Larry Drew.
It has been a tumultuous relationship to say the least. We have questioned your heart, effort, ability to play Division I basketball. You called us spoiled. Errant passes were thrown. Things were said. Feelings hurt. It has not been fun.
Then, with UNC sitting at the table having pushed all in on the season, Drew takes the ball and the team on his shoulders splits three defenders, tosses the ball over a guy who is one of the national leaders in blocked shots and wins the game.
Now I will not go as far as to say “all is forgiven” because that would be too easy. However there is no reason why this cannot be a turning point. The kind of play we talk about a year or two from now. The moment Drew broke through. I have no idea whether the continual transfer rumors are true or if Drew will be at UNC next year or not. I do know that what happened today could be something to build upon.
The game overall was outstanding as basketball games go. When it started it certainly looked like UNC was going to go out with a whimper after MSU jumped out to a 16-4 lead. Then the Heels picked the tempo up, started hitting some shots while watching MSU show some of the worst shot discipline in the history of mankind. There was not a three pointer MSU would not take regardless of how bad it was. A dry spell by the Bulldogs got the Heels back into the game and into the lead at the half.
For whatever the reason, the start of any half continues to bug the Heels and it was true here. MSU came out of the locker room and took the lead back, pushing UNC to the brink with leads of eight and seven at different points of the 2nd stanza. The Heels, to their credit, pushed back getting contributions from various players. Marcus Ginyard, Dexter Strickland, John Henson, Will Graves Tyler Zeller and Travis Wear all scored during a 10 minute span where crawled back into the game. Then down the stretch it was all Graves and Drew to carry the Heels to the win.
With UNC trailing 71-68 and 1:16 left Drew drove into the lane and found Graves who scored and was fouled. Graves got the three point play to tie the game. On the next possession with UNC trailing by one, Drew ran the offense then got the ball to Gravers curling at the top of the key. Graves turned and adjusted the shot to avoid the defender. The shot banked in for three giving the Heels a two point lead. Two huge plays from Graves, facilitated by Drew that had most Heels fans saying: “About freaking time.”
Following two made free throws by MSU, Drew did not hesitate taking the inbounds pass, pushing the ball up and find a seam to hit the game winner. In a season where so much as gone wrong it feels pretty good to see this team not only rally on the road against a team most people thought should have been in the NCAA Tournament but to do it on the backs of players who have had their share of struggles in their time with the program.
Oh and John Henson is a complete freak of nature that must stay four years so we can adequately study said freakness for the good of mankind. Henson has a nice game, continues to play with enthusiasm. Dexter Strickland likewise had a solid game, did a great job pushing the ball up at times and appears to have regained some of his lost confidence.
Overall it was nice to see them win again, see them advance in tournament play. Yeah, it is only the NIT but winning is fun regardless. One more thing. This win ensures the Heels finish above .500 this season. Nice…for what its worth.
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“For whatever the reason, the start of any half continues to bug the Heels and it was true here.”
I think the lineup that continues to start each half is a big piece of the problem.
NIT or not I am so proud, of our Tar Heels I really love baby boy John.
scl11,
Well there is that. I thought it was funny that the lineup that kicked off the rally in the first half was Strickland, Watts, McDonald, Wear and Zeller. Not sure why the unit was effective at that given point but it worked for the few mins they were in there.
And I did not mention it in the post but the officiating was awful. Woody said two of the refs had never called a UNC game before and one of them only random times during the NCAAs over the years. That trip call on Ginyard near the end when Varnado was moving on the screen was complete crap.
So is anyone going to the game Tuesday? A few of my friends and I are thinking about it. We wanted to know if any other Heels would be there and where they were sitting.
UNC has been playing looser, since the Duke game, which obviously was a low point. They actually look like they are having fun now, in the the last two games.
I wanted to go to the NIT all along and hey, who is better off now, UNC, or Wake, FSU or Clemson, all of whom managed to completely humiliate themselves in the NCAA….
It is especially fun to watch John Henson grow into a superstar right in front of our eyes. He even showed some offensive moves this game. If he has the work-ethic to improve his game over the summer, look out!
I have often wondered how Drew would have done if had a legitimate shooter to pass to. This is probably the price of the title last year. Without that championship, Ellington might well have stayed and we could be talking about Drew very differently this year. I think if he stays he may turn into a very good PG next year.
I don’t understand why we didn’t go after Seth Curry. If he is even close to his brother, we are going to have some problems with Duke….
uncgirl,
you do know the game is in Alabama?
Wouldn’t have mattered, Curry had his heart set on Duke. Duke was the only school he visited and he committed on the spot. His father said there were other schools but does not list them. UNC may have been one of them for all we know but it was moot.
HTTE, yes, I am aware of that. I have a car, so getting there should be no problem.
yes, but its ALABAMA.
STEPHEN is lighting it up out west….
Who gives a rip about the Curry brother? Are you for real with that, William?
We’ve got Reggie Bullock, followed by P.J. Hairston coming in. Curry can score, but he’s not his brother, and was NOT highly recruited…
Ugh, let’s back to more pertinent matters.
You know, I don’t ever want to do this again, but it is kind of fun to watch the tourney without worrying about UNC or who we are going to play.
I remember, growing up, my parents were from Minnesota and DC, and for about four or five years in a row, the Redskins or Vikings were in the Super Bowl and lost. It was kind of nice to watch the Super Bowl in 1977 and not have a horse in the race, especially since the Redskins got good again under Joe Gibbs, a few years later….
Decourcy says BC’s win over UNC in 1994 was bigger than N. Iowa’s over Kansas. Sorry, no. BC was a major program and UNC had already lost 6 or 7 times that year, a couple of them ugly.
http://www.sportingnews.com/college-basketball/article/2010-03-20/brackets-busted-northern-iowa-s-stunning-upset-kansas-turns-to
HTTE, we’ve already established that. If it’s me missing classes you’re concerned about, I’ve already cleared it with my parents. I’m just not sure if I want to make the drive and us be the only UNC fans there.
Man, when I was at UNC, I could go to games without asking permission from my parents….
Stephen Curry was not highly recruited, either, and I think he has ended up being better as a pro than Ty Lawson, although I like Ty just as much and hope he can even things up in the future…
Best thing about the last basket by Drew was that if it had not gone in, Deon was in PERFECT position to put it back for the win. Deon didn’t do a lot of scoring, but I like the game he played today a lot better, some serious moves to the basket.
Decourcy is wrong. First of all, the UNC team had struggled at times all season. I was surprised they got a #1 seed. They got beaten badly by Georgia Tech at one point. Major red flags went up when they allowed Liberty to stay in the game well into the 2nd half during the first round. Losing to BC was not as shocking as what N. Iowa did. Kansas had two losses, was the #1 overall seed and everyone assumed they would roll into the Final Four given their experience and makeup.
i think uncgirl is missing my smack at Alabama.
its like New Yorkers and New Jersey.
^^i like your unfounded optimism, Chief, that Deon would make the layup. since we know dunking is not permitted.
Yeah, even that Cornell close call was looking much better for Kansas. I thought they were overrated, but given the quality of teams overall, this shocked me.
The Kansas papers are really going after the Jayhawks for being too cocky. I have seen a couple of articles. Here is one:
http://cjonline.com/sports/basketball/2010-03-20/column_comfort_zone_eludes_ku
William, I guess your parents weren’t paying your tuition and didn’t threaten to withdraw all monetary support if you cut class or missed classes for any reason other than sickness, injury, medical appointment, etc.
HTTE, I guess I am. Is there something wrong with Alabama?
of all the losses by #1s, the 94 Heels? thats not even top 5, is it? geez.
HTTE – It was one of the gripes about him all season, but today was different. He had a couple of big ones during the game already. No optimism, just reality – he was playing a big man’s game today.
Cornell is a good team apparently. They rolled Temple in the first round.
If the NCAA goes to 96 games we could see #1 seeds lose like this in their first tournament game.
My parents trusted me. Of course, that was back in the days when 18 year olds were considered adults and could actually purchase alcohol, at least my freshman year, anyway….
Granted, the 1994 UNC team, on paper, appeared to be one of the greatest of all time, but by the date of the BC game, that ship had long sailed. What hurt the worst was watching a mediocre (compared to 1992) Duke team play in Charlotte for the title, instead of UNC….
Oh my parents trust me, but they expect that since I’m attending one of the most prestigous universities in the nation, I go to class.
not to mention, our point guard got a concussion in the 94 BC game.
why not compare it to another Kansas loss. or Kentucky in 04.
Granted, UNC was basically free in terms of tuition, back in the 1980′s, but going to class or not was my responsibility. I don’t think either of my parents ever asked me, ever, if I was going to class or missing classes. Times change, I guess. Today’s generation is coddled far too much.
Yep, I’m spoiled rotten.
Of course, we did have the woman-killer, Jeff, ready to come in off the bench when Phelps got hurt. That is just an excuse for a team that had no business losing that game. I didn’t count that season as one where we had the best team and didn’t when, because that was a question of having the best talent, hands down, but not the best team, unfortunately….
No, you are not spoiled. They just raise children differently now.
When I was five years old, I had the run of the neighborhood. Now, you don’t let children out of the house until they are at least eight years old. They aren’t even allowed to walk to the bus stop by themselves anymore, for goodness sake….
#1s losing in the 2nd round(64 team era)
1985: #1 Michigan vs #8 Villanova
1986: #1 St John’s vs #8 Auburn
1990: #1 Oklahoma vs #8 UNC
1992: #1 Kansas vs #9 UTEP
1994: #1 UNC vs #8 Boston College
1996: #1 Purdue vs #8 Georgia
1998: #1 Kansas vs #8 Rhode Island
2000: #1 Stanford vs #8 UNC; #1 Arizona vs #8 Wisconsin
2002: #1 Cincinnati vs #8 UCLA
2004: #1 UK vs #8 UAB; #1 Stanford vs #8 Alabama
2010: #1 Kansas vs #9 Northern Iowa
Roy Williams actually has been dinged twice on this. Dean Smith lost in the 2nd round as a #1 seed once and did it to someone once as did Bill Guthridge. Kansas has three such losses. Stanford has two.
Nice research, THF. I wonder how many of those teams had two or fewer losses overall, or one or fewer losses in conference play, including their conference tourney. I am guessing ZERO.
THF … “I do know that what happened today could be something to build upon.”
Yep … and that is why we keep watching.
Hey, this season might just be getting started for UNC. My plan is that we win the next three games and then issue a challenge to whoever wins the NCAA title to play one game on their home court for the overall title.
Does it sound crazy? 2006 NIT champ USC could easily have beaten Florida back in 2006 based upon their head-to-head results, although Florida would have been the favorite, obviously.
3 of the 4 #1 seeds are out.
of the 2010 CBI tournament.(for teams that didnt make the NCAA or NIT)
:/
Ithink THF’s followup post about the “frosh” team getting UNC back in the game, and how the starting lineup so demonstratively does not show up as a unit (at the beginning of halves) actuallybodes well fir next year. Clearly, as good as each guy is, they do not either motivate each other or sync up. I hope Roy sees this going forward and isn’t shy to sit some guys until they get fighting mad, in his words.
And don’t forget, Ed Davis might be back in time for the ACC tourney, which means, even more so, he might be back on Tuesday, is it?
william,
Ask and you shall receive.
1985 Michigan 26-4
1986 St. John’s 31-5
1990 Oklahoma 27-5
1992 Kansas 27-5
1994 UNC 27-7
1996 Purdue 26-6
1998 Kansas 35-4
2000 Stanford 27-4
2000 Arizona 27-7
2002 Cincinnati 31-4
2004 Kentucky 27-5
2004 Stanford 30-2 (St. Joe’s and Stanford were both in the hunt for an undefeated season)
2010 Kansas 33-3
THF,
DeCourney is usually wrong, and a huge Duke homer too. This is the same sports writer that had a column at the beginning of the 08 tournament about how free throw shooting was overrated and how there was no way it would be the difference between winning and losing the tourney for Memphis. You don’t think he actually wrote a retraction admitting he was wrong after the 08 title game do you?
William and UNCgirl it’s not about kids being raised differently. It’s about the difference in the way parents raise boys and the way they raise girls. Parents just don’t ride herd on boys the way they do girls. I’ve heard stories of parents actually buying alcohol for their sons going to Florida for spring break, but for girls most parents won’t let them anywhere near Panama Beach with out a big brother armed escort chaperone squad. To be honest after Aruba, and the incident in Chapel Hill in 08 I’m sometimes amazed that they let their daughters out of their sight at all until they are 35. Please understand I don’t agree with this attitude by parents I’m just reporting the situation.
I had forgotten that Stanford in 2004 (and St. Joe’s) had come so close to perfection, but those teams didn’t have the pedigree of a Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, UCLA or UNC. Most of the others were “mediocre” number ones, with several losses. UC, obviously, was missing its best player.
I guess 1998 Kansas might be the closest, but for some reason, I don’t even remember that squad being on my radar. I think unleast until 2003 or so, the Big 12 just wasn’t close to the depth of the ACC, Big Ten and Big East.
“Next to my son dying, this is probably the worst thing that has happened in my life,” Collins whispered to reporters. Collins lost his firstborn son, Sherron Jr., 10 days after a premature birth in 2006.”
That is taking a loss a bit too hard, even if KU could have played a bit harder….
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/03/20/1826894/kus-dreams-dissolve-into-tears.html#ixzz0imY7b5XC
I know why 1998 Kansas lost…they were worn out. 39 games by the 2nd round of the tournament?
THF,
That Kansas’ team point guard was Ryan Roberston. He replaced Jacques Vaughn…..Say, his 1999 stats look awfully familiar.
http://www.basketballreference.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=ROBERRY01
Yeah, that is why UNC was so good back in 2002. Matt made sure they weren’t worn out by too many games. Just think if that 2002 team had played 36 games….
william,
Look at how many times Stanford were high seeds only to lose in the second round. In 1999, they were a no. 2 seed and lost Gonzaga. Kansas had Raef Lafrentz and Paul Pierce in 1998. Lester Earl who was a Top 3 recruit (who originally committed to LSU and was unfortunately part of a fiasco that brought down Dale Brown) fizzled. The previous year Kansas had Scott Pollard and Jacques Vaughan. Paul and Raef had to carry the team. Obviously, the workload wore them down.
That Cincy wasn’t the one who had Kenyon Martin. This is their roster.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/cincinnati/players?season=2001-2002
Drew played smart, too – he had seen the drive to the basket had been there all day for the Heels, and used it when he needed a basket the worst.
State did not match up against UAB, because State has no one who can create off the dribble. For UNC to beat UAB, they’ll have to get penetration of that perimeter defense, and get into the lane and create something.
Good news for UNC: after playing two teams who average 24-25 3PA per game and shoot better than 35%, against UAB the Tar Heels will face a team that averages 16 3PA per game and shoots 31%.
I did not get to see the game due to work, did check the play by paly after the game and noticed something interesting. With Miss. St. up big in the first minunte or two Roy called a time out. Do any of you think he may be changing his coaching strategy? Also as much as the NIT sucks I did alittle NIT dance. GO HEELS
keithunc,
Roy said he did not take the timeout because of the score but due to the fact he was seething. They were doing a ton of basic things wrong, most of them effort issues. After that he put in the odd lineup that included Justin Watts i.e. he went Blue Team on the starters. He then refused to put starters back in the game even though players on the floor needed to come out. He was pissed but at least they responded.
Yeah, the funny thing is, the TO did absolutely nothing to stop the run. UNC was down 7-2 when he called the TO, and after the TO, MSU outscored the Heels 9-2. It wasn’t until he put Wear, Zeller and McDonald in at 11:10 (with UNC down 18-10), that the game started to turn.
^^^^ It will be nice to get a break from teams that shoot a lot from the outside. W&M and Miss.St. were ranked #4 and #10, respectively, in terms of percentage of their total points produced from 3′s. UAB is ranked #265.
UAB’s offensive efficiency is also lower than our first two NIT opponents, but their D is the best of the lot, by far.
I wish I had been able to see UAB this year – they usually put together a pretty quick team. Anybody here seen them play?
by chance did anyone pick extra copies of the 100 year UNC SI issue???
^^Haven’t seen them play, but looking at their schedule, it is obvious why they didn’t make the NCAAT: 19 of their 24 wins came against teams outside the RPI Top 100 (10-0 against teams outside the Top 200). Their best win was against Butler and against common opponents, they lost to UVa and split with Marshall.
They also don’t appear to be too deep. Looks like they only play 6, with 5 averaging 25+ mpg and 3 over 32 mpg.
The bad news for UNC: they are 5-0 on Tuesdays, but UNC is 5-1, which is by far their best day, so that may end up a wash…
just because they dont normally shoot a lot of 3s, doesnt mean they wont on tuesday.
when youre wide open, you have to put it up.
we’ll see.
i hope Z’s concussion is minor, and he’ll be able to play. we need him.
***
Lady Heels fall in 1st round. what a disappointing basketball season for them, too.
^Right, but if it is not something they normally do a lot of and it is something that they are not particularly proficient at, maybe that’s not a bad thing.
This year, UNC opponents are 262-759 (22.3 3PA/G; 34.5%) from 3 against the Heels.
Last year, UNC opponents are 274-814 (21.4 3PA/G; 33.7%) from 3 against the Heels.
So there really is that much of a difference between the way this team (a .500 record, NIT-qualifier) defended the 3 versus the way last year’s team (dominant National Champion) defended the three. UNC’s problem this year was that they couldn’t score.
“The bad news for UNC: they are 5-0 on Tuesdays, but UNC is 5-1, which is by far their best day, so that may end up a wash…”
Now that’s the observation of a true statistician.
******
Man, whichever State players guarded UAB’s best player,Millsap, did a pretty lousy job. He matched his season highs in Pts.(27 on 11 of 15) and RB’s (15) and UAB shot almost 51%.
Their PG, Johnson, at all of 5’8″, also had 7 assists.(5 TO’s, though) We’ll see if LD can keep up with him.
“^Right, but if it is not something they normally do a lot of and it is something that they are not particularly proficient at, maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
In its last 5 games (2-3 record) UAB has averaged just under 4 made 3′s on 15 attempts for 25% . ( 2 of 7 against State)
Yesterday they didn’t need them since they did so well from 2 pt. range, and it looks like Millsap basically did whatever he wanted. They are also a good rebounding team. (Plus 8 against the Pack)
Milsap is a beast. He transferred from La-Lafayette and is a 6’6″ guard who leads the team in scoring (16 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg!). Shoots less than 25% from three though.
Do you think Graves will be guarding him? I’m assuming he plays the 3. Against UAB, and Millsap in particular, some help D might be a more reasonable approach.
^Hard to say. UAB’s starting lineup goes: 5’8, 6’4, 6’4, 6’6, and 6’8, so there are going to be some interesting match-ups for both teams.
“Who gives a rip about the Curry brother? Are you for real with that, William?”
Friend of a friend very close with Jon Scheyer from high school at Glenbrook North and he tells me Scheyer often says how Seth Curry is by far the best player in their program and how he “scores at will” during practice.
^^ This is not a great film clip, view-wise, but it shows Millsap playing on the perimeter, maybe kind of floating around. The other players also appear to be pretty athletic and quick, if not tall, which is typical of a UAB team. Yeah, it is hard to say who will guard Millsap but Will may have a hard time keeping up with him.
http://videos.al.com/al/2010/03/uab_cruises_past_nc_state_in_n.html
Leslie should and he also should play a lot as should most of the healthy bodies we have, the Blazers top 3 players avg over 32 minutes a game lets run em ragged
Kieth – extra copies can be found in the UNC student store. If you can’t get them online, I’d be happy to get you a copy or two. They have all of the 2009 stuff as well if you still want it. I assume there’s a link under UNC student stores.
uncgirl50 – I guess Alabama is one thing but Birmingham isn’t the greatest location, better than Montgomery but that doesn’t say much. If you go check out the statue of Vulcan on the hills over town. It’s a dicey place for a hotel night depending on where you stay so head back out of town and get a room off the interstate. It’s a long drive but at least it’s not an ugly traffic event. Lots of pine trees, think about driving to Richmond and that stretch around the NC/VA state line, then multiply it by 20. Books on cd are a win, the Chapel Hill library has quite a few and you can always give The Cracker Barrel a shot as well since you can rent and return at any location. I wish I could go, have fun and drive safe.
[...] Tar Heel Blog and Carolina March have their recap of the game between North Carolina and Mississippi State. And [...]
“Oh my parents trust me, but they expect that since I’m attending one of the most prestigous universities in the nation, I go to class.”
How would your parents know if you missed class? Wow, college sure has changed since my days, I didn’t know that professors now call your parents if you miss a class.
Y’all should stop giving UNCgirl50 a hard time. UNCgirl, I think it’s awesome that you’re going to the game.