By all accounts it was another fun night of player skits and Roy Williams dancing. It was also the first look fans had at Harrison Barnes, Reggie Bullock, Kendall Marshall and Justin Knox. According to ACC Now, they did not disappoint:
Harrison Barnes scored 13 (unofficial) points to lead the "White" team and Reggie Bullock buried a game-tying three-pointer for "Blue" with 16 seconds left to finish the 20-minute exhibition in a 31-31 deadlock.
Sophomore Dexter Strickland led all scorers with 16 points for the Blue team, and junior Tyler Zeller added eight points for "White." But all eyes were on the rookies – plus graduate student transfer Knox -- who will be key to the Tar Heels’ attempt to bounce back from last season’s disappointing 20-17 finish.
"They all went out, they played great,’’ Zeller said. "Harrison scored a ton, then Reggie hit a big shot, Kendall [Marshall] played composed. They all played well, and stayed within what they can do.
Kendall Marshall was "composed" which is Tyelr Zeller's way of saying "he did not completely fall apart due to nerves." I know the message boards love to pick apart the stats from a scrimmage like this but there is little of value here. Barnes did what we all assumed he would for his team. Dexter Strickland putting up 16 is a bit of a surprise. Not having seen the scrimmage it's tough to extrapolate anything from a contest that was more likely a pickup game than anything else.
Real practice starts today.
Opening tipoff in 27 days.