA was hitting their shots and North Carolina wasn't. Marcus Paige was even ice cold and he stayed that way pretty much the entire game except for a late three that was the dagger in the heart of UCLA.
North Carolina went to a small lineup when they put Theo Pinson in, turned up the defensive pressure, and managed to tie it at 38 at halftime. The Tarheels, lead by Brice Johnson's career high 27 points, pulled away late in the second half to win 89-76. Johnson missed his first shot of the game and went to hit his next eleven shots. Isaiah Hicks went six for eight. Joel James went one for three, slamming one home steaming down the middle on a secondary break, was fouled, and hit the free throw. Luke Maye had three points and three rebounds in 12 minutes of playing time. Joel Berry II had a career high 17 points and, to this point, is the Tarheels most improved player.
The Tarheels were favored to win and went out and won while four out of the top ten were losing, including Duke's second loss of the season. All I heard was Dickie V talking about Duke's injuries. Has he even looked at the Tarheels bench this season?
The Tarheels were down by as much as 11 points in the first half, Brice Johnson had been pulled from the game by Coach Roy Williams, and UCLA was hitting their shots and North Carolina wasn't. Marcus Paige was even ice cold and he stayed that way pretty much the entire game except for a late three that was the dagger in the heart of UCLA.
North Carolina went to a small lineup when they put Theo Pinson in, turned up the defensive pressure, and managed to tie it at 38 at halftime. The Tarheels, lead by Brice Johnson's career high 27 points, pulled away late in the second half to win 89-76. Johnson missed his first shot of the game and went to hit his next eleven shots. Isaiah Hicks went six for eight. Joel James went one for three, slamming one home steaming down the middle on a secondary break, was fouled, and hit the free throw. Luke Maye had three points and three rebounds in 12 minutes of playing time. Joel Berry II had a career high 17 points and, to this point, is the Tarheels most improved player.
The Tarheels were favored to win and went out and won while four out of the top ten were losing, including Duke's second loss of the season. All I heard was Dickie V talking about Duke's injuries. Has he even looked at the Tarheels bench this season?
Thursday, December 17, 2015
North Carolina Vs. Tulane
The last time the Tulane basketball team was in Chapel Hill was early in the 1982-83 season when they faced an 0-2 Tarheel team. Sophomore Michael Jordan stole an inbounds pass and hit a 35 foot jump shot to send the game into overtime in a game that the Tarheels would eventually win 70-68 in triple overtime. This was the game that made Michael Jordan the legend he was to become. Any one of four or five players could have hit that jump shot against Georgetown. Michael Jordan willed the Tarheels to win that game versus Tulane that day in 1982 as he would do for many of his teams for the rest of his college and professional career.
The Tarheels did not have that problem versus Tulane last night in a 96-72 win. Brice Johnson imposed his will early and often in having his sixth double-double of the season with 25 points in 25 points of playing time and 10 rebounds. Marcus Paige had 16 points on 4 for 8 three pointers and 7 assists and Joel Berry II had 12 points and 9 assists in support of Johnson.
The most impressive statistic of the night was that the Tarheels had 30 assists on 36 field goals and it seemed like everyone was making the extra pass.
The Tarheels did not have that problem versus Tulane last night in a 96-72 win. Brice Johnson imposed his will early and often in having his sixth double-double of the season with 25 points in 25 points of playing time and 10 rebounds. Marcus Paige had 16 points on 4 for 8 three pointers and 7 assists and Joel Berry II had 12 points and 9 assists in support of Johnson.
The most impressive statistic of the night was that the Tarheels had 30 assists on 36 field goals and it seemed like everyone was making the extra pass.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Turn The Paige
With apologies to Bob Seger, the Tarheels seemed like they turned over a new page in their 2015-16 basketball season with the return of senior guard Marcus Paige. He missed the first six games of the season in a freak accident during practice and he has scored 33 points in the two games since his return, a win over #2 Maryland and a blowout win over Davidson.
Paige has mostly played point guard throughout his career with North Carolina but now he is able to play more shooting guard than anything because of he valuable experience Joel Berry II and Nate Britt gained at the point during Paige's absence. Berry II has shown the ability to run the Tarheel offensive machine and Britt may be turning into the best sixth man in the ACC. He scored 17 points in 16 minutes against Davidson and has also turned into one of the deadliest three point shooters on the team. He shoots with confidence and he can also slide over to the point.
Paige has mostly played point guard throughout his career with North Carolina but now he is able to play more shooting guard than anything because of he valuable experience Joel Berry II and Nate Britt gained at the point during Paige's absence. Berry II has shown the ability to run the Tarheel offensive machine and Britt may be turning into the best sixth man in the ACC. He scored 17 points in 16 minutes against Davidson and has also turned into one of the deadliest three point shooters on the team. He shoots with confidence and he can also slide over to the point.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Inside Strength
In the North Carolina Tarheels first three basketball games of the season, they have had an obvious advantage on the inside in experience and length with big men Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson and Isaiah Hicks coming off the bench but they have not always taken advantage of it. The Tarheels did not force the inside against a smaller Fairfield team that played mostly zone and the 'Heels settled for medium and long range jumpers much to the dismay of head coach Roy Williams.
Wofford pulled to within 50-47 when the defense of Nate Britt, Joel Berry II, and Brice Johnson took over. Steals and blocked shots led to several breakouts by North Carolina and finished with a 28-11 run that gave them a hard earned 78-58 win over Wofford. Swing man Theo Pinson had the shot of the night but it was also his only basket. Meeks and Johnson both had 16 points and Hicks had a season high 12.
The outside duo of Joel Berry II and Nate Britt has proved to be formidable so far this season as Britt has provided the outside shooting and Berry II has provided a scoring touch that has them both averaging in double figures. Their play has opened up the possibility of going to a three guard offense whenever Marcus Paige does return from injury.
Wofford pulled to within 50-47 when the defense of Nate Britt, Joel Berry II, and Brice Johnson took over. Steals and blocked shots led to several breakouts by North Carolina and finished with a 28-11 run that gave them a hard earned 78-58 win over Wofford. Swing man Theo Pinson had the shot of the night but it was also his only basket. Meeks and Johnson both had 16 points and Hicks had a season high 12.
The outside duo of Joel Berry II and Nate Britt has proved to be formidable so far this season as Britt has provided the outside shooting and Berry II has provided a scoring touch that has them both averaging in double figures. Their play has opened up the possibility of going to a three guard offense whenever Marcus Paige does return from injury.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Man Down
The North Carolina Tarheels have already started out the 2015-16 college basketball season with their best player, Marcus Paige, out for a month. The last time I can remember this happening was 2008-09 when Tyler Hansbrough was out to begin the season for North Carolina and that turned out pretty well for the Tarheels as they won the National Championship.
In the Tarheels second game of the season against Fairfield Coach Roy Williams said the Tarheels showed "a lack of execution" and "a lack of effort" in the first half and only took an eight point lead into halftime. Kennedy Meeks scored six of his eight points in the first ten minutes and then it seemed like the Tarheels decided to settle on perimeter jumpers. Brice Johnson scored 16 but his best work came on the offensive glass, Justin Jackson scored 11 but all of his damage came on the fast break and his game seems to be struggling when the Tarheels have to go to a half court offense.
Nate Britt came off the bench to score 17 including four of six from the three point line and he has probably been the Tarheels MVP through their first two games (if their is such a thing). Marcus Paige replacement, Joel Berry II, had 15 points, all of the jump shot variety (three of eight from the three point line), and the zone defenses employed by other teams still seems to give the Tarheels fits.
Theo Pinson has stepped up to fill J.P. Tokoto's stat stuffing role and scored a career high 11 against Fairfield with eight assists and zero turnovers. I can't wait to see what he can do over a full season after missing most his freshman season and this summer's workouts with a foot problem.
After the first couple of games of the season, the Tarheels have shown that they are much better when they run the court versus a half court game because their big men can get up and down the court and the basketball world has not someone that can make the outlet pass like Kennedy Meeks since the days of Wes Unseld in the 1960's and '70's. The Tarheels outside shooting has improved (15-35) even without arguably their best outside shooter. I see the Tarheels as a top five team right now but their held on number one may be tenuous.
In the Tarheels second game of the season against Fairfield Coach Roy Williams said the Tarheels showed "a lack of execution" and "a lack of effort" in the first half and only took an eight point lead into halftime. Kennedy Meeks scored six of his eight points in the first ten minutes and then it seemed like the Tarheels decided to settle on perimeter jumpers. Brice Johnson scored 16 but his best work came on the offensive glass, Justin Jackson scored 11 but all of his damage came on the fast break and his game seems to be struggling when the Tarheels have to go to a half court offense.
Nate Britt came off the bench to score 17 including four of six from the three point line and he has probably been the Tarheels MVP through their first two games (if their is such a thing). Marcus Paige replacement, Joel Berry II, had 15 points, all of the jump shot variety (three of eight from the three point line), and the zone defenses employed by other teams still seems to give the Tarheels fits.
Theo Pinson has stepped up to fill J.P. Tokoto's stat stuffing role and scored a career high 11 against Fairfield with eight assists and zero turnovers. I can't wait to see what he can do over a full season after missing most his freshman season and this summer's workouts with a foot problem.
After the first couple of games of the season, the Tarheels have shown that they are much better when they run the court versus a half court game because their big men can get up and down the court and the basketball world has not someone that can make the outlet pass like Kennedy Meeks since the days of Wes Unseld in the 1960's and '70's. The Tarheels outside shooting has improved (15-35) even without arguably their best outside shooter. I see the Tarheels as a top five team right now but their held on number one may be tenuous.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Survive And Advance Part II
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.
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.
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.
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.
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