Barnes had 26 pts 13 rebs and a bunch of steals. His hands are quick and his reach is long, genetrating numerous turnovers by disrupting passes. But when he was guarding someone face to face, he had a tough time and let a few go right past him.

That they do. Pittman is definitely a load (if you can call someone who has lost 100 pounds a load), and James is as good a rebounder at 6’6 as you will find. However, UT has very limited depth behind those two, so is the get in foul trouble the Horns cold be in trouble.

Btw, the newest Tar Heel Harrison Barnes will be showcased on THU night at 9 on ESPN. I’ve never seen him play so I’m looking forward to it.

That would be great, as he can certainly get over it.

UNC has played basketball pretty well in football stadiums of late as well.

“Since Texas is a guard heavy team with plenty of depth, it would be prudent to have all perimeter players available.”-THF

When is in not prudent to have all perimeter players available? Or any other players. Why not just say, “I wish we had…”, which is really meant, and forget the literature.

“That being said, it is a December game UNC probably should not have scheduled, something Roy has admitted.”-THF

How come it should not have been scheduled? Did Roy give a reason? It’s a home-and-home arrangement made a year or maybe more ago, yes? (Not that I condone inviting Bluto Barnes into the Dean E. Smith Center. Unconscionable.) If the reason for lamenting the scheduling is because we may lose, as I suspect is some’s reason for the lament, then that ain’t so much “reasoning” as it is a lack of confidence or, perhaps, a reading of the wall. So what if this young, developing bunch lose to a highly proficient, more experienced team? Carolina’s history is chock full of losses to teams that were lesser. Championship game with Marquette in ’77(?) comes to mind. Those REALLY burn! What’s the biggie with losing to a better team?

Not that I believe we necessarily will, by the way. That vaunted Texass depth is now depleted by (maybe) 2 guards, who were the last two starters. Now if only they could see some depletion on the interior…that’s where they are strong (literally) and Heels are weak (so far).

It’s all about the D, folks. Time for that “Defensive Identity” to show its fierce face; time for Opening Night, for real. Intense, consistent ball pressure, trapping press, humiliating blocks – that’s what I want to see. For two halves. WIN OR LOSE. To me, that’s the substantive profit to be made with this match-up.

Zoomba, Heels!