Real Carolina Basketball

After playing a string of lackluster opponents, wins against Appalachian State and Nicholls State that didn't even merit a blog post, the Heels took on - and dismantled - a legitimate basketball team tonight in Rick Barnes' Texas Longhorns.

It was great to see the Heels rise to the occasion and blow out the Longhorns - and Barnes.  I know Dean would not approve, but I really like taking it to the Hickory native who was rude enough to get in Coach Smith's face a few times when he coached at Clemson.  Of course, Carolina was on an 0 for 4 streak against Texas, so simply breaking that streak was good.

What made it great was how the Heels did it.  

One, Harrison Barnes broke out of mini-slump, one that may have been brought on by being less than focused against those lesser opponents - though that's not excuse.  Tonight he looked like an All-American, making shots from all over the floor (on 9 for 15 shooting), putting the ball on the floor, rebounding, and Barnes also dished out a nice assist to Henson, on his way to a 25 and 10 double double.

Two, despite a few lapses the Heels were solid on defense, holding Texas to 35 percent (both for 2 and 3-point shots) and out rebounding the Longhorns 49 to 34.  

Three, as any Carolina fan knows when the Heels defend and rebound that translates into fast break points - in bunches.  North Carolina used two such bursts, once in the first half when Texas had cut the lead to 8 at 24-16 and again early in the second half to basically salt the game away with about 15 minutes to play.

Finally, getting fast break points was not the only Carolina trademark on display tonight.   The Heels repeatedly pounded the ball inside, either from passes from Kendall Marshall or Jon Henson, or thanks to drives by Barnes, or some freak nasty drives and dunks by Dexter Strickland,* Henson, Barnes and P.J. Hairston.* 

It was an impressive win against an above average opponent.  We saw Carolina rise to the occasion, offensively thanks to Barnes, defensively and on the boards as a team.  As a result, Carolina blew Texas tonight.

GO HEELS!

Though the last few games before the tilt against Texas were not blog worthy, there was one development worth mentioning. This stretch of home games has seen ol' Roy use the vintage Dean Smith half court run and jump defense.  Do yourselves a favor and check out this video of Dean talking about it.

Like getting the ball down low and running - even on a made basket - the run and jump is a central part of Carolina basketball.  It's use in the last decade or so has waxed and waned, but this year Roy seems to be reemphasizing it.

There could be two reasons, one cynical and one practical.  Cynically, the run and jump may be a way to hide Marshall's defensive deficiencies.  Carolina's point guard has to disrupt the other teams offense by pressuring their point guard, something Marshall sometimes struggles to do.  The run and jump should help Marshall.

But practically speaking, Roy us probably utilizing the run and jump because he has the personnel to do so.  Outside of Marshall, Carolina's starters are all rangy and athletic, as are key reserves Bullock and Hairston. This team is made for the run and jump. It's a very effective weapon.  Besides, as Dean says in that video it's a fun defense.  Dean was talking about fun for the players, but it's also fun for Carolina fans, too.

*Extra freak nasty

Tough Out Tomorrow For Heels

To say it is dumping outside is an understatement.  The amount of snow is incredible, and it looks like we will get almost 2 feet.  The weather, plus a backlog, gives me a chance to catch up on some blogging.

Tar Heels

Today's Carolina game at Texas will be an interesting one to watch as the Heels take on yet another top 10 team, this time on the road in front of a Final Four-sized crowd at Cowboy Stadium.


Texas is a semi-legit Final Four team, the semi being the coaching of Rick Barnes.  Barnes is the Gerald Henderson of coaches, a light-weight who picked fights with Dean Smith when he coached at Clemson.  He's an excellent recruiter, but Barnes has only taken one team to a Final Four.


But my main cause of concern is not the talent of Texas, but that this is Carolina's first game in a week following final exams.  The Heels will likely be rusty after the layoff - both physical and mental - especially early in the game.  Of course, that doubles my concern as in each of Carolina's losses this year the team got off to a slow start.


So watch to see how the Heels fair early.  If Drew successfully navigates the first ten minutes, and get Deon and Davis lots of good touches early the Heels should be okay.  The worst that could happen is we get a little impatient and start jacking up threes.  


NBA Update


Last week I posted a new poll on the NBA.   And the response was unanimous; 100 percent of CHB blog readers care about the NBA.   The bad news - for my overall readership and the NBA - is that only 3 people voted: me, Evan and Michael Degnan.   So my blog is as popular as the NBA!


That it's for now, but blogs are pending on the cosmic Christ and the meaning of Christmas, and Bud Selig's new commission on improving baseball games.  But for now, Go Heels!