UNC's winning margins impressive

By Dane Huffman
Jan 1, 2009

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You can’t help but be impressed by the torrent of points from the North Carolina men’s basketball team.

The Tar Heels are averaging 94.8 points and winning by 26.4 points per game.

Last season, Carolina averaged 88.6 points per game and won by a margin of 16.1.

UNC’s numbers should decline once conference play starts and the competition stiffens. The Tar Heels have Boston College at home on Sunday and play a huge game next Sunday at Wake Forest.

While the massive wins are impressive, there is a downside. Longtime ACC fans remember how Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski convinced his 1991 team that powerful UNLV wasn’t ready for a close game in the national semifinals – and he was right.

Duke was on the other side of that equation in 1999, when the Blue Devils relentlessly clobbered foes. The 1999 Devils won by 24.6 points per game. But Duke was just 1-2 in games decided by five points or less – and one of those losses was in the national championship game to Connecticut.

One advantage for Carolina this year is it has a veteran team that has won close games before. The Tar Heels were 7-1 last season in games decided either in overtime or by five points or less.

So you wouldn’t expect Carolina to be shaky once a close game arrives.

Still, defense will determine the Tar Heels’ ultimate fate. Carolina is quick and deep but not burly or physical. The Heels weren’t a great defensive team last year, as Boston College’s Tyrese Rice reminded them with a 46-point effort in Chestnut Hill on March 1.

UNC trailed by 18 points in the second half before rallying to win, 90-80. Coach Roy Williams was so irate he had all five starters on the bench at one point.

That game marked Ty Lawson’s return to the lineup after missing six games with a sprained left ankle, and he spent some of the game guarding Rice. This year, Lawson is a vastly better player, and he looks even faster on the floor.

His play has had a significant impact on Carolina’s offensive production.
Sunday’s game also will measure where Heels are defensively as well.

Most Recent Comments

RE: UNC's winning margins impressive

I agree with Kenny Walters that Roy Williams is a vastly better coach than Tarkanian, but is interesting that blowing teams out in college basketball can have a downside. Playing in the ACC, which really looks formidable this season, should help UNC overall. The Wake game next week in particular should be fascinating.
And Dawson, great to hear from you! Glad you are reading down there in Marietta.

Dane

RE: UNC's winning margins impressive

It seems to me that only OBD thinks that Heels are playing a soft schedule. If that were the case, I seriously doubt the media would highlight their margin of victory over their opponents. We are not playing an easy schedule and it will show this weekend against BC. We will be prepared to play and will play well all season. Going undefeated would be great. I prefer to have the biggest prize of all at the end of the season. Look out ACC. Here we come!

GO HEELS!!

RE: UNC's winning margins impressive

No doubt the Heels have an icredible team. I would love to see them go undefeated, but I can't help thinking that these guys, especially the young ones, need to feel what it's like to lose. They need to know what it feels like when you lay an egg and get beat....remember Kansas.

RE: UNC's winning margins impressive

Dane, The Tar Heels are looking quite impressive this year - very deep in talent. My big worry is streak shooter Ellington, but it appears more focus has been given to Green to light it up from downtown this year. They will need to lose 1 or 2 games this year to stay humble, but it would be great if they went undefeated & won the whole thing !!! Defense looks much better than in previous years. Great to see you at WRAL !!! Give our best to the family...Dawson

RE: UNC's winning margins impressive

"one the title" should be "won the title" obviously. For some reason, the edit function isn't working properly.

WRAL Sports Fan

Dane Huffman