Earlier this season, I tweeted or blogged or some-word-that-did-not-exist-in-the-year-2000 "is there anything Kendall Marshall CAN'T do?"
Clearly, the answer to that question is no. Just ask NC State.
Marshall easily had his best offensive game of this career tonight, expertly looking for - and making - his shots at exactly the right time. The result was a career high 22 points - including 4 of 5 from three - to go along with his usual 13 assists. His assist to turnover ratio was an unmeasurable 13 to 0.
22 points.
80 percent from three, on 5 shots.
13 assists.
ZERO turnovers.
Add those crazy good numbers to four fellow starters who also finished in double figures, and you have a 12-point beat down of arch in-state rival NC State, in Raleigh. The Heels have now beaten NC State 12 straight games.
Marshall lead a methodical and efficient offense for Carolina. The Heels shot 51 percent for the game, and 52 percent from three. Marshall and the three-point shooting were the story of the game.
Bullock had his third straight nice game from outside. His touch has returned as he went 3 for 6 tonight. And PJ Hairston made his first three in over a month.
Barnes was engaged all night, and mixed in 2 three-point shots with drives, pull ups, and free throws on his way to 20 points.
Henson was active on both ends for another double-double, 14 and 13 and 2 blocks, and Zeller got on track in the second half on his way to 14 and 8 and 4 blocks.
The only down sides were Zeller did not get many touches, McAdoo had an off night, and of more concern the number of minutes played. All 5 Heels starters played 31 minutes or more, including Marshall's 38.
But Marshall's other numbers are the real story tonight. His performance, along with Bullock getting his touch back, makes Heels fans everywhere excited and anxious and giddy. If this is a foreshadowing of Marshall's play down the stretch. watch out!
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