Oh well

What a big day, one that makes it hard for a Carolina fan to focus. The good news is Carolina was rewarded for a 14-2 ACC regular season with a number one seed in the Midwest regional.  More on my brackets later in the show.

Yet, it is hard not to lament the game - and ACC Tournament Championship - that got away this afternoon in Atlanta.  The 3-point loss to Florida State was an entertaining game, and a reminder that even in a down year, the ACC still produces the nation's best basketball.

The hardest part of looking back at today's game is typing this next line: Carolina had the ball, down by one with 11 seconds left, and lost.

That simply is not supposed to happen.

What is? The Heels make a few passes, get the defense out of position, and hit a short shot - and usually get fouled - to win the game.

But not today. And not this year, so far.  The same scenario unfolded in Lexington in December's loss to Kentucky.

Today, all-everything (but second team All-ACC) Kendall Marshall missed a wide open three pointer with 7 seconds left against FSU to seal the first ever ACC championship for the Seminoles.  

In hindsight, Marshall should have driven into the lane for either a lay up, a foul on FSU, or to pass to Zeller or Barnes.  Instead, he shot a hair early, and missed.  

But it's hard to fault Marshall. Though he did not have a great game, with some odd turnovers to start the second half, he had just hit a big 3 twenty seconds earlier to bring the Heels within one - and was wide open.  

Still, we've come to expect that Marshall never makes a mistake. The shot was not a mistake, but taking it when he did, 3 or 4 seconds too early, probably was.

Oh well.

The only thing that makes the loss semi palatable - besides the knowledge that the NCAA tournament awaits, and the last 2 Carolina national champs also failed to win the ACC tournament when coincidentally injuries to McCants and Lawson also played a role in 'ol Roy's coaching decisions - is that:

1. The Heels played hard, and rallied from a 16-point deficit
2. Carolina almost pulled it out despite playing without John Henson (and Dexter Strickland)
3. FSU played really well, and made tough shots, especially by Luke Loucks and Michael Snaer (he was impressive; his 3 at the 8 minute mark was huge and stemmed a Carolina run), and Bernard James came up with 2 huge blocks late.  The Seminoles made plays when they had to.
4. P.J. Hairston looked great, hitting 3 three-pointers and turning the game around for the Heels in the second half
5. Harrison Barnes joined Hairston on that run, and looked assertive and focused all day which should carry over nicely into the NCAA tournament

This loss could provide a great springboard, not just because it was a loss but Carolina had to fight.  That same kind of fight will be needed in the next 3 weeks and ideally 6 games for the Heels, games that will hopefully feature John Henson.

With our regular rotation, plus a rejuvenated bench and a more rested Kendall Marshall (5 days off!), I love this team's chances.  

GO HEELS!

 

First draft of my NCAA picks

As I mentioned above, the NCAA tournament should provide some measure of payback for the Heels, three weeks to straighten out Carolina's karmic balance sheet.  

The basketball gods owe us.  Well,maybe not the gods, since my first draft bracket looks more like a Charles Bronson movie: 

• Carolina gets revenge for the 2008 Final Four and beats Kansas in the Midwest regional final;
• Then we get revenge for losing to FSU twice (Dean always said it was hard to beat a team 3 times in a season) by finally taking down the Noles in the national semi-final in Nawlins; 
• And finally, the Heels get revenge for losing to Kentucky in last year's regional final, and in December, in the national championship game. 

Simple, right?  GO HEELS!