Off the cuff: How can a team be so intense and focused to win its first away game and then come home to score just 60 points and lose at home for the third straight time? You're going to have to go somewhere else to get an answer to that. This far into the season my only thought is that the Carolina players just aren't that good - which surprises me. I'm surprised by the lack of leadership and focus by Marcus Ginyard. I'm surprised that Ed Davis and Deon Thompson aren't very combative inside. (Carolina fans got spoiled with Tyler Hansbrough.) I'm surprised that the young guys haven't progressed over the last month. I'm surprised no one can hit free throws consistently. One thing I'm not surprised about is that Tyler Zeller is sorely missed. He was the first man off the bench and was arguably the best sixth man in the league. He's still a month away from returning. Deon Thompson seems to think that Carolina has the talent to compete well in the ACC. He says the guys need to "care more about the name on their chest." He says this team, the 100th in the school's history, is not doing a very good job of representing Carolina basketball. I guess that's true but these guys knew all about Carolina basketball when they were being recruited. One thing for sure is that there is a lack of intensity and focus. I have a hard time believing that the problem is Coach Roy Williams but perhaps he hasn't adjusted his playing style to his current personnel. Still, these guys - including the more experienced players - have to listen and execute. It's now going to be difficult for the Tar Heels to reach the .500 mark in the ACC. They really needed this victory. If the Heels don't go .500, they are in danger of not getting a bid to the NCAA tournament although their name might get them a low seed. At this point, the Carolina team needs to set different goals - like winning a couple of games in a row. For the first time in years, the Tar Heels will actually have to try hard to win the ACC tournament. Williams has put less emphasis on the ACC tournament so that his guys will be rested for the NCAA run - that's the furthest thing from his mind now. The game was played in front of a rather sparse crowd due the snow. At the first TV timeout, the fans in the upper deck were invited to come down and fill in the empty seats. The same thing happened 10 years ago but the fans weren't nearly as raucous this time around. |
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