UNC Now a Depressing #8

Sunday in snowy College Park was a shoot-fest between UNC and the Maryland Terrapins. The game would be won by the team with the most defensive desire...(like the fairy tail race, the tortoise won but the hare was more rested!) After a 28 hour shift, a 2 hour nap, and while drinking coffee from a yellow pocca-dot cup, Tarheel88 contemplated starting some high dose Prozac. Like sand through an hourglass, the Heels let a 10 point lead slip through their fingers. Give credit to Gary Williams and his team, especially senior DJ Strawberry....never give up and there's always a chance. Now for Tarheel88's ideas on reviving some Tarheel energy: Roy should remove the rims from the Dean Dome goals and have defensive only practice. And I mean, long, long practices where each player is broken down and then rebuilt like bootcamp. Then, more foul shooting practice...instead of having everyone make 8 out of 10 before leaving, up it to 18 out of 20....come on guys! We have the heart, desire, and the talent to be National Champions....& Tarheel 88 still has hope! We will redeem ourselves by out-performing & becoming ACC Champions in 13 days....& the count down to the UNC will beat Duke again party....Sunday at 1 pm PST. Up next at Georgia Tech on Thursday...Go Heels!

The Ram Squeezes the Wolf's Neck

Wednesday night came and the Wolfpack came to our house...the Rockin' Dean Dome. Tarheel88 was at an engagement until half-time. I saw the score 41-40 and I thought we were in for a fight--Ali-style! But when the Heels took the floor, there was no looking back. The Pack had tired legs and a sick coach (best wishes to Sidney Lowe, the bearer of all red jackets!). And the rebounding festivities began! Even Roy said he was proud of the team without giving even a little constructive criticism after the praises. YIPPEE, UNC reigns as #1 in ACC!! Up next is Sunday's trip to Maryland. Only 39 days until the National Championship Game!!!!

Reyshawn's My Man

Chestnull Hill was rocking and BC's Dudley & Rice wanted Tarheel heads to roll...but it wasn't to be! Intensity was the key, as the Heels and BC went head to head for #1 spot in the ACC rankings. Silent, but deadly, Reyshawn Terry, the only starting senior, performed brilliantly offensively...Congrats! Mr Tarheel tried to get a great picture but only part of my head is in this picture. Imagine me clapping & screaming for each tri-vector and free throw....even Tucker had trouble sleeping through this one. So Tarheels are #1 in the ACC! When tomorrow's rankings come out, I predict a new #1 Wisconsin...since Florida lost to those Vandy Commodores...too bad, even Goliath has a vulnerable spot...Get ready for NC State in our house on Wednesday night. The madness is intensifying...Hurry up March, hurry up...

Roy Blames Himself

I'm sure you've heard by now, the Hokies came out ahead, again, this time in Dean's Dome. How depressing! It took me 3 days plus all afternoon to watch it, interrupted by a hacking cough, Theraflu, and 2 naps. I saw a crack in Roy's foundation of Substitution 101, it's difficult to keep the rhythm going with so many changes in players. How much depth is right? Only 10 hours to our match-up with Boston College on our first visit to Chestnut Hill. Here's the game guide: http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/021707aab.html Hopefully, Brandan Wright's shoulder it better, we need him to play. BC is #1 in ACC play, a win is essential...I know Roy's boys are up for it! Go Heels!

Another One Bites the Dust

What a wonderful weekend...starting out with a nice 25 hour work day, then another nice UNC blowout (http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/), then a sunny northwest Sunday afternoon, and now, I know you can't hear, but in the background is the sweet, sweet sound of Dook losing to Maryland! 4 in a row! I can't wait to see them drop down, down, down in the rankings tomorrow. UNC may (hopefully) move up 1 notch or stay the same...we'll see. During Saturday's half-time show, they honored the 25 year anniversary of the 1982 National Championship team. When they announced Coach Dean Smith as the best college basketball coach of all time, Michael Jordan kissed him on the head. Tarheel88 got choked up...I just love that man, my adopted Grandpa! First up this week on Tuesday, is Va Tech at home on Tuesday. WE MUST AVENGE OUR LOSS! Tarheel88 predicts we win by 20 and watch some Hokie tails go between their legs!

No other words are needed...UNC beats Dook!

Roy's Enthusiasm

Good morning all you Heels fans, all the ones who slept like a baby, with smiles on your faces. I hope you didn't go to the gym yesterday b/c your heart rate had to be in the aerobic target zone last night until the end of the 2nd half! Tarheel88 had a wonderful day watching the end of the 04 and 95 UNC/Dook games on ESPN classic. After watching the 04 team lose in overtime in the morning, I knew we won the 95 game, b/c ESPN has a reputation of fairness to uphold. I got to see Dean Smith himself coaching Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace win in 2OT! Then, the live game at 6pm PST....the Cameron crazies were out in full force, Coach K was himself and didn't show any teeth the entire night. It was a slow start, those dirty little devils showed sparks of brilliance. The Heels were a little slow out of the gate (remember the tortoise won), stoic was the main emotion. But Lawson, Hansbrough, Wright, & Ellington went to work and in the end, reigned victorous! So now Duke has lost 3 in a row, the first time since yada yada year...I will just be smiling on Monday when the new polls come out and they drop out of the top 25! Roy has a unique way he enthusiastically motivates his team with emotion, as you can see in the picture. I hope his cardiologist recreates these conditions to see what exactly his blood pressure is during a game! Coming up next Wake at home on Sat...!

Tonight's Hype..by Sportz Assassin

UNC-Duke: The Matchups
Posted Feb 7th 2007 6:06AM by Sportz Assassin Here are the matchups for tonight's North Carolina-Duke game. Instead of the normal positional battles...below is more of a sectional battle. Starters names are in italics:
BACKCOURT
UNC: Tywon Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Marcus Ginyard, Bobby Frasor, Wes Miller, Quentin ThomasDUKE: DeMarcus Nelson, Greg Paulus, Jon Scheyer, Martynas Pocius
The key here will be Duke's ability to slow down the speed in the Heels' backcourt. This will be a great match-up as Duke has always prided themselves with the defensive guards and they will get a work out with this Heels team. They are deep in the backcourt and have a variety of guys they can bring in. Despite being freshmen, Lawson and Ellington don't turn the ball over as much as you'd think. They should in this one since Duke really pressures the ballhandlers. Lawson is finding his offensive legs while Ellington has become one of the better perimeter players in the ACC. Ginyard [defense], Frasor [intelligence], Miller [range] and Thomas [speed/passing] bring different aspects when they get into the game. For Duke, the big thing will be how Paulus performs. Paulus can look great at times...while looking lost at others. Nelson should keep in the tradition of experienced off guards who tend to torch the Heels when they get their chance. UNC doesn't guard the three-point shot that well, so Scheyer could really become a Duke X-factor.
WINGS
UNC: Reyshawn Terry, Danny GreenDUKE: Gerald Henderson, David McClure
Henderson has just recently broken into the starting lineup for the Devils. He is very athletic and has gotten into the lineup by picking up his defensive effort. Terry is a tough pickup for most small forwards. Terry is also athletic, has great range and has that senior experience that helps in games like this. He's 6'9 and one of Carolina's best rebounders. However, this season Terry seems to be on his own program at times and can play himself out of games. Green and McClure are good intangible guys for both teams. Both are very good defenders but Green is a bigger scoring threat.
FRONTCOURT
UNC: Tyler Hansbrough, Brandan Wright, Deon Thompson, Alex StephensonDUKE: Josh McRoberts, Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek
The premiere matchup is here. Entering 2005, Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts were the top names that entered the college ranks. Last year, Psycho T was the focal point of UNC while McRoberts was more of a role player. This year, Hansbrough doesn't have to have outstanding games for North Carolina to win...while Duke needs McRoberts to play well to have success. Both are tireless on the boards and are willing to bang inside. Tyler is more physical while Josh is more athletic. The difference here is Brandan Wright, one of the ACC's top freshmen. Wright, at times, turns into Carolina's best player. He's tall, lanky, has long arms and very athletic which means there will be two guys in Carolina blue fighting on the boards, and Wright is a solid shotblocker. The key will be if Thomas can make a difference inside. Last year, Hansbrough did well against an experienced defensive guru Sheldon Williams. Can Thomas hold his own and contribute? And don't underestimate the contributions of Thompson for the Heels.
INTANGIBLES
Well, both teams are coming off tough losses. UNC lost at NC State in which they were outplayed and outclassed. No doubt that Roy Williams has this team focused for this one. Duke has lost two straight, including Sunday's home game with Florida State. At times, Duke looks like they can be the Duke we all know and love/hate. Other times, Duke becomes befuddled and struggles the find points. Both teams can bring the defense...but Duke does a much better job doing it all the time. It also will be interesting to see how Carolina's freshmen hold up to the Cameron Crazies. Last year's freshmen crop did a solid job. One clear advantage for UNC is their depth. The Heels will keep moving people in and out of the game to keep their guys fresh in that hot, steamy, tense atmosphere. Needless to say, the coaches have been in some big games before.
STYLE
UNC wants to push it. Duke wants to work it. Whomever gets to impose their will gets a big advantage. Normally in games that pit high scoring teams against low scoring teams, the low scorers want to slow the game down and limit the amount of possessions. Look for Duke to do that. That could end up being advantageous for a variety of reasons. One, it will keep UNC from running them out of the gym. Two, it should frustrate the Heels enough for them to force up quick shots which, at times, kills Carolina. And when UNC has bad nights on the offensive end, their defense suffers. A problem for Duke is that they turn the ball over waaaay too much...which plays into the runnin' Heels hands.
HOW I FIGURE IT WILL PLAY OUT
Duke will open up with a furor. The emotion will be there as they really, really need this win. The Heels will [they better] stuff that opening run and work their way back into the game. For the rest of the first half, both coaches will work their benches, subbing liberally until halftime. At the half, the game will be within 4 points [either team could be leading]. Second half rolls out. They key will be who imposes their will. I think UNC will find places in the Duke defense they can exploit. Both schools are nice 2nd half teams so they will take it to war for a while. But UNC pulls away as their fresh legs finally allow them the run a bit and get some easy baskets. Duke furiously closes the gap within the final two minutes...setting up a great finish. The Heels interior presence of Hansbrough and Wright come alive, get to the line, and salt the game away. The verdict? North Carolina 75-Duke 70

Not Hungry Like a Wolf

Well, fans...Saturday wasn't as upbeat as I'd planned. The Heels went to Raleigh to the NC State Wolfpack house and walked out with long faces and heads held down. No teeth were showing. Roy took his glasses on and off more than usual. Let me explain....Roy wears what looks to be reading glasses. When he is especially frustrated with a play, a player, or how things are going....he takes his glasses off and puts them down, demonstratively. Then Tarheel88 screams to Mr. Tarheel, "He's taking his glasses off!" It's a sure sign of trouble! The Wolfpack were hungry like a wolf (in keeping with song lyrics, this one from Duran Duran from 1980's...I love the 80's). There were sparks of brillance....Ty's downtown 3's, Tyler's derriere pushing Pack players out of the way, Brandan's consistency as a skinny giant. Before the Heels could get a fire going, the Pack doused us with water.....we tried, but didn't overcome their belief that they could beat the Heels. What does that mean to the #1 fan? Their were no tears, no sadness, the day wasn't ruined. Their still #1 in my heart, being the #1 fan. Don't focus on the negatives, b/c in 4 days, we are going to Krzyzewskiville to take on Dook! Now looking back, having a loss does do something for motivation and being properly motivated to take on Dook is absolutely necessary. Everyone who knows me, would never say that I hate NC State. But if asked, what would everyone say that Tarheel88 hates? It would be those dirty little devils with their rabbit impersonating coach! Doesn't Mike look like a little rabbit when he's mad? Shake it off Heels and get ready to beat Dook in their house on Wednesday night! Now for your trival pursuit question: How did Duran Duran get their name? How did Duran Duran get their name?The band took their name from Roger Vadim's 1960's cult sci-fi classic film "Barbarella," starring Jane Fonda. There was a character played by Milo O'Shea called Duran Duran.