UNC Week in Review

UNC WEEK IN REVIEW

Game # 1 UNC @ Duke

I really hate Duke. I can’t stand them. Nothing makes me happier to see them lose. The problem is, they rarely do. So when UNC opened up as 3.5 point favorites, I was elated. Could this be the year that my boys take down the Dukies at Cameron indoor stadium? Of course not.

On the plus side I did win my special prop bet on the game. I took the over (12) on “the number of times Dickie V. refers to Ray Felton as ‘Everyone loves Raymond’ Felton”.

The game itself was not that exciting except for the last few minutes which will haunt me for years to come. 29 points in the first half, 23 turnovers and only 10 assists the whole game, former leading scorer Jawad Williams with a powerful 2 pts, 3 boards, 2 assists line and Carolina still had the ball down 1 with time on the clock. Duke teams in the past would have been up 20 at this point but the Tar Heals hung in there and kept it close with solid performances by Felton and Sean May.

The final play was perhaps the worst 18 seconds of my life. It was designed for Rashad McCants (3-13 from the floor, 1-8 from 3 pt range by the way) to come off a screen and shoot a 3 for the win. What actually happened was JJ “token white guy on Duke that everyone hates” Reddick cut off the pass from Felton, who decided to pick up his dribble on top of the key and pass to David Noel who proceeded to dribble out of bounds without getting a shot off. Duke 71, UNC 70. It was like watching the Washington Generals lose their 1200th straight to the Globetrotters. So painful, yet so expected.

Now, I am not a basketball expert and have no coaching experience, but why go for a three pointer when you are only down one point? Why set up a play for someone who is having a terrible shooting night? How can Noel (4.8 pts/game) even be on the floor at this critical point in the game? Felton was driving with ease, May was dominating down low……….you know what? I am just going to stop right now. The game is over, there is nothing I can do about it. Technically even if the game wasn’t over, I couldn’t do anything about it either but lets move on.

Couple quick questions/thoughts I had after the game.
Do you think Steve Wojciechowski slaps the floor after he hooks up with chicks? Kind of like a victory celebration? That would be hilarious if he does.
How large is Sheldon Williams forehead? Very large would be my answer.
Has there ever been a likeable white guy on Duke? Cherokee Parks was close, although I think he might have been Native American.
I think a Dick Vitale Bobble-head night would be pretty cool.


Game #2 UNC @ Uconn.

Without leading scorer Rashad Anderson, UConn didn’t really have a chance in this one. Hence, UNC was favored by a ridiculous 10-point margin, a bet that as you can see from my fictional picks of the day column, I lost. The game itself was relatively entertaining although the Heels began to dominate as the Huskies lack of depth started to show…I think I even saw Jake Voskul on the court for a few minutes. Final score, UNC 77, UConn 70.

Some good signs from Carolina in this game: Jawad Williams finally showed up for the game at one point scoring 8 straight, finishing with a game high 17. Felton stepped it up as well with 10 dimes and only 2 turnovers. David Noel hit his one and only shot of the game, proving that he is capable of actually throwing the ball towards the rim and making it.

Overall, the Heels went 1-1 but with Duke losing to Maryland Saturday, Carolina can win out and hopefully take the #1 seed for the ACC tourney. (Wake would need to lose @ Duke for this to happen).

Up this week, Virginia and Clemson at home.

Tomorrow, I will have my take on the upcoming Karl Malone/Reggie Miller retirements.