Where: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
When: Tuesday, December 22nd, 7:00 PM
TV: Fox Sports South
Live Stats: SCACC Hoops
Records: UNC 8-3; Marshall 9-1
The Heels look to bounce back from the loss vs Texas kicking off a stretch of high sugar, white flour desserts(insert Will Graves joke here)
On paper I am wary of playing any team that is 9-1. In theory Marshall winning nine of their first ten games means something. On the surface it means they know how to win. That is until you look at their schedule and realize they played teams like Salem International and Brescia. Who? Are these teams even in this country? The lack of a link on ESPN.com for either of those teams leads me to believe they are DII schools so call the Thundering Herd 7-1 instead with zero wins over anyone who matters. Which does not give UNC license to disrespect Marshall or treat this game lightly. Rather it is a reminder of the present reality which points to Marshall not being a very good team despite the record.
And because Marshall has the pair of ultra cupcakes on the schedule, their stats are worthless such as their 85 ppg which is actually 78 ppg if you toss out the two local community colleges or whatever the heck they are.
What can we expect from UNC? I really don’t know. I do know they have practiced for two days since the Texas game and there is a good chance Roy worked them fairly hard during those sessions. Obviously, if Marshall is as weak an opponent as I think they will be the value in this game is somewhat muted. As such, this will be your routine December “get some confidence and for the love of Dean Smith no one get injured.” We didn’t used to think about that last part so much but then Bobby Frasor blew out his knee against Nevada so we think about it all the time.
If I could make a wish list I would love to see more of the Wears and Dexter Strickland. I have a nice idea of what everyone else can bring but getting more time and effort out of those three players in particular would be a judicious use of a game of this nature. And who knows maybe Will Graves figures out a thing or two here.
UNC 92 Marshall 66
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Salem International is DII and Brescia is NIAI.
Will be interested in seeing how good Hassan Whiteside is. The 7′0, 235-pound freshman was a 4-star recruit but has put up impressive numbers so far (12/9 and 61% FG in 22 mpg) and is now projected as the #2 pick in the 2011 NBA draft after Harrison Barnes.
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/hassan-whiteside
I didn’t add my “whats wrong with the team” rant on the other posts, so I’ll do it here. For my money, the biggest problem ,and the heels have a few, is the lack of a “run stopper”, to borrow a football term. There isn’t a player the heels can go to for relatively sure points. The last few years, save that kansas debacle, those crazy runs didn’t happen. Hansborough, Lawson, Ellington, or Green could and did get the team some buckets when needed. This team is sorely lacking that. Strickland is the closest they have to that guy, but he isn’t there yet. I believe by the end of the season he will have proved to be the best guard on the roster, if he isn’t right now. Damn, that was rambling..lol
I’m actually quite worried about this game. This could be a test for us. I mean, how rested is our Blue Team? Do they have the energy to play big minutes tonight?
This should be an easy game, but break is coming up for these guys and they might not be completely focused.
FWIW – According to Wikipedia, Salem International is an NCAA Div II school and on 11/25/08 was cited by the NCAA for major violations (lack of institutional control). The roster (on SIU’s website) shows they have three players taller than 6-4 – two are 6-7 and one is 6-9. And, according to Brescia’s website,they are an NAIA school and have no player taller than 6-8. OK, I’ve wasted enough of my time – and yours – on Salem & Brescia! Go Heels!
I’d like to see this team come out with enthusiasm and play solid defense. Mind you, that’s no different than any other nights expectations…
I wish I understood how posting mobile via my bb works. Regardless, there are a few guys on the Herd that are pretty tall. They seem bigger as a team than we do – total height, as if that was a statistic anyone would use, well maybe william. This is an empty house tonight. More people up top than down below.
Slowly filling up, still more up top. No students on the risers…
David Wear to start – no Graves, you get your wish.
Any link for online viewing?
Try looking around jason tv I think – if you can search this site there’s a link or two out there – always the same people with the stream – try Justin TV, that’s it.