Off the cuff: That was a bit closer than it needed to be. Poor free throw shooting, bad fouls and careless ballhandling almost cost the Heels. After getting up by 13, it should have been over. But as Tyler Hansbrough said, the Heels "stayed composed and luckily came out with a win." While Carolina fans should feel more comfortable with Quentin Thomas substituting for Lawson when needed, a few Q goofs really could have changed the outcome. After the Tigers scored eight straight to cut the lead to five, Q turned the ball over but Rivers missed a three that would have cut the lead to just two points. Later, up by four, Q dribbled into trouble in the lane and had to rush up a shot at the end of the shot clock. That time Mays missed a three that would have cut it to one. Q fouled out when he hacked a three-point shooter for no apparent reason with two seconds left. Yes, the game was over but still. At least Danny Green wasn't the only one Coach Williams had to chew out about bonehead plays. Coach Williams said that while he and the team were ecstatic about winning the tournament, he said that you'll notice that they weren't dancing around and climbing on the backboards in celebration. While it's a good feeling, it's not the feeling the team ultimately wants. As Marcus Ginyard said, "We're not done. We have more nets to cut down." For old-time fans of the Heels and the ACC tournament, Coach Williams' comments minimizing the importance of the ACC tournament are a bit disconcerting. I know what he's talking about - especially since more than just the tourney champ goes to the NCAA tournament. But a team that wins the ACC regular season and tournament title IS the best team in America, regardless of what happens in the NCAA tournament. That's not to minimize winning the NCAA tourney and now of course that's the most important thing. I still think I'd rather go something like 35-2, win the ACC regular season and the ACC tournament than go 26-14, finish down in the league, and happen to win six games in a row at the end of the season. I know, I know, I'm in the minority. Interesting that the committee put Tennessee in the East Regional with the Heels. The Vols might have strong fan support with a game in Charlotte, potentially against the Heels. But if the Vols are the fifth best team in the country, they should have gotten a weaker No. 1 team to play.
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