How far can UNC go without Lawson?
Mar 19, 2009
GREENSBORO - Ellington Street runs beside the Greensboro Coliseum, and you chuckle when you see that name.
Ellington Street. … What, no Hansbrough Way?
Wayne Ellington, when told the street outside bore his name, just laughed. No, he said, he didn’t notice that when the North Carolina bus arrived.
But Ellington played Thursday like he is ready for such honors. So did Tyler Hansbrough, of course. And Bobby Frasor, too. UNC looked sharp even without Ty Lawson in the lineup and roared to a 101-58 victory and a berth in Saturday’s second round.
Here’s the critical point – those players may need to continue to do that, because the Carolina team that played Thursday might be the Carolina team we see for a while.
Lawson’s ongoing saga with his toe could mean a harsh reality for the Tar Heels. There is no guarantee he returns. And there is no guarantee that if he returns, he is the player he once was.
Lawson hasn’t played competitive basketball since March 8. Once back, will he be in top shape, and top form?
UNC’s performance, against that backdrop, was encouraging for Tar Heel fans.
The Heels looked quick, tough and deep against an outmanned Radford team. And Frasor, a fellow senior with Hansbrough and Danny Green, played a strong floor game that included seven points, three assists and just one turnover.
“Now he’s back to being the Bobby Frasor everyone saw coming in,” Hansbrough, his roommate, said of the Frasor who played extensively as a freshman.
One pass was a reminder of that. Frasor grabbed an outlet, took a dribble and looked upcourt to Ellington. A perfect two-hand chest pass hit Ellington in stride for a layup. If you’re a casual basketball player and you make that pass at the Y, you daydream about it the rest of the day. It was effortless, exact – just beautiful.
Carolina doesn’t run as well without Lawson, of course, but the Heels rang up 101 points.
The Tar Heels should have no trouble with LSU here Saturday. But tougher games are coming soon.
“We don’t know what will happen,” Green said of Lawson’s return. “We’re doing what we’re told, trying to win.
“But the games are going to get harder, the tournament will get tougher.”
Carolina isn’t thinking now about Lawson not returning full speed. UNC players seemed perplexed when asked if they’d thought about what happens if he doesn’t return. Right now, it’s a daily, we’ll see, maybe tomorrow, let’s find out in practice sort of thing.
But days are becoming weeks and the games are becoming of greater significance. And the question soon may be, Can Carolina win this tournament without him?
I waited until the media pack had left to ask Hansbrough just that. He seemed surprised, as if that thought had never crossed his mind.
“Um … I … um … don’t know,” he said, pondering the question and then saying Carolina had showed it is a strong team even without Lawson.
But it's a question no without an answer. Lawson may return. But a tough road beckons, and soon.
The Ellingtons, Hansbroughs and Frasors may be the ones who decide how far Carolina travels.
