Offensive execution an issue for UNC in Maryland loss

North Carolina

Offensive execution an issue for UNC in Maryland loss

By Greg Barnes, InsideCarolina.com

Feb 28, 2009

comments

Chapel Hill, N.C. — For the third time in as many losses this season, No. 4 North Carolina’s defense took the brunt of the criticism following last Saturday’s collapse at Maryland. But could it be that the Tar Heels’ offensive execution is equally as guilty?

It’s easy to lay the blame at the feet of UNC’s defense. After all, once North Carolina shot out to a 16-point lead with nearly 15 minutes left to play in regulation, Maryland blitzed its opponent to the tune of 68.0 percent shooting (17-of-25, 9-of-16 on 3-pointers) down the stretch.

But after Wayne Ellington connected on a layup with 1:54 left in regulation to put the Tar Heels up nine points – solid defense or not – the outcome was all but sewn up, right?

Wrong.

During a late game timeout, UNC head coach Roy Williams informed his players that they were battling two opponents – Maryland and the game clock. Run out the latter, and the former runs out of chances. But the raucous crowd at the Comcast Center must have drowned out the head coach’s pleas.

“We had a turnover in the backcourt with less than four seconds gone on the shot clock,” Williams told reporters during Friday’s press conference. “We had a missed layup with less than seven seconds gone on the shot clock, [and] we had a turnover – which was a charge – with less than seven seconds gone on the shot clock. If we had three shot clock violations on those three possessions, we win the game.”

But Saturday’s loss is only the latest chapter in a recent struggle for the offense in late-game situations. It was easy for fans and the media to focus on the offensive explosions by Boston College’s Tyrese Rice (25 points) and Wake Forest’s Jeff Teague (34 points) in North Carolina’s early ACC losses, but Williams has consistently pointed to his team’s inability to score down the stretch in those contests as the determining factor.

“I think we shot 26 percent in one half and 28 percent in the other second half of those two games,” Williams said last month. “We didn’t defend well, we didn’t rebound well, but the one thing that sticks out is how poorly we shot the ball.”

In all, North Carolina has shot 31.1 percent (37-of-119) from the floor after halftime in its three losses this season.

“I feel like we tend to get a little stagnant and stand around a little bit too much, instead of helping each other get open [and] helping each other get easier shots,” Ellington said when asked about the offense’s execution in crunch time.

Winning has a way of painting over the ugly parts of a performance, and Ty Lawson has wielded an artist’s brush in three of the last four outings. With the Tar Heels trailing 52-44 at Duke on Feb. 11, the junior point guard delivered 21 of his 25 points in lifting his teammates to victory. Four days later in Coral Gables, Lawson continued that trend, scoring 17 of his 21 points after halftime, which included UNC’s final 11 points.

After both wins, the Clinton, Md. product indicated that he started looking for his shot more when the offense was struggling. Unfortunately for North Carolina, the third time wasn’t a charm, however, as Lawson did everything he could at Maryland – attempting a career-high 20 field goals – but in the end, he was unable to carry his teammates across the finish line in victory.

“I don’t know if we’ve become timid or tentative – that’s kind of a strong word – but we’re definitely looking to Ty to make a play because we’ve seen him do it,” Bobby Frasor said on Friday. “His ability to blow by his man or get somebody else open is such an easy thing to do, that we almost say, ‘Okay, Ty, go make a play.’ We really need to get back into executing what we want. When Coach Williams calls a set, execute it perfectly and score that way, where it’s easier for everyone to get involved, rather than Ty having to expend all of his energy making a play for us to get a basket.”

If you’re an eternal optimist, you might agree with North Carolina’s head coach in breaking down the three losses.

“The good thing is that it’s been a little bit of both,” Williams said. “We might be able to survive just stinking it up on the offensive end or survive just stinking it up on the defensive end. In the three losses, we’ve had to do both things.”

But if you’re looking at the situation from the glass-half-empty side of the equation, it’s hard not to be concerned about two lingering variables – defense and late-game offensive efficiency – as the Tar Heels prepare for March Madness.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Offensive execution an issue for UNC in Maryland loss

interesting that the players notice, and comment on, the same things that seem to stand out most. There seems to be a lot of standing around and watching on defense, as well as on offense. It's seems that everyone is waiting for someone else to make a play. And Frazor's comment on being timid, or tentative, also seems spot on, especially for himself. Has he lost all confidence in his shot? How many open looks has he pump faked instead of turning the ball loose? I believe that this team is incredibly talented, but it needs to boost its confidence as a team, and its team play.

UNC D..

....will probably look pretty good today. GT offense has a way of making opponents D look good. But this will be a good opportunity to work on whatever it is they need to work on. This is a glorified practice session, much like Duke had with SJU. And Duke used it wisely to get Elliot Williams time and they have really played well since. Not as easy to work on things against ACC foes, but GT just isn't very good, and has little chance of beating UNC under any circumstance. You cannot simulate game play in practice.

RE: Offensive execution an issue for UNC in Maryland loss

I don't think they are really trying hard enough to stop the ball. They stand around on defense and watch people drive to the basket, instead of stepping in for a charge or at least redirecting the drive. The solution is simple. Rotate. Don't let the opposing point guard dictate play, make him do what you want him to. I am anxious to see how they play against GT's point guards today. They are running out of time to fix the problems they have been dealing with all year.

RE: Offensive execution an issue for UNC in Maryland loss

they play GT, we play VT today.

but anyways...it may be a little bit of both finishing games offensively and subpar defense but i think it is mainly one particular part of their defense. what do Vazquez, Teague, McClinton, and Rice all have in common? they're the primary ball handler and scorer for their team. unc is just having trouble stopping good ball handlers who can score. if they can just work on that then they will be a lot better.

RE: Offensive execution an issue for UNC in Maryland loss

They won't have any problem with today's walk-through with VT.

WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina