Fool's Gold

Carolina turned fool's gold into cash on Tuesday night, hitting 15 of 25 three-point shots on their way to blitzing the Maryland Terrapins 108-91.

Carolina had no trouble making shots, not just threes.  They were unstoppable, and Maryland never put up much resistance. When you hit that many threes, scoring more than 100 points looks effortless.  That's how the Heels' offense looked on Tuesday. The Heels would dribble up court, get an open look, and make it.  Carolina looked like they were playing a high school team, and Maryland could only score when the Tar Heels allowed them to.

Carolina did give up too many points, and Roy was justifiably mad after Maryland scored three times in a row on transition shots AFTER a MADE basket.  But outside of that stretch, I thought the Heels' defense was pretty good.  

Then again, Maryland looked very bad. Lawson had four steals against the Terps and on at least two of them he simply took the ball out of the hands of the player he was guarding.  

A Few More Thoughts

• After failing to get back on defense Roy called a time out, but was so disgusted he did not actually say anything to the team. Interesting to see that Deon Thompson of all people was the vocal leader in that huddle.
• Best part of this game for me was once again Ty Lawson.  Not so much his stats or shooting, but he once again looked confident and efficient.  He has completely buried the mini-slump that plagued him against Boston College and Wake Forest.
• The Michael Copeland Era has finally begun.  The other shoe finally dropped on Marcus Ginyard, as he has taken a medical red shirt for the season.  Coupled with Will Graves' suspension, apparently for not keeping up in the classroom, means that for the first time since his freshman year Copeland will get significant minutes.
• Good piece, in defense of Carolina's defense and about Ginyard and Graves, from Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis.  
• Another interesting week in the ACC as Wake lost again on the road and Clemson looked strong in waxing Duke. Wake looks nothing like the team that took down the Heels a month ago.  Then again, my earlier statement that Wake is overrated may be true.  Carolina lost by only 3 to Wake even though they played terrible, and since then Demon Deacons have lost to Miami and Georgia Tech and barely beat Duke after the Blue Devils played bad, too.
• Clemson looked good last night, especially Trevor Booker.  But Duke also looked terrible and intimidated and completely over matched.  Booker's domination is the most recent reminder that Duke is very weak down low.  But the other issue plaguing Duke is point guard play. Nolan Smith does not set up teammates very well, and Paulus is not much better.  Heels are at Duke Wednesday night.