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

North Carolina

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

By Jason Jennings

Nov 19, 2009

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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.

Most Recent Comments

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

That is one tough OCC schedule! If Carolina can win 3 of those games... they will win the ACC regular season and make at least the elite 8. If they win two of those games, which is very possible, they will contend for the ACC and make it deep in the NCAA tourney. OCC schedules like UNCs only helps the players gell, especially in the early part of the season. I wish NCSU would get some OCC schedules like this.

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

You mean the same Sean May that was on the 2005 National Championship team?
- Posted by Brad Newman

You mean the same MVP Sean "Twinkie" May that was a BUST for the BOBCATS?

Where is he playing now?

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

Jesus, didnt they write the same exact story 6 hours earlier??? Is this some kind of joke WRAL or you guys really just this bad?? Between the N&O and WRAL i dont know which one is the more UNC bias media outlet. What a joke.
- Posted by jelovichmichael
Carolina has a difficult schedule but this is good, playing cupcakes at home doesn't improve your team. It's time for reality and if a team is going to be ranked, it has to earn it. I'm sure there's a lot of Duke fans waiting for Carolina to lose tonight. If we do, then we will take the heat.
- Posted by tarheelbasketballfan

I don't think you'll lose this one, but make sure you stay true
to those words... ;-)

Good Luck!!

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

Carolina has to play 9 of the top 5 teams in the next 6 games, including two of the top 9 at one time. Wow! They are that good!!
- Posted by EyesintheSkies

They will win 12 of them!

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

Carolina has to play 9 of the top 5 teams in the next 6 games, including two of the top 9 at one time. Wow! They are that good!!

WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina