Where: Cowboys Stadium, Dallas, TX
When: Saturday, December 19th, 2:00 PM
TV: ESPN
Records: UNC 8-2, Texas 9-0
Another week, another top ten opponent for the Heels, this time in a football stadium. Let me go on record and say that playing basketball games in the middle of cavernous football stadiums is dumb. But as long as people show up and pay money to be in the building then it will continue to happen. This is basically your proof of concept game which will be used to lobby for other basketball events at the stadium such as the Final Four and the NBA All-Star Game. One key difference here that makes it slightly better than say Ford Field in Detroit it the huge HD video screen hanging over the middle of the field/floor. That enables folks with bad seats to have a better view of the game than I probably will at home today.
As for the game, UNC faces a team with plenty of versatile players and the most depth of any team in the country. Texas also has some physical interior players such as Dexter Pittman who is huge and could give both Ed Davis and Deon Thompson trouble much like we saw against Syracuse. The upside is when I saw Pittman against Duke in the NCAA Tournament last March in Greensboro, Bryan Zoubek actually had a decent game against him. If Zoubek could be effective to a point then I anticipate so could UNC’s more talented post players.
Texas has all of the parts you hope to have working on the offensive end. They shoot extremely well from the floor, have three players who shoot 35% or better from three, rebound extremely well at 45 rpg and only average 14.3 turnovers per game which is decent. Their depth, which has been talked about ad nauseum would make Roy Williams jealous. No Longhorn player averages more than 26 mins per game. Texas has plenty of versatile players which will test the UNC defense.
The big question for UNC is whether Dexter Strickland will be available and how effective Marcus Ginyard will be. If Larry Drew has to put in excessive minutes it is going to take a toll against players with fresher legs. Besides that if Strickland is out, UNC is not as quick of a team and relies even more on interior scoring than they already do unless Justin Watts has a huge game. This game will likely hinge on UNC taking care of the basketball and being really efficient on the offensive end with the opportunities afforded them. Defensively, UNC will have their hands full guarding the many options Texas has.
One bit of good news is Texas has not really played anyone great. Iowa, USC and Pitt are the only BCS conference schools they have played and none of those teams are particularly good. There is also the issue of playing in a football stadium which screws with shooters’ sight lines. The team most affected by a poor perimeter shooting day is Texas though it may not matter since Texas can also get it done at other places on the court. All things consider I like UNC for some reason here. So we will go with that.
UNC 81 Texas 78
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Section 234 holds a place for me. if i get a few pics taken I may send em on later today or tomorrow. hopefully an oxygen mask will not be necessary
Local yokels at Dallas morning news, projects 35,000 for today’s game. Call it ominous timing, but the Cowpokes playing the Saints tonight can’t help on the attention meter.
I’ll be taking pictures as well. I don’t know how the quality will end up being b/c they’ll be taken by my little digital.
I’ll be proudly be wearing my Lawson jersey ’cause it’s my Carolina blue one. I have a feeling Cowboys Stadium going to be essentially UT burnt orange.
I personally think that the defense on Damion James will be the biggest factor for UNC. On paper, he is a HUGE match-up problem for UNC: too big for Marcus Ginyard and too quick for Deon Thompson. However, the very same thing could have been (and was) said about Evan Turner and and Luke Babbitt, and in both of those match-ups Marcus (Turner) and Deon (Babbitt) stepped up big-time. If that happens today, I expect UNC to win somewhat comfortably.
anyone know if Williams used to “own” Barnes in big 12 play? Obvsiouly Roy had some very good teams nearer the end of his time at KU.
I just want to see our big men play tough, physical basketball today.
Yup. Put a body on somebody and don’t get pushed around. Defend the guards tight and navigate through the picks. I’ve been high on Watts since the cupcake games of his freshman year. So with the help of the warm up Hoes game, I hope he can have a solid game primarily on the defensive end.
(This is re-posted from previous because it belongs here more so than there and I hope that’s OK.)
“Texas is guard heavy with plenty of depth,” indeed they are. On paper. But are they really, on the court? Let’s see.
Of 8 Guards on the roster(!) plus 3 Guard-Forwards, that’s 11 and a’plenty, for sure.
But two of the G’s are out with injuries. Down to 9.
5 of these are Freshmen of which 2 get quality minutes.
We’re down to 6 court-time threats. That’s still plenty. On paper.
Let’s look at their stats:
Hamilton-Fr.-19MPG-43%FG-35%3P-63%FT (took 40 3’s)
Bradley-Fr-24MPG-48%FG-40%3P-45%FT (took 22 3’s)
Balby-Jr.-22MPG-47%FG-11%3P-46%FT.
Mason-Sr.-18MPG-38%FG-16%3P-56%FT
James-Sr.-25MPG-54%FG-45%3P-68%FT (took 22 3’s)
Lucas-Jr.-(’08-’09 Fla stats)30MPG-46%FG-43%3P-71%FT (took 85 3’s!!)
So Bradley, James, & Lucas are the meat, with Hamilton coming in for 3’s. He and James are Guard-Forwards. Clearly, when only pure Guards are scrutinized, Texass has 2 consistant threats. And Lucas has not run an offense in a game in 1-1/2 years.
Them FT percentages don’t look too impressive, either.
So is this Texass “All hat and no cattle?” Probably not; sheer body count will have a toll.
Vegas has Horns by 7. If Heels can prevent covering that, this Tarheel will be pleased.
I am especially looking for Z to have a Game.
But, as I keep observing and considering the prospects for this team, IT’s ALL ABOUT THE D. Will that “Defensive Identity” finally show its ID card?
Zoomba, Heels!
“anyone know if Williams used to “own” Barnes in big 12 play?”
Here’s the best that I can come up with quickly:
KU is 15-6 all-time against Texas.
KU is 11-5 against Texas since the formation of the Big 12 (1994)
KU is 6-4 against Texas under Bill Self, which would mean that they were 5-1 under Roy (since 1994).
russfuss,
FYI, J’Covan Brown (one of the injured guards) is listed as, “probable,” so he will likely be a factor, as well. Overall, though, I agree with your analysis.
C. Michael, your last two posts are good news, bad news, in that order! Thanks for the quickie Roy 5, Bluto 1, research. Could that help nullify Brown’s play? Hope springs eternal…
Composure. imo, will be the key. I think this version of heels can play with any team in the country, and beat them, if they keep their collective heads when a run starts, something that did not happen in the 2 losses.
Phillip- Great read on this squad. The so-called “intangibles” command real traction when assessing b-ball teams. Totally agree on the UK loss by 2 due to free throw bricks. But the Orange 2nd Half caught the Heels 3-less and ill-prepared by their coach. That’s right, Roy is a member of the team. Now, with those in place, yes, can play with and possibly beat any team. Not so confident about KU, however. They look awesome…Self is the real deal. Not so Bluto.
I think if we have the right mentality we have a chance to win this. Otherwise, it doesn’t look good. But either way, it’s goig to be a great learning experience.
KU is taking Michigan behind the woodshed. Wall may be the most exciting freshman in the nation, but for my money, Henry is the most polished. For what it’s worth, Henry and Barnes have very similar games, though Barnes is the better (and taller) athlete.
Interesting to note that Michigan called a TO after KU scored 6 straight, only to have KU come out of the break on an 11-1 run.
Nice close by Michigan (11-1). KU looked like they had never sen a 1-3-1 before. Be curious to see how they adjust to it…
Holy cow, I just found out you can still buy tickets to the UNC-NC State basketball in Raleigh. So state fans are not even buying up tickets for their most hated rival. I just went to gopack.com and bought a 2-game pack (single tickets are not available) for $70 and selected State vs. Wake as the 2nd game. Considering that tickets to the Dean Dome are about $50 a pop, that’s not a bad deal. I plan on showing up and rooting for the Heels and Wake.
Wow, PRGuy. I might just use some of my Christmas money to get some UNC tickets. Thanks for the heads up.
I think we’re going to set a record for most missed shots from less then a foot away from the basket…
Three turnovers in the last 50 seconds… unbelievable…
CM, appreciate the coach v. coach information. For some reason I thought Barnes might find a way to out-think himself today.