Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
I have never denied that State is a rival of Carolina, though I have lamented the extended decline in competitiveness, particularly in basketball, and the subsequent decline in the intensity of the rivalry relative to the one with Duke. At least for this year, the decline has been reversed. Now if Wake can recover, maybe we can reestablish Tobacco Road.
Saturday's game was pretty intense, the DD humid and muggy. State seemed to have a slight edge at the beginning of each half, particularly the first, but their short bench hurt them later. Howell had as many RBs as UNC the first half. Almost no fouls on either team meant nothing available inside for UNC, but also let Carolina harass dribble, punch out ball when pass being caught, etc. Both teams were aggressive setting and fighting through screens. Not many wide open threes for either team. Had to shoot quickly. In second half, Gott complained a lot about no-calls, refs seemed to start calling a few more on both teams, might have been slightly to UNC's advantage as now allowed more drives to the middle.
When the State players were introduced, some people booed. Dean would have stopped them. The great majority of us still followed Dean's lead. We save the boos for bad calls or flagrant fouls. On the other hand, during the TO after UNC made its first run, they showed Gio's punt return and the DD went wild. That was rather in your face. You could see the State players watching it, hard not to. Don't know if they mentioned this on the TV or radio coverage.
Finally, I don't understand Gott during TOs. A couple of times he didn't really speak to the players, spoke to a ref and then stood in a separate circle with his clipboard guys out near the FT line. Just seemed strange.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
I've always considered State a rival, regardless of the records, or which team "owned" the other team in recent history. The first half reminded me of Duke/Carolina games - run and gun - intense, ties and lead changes, very exciting.
I was/am really impressed with how well Carolina played. Paige was so much better than he was in the first game against State, and the new "small ball" lineup has had big results. A lot of people are blaming "CJ", and while he definitely hurt State, the loss isn't entirely on the guy wearing #5 for State.
Gott didn't seem to make any adjustments during the game. I've seen Roy do the same, but the coaches must have reasons for their actions/inactions during games. Roy did take a big gamble when he benched four starters to send a message (message received!).
I think the media is making too much of this game, but that's what they do. This game wasnt' so much State and Carolina going in opposite directions; rather, it's a case of one team growing up and getting better, and the other team having a key player who didn't show up, and not playing up to their level of talent. Winning on the road seems tougher this season than it has in the past.
I hope Carolina continues to play well because they have a tough road ahead in the remaining games of the regular season.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
The short lineup seems really strange for a Carolina team. We are so used to pounding it inside. But it is mostly working. It really requires a lot of hustle on defense to deny the pass, a lot of fronting with weak side help, a lot of awareness by each player, a lot of teamwork. I think getting the D to that level to make up for the height loss was why it took that long before Roy started Hairston.
The Carolina defense seemed to frustrate CJL, and he doesn't play well when that happens. You see him pushing away a teammate trying to talk to him or whining about a no call. Small lineup made it hard for CJL to keep up on defense, was getting run hard and left out of position.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
^^^^
I think it took time, but Roy has done a terrific job coaching this team. A speedy point guard and at least one post player have been the cornerstones of Carolina teams, and they don't have either this year, but Roy found a way to make it work.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
Roy was not going to let his normal system cause a repeat of 2010. It was obvious something needed to change, and the result makes for a real possibility of UNC winning their last 4 games with a 3-1 result most likely.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
Roy was not going to let his normal system cause a repeat of 2010. It was obvious something needed to change, and the result makes for a real possibility of UNC winning their last 4 games with a 3-1 result most likely.
- Posted by DooksucksV3
1 loss in the final 4 games? To who?
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
Roy was not going to let his normal system cause a repeat of 2010. It was obvious something needed to change, and the result makes for a real possibility of UNC winning their last 4 games with a 3-1 result most likely.
- Posted by DooksucksV3
1 loss in the final 4 games? To who?
i think our toughest game will be md.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
Roy was not going to let his normal system cause a repeat of 2010. It was obvious something needed to change, and the result makes for a real possibility of UNC winning their last 4 games with a 3-1 result most likely.
- Posted by DooksucksV3
1 loss in the final 4 games? To who?
i think our toughest game will be md.
UNC beat them already. At one point, the score was 44-21.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
Roy was not going to let his normal system cause a repeat of 2010. It was obvious something needed to change, and the result makes for a real possibility of UNC winning their last 4 games with a 3-1 result most likely.
- Posted by DooksucksV3
1 loss in the final 4 games? To who?
i think our toughest game will be md.
Yep. They want revenge for Chapel Hill and have the ability to play well at home.
Just ask Dook.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
Roy was not going to let his normal system cause a repeat of 2010. It was obvious something needed to change, and the result makes for a real possibility of UNC winning their last 4 games with a 3-1 result most likely.
- Posted by DooksucksV3
1 loss in the final 4 games? To who?
i think our toughest game will be md.
UNC beat them already. At one point, the score was 44-21.
That was in CH. The terps are tough at home. I expect that to be tough, and so will Clemson in LittleJohn. Road kills.
RE: Some thoughts on State - Carolina game
Roy was not going to let his normal system cause a repeat of 2010. It was obvious something needed to change, and the result makes for a real possibility of UNC winning their last 4 games with a 3-1 result most likely.
- Posted by DooksucksV3
1 loss in the final 4 games? To who?
i think our toughest game will be md.
UNC beat them already. At one point, the score was 44-21.
What possible relevance does that have to the game in Maryland?
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