Where: Lawlor Events Center, Reno, NV
When: Wednesday, December 31st, 10:00 PM
TV: ESPN2
Records: UNC 12-0; Nevada 7-5
For those of us who have kids and will be home I can think of nothing better than ringing in the New Year with the Tar Heels on TV.
If I were Roy Williams, I would point out to the Heels that this week has been chock full of top ten teams getting upended. UConn lost to Georgetown in a battle of top ten teams. That was not shocking. Oklahoma losing to Arkansas in a game the Sooners were down as much as 25 in along with Purdue’s loss to Illinois and what you have is plenty of examples where teams were surprised by lesser teams. Now most of this is your standard parity that comes into play once conference play starts. And in no way am I suggesting UNC stands to lose to Nevada in this game but the number of shockers this week should serve notice to the Heels that this one should not be taken lightly.
Nevada has been one of the more prominent mid-major programs in recent years. This version of the Wolf Pack is a tad on the young side and probably will not make it to the NCAA Tournament this season. That being said, playing any game on the road means there could be a challenge. Nevada is not a great shooting team from the perimeter coming in at 27% from beyond the arc. That could be a bit of an issue for the Wolf Pack since they also have no discernible inside presence to speak of boasting only 6-9 player in freshman Luke Babbit who is the team’s 2nd leading scorer. Sophomore gaurd Amron Johnson is the only other double figure scorer on the team at 15.0 ppg but a woeful percentage from three point range(16%). UNC, if focused, should make short work of this team.
On UNC’s side, the wish list would be for Wayne Ellington to find his jump shot and Marcus Ginyard to get better in-sync with the team.
UNC 95 Nevada 70
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If Nevada can develop one more player, then they will be a very good team… next year. Babbit (who was a Burger Boy) and Johnson, with another year, will be as good a combo as you will see at a mid-major.
This game would have been a huge trap game 2 years ago, and maybe even last year. I think this years team will be able to play through that.
I just hope the 8:00 game doesn’t run over into the UNC game like Sunday night.
Yeah, I hate looking up and seeing UNC with 12 minutes to go in the 1st half. But hey, at least there wasn’t a power outage at my house!
I hope we don’t hold back in anticipation of the ACC opener on Sunday.
Merry New Year to all. May the Tar Heels cut down the FINAL FOUR nets of 2009.
Thanks THF for this great forum!
I know.
Don’t be jealous, we are sitting here in Reno waiting for a 7PM game. We get to celebrate New Year’s twice (eastern time and western) plus we get to see the Heels in person. Doesn’t get any better than this. PS- I didn’t see any of the guy in the caino last night thank goodness!
Long time lurker, brand new poster. Y’all have way too much fun here, I just had to join in.
THF, thanks for providing a great forum for UNC fans to gather and talk.
A Merry Tar Heel New Year indeed!
Is this the same Nevada that Bobby tore his ACL against?
My New Year’s resolution is to poke less fun of State and Duke fans in 2009. Like, I won’t mention the abysmal attendance for non-ACC games at the RBC Centre and the increasingly lame antics of the Cameron Crazie poseurs. (Resolutions are made to be broken, right?)
I need some advice/help!
I’m stuck out here in Kansas, and am trying to figure out how to make my first trip ever to Chapel Hill, and see a home game. Anyone have any advice on the best way to find tickets and not pay out the ears for decent seats?
I have a friend at work who offered me 2 free airline tickets, but they have to be used before next Thurs. So I immediately thought I would try and make it to the BC game this Sunday.
Having never traveled to NC, I am not concerned finding a place to stay, or a rental car, but no clue at all how to get tickets. This has always been a dream of mine to see a live home game. I want to hit the museum as well while there, and do some shopping, since the Tar Heel goodies are kind of hard to find a decent selection here in jayhawk country (grrrr), and my new golf clubs need UNC covers!
I’m on a short time frame, so if anyone can help, please, please, please let me know!
I was swearing at the television at FSN so loud when FSN took five minutes of commercials after the conclusion of overtime during the Tech-UVa game that my wife thought the Redskins had lost. They had but that was already over–why the heck doesn’t FSN put the games on an alternate channel like ESPN does if there is overtime?
C.Michael, I have the sports package and get almost all of the significant basketball games during the season, but you get the award for knowing significant facts about Nevada’s team. Are you from there or something?
The USC-Clemson game was pretty good last night. Clemson was pressing furiously and actually hitting their free throws. They look pretty good–a lot better than Wake Forest who is inexplicably ranked ahead of them by some polls.
No, I’m from upstate NY, actually… just a basketball junkie, I guess. Saw them play a couple of times last year, and Johnson really impressed me, including the 23 he dropped on UNC last year. I haven’t seen them this year, but, Babbit impressed me during the McDonald’s game last year.
uncgirl50, you are correct. The Nevada game last year was the game where Bobby was injured.
Domonic: Try http://www.razorgator.com/tickets.
There are also other web links to UNC tickets. BC will be a tough buy, though.
Best o’ luck!
Go Heels!
russ,
thanks for the link, I knew this would be painful, I figured I would go to a non-conference team for my first game, and not pay out the wahoo. But, since the tickets are a chance for a free flight to NC, I wanted to try.
RazorGator has tickets for $179, I’m going to keep looking around. StubHub no longer shows any available either.
Predictions.
The Vegas spread is 19. Sagarin spread is 15 counting the +4 Nevada @ Home add. THF has it at 25.
Lot’s of distractions – travel, Sierra snow, New Year’s Eve. I’m going conservative. Heels by 13.
Step right up, folks! Take the plunge. Put that b-ball savvy on the line. What say you?
I think the Vegas line is probably pretty close to what the final will be.
I’d say UNC by 12 at the break and then stretching it out to the mid 20’s by the final TO, only to have UNR cut it down to 19 in the last minutes.
Dominic,
Try ticketspot.com. I think there may be a cheap ticket or two left for BC.
Dominic,
If you could be in town on Tuesday, Jan. 7, you could get a real deal for the Charleston game. Ticketspot.com has a couple for $25 and several for $35 to $39.
Dominic,
If you can’t find tickets online, you can do what I do and just show up at the Smith Center. Avoid the scalpers and look for somebody with an extra ticket. They’ll usually charge face value ($45) and sometimes less. You just have to be patient and refuse to pay the scalped prices. Get there 30-45 minutes early and you should be OK.
I don’t know that I have ever been to a UNC home game and not had people try to sell tickets. Two years ago I purchased season tickets, and they were readily available at site, so I did not buy season tickets this year, as I will just show up and people will sell them.
JB, I hope we’re not undermining the UNC ticket sales office.
Carolina by 23 over Nevada……
Dominic, many times I’ve bought the cheapest tickets available and show up about 45 minutes early and work my way up to better ones. It usually cost me under $100 a ticket to get some really good seats.
Go Heels!!
russfuss,
You do realize that I am simply tossing a score out there without much thought or actually really caring all that much about whether it is right or not.
Watching Pitt/Rutgers. Rutgers looks real good, tied at 34 with 3:36 to go in the 1st. Funniest part is the near unanimous consent that a 22-point loss against UNC is a very good showing! Seriously, that’s is what UNC has relegated other teams to… being happy about staying within 25!
It’s true.
Yep. I pay my respects to any team that stays within 25 as well.
“I can think of nothing better than ringing in the New Year with the Tar Heels on TV”
So you’d rather watch the Heels than being in the embrace of the Mrs who is in champagne induced need for loving?
Better not let her read your blog!
I don’t see why we can’t have both!
Thanks to everyone for all the great help! My problem with going the scalper method, is that KS to NC is a looong flight, to show up empty handed. I wanted to be there the minute the gates open, so I can walk around and drool, tajke some pictures (are you allowed to bring a small camera?)
I can’t do the Charleston game, because the 7th is my Dad’s 65th bday, so I should stay in town, for an early dinner (and be home in time to watch, hehe)
I’m going to keep browsing the online sites, if I have to settle on upper seats, I might still do it!
Sounds like a newlywed to me….
Dominic,
As a basketball usher, we were told last Sunday that the only game with tickets left was Charleston. I doubt this will happen for BC (an ACC game) but you can always check with the UNC ticket office (1-800-772-4335) the day before the game and inquire about tickets that were turned in. Apparently Rams Club members who can’t attend can turn in their tickets electronically via the Ram’s Club Web site for credit; those tickets are then sold to the public.
Hmm, wouldn’t let me edit my comment. I just tried tarheelblue.com and they have $45 tickets available for BC and Charleston.
I was at the last Nevada game where Bobby got injured. We won by something like 45. Considering how both teams have developed I’m guessing UNC by 17.
Dominic,
As far as I know you can bring a camera. I brought mine and it was no big deal. So I’m 99.9% percent positive that you can.
PRGuy….thank you!! I see tickets in section 221, for $45 each. I was going to bring above mentioned father to the game, and buy his ticket, he offered to split the hotel/rental car, and make it a father son trip, even though he isn’t a huge basketball fan, he follows the UNC standings because of me. They don’t look like bad seats, I have no idea though. I just don’t want to make the trip and not be able to get a great view.
Talk about a sweet gig being an usher there!!, on a wim I looked at dook tickets, and saw them going for over $7k a seat, if I had the cash, I’d conisder paying it, but only if I had quite a bit of cash!
I need to check a few things before making the purchase, but in the meantime I’m going to get directions to Johnny TShirt on Franklin Street….
Dominic, the Dome was designed for spectators so there are no really bad seats. Not to say that some are not a lot better than others, of course, especially side court between the 20 yd lines, either level. Closer = better rule applies, ‘natch. As Dean observed after retirement, “The seats are much better down there ” referring to the bench.
THF: Man up, dood! You’re down for 25.
Wayne breaks out–Marcus discovers the dunk shot-Heels by 16!
Dominic–for pre, or post game quality refreshment:
http://www.carolinabrewery.com/
Dominic, I can almost guarantee you’ll find tickets outside. I’ve been going to games at the Deandome since ‘93 and have never failed to get inside. The only times I’ve had problems were for Duke games and the WF game in 2005 when they were honoring the ‘57 and ‘82 teams. That’s when you have more buyers than sellers. Any other game I’ve been to I’ve paid from a little more than face value to nothing. Some fans with extra tickets just want to get rid of them and will sell them just to get all or some of their money back.
Of course, coming from KS I can understand your wanting to have a ticket in hand. If you can buy one for $45, go for it.
Dominic, as far as good and bad seats I’ve literally been at the tip top of the Dean Dome to the lower level just out from under the over hang and all are nice seats. All games I have seen have been bought out front at face value.
I have had seats in the upper level midcourt and lower level about 13 rows up midcourt. The lower level was much nicer because the seats had more leg room and it was closer to the action. Still the upper level was good. Remember the game is main reason for being in the Dean Dome but also being able to look at the banners and watch the whole pregame routine as well as keeping an eye on Roy is a lot of fun. Sometimes I wish TV had a coaches cam at all times because Roy is pretty entertaining to watch while he coaches.
Dominic, I’m out of town so you can have my seats for face value if you want them for college of charlestown – I think that makes your date. Upper level, row M, seats 7-8, 223. You can e-mail my junk account – badbadleroybrown@hellokitty.com
Good luck.
That’s nice of you BadBad.
Now lets talk ACC. Is BC worth a poot? I’ve looked at the games they have played and do not really see anything great. What can we expect from BC?
Pretty much the same as last year… Rice is great, and can carry them (i.e. the first half against UNC last year), but if you contain him, then it is usually a fairly easy go of it (i.e. the second half against UNC last year).
Rice’s assist totals are up…he is getting the ball to someone, question is if they are good enough to handle the Heels. I say not but since it is an ACC game it will be a tough one.