Until UNC actually loses a game.
Some basketball news for those really dying for some. College Basketball Roundtable takes up the question of whether UNC can win the title and go undefeated. The two of the three panelists basically point to parity as the biggest obstacle to such a feat being accomplished. Andrew Skwara takes a position pretty similar to my thinking on the matter:
With how close Illinois came four seasons ago, I think you have to say there’s a legitimate chance. The Illini won their first 29 games before suffering a one-point loss on a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Their only other loss came to North Carolina in the national-title game.
This season’s Tar Heels are the team with the best chance of going undefeated of anyone we have seen in quite some time, perhaps since that mega-talented UNLV squad in 1990-91. Not only do the Tar Heels have a tremendous combination of talent and experience, but there is a glaring lack of other great teams out there. Connecticut is No. 2 in our preseason rankings, and the Huskies were knocked out in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season.
The Tar Heels aren’t facing a particularly difficult schedule, either. Only two non-conference games are losable – the finale of the Maui Invitational (the opponent should be Notre Dame or Texas) and a matchup with Michigan State (a preseason top-15 team) at Ford Field that’s part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. In the ACC, there are only four to five teams even capable of beating the Tar Heels.
I realize the odds are heavily against UNC. There have been teams with more talent and better chemistry (that’s what made Illinois so special in 2004-05) that have fallen short. But I still wouldn’t be shocked to see the Tar Heels make history. The perfect storm for an undefeated run is in place.
Yes, these are long odds. I think this is one of those times you ask the question one of my professors in seminary used to ask: “It’s possible, but is it probable?” Honestly speaking I have looked at the Heels’ schedule and they will be favored in every game they play. I also agree with Skwara, the potential title game in Maui is one they could lose as is the game against Michigan State. Outside of that? Five road games in the ACC: Duke, Wake, Virginia Tech, Miami and NCSU(yes, seriously.) Of course UNC went undefeated away from the Dean Dome last season(save the Final Four loss) so perhaps not. I actually think if there is perfect season afoot, the ACC Tournament is liable to be the place UNC drops a game.
Granted this is all wild speculation(a recurring theme here at THF today) but winning the title is the real goal…the rest of this matters not as long as the Heels get the ring.
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Heels lose two but win it all……………
Sounds good to me Wilf! Unlike the 05 Illinois team, we have a decent inside game. If Zeller proves to be of his HS ranking, we will have a superb inside game. If Drew can nail those threes like I have seen in his HS games (you tube), that along with Frasor able to play, our peremiter looks great as well. Oh, I forgot, Ellington & Green can shoot a mean 3 as well. Oh, so can you too Lawson. Damn, this team is too good to be true!!!
Well, you make a good point JB. If Zeller and Drew step it up their first year we have a better chance at not having those couple of games where the starters are just flat. Also, throw Davis into the mix….
Our new blood wasn’t calculated into my gloomy forecast ;>)
Yep, this will be a season that I actually hope we lose a game at some point to “take the pressure off” during the big dance, but at the same time I want the team to make some history. (I also not sure I can think of “good” game to lose)
We need to stay injury free.
Anything short of the National Championship will be considered a failure for the THIS team. In the past I was ok with a GREAT season and losing to a better team along the way didn’t really bother me. This year, there is NOT a better team.
I operate under the assumption that the perfect record is inconsequential once you get into the tournament. The whole pressure associated with the perfect record is you lose more than just a game if you lose. In the NCAAs you are already in a do or die situation so trying to remain perfect is the least of your concerns, trying to win the title is.
THF, I do understand your thought process and sitting here in the preseason I’d like to think the same way.
However, come tourney time, I think the pursuit of the perfect season can add a little pressure on the guys. Every sports reporter who has a microphone will be asking our guys about “The Perfect Season”. Just adding a little bit more expectation……..
Having said all that, I do believe our guys will be on a mission and my guess is that we will see defense this year that will wilt opponents.
It is easy to forget, but we only lost two games before the Kansas game and were the overall #1 seed last year. My guess is that our players will not get caught up in the hype because they know now it is meaningless unless you win the tourney.
WB3, I hope that is the attitude that they adapt to.
Things we will also hear repeatedly–especially from the ABCers:
1) That Roy Williams wore a Jayhawk sticker at the title game.
2) That TH is a great college player but won’t do well in the NBA.
3) That the end of the season and the 2008 off season were really bad for the team, what with legal troubles and NBA “water-testing,” and that team chemistry must be bad and will be the ultimate reason the ‘Heels can’t/don’t go undefeated. See also: the Sticker referenced above.
Wow! Call me Mr. Pessimist today. I’ll end on a positive note: Here’s hoping we get to watch a lot of good Carolina Football before we get to watch a whole lot of good Carolina Basketball.
I have one question for ABCers: Jealous?
Jealous of the amount of talent on your basketball team and its outlook for the next few seasons? Of course. Your team is almost always loaded, though, so it’s not like this is some kind of “revolting new development.”
Jealous of anything else? Not so much. Plus, I’m too concerned with suffering through the rest of football season to give much thought to future suffering.
I know I didn’t read the article right.. Did the author say “there have been teams with more talent and better chemistry (that’s what made Illinois so special in 2004-05)” WHAT?
Keith,
My take on that comment was that the 2005 Illinois team had talent AND chemistry. Other teams in the past either had great talent but not good chemistry and vice-versa.
All I know is we had more talent and we became a TEAM during that tourney must to the chagrin of ABC world. 75 – 70. That Raymond Felton steal with about 25 seconds left was the nail in the coffin for Billy Packer that night, I mean, nail in the coffin for Illinois.
No, you were right the first time Keith! Nail in the coffin for Billy Packer!