Chemistry Critical to UNC's Success

WRALSportsFan

Chemistry Critical to UNC's Success

By Bob Holliday

Mar 19, 2008

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The selection committee has done the math and made North Carolina the No. 1 seed. It doesn't take an algebraic equation to determine the Tar Heels have as much talent and depth as any team in the country, led by Tyler Hansbrough, whose presence inside is a testament to the power of physics.

But the most important formula on this team is not math or physics - but chemistry.

"Everybody's always pulling together,” senior point guard Quentin Thomas said. “We're like a family on and off the court. Nobody ever cares who takes the big shot. The ball goes to the open man - whoever it may be."

And that chemistry has been tested repeatedly by a schedule that produced 10 games that could have gone either way. Winning games like Saturday's cliffhanger against Virginia Tech requires trust, and something more.

"You’ve got to have understanding and communication - especially on defense,” Carolina’s Danny Green said. “In that game we all looked at each other. You could tell by the look on every player's face that we all knew what time it was."

"We had to look at each other and trust that every player would give his all whether on defense or going after loose balls or rebounds,” Marcus Ginyard said. “The bonds on this team are really strong off the court and on the court."

Carolina has faced some challenges this season, especially the loss of backup point guard Bobby Frasor for the season and starting point Ty Lawson for much of the year.

"We all trust each other,” guard Wayne Ellington said. “We have had to overcome a lot of adversity this year. That helps us even more."

Tar Heel players say knowing each other well has made it easier to break the tension in the huddle during tight games.

"There were even times when we cracked jokes in the huddle,” Thomas said. “I mean we all knew the seriousness of the situation, but we have guys who say things to keep everybody calm."

And because these players get along, they know when they need to criticize a teammate, those comments won't be taken personally. As Hansbrough put it, "This team is more mature."

Most Recent Comments

"Of course the Heels will go far. It's a cakewalk for them to get to the final 4. Such an easy bracket."

Actually, most experts (which does not include you) say it is the hardest bracket or 2nd hardest bracket.

The easiest bracket? UCLA's bracket because even if dook were to survive that long, Kevin Love would crush them.

Well, well, well, if it isn't the reclusive VOR. You've made yourself quite scarce since March 8.

A little upset with the loss hey?

You were so confident you would get that regular season ACC championship, ACC tournament championship, and #1 seed in the East.

Didn't quite work out for you, did it VOR.

How's the crow with the side of humble pie?

Of course the Heels will go far. It's a cakewalk for them to get to the final 4. Such an easy bracket.

They have to fire on all cylinders to when and having all these VERY close games this year and barely getting by might come back and bite them in this tournament. They have played good this year but have really not fired on all cylinders. If they do they are explosive.

This team has won a ton of close games on the road, which obviously bodes well down the stretch in the tournament. I don't see any way that they will collapse like they did against Georgetown last year.

WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan