What: ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Where: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
When: Tuesday, December 1st, 9:00 PM
TV: ESPN(Dick Vitale On The Call; Consider Yourself Warned)
Livestats: SCACC Hoops
Records: UNC 6-1; MSU 5-1
There will be a lot of talk about this being a revenge game for MSU. Certainly it will be a motivating factor for the Spartan plays seeing the unholy things UNC did to MSU on not one but two instances. However, nothing that happens on Tuesday night will change the fact UNC is the defending national champion. MSU winning this game will do nothing to shield them from the 2009 NCAA Championship banner which laughs at them from it’s lofty perch next to the 2005 NCAA Championship banner which is also quite amused at MSU and the rest of the Big Ten for that matter. And yes, I imagine it sucks in a mighty way to walk into the Smith Center and see the banner the Heels won by decimating you in full view of the nation. The bottom line is UNC has a completely different team so while I understand beating UNC might be cathartic, it can only go so far. Of course that is not to say the MSU guys won’t come in with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Delvon Roe, in particula,r probably want to show UNC they were wrong to spur—. What’s that? Roe actually screwed UNC during recruiting? Then never mind, I hope Ed Davis or Deon Thompson shuts his reneging rear end down.
Now, the actual basketball. MSU has great guard play. That was the case last season as well, UNC was just better plus the Heels had an All-American at center. Larry Drew and Marcus Ginyard will have their hands full guarding the Spartan guards. Kalin Lucas is the preseason choice for Big Ten player of the year. Lucas leads MSU in scoring and is shooting 45% from three point range. He is easily the most dangerous player MSU has and given UNC’s penchant for allowing opposing guards to go nuts, Lucas could end up having a big game. I would say Marcus Ginyard ends up guarding Lucas but that would leave Larry Drew attempting to check the 6-4 Durrell Summers. Lucas is 6-1 so Roy Williams might decided to take his chances with Drew on Lucas and see what can be done to shut down the rest of the Spartan team. The key matchup will likely be who picks up the 3rd guard MSU will put on the floor in Chris Allen. I am not sure Will Graves has a prayer against him. They could throw John Henson at him think the length/height mismatch alone might be enough. Needless to say that is a huge question. And no, I don’t see Roy going Drew-Strickland-Ginyard though it might not be a bad idea in spurts. The only interior presence MSU has are 6-8 players Raymar Morgan and Delvon Roe plus 6-6 Draymond Green. This is a clear mismatch on the inside which means a zone from the Spartans is a safe bet. Much like the title game last April, UNC needs to go to the post early and often. The concern is turnovers at the point or on the perimeter in general. MSU’s guards are good defensively and if UNC cannot facilitate offense from the perimeter those tall players in the middle are not going to be much help.
For some reason I like UNC’s chances in this one. I know guard play usually trumps interior play in college basketball but if UNC can get by with taking care of the basketball and exploiting the interior advantage, even to the point of forcing some quick fouls on Roe, Green or Morgan then the Heels have a chance to do well. Of the three tough games UNC has coming up, this is the best shot at winning one of them since it is at home and the Heels enjoy some matchup advantages. UK is far more balanced as is Texas who is also really deep.
One more quick item. Since UNC is taking on MSU, I am obligated to post this:
UNC 77 MSU 74
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Actually Durrell Summers is the key, when he plays up to his ability he is by far the best player on the Spartans. Lucas gets the hype by Summers is the best player. As for the inside players it will be fun to watch which wins out length(UNC) or width (MSU). One other thing to watch is how Roy will combat MSU desire to push the ball on made baskets. During the first title run he had the players tap the ball to the Ref on made baskets then last year he had the UNC bigs cheat back on the MSU midget guards with a pseudo press.
I think it will be close ,we will come out on top ………and our early tough scedule will make us that much tougher in the long run!
The expressions on some of the faces are classic…..”Damn, he’s getting ready to do unholy things” LOL
Tonight should be fun. Henson coming out game! you read it first here.
I really think you should make an edit to add in the 1957 title. UNC beat MSU in triple OT in the ‘57 Semifinal then we went on to beat KU (again in 3OT) the very next night….
Michigan State played an instrumental role in three of UNC’s five NCAA titles (’57 Semifinal, ‘05 Semifinal, ‘09 championship). Thanks Sparty!
This game kind of reminds me of when Illinois came to Chapel Hill in the fall of 2005. Sure, they beat us but it was a hollow victory for them over an extremely young UNC squad. By the way, what has happened to Illinois since Bill Self’s players left? Not much. It will be a late night tonight. Go Heels!
I will first say how much I like Izzo. He had a lot of nice things to say about UNC and Roy Williams. “This is not a revenge game” “We clearly got beat by the better team in the finals”. ” I like the fact that they came back (after having an opportunity to go high in the draft) to win a championship”. I also like the fact that he takes no shortcuts to player’s academics, and their role on the team. I am proud to have Roy as our coach, but if I ever had to face Roy leaving and coach hunting, he’d be a person of interest for me.
Today I listened to David Glenn on 680, and it was pretty much a Duke rally and UNC bashing smorgasboard. Glenn seems to think we will lose to MchSt and Kentucky. He didn’t opine on the Texas game. While I agree that Duke looks good, you can’t forecast an entire season on what UNC has done thus far. We have outstanding freshmen in John Henson and the Wears, and I expect they will continue to get better, and aid in our season, while I think Duke has a ceiling as to how good they can be. They are playing Scheyer, Thomas, Singler, and while I know they are good players, I am convinced their potential is already reached. So yes, Duke will have a good season, and potentially finish 1st in the ACC (David Glenn has them finishing 1st), but I don’t think UNC will look the same 2 months from now, and their former play this season will improve.
“He is easily the most dangerous player MSU has and given UNC’s penchant for allowing opposing guards to go nuts, Lucas could end up having a big game. I would say Marcus Ginyard ends up guarding Lucas but that would leave Larry Drew attempting to check the 6-4 Durrell Summers. Lucas is 6-1 so Roy Williams might decided to take his chances with Drew on Lucas and see what can be done to shut down the rest of the Spartan team.”
Seem to forget that the majority of the guards that went “nuts” on Carolina were being guarded by Marcus Ginyard. I know Marcus has alot on his shoulders and trying to do more of everything, but I’m still waiting to see the shut down defender from 2 seasons ago because except for maybe the OSU game we have not really seen the type of defense we would expect from Marcus Ginyard. Also, think LD2 is well equipped to defend the small, quick point guards like Lucus vs. the big, strong guards like Johnson of Nevada.
I’ve already gone on record predicting Carolina to go 2-1 in the MSU, Kentucky, and Texas stretch. Tonight is one of those wins because I think a light went on for this team in the final 10min of the Nevada game (at least I hope).
UNC 80
MSU 75
HP, agree on this could be Henson’s coming out party, but only if Roy gives him more than 9min of PT.
(Dick Vitale On The Call; Consider Yourself Warned)
I’ll take “Nostradamus” Durham on the radio and the 7 second TV delay.
Go Heels!
UNC: 84 MSU: 80
I predict a very close game, but these guys are ready.
As to this being a “revenge game” or a “rematch”. Nope. These are not the same teams. And I’m going to quote Roy and say that we sure as hell ain’t giving our rings back if MSU beats us, and we ain’t getting another trophy if we beat them. But the media needs a story, and this is the best one they could find.
Well, let’s see (and understanding that the gambit is attracting bettors):
Vegas line on Syracuse was UNC by 1-1/2. Oops.
Vegas line on Nevada was UNC by 15. Oops, didn’t cover.
Tonight’s line is UNC by 2. While the odds-makers are learning, I say, Oops, again.
While I would love a romp, be satisfied with a W, I just don’t sense this squad is there yet. Most especially in the “identity as a defensive team” pre-season prognoses. Surprise me on D, Heels!
From what I’ve seen so far, offense must keep us in it; offense will have to win it. Put the DDZ + 3 on ‘em. (Deon, Davis, Zeller plus some 3-ball).
Learn, Tarbabes, learn!
That’s the big opportunity of this early-on schedule.
Zoomba, Heels!