WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Carolina can't be 'fat and happy' with schedule it faces

By Jason Jennings

Nov 19, 2009

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Make no mistake. Roy Williams did not like the Tar Heels' effort in a win over Valparaiso Sunday.

"We were fat and happy. There's no question," Williams said Wednesday.

"Everybody's sort of just going through the motions. 'Let's get this game over with, get in the locker room and get out before Coach gets here.'"

And that won't cut it considering Carolina's upcoming schedule starting with this week's Coaches vs. Cancer tournament.

The Heels play Ohio State Thursday night, could face 13th-ranked California Friday and then play three teams currently ranked in the top 5 within the next month. Carolina has games coming up against No. 2 Michigan State (Dec. 1), at No. 4 Kentucky (Dec. 5) and against No. 3 Texas in Dallas Dec. 19.

That's five ranked opponents in the next eight games.

"Playing that one with perhaps such an inexperienced team was not the wisest thing to do," Williams said.

"We can gain a great deal of confidence. We can lose a great deal of confidence.

"We can play a heck of a lot better and still not win. Last year, I said, 'If we play well, we're going to win.' I didn't care who we played. This team is not in that position right now."

If the Heels lose some games early, Williams reminds everyone there's still plenty of time to recover, like last year's team did after consecutive ACC losses in January.

"If we happen to play great in all of them, I'll say the same thing. It's early in the season and it's not that big a deal."

Williams says because of fewer preseason practices, he's still learning about this year's team.

For example - who will be the new go-to scorers?

Considering the quality of opponents, Williams’ questions could have answers soon.