Comments on: UNC-Texas Game Thread

By: TxTarheel

TxTarheel — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:55:42 +0000

Anything to be said has been said at this point. Fortunate enough to attend in person, it was a lot of burnt orange with scattering of carolina blue. The foul calls and pace of play were, at times, horrible. Interestingly the giant video board played the ‘UNC intro’ same as what plays for a Smith Center game. 100 years, final fours…all of it. Quite cool.

Cowboys stadium is ridiculously large…today attracted 37k-38k people, and it easily fits 95,000 fans for Cowboy games.

Texas fans were griping as well on the fouls…but seroiusly they shot quite a few more FT than UNC attempted. While certainly a pro-Horns crowd, there was only smattering of boos and ‘miss it’ on free throws.

By: Andy In Omaha

Andy In Omaha — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:45:50 +0000

I don’t think this team lacks heart. Someone earlier asked if they get “fired up” or “pissed off,” and they don’t. But at the same time, I don’t want them to get that “false hype” that you see in Durham because it doesn’t really get you that far if that’s not your team’s personality.
In terms of what hurt UNC today, it was turnovers, rebounds, and free throws; LDII and Ginyard both were even in assist to turnover ratios (5/5 and 4/4 respectively) and Texas just destroyed us on the boards. The woes at the stripe continue, as UNC shot an abysmal 11-19. Just hitting four or five more could have change the complexion of the game.
On somewhat of a brighter note, UNC shot 7/13 from the three point line, and .480 from the floor. The perimeter game (or lack thereof) hasn’t really been the downfall of the Heels in the three losses; it’s the lack of a physical presence and stupid mistakes that I think go away with some time.

By: russfuss

russfuss — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:43:46 +0000

“We just have to keep our expectations reasonable.”-HeelDawg

OK. I expect us to beat Dook once. How’s that? And I expect a minimum 20-win season. Beyond those two, I hold no expectations for this year’s edition of Carolina Basketball.

UNC33, UNC RAJ, C.Michael, rath – thank y’all for the intelligence and savvy your posts reflect. I enjoy that. The puffery posted by some others (some of it obvious attempts to project “personality”) not so much. Degrades the conversation.

My thoughts on this team are not modified by today’s showing.
IT IS GOING TO BE THE D that defeats strong, talented opponents – or not.

But 95% of the chatter on this blog continues to focus on our Offense, or lacks thereof and within. And that is valid, of course. Roy has no experience with developing a group of tall, finesse players like this; Dean never had one to establish the coaching template. Brutal, but true. I think there is a learning curve for him as well as the one noted for the players.

And, yes, we need the kind of play that Strickland brings; that type of play is sorely missing.

But it is the D that is all-but non-existent, except for some blocks and except in late, brief “intensity spurts” with pressure put on the ball.

Defense begins with Rebounding.
Free throw shooting is also defensive offense.
And turn-overs continue into mid-December.
These are all coachable, meaning they can be corrected. It is up to Roy to deliver that. For the failure to block out, to make free throws, and to take care of the ball to CONTINUE without improvement is inexcusable.

DJ JOEK, you may want to keep snoozing through February 10th.

By: C. Michael

C. Michael — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:43:35 +0000

They didn’t. I had the game on for a bit and had to switch it to the New Mexico Bowl because it was such an ugly game.

By: Heel To The End

Heel To The End — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:40:48 +0000

Gonzaga really showed up to play, huh? unreal. thanks for nothing, Zags.
boxscore-wise, it looks like Dook didnt even play that well.

By: C. Michael

C. Michael — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:02:57 +0000

HTTE,

Gotcha. I agree with your sentiment completely.

By: C. Michael

C. Michael — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:01:37 +0000

Ginyard is averaging 11/4/4 with 2 SPG and an A/T of 1.61, which, while not great, is not catastrophic, either. He is also shooting 52% from the field and an outstanding 46% from 3PT. To me, the only troubling thing is his sub-60% FT percentage.

He is definitely not the problem.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:55:42 +0000

I was just mentioning that he was on my mind also, if for somewhat different reasons. I’m not pining for Alex to be back. I’m glad that he’s close to his family. I agree it is nice to see him doing well.

By: Heel To The End

Heel To The End — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:53:56 +0000

i didnt bring up Alex because i was wondering what he’d do for us this year. that ship has sailed.
brought it up, because its nice to see him doing well.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:52:28 +0000

I’m not as down on Ginyard’s play as you are.