Putting the Elite in the Elite Eight

Carolina administered a thoroughly enjoyable beat down last night to the Bulldogs of Gonzaga to reach the regional final for the third consecutive season.

I enjoyed this game for three reasons:

1. I like watching Carolina basketball, and despite perhaps a few too many three-point shots, this game was pure Dean-inspired Carolina basketball.  The Heels ran, fed the post, took what they wanted from the over-matched Zags, made great decisions, and played the passing lanes; that's the way the game is supposed to be played.
2. It was a bit of a revenge game since Gonzaga beat Carolina the last time the two teams met, and I enjoy watching the Heels beat teams that have it coming (like defeating Coburn in the Senate on wilderness, or taking down the Dukies in front of their entitled fans in Cameron).  I especially like watching them beat teams like that my a wide margin.
3. But more importantly, and most satisfyingly, Carolina's play in the last two games has reenforced the notion that this team is focused on winning the national championship. They looked efficient and confident last night, and the stats tell the story.  The Heels shot 55 percent (if you omit the play of the scrubs) and 58 percent from three, and had 12 takeaways - 4 blocks and 8 steals - to only 9 turnovers.  

So a great win over an allegedly good team.  

Finally, I like our chances against Oklahoma.  Look for Hansbrough to out will and out fight Blake Griffin.  Psycho T hit a number of tough shots last night on his way to a ho-hum 20 and 10.   I expect Griffin to get in foul trouble against Hansbrough. 

But this game will be won by Carolina's back court.  Gonzaga's Pargo was supposed to be a match for Lawson, and we saw the beat down "Nine Toes" administered.  Then look for Ellington and Green to complete the job.  Ellington is playing the best basketball of his career and is the best 2 guard in the tournament if not college basketball right now.  And Green is fully out of his funk; he went 3 for 6 on three-pointers, and had his usual stat sheet stuffing game last night: 13 points, 7 assists, 3 boards, 4 steals, 2 blocks.  Man, I love that guy.

Anyway, I like our chances.   GO HEELS!

ACC in the Dumps

I was actually rooting for Duke to beat Villanova out of ACC loyalty two nights ago.  What an embarrassing run for the conference.  I still assert that the ACC was the better conference this year, but obviously the Big East has had a better run in the tournament. 

The mystifying part is trying to explain how badly ACC teams have played. Duke looked completely out of it - mentally and physically - against Nova. Ditto Boston College and Wake in their humbling and bumbling losses in the first round.  Duke, FSU and Wake - along with Carolina - should have made it to the Sweet 16.  Instead, we're left with head-scratching losses and second-rate status.