Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Heels Peaking

It's only Tuesday but what a week. First, Tsipras and Syriza sweep into power in Greece, and President Obama decides to protect 12 million acres in the Arctic Refuge including the coastal plain as wilderness, both on Sunday.

But of course I can't stop thinking about Monday night and Carolina's beat down of Syracuse. It was one of those games where the Heels looked terrible, at least for the first twenty minutes, with turnovers and unforced errors all over the Dean Dome.  Even 5 minutes into the second the Heels still trailed and the Orange controlled the game.

Then, all of a sudden you look up and the Heels are up 10, have scored more than 90 points against a historically tough defense, and shoot better than 60 percent in the second half and better than 55 percent for the game.

This team is starting to come together at the right time, and are looking both dangerous and intriguing at the same time.

Best of all, it's been vintage Carolina basketball.

One reason the Heels are shooting it so well is they are steadily and competently feeding the post, Dean style, for easy baskets.  Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks have been feasting inside, with Johnson making 57 percent of his shots while Meeks makes 58 percent.  

And of course it's not a coincidence that those two have benefited from the return of a more confident Marcus Paige. Paige has been good most of the season, as was Carolina.  But of late he has been great; ditto the Heels.

A Few More Thoughts

  • I've always liked Nate Britt since he was born and raised inside the Beltway.  If he plays like he did last night...man oh man!
  • He had a rough game last night, but Justin Jackson is also coming on.  After being reminded to be aggressive he had games of 17 and 16 versus Virginia Tech and FSU.
  • This week may be the true test to see if this team is peaking and worthy of the loftiest of expectations.  The Heels travel to the YUM! Center to take on the Cardinals, then return to Chapel Hill on Monday, Feb. 2nd to take on undefeated Virginia.
GO HEELS!




No comments: