Williams' early FSU exit a hot-button issue

By Ken Medlin
Jan 17, 2012

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You have to give it to Roy Williams, he’s not boring.

Like many of you, I stared in disbelief when I saw most of the Carolina bench walking off the court 14.2 seconds early in Saturday’s loss at Florida State.

It was a sight even stranger than the Seminoles’ blowout win had been.

Williams says he meant to take his entire team off the court, ending the game a few seconds early to avoid a human wave onslaught at the buzzer.

OK, I’ll buy that. Really... Getting his team out of there without any freak injuries is a reasonable enough excuse for me.

But what I don’t get is this: How can a head coach concerned about the well-being of his players fail to make sure they were all off the court?

In truth, I suspect the PR damage from this “event” has been greater than anything else. Williams apologized to the five players he left on the court, and I imagine the UNC locker room will move on from this.

However, Williams is taking his share of abuse for the decision, and let’s face it... that comes with the territory for a high-profile coach. When you coach at a place like UNC, even the most minor of your decisions gets the microscope treatment when it comes to scrutiny.

And judging by the reaction both locally and nationally this week, this decision was not minor.

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RE: Williams' early FSU exit a hot-button issue

If you sit on the bench until the buzzer sounds, then you don't have to worry about this issue. I don't care what Roy's intentions were in regards to leaving the court early, DON'T LEAVE THE COURT EARLY!
- Posted by 4tarheels
Roy needs on have one person on his staff to whisper some things into his ear when he loses his rational thinking mode.
- Posted by Hokie 94

Roy definitely needs a handler, Hokie.

Good luck tonight! Hope the Hokies are red-hot from the 3 pt. line!

RE: Williams' early FSU exit a hot-button issue

A REAL Captain is the last one to abandon ship. What a joke!

RE: Williams' early FSU exit a hot-button issue

It's too easy to read Roy Williams when things don't go his way when they lose a game or two. Roy will not have to worry about losing his job at UNC when it comes down to winning games.

His actions on the court, his interviews, and his lack of projecting a positive stance for UNC is going to do him in one day. UNC's leadership, Rams Club, fans, and those that call some shots are getting a little tired of the way he conducts himself.

RE: Williams' early FSU exit a hot-button issue

If you sit on the bench until the buzzer sounds, then you don't have to worry about this issue. I don't care what Roy's intentions were in regards to leaving the court early, DON'T LEAVE THE COURT EARLY!
- Posted by 4tarheels

Roy needs on have one person on his staff to whisper some things into his ear when he loses his rational thinking mode.

RE: Williams' early FSU exit a hot-button issue

Hell, I think he should have left them all on the court, coaches included. Maybe a jolt from a bunch of FSU fans will finally wake them up. I don't mind losing, but losing when you have put in no effort is another story!!!

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Ken Medlin