Off the cuff: I'm normally one of those stick in the muds who wouldn't like Carolina students rushing the court after a win. After all, it's better to act as if you've been there before. To be classy. After all, it's North Carolina. Tar Heels expect to win. But after suffering earlier in the season and not being nationally ranked and having lost twice to Duke last year and having been a factor in the game intensity, I say "rush the court students." But, let's not make a habit of it. By the way, the Tar Heels are now the first team ever that has beaten the preseason No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 teams in one season. Speaking of being a stick in the mud, I prefer the decorum that Carolina fans had when Dean Smith was coach. There was no hand waving behind the baskets, no air ball chants (which Carolina shouldn't do anyway since it started with Duke fans in a game against Carolina), no signs and no bare chests. There was all of that in this game. Seriously, I don't care if your chest is painted, students should not be allowed to go shirtless. As for the game, Coach Williams said it ranks right up there, especially as far as a home court advantage. Fans were in their seats early and were loud before, during and after the game. Williams said the crowd was also great for senior day last year when the Tar Heels laid an egg, falling behind early 14-0. "The crowd was into it so much tonight," Williams said. "At senior day last year, we let the crowd down. I didn't want that to happen again." Carolina had to overcome nine first-half turnovers, foul trouble and suspect free throw shooting. At one time the Heels were one of eight from the line. Leslie McDonald kept the Tar Heels in it in the first half and Marcus Paige, who got a lot of pressure from the Duke defense in the first half, started getting loose in the second half when he scored all 13 of his points. The 18-6 run at the end was a good lead up to a court rushing. Just don't do that again. You're North Carolina. |
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