Robin PottratzCan UNC run the table?
January 3rd 2009 02:50
One of my true passions in this world that I have yet to comment on during my tenure writing on this site is college basketball. I love march madness, I attend the Big Ten basketball tournament every year, and I attend basketball games in for my money the best venue in the country...Williams Arena in Minneapolis. This season poses a very interesting storyline, one that is rarely seen in the world of college basketball...the very real possibility that a team could go the entire season undefeated. The team that I speak of is none other then the perennial college basketball power: The North Carolina Tar Heels.
UNC has come close for the past few years to winning the national championship. In 2006, they lost to the Cinderella story George Mason in the second round. In 2007, they lost in the Elite 8 to Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green and the Georgetown Hoyas...and in 2008, they had all of the ideal momentum riding into the Final Four...where they suffered an absolute butt-kicking at the hands of the eventual National Champion Kansas Jayhawks.
One thing that has resulted from all of those disappointments is a renewed determination. That determination has motivated Tyler Hansborough and Ty Lawson to stick around instead of jump to the NBA. It has also renewed the focus of coach Roy Williams who would like to lead UNC to their first title since 2005 (yes, I know it hasn't been that long).
The team that has been assembled in Chapel Hill is one for the ages. They haven't disappointed or relented in any way. The smallest margin of victory for UNC this season has been 15 points, accomplished twice (against Penn and #7 Notre Dame). In this process they crushed Kentucky and defeated Michigan State on their home floor by 35 points. UNC looks as close to unbeatable as any team I have seen in all of my years watching college basketball.
However, they are now about to enter conference play, which means a whole new level of intensity. If there is the potential for UNC to slip up and lose...it will have to be in ACC play, which is unrivaled in the world of college basketball in terms of passion and intensity. So now it is time to look at the remaining schedule of Tar Heels and guess where the potential for them to lose could exist.
Sunday January 11th:
UNC at #6 Wake Forest: Led by G Jeff Teague, Wake Forest poses a legitimate threat for UNC. This is one of the few teams that can challenge the Tar Heels in the battle of points scored. With 84.5 PPG the Demon Deacons are 7th in the country and 2nd in the ACC...to North Carolina. They are also close to equal on defense, and this could pose some problems for UNC.
Wednesday February 11th:
UNC at #5 Duke: This is the single greatest rivalry in college basketball. The crazies at Cameron Indoor Stadium will be out in full force to greet the rival Tar Heels. Led by G Kyle Singler, Duke (coming off of a disappointing 2nd round elimination in last year's tournament) will be primed, ready, and probably hoping that UNC comes into their house undefeated. The problem is that Duke is notoriously a jump shooting team, which puts them at risk for a cold shooting night and an easy defeat at the hands of North Carolina.
Saturday February 21st:
UNC at Maryland: The reason that I circle this game is that it seems that every year Gary Williams is able to figure out North Carolina. Last year, Maryland went into Chapel Hill and knocked the Heels off course and arguably threw off some momentum that UNC possessed. This could be a blowout, but with Maryland at 10-2 and the history of the program...I give them a shot.
Sunday March 8th:
#5 Duke at UNC:
I just feel that when these two teams play, all bets are off. I think that because this will be the last game of the regular season for both teams, they will each be looking for momentum going into the conference tournament as well as the NCAA. UNC could win this game handily, but just like with Maryland...this game could be the jolt that could catch UNC off guard.
From where I sit...the only team that can beat North Carolina is...North Carolina. They lack any sign of weakness that I have seen. This team is scary good and it will take a miraculous effort on a special night to knock them off.
This may or may not happen...but either way, it should be a fun ride.
UNC has come close for the past few years to winning the national championship. In 2006, they lost to the Cinderella story George Mason in the second round. In 2007, they lost in the Elite 8 to Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green and the Georgetown Hoyas...and in 2008, they had all of the ideal momentum riding into the Final Four...where they suffered an absolute butt-kicking at the hands of the eventual National Champion Kansas Jayhawks.
One thing that has resulted from all of those disappointments is a renewed determination. That determination has motivated Tyler Hansborough and Ty Lawson to stick around instead of jump to the NBA. It has also renewed the focus of coach Roy Williams who would like to lead UNC to their first title since 2005 (yes, I know it hasn't been that long).
The team that has been assembled in Chapel Hill is one for the ages. They haven't disappointed or relented in any way. The smallest margin of victory for UNC this season has been 15 points, accomplished twice (against Penn and #7 Notre Dame). In this process they crushed Kentucky and defeated Michigan State on their home floor by 35 points. UNC looks as close to unbeatable as any team I have seen in all of my years watching college basketball.
However, they are now about to enter conference play, which means a whole new level of intensity. If there is the potential for UNC to slip up and lose...it will have to be in ACC play, which is unrivaled in the world of college basketball in terms of passion and intensity. So now it is time to look at the remaining schedule of Tar Heels and guess where the potential for them to lose could exist.
Sunday January 11th:
UNC at #6 Wake Forest: Led by G Jeff Teague, Wake Forest poses a legitimate threat for UNC. This is one of the few teams that can challenge the Tar Heels in the battle of points scored. With 84.5 PPG the Demon Deacons are 7th in the country and 2nd in the ACC...to North Carolina. They are also close to equal on defense, and this could pose some problems for UNC.
Wednesday February 11th:
UNC at #5 Duke: This is the single greatest rivalry in college basketball. The crazies at Cameron Indoor Stadium will be out in full force to greet the rival Tar Heels. Led by G Kyle Singler, Duke (coming off of a disappointing 2nd round elimination in last year's tournament) will be primed, ready, and probably hoping that UNC comes into their house undefeated. The problem is that Duke is notoriously a jump shooting team, which puts them at risk for a cold shooting night and an easy defeat at the hands of North Carolina.
Saturday February 21st:
UNC at Maryland: The reason that I circle this game is that it seems that every year Gary Williams is able to figure out North Carolina. Last year, Maryland went into Chapel Hill and knocked the Heels off course and arguably threw off some momentum that UNC possessed. This could be a blowout, but with Maryland at 10-2 and the history of the program...I give them a shot.
Sunday March 8th:
#5 Duke at UNC:
I just feel that when these two teams play, all bets are off. I think that because this will be the last game of the regular season for both teams, they will each be looking for momentum going into the conference tournament as well as the NCAA. UNC could win this game handily, but just like with Maryland...this game could be the jolt that could catch UNC off guard.
From where I sit...the only team that can beat North Carolina is...North Carolina. They lack any sign of weakness that I have seen. This team is scary good and it will take a miraculous effort on a special night to knock them off.
This may or may not happen...but either way, it should be a fun ride.
| 30 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog