WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Heels' Green: 'Not everybody's clicking'

Jan 14, 2009

According to Danny Green, one of the senior leaders on North Carolina's title-favorite basketball team, the Heels may not only be frustrated about back-to-back ACC losses but with each other as well.

Green spoke to the media Tuesday afternoon, and was honest about a Heels team that appeared to be a bit off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Sunday night.

“If you’re on the same page and the chemistry is going well, things will turn out better," Green said. ”Last game, we got a little frustrated with each other a little bit. We need everybody on the same page, and I feel like not everybody is on the same page, and not everybody’s clicking.”

When asked if the team's overall chemistry was in good shape, however, Green backed off his statement a little bit.

"Definitely. I mean it’s the same team [as last year] – chemistry is fine. I think we just got too comfortable."

After this squad opened the ACC season with consecutive losses for the first time since Dean Smith roamed the Tar Heels' sideline, some UNC fans have begun to ask what's wrong with a team some had pegged to finish the season undefeated.

Green chalks up the losses to poor play on the defensive side of the ball.

"It just comes down to desire – to want to win and want to play defense," said Green, a 6-foot-6 swingman. "That’s all defense is really about, is having the will and the desire to stop somebody. If we just find that hunger again, I think we’ll be fine.”

North Carolina's next game is in Charlottesville against Virginia.

Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. Thursday night.