More evidence

You could easily call today's home-opener win over Mississippi Valley State University "UNC-A Part II."  The main story line from the 101-76 victory was the continued evolution of John Henson.

I liked Harrison Barnes' assertiveness on his way to 18 points, seeing Tyler Zeller grab oodles of rebounds and put backs and run the floor as he always does, and Kendall Marshall had a tidy game punctuated by at least 2 spectacular fast-break passes.  We even saw Dexter Strickland hit a few jumpers as part of overall great floor game (13 points, 6 boards, 6 assists, only 2 turnovers). 

One could quibble with the missed frees and threes, but that will come, especially the free throws.

However, THE story continues to be Henson.  Like Zeller running the floor, we expect Henson to blocks lots of shots and get his share of points in transition and down low.   But so far in three games Henson has shown an incredibly new set of skills.  As he did against Michigan State and UNC-A, Henson showed off a sick turnaround jumper, baseline moves and confidence in hitting shots from 15 to 17 feet versus Jerry Rice's alma mater.

Folks might remember that Henson was projected to be a three in the NBA, and came to Carolina in part to develop that skill set. As a freshman he suffered at the 3, and late in the season was moved down low and finished strong.

Last year, Henson was exclusively a 4 and had a terrific season.  This year it may be 'back to future' for Henson as he builds confidence in shooting and playing a bit on the wing.   

All Tar Heels fans were excited about the prospect of this season, having all five starters back with a great recruiting class (McAdoo was great today on his way to 10 points, and Hairston had 8).  

Perhaps even more exciting is watching Henson develop into a 75 (3/4, get it?) and into an even more elite player than we expected.  GO HEELS!

Extra Points

Like Henson's turnaround jumper, it seems clear that Carolina football is one year away.  Thursday's loss to Virginia Tech, in honestly a game Carolina should have won, was both tough to take and cause for optimism. 

Tough to take in that other than our inability to consistently stop Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas, Carolina outplayed Tech. If we had been able to suit up a Barth - any Barth - to kick field goals (or not fumble on our 5 yard line) we probably pull out an impressive road win.  

It was great to see Carolina fight back on the road against a top ten team.

But the significant optimism centers around our backs, quarter and half.  Bryn Renner is going to be a monster next year.  He's developing more and more poise each game to go along with an impressive arm and plus legs.   

And speaking of legs, though he only played a half Gio Bernard is as impressive as Renner.  Those two could lead us to the promised land: beating NC State and perhaps making it to the ACC championship game. Our offensive and defensive lines will need to be rebuilt - lots of seniors on both - but with Renner and Bernard (and a Barth?) the future looks bright for the football Heels.

Finally, speaking of the future I'd bring back Everett Withers as coach next season. The stability would be nice, but more importantly he's handled a very difficult situation with aplomb and the Heels are playing hard and smart.  New athletic director Bubba Cunningham will likely want to bring in his own guy as head coach, but I think Withers deserves to have 'interim' taken out of his title

The Return of Carolina

Last night's scintillating win over Miami - in Coral Gables - could finally be the start of something big for the 2011 Tar Heels.

Not only did the Heels make some big, huge plays down late, Carolina-style plays like Henson's hook,  Barnes' two clutch shots, Marshall's pass, and Zeller's defense and key rebounds. 

But I'm talking about that confident, 'we're going to win this game' sensation that Heels from Dean to Barnes have felt, as have most Carolina fans. 

I felt that last night, even when the Heels fell behind 28 to 14 and even when our power went out with 8 minutes left.  [I followed the rest of the game via Twitter and ESPN game cast on my phone, but mainly via Joey 'Texting Like Woody' Pillow, who provided excellent play by play via text down the stretch. I finally watched the rest of the game this morning via ESPN3.]

That feeling is one of the things that define Carolina basketball.  And to say the least we didn't have it last year, and it's been fleeting this campaign.  For instance, I felt it at half time of the Georgia Tech game, and we know how THAT turned out.

But last night may be different. The Tar Heels had to make play after play to win, and they did. You need skill to make those plays, but you also need that Carolina confidence, that 'we're going to win' mentality.   And it may finally be here to stay.

A great win over a team that shot lights out at home, a win that gives us the same number of ACC road wins - two - as we had all of last year, and one that makes us 4-1 in the conference.  As perplexing as this team has been Carolina is on track to win 10 or 11 ACC games, and team that is getting that Carolina confidence back.

GO HEELS!

Some More Caro-Lines

• Harrison Barnes has certainly had his ups and downs but he saves his ups for key moments, that's for sure. Roy keeps urging him to lose himself in the game, and the shots he made last night are evidence when Barnes does that he excels.  The big shots last night were reactive, basketball plays that good hoopsters make. His biggest problem has been thinking too much, but when he doesn't do that Barnes looks like the big-time talent we expected.  The three was big, but that step-back two was breathtaking, and I jumped out of my seat when I finally watched it this morning.
• Roy also said that more amazing than Barnes' shot was Marshall's pass, and it's hard to argue.  It was another instinctive play, the kind made by talented and confident players.
• After a lackluster first half Zeller really impressed me late with his rebounding, his shot to tie it up late, and his great defense down low.  He's as guilty as Drew and others for some of the recent slow starts this team has had of late, but I'm glad he showed up.
• I can't believe I didn't mention Reggie Bullock until the fourth bullet! It was fantastic to see his confident play carry over from the Clemson game.  He didn't go off for 16 first half points like he did versus the Tigers but he made play after play last night, especially late in the first half when his scoring and rebounding helped the Heels make up a 14-point deficit to tie the score at half.
• Dexter Strickland was the other key player in Carolina's first half run. He was aggressive and smart with the ball on his way to 12 first-half points.  It was his first good ACC game of the season.  While he didn't score in the second half Strickland played some nice D.
• John Henson wasn't as active as in previous games, but he did have a few blocks and helped fuel the first half surge.  And like Barnes, his hook shot late was clutch and confident.   
• How great is it to get contributions from so many players, and I haven't even mentioned quality play from McDonald - who came back after missing a game to make 2 three pointers - Knox who also had some nice moments, and Larry Drew who looks great coming off the bench, finally going to the hoop and initiating the offense instead of dribbling dribbling dribbling . . .
• One negative note to last night's game: how in the wide, wide world of sports can the Hurricanes fail to have a sell out with Carolina in town? Some local celebs - Tim Hardaway, Desmond Howard, the Saints Jimmy Graham - realized that when Carolina comes to town you go to the game.  But the Canes couldn't even sell 8,000 tickets to their on-campus facility for one of the most - or THE most - storied college basketball program of all time?  
• Actually, forget it was Carolina - every ACC team should sell out their conference games.  Miami sports fans are lame: the Hurricanes football team rarely sell out their games unless FSU or Florida are in town; no one goes to Marlins games; the Heat draw now but even when Shaq was in town didn't sell out night after night; even the Dolphins play in front of a few empty seats every Sunday.  But how can you NOT sell a measly 8,000 tickets with Carolina in town?
• The lousy hoops attendance in Miami and Boston College is more proof that ACC expansion was a mistake.  The exception is Virginia Tech, a natural rival for Virginia that is geographically an ACC team AND boasts great (at least passionate) fans.  But the conference has not benefited from having BC and the U as members.