It's only been two games but . . .

Carolina ventured into Roy's hometown for a nice 91-75 win over a good UNC-Asheville team today, their second win in as many games versus a squad that made last year's NCAA tournament.  

UNC-A is a pretty small team, so Carolina excelled at what Carolina likes to do: feed the post as the first, second and third option. As a result the Heels were led by their front line; Tyler Zeller's 27 points, John Henson's double-double with 20 points and 12 boards, and Harrison Barnes' 17.

After flying from San Diego and the Carrier Classic the Heels looked a little sloppy at times, with 17 total turnovers (6 by Barnes).  But once their legs adjusted back to eastern time Carolina was rarely actually threatened by the Bulldogs.

I know it's only been two games, but the story for the Tar Heels so far has been Henson.  He had a great season last year, becoming a defensive force, playing the four with authority, and even making his free throws.

Dean used to always expect a great leap forward from a players' first to second year; Henson did that last year.

But so far this year he has displayed a similar leap in terms of offensive skill. Henson has displayed an improved mid-range jump shot, a sweet and sweeping hook shot and a potentially devastating and unstoppable turnaround jump shot from the baseline. When he makes that turnaround jumper he looks like a combination of Rasheed Wallace and Tyler Hansbrough - with a little Hakeem Olajuwon thrown in.

Yes, that shot of Henson's is potentionaly Psychosheed dreamtastic!

It's hard to keep from getting too excited about this Carolina team, certainly a 2009-worthy excitement.  GO HEELS!

A few more Carolina blue notes:

• Safe to say no team has ever played on an aircraft carrier on one night, then two days later played a game 3 times zones away - in the mountains.  Sure, those were the Appalachians not the Rockies so it wasn't like going to free sea level to mile high elevation, but it's still an impressive back-to-back;
• Dean never liked playing in-state opponents outside of the ACC, so you never saw Carolina play Appalachian State, ECU or UNC Charlotte. And he almost never played any of those teams at their place. Roy has changed that, and routinely schedules UNCA in particular.  
• It was a nice gesture for the Heels to travel to UNC-Asheville to help them inaugurate their new Kimmel Arena.