Yeah, I know. UNC has already had two instances this season where players were “doubtful” only to have them show up and play. James Michael McAdoo was one of them this past Saturday and it turned out to not be the best decision.
“James Michael played in the game Saturday with a sprained ankle, wasn’t very effective, and the ankle did swell even more on Sunday,’’ Williams said. “So more than likely — and I said this last week, but he just thought he felt so much better on Saturday — more than likely I won’t play him tomorrow night.
“And that means [Justin] Watts or Desmond [Hubert] will get a little more time, and we can also slide Harrison [Barnes] down to the 4, and get Reggie[Bullock] and Harrison and P.J. [Hairston] in at the same time as well.”
There are a few guaranteed things that bring out the collective groans in the THF comments section and more minutes for Justin Watts is easily high on that list. Of course Watts is one of those players that executes what Roy Williams asks of him which means he will get some time on the floor. That being said, it is possible Roy opts for more Harrison Barnes and Reggie Bullock at the four. In fact a lineup that includes Barnes at the four and Bullock/Hairston at the three still gives you plenty of offense, more so that Watts or Desmond Hubert being out there.
The most important result is McAdoo getting healthy. I imagine the staff is kicking themselves a little now for having McAdoo play in what was a “gimmie game.” Now McAdoo is out for a tougher opponent with two road games forthcoming after this one.
![[Bloglines]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
![[del.icio.us]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[MySpace]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Technorati]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Windows Live]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](../../../wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Crap like this wouldn’t have happened on Marc Davis’s watch…..
I know we could use all the depth we have, but we are so blessed to have players that could play multiple positions. I would think Barnes would have a field day at the 4. I could see Bullock playing multiples too. And I even feel better about Strickland at the 1 now in stretches.
Desmond Hubert needs to be ready when called upon. Really ready!
Be of good cheer, and ask yourself how many teams have a NINTH man as good as Justin Watts.
I don’t want to sound like a jerk to JMM, but this is a perfect opportunity for Desmond to get some more play time and experience (and he’ll need it for next year.)
I’ll never forget when Tebow was playing for Florida and they were running up the score on some team. I looked at my brother and said, “I can’t believe they aren’t using this opportunity to get their second string QB some experience.” The very next play Tebow got a concussion.
This is why I, personally, like games where we get enough of a lead to put in all the subs. You can’t just ignore the future of the season/program for the sake of running up the score.
Well I am glad that you guys haven’t taken the time to turn this into a draft JMM festival as well.
The kid needs at least a couple more seasons to get through playing at this level.
It starts with staying healthy. Just ask Zeller. Or even Hansbrough for that matter.
I hope that JMM heals soon as we will need him for sure. On the bright side, who else is as excited as me to see PJ and Reggie on the court at the same time? I mean its happened before, but it should be fun to watch.
It’s not inconceivable for a full-strength UNC to lose to one of the rank and file ACC teams on a given night, and when everything goes their opponent’s way..
But this year, the way the conference looks, and the fact that the Heels have more experience and quality depth, they have a much better chance of survivng even with losing one of the starters for a game or two. (Except against Duke - they’ll want to be fully equipped in that one)
Then I guess it depends on which starter it is, and against whom they’re playing. It also brings up the age-old question of whom could they least afford to lose for more than a game or two.
Even with Henson being a PIR demon this season, and KM being the driving force, my vote goes to Barnes, primarily based on the way he is ramping up his game, and the way he seems to understand, and respond to, the importance of the moment when it really counts.
I’ve got both my fingers and toes crossed (you didn’t know I could do that did you?) that this will be an injury-free year, but I do feel a little more comfortable , should that happen, than in the past, at least for the ACC.
^I agree with your points, but I still vote Marshall. Not because I think he is better than Barnes, Henson and Zeller, but because I think the drop-off from him to Strickland (at the point) is greater than the drop-off from either Barnes to Bullock/Hairston, or Henson/Zeller to McAdoo.
This has the makings of a trap game. I can see Shane Larkin catching on fire. Of course, I am probably going to be that anytime the Heels face a team with good three point shooters.
^^Yeah, I could have gone either way on this (Marshall would have been my other choice), and I’m probably giving Strickland more credit for being able to manage the offense than he might be able to deliver.
And if one might say Barnes has the best ability to make a willful basket when the game is on the line, Marshall probably has an equal ability to make a crafty pass for an open look.
^^Some have already forgotten how clutch Barnes was last year as well. Yeah, as good as our team is, I feel most comfortable in a close game if he is taking a bulk of the shots. Depending on how a game is officiated, he is capable of drawing a foul nearly evertime he goes to the basket.
Now look here, I know there will be some stone-throwing due to the fact that Bullock or Hairston wasn’t mentioned. I like these guys, but at this point, I perceive them as frontrunners. They play good, especially when we have a lead, and they can take more risks in that comfortable environment.
Barnes has PROVEN he can hit clutch shots with the game on the line at home AND on the road. The footage is on youtube for all the world to see!
^No question, if we are talking about the last 5 minutes of the game, then Barnes is the guy who UNC can’t lose. I am just of the opinion that w/o Marshall (and against good teams), UNC won’t be in a position where it matters when it gets to those last 5 minutes.
^exactly someone has to find Barnes for the open three.
There is a significant drop off in terms of PG quality when comparing to Marshall to Strickland…but it’s not nearly as catastrophic as the discrepancy between Marshall and Larry Drew.
You lose Marshall you have Strickland and Stillman White backing him up, you lose Barnes you have Bullock and Hairston. You can’t lose either but if you had to pick one not to lose I think Marshall.
I am intrigued by the idea of seeing what Hubert could do with more playing time. It was stupid to let an injured JMM play in a game where he wasn’t needed. We better hope Z and Henson don’t get into foul trouble tonight.
It would also be nice to see Reggie Johnson get called for all the fouls he actually commits but we already know that ain’t happening…
“There is a significant drop off in terms of PG quality when comparing to Marshall to Strickland…but it’s not nearly as catastrophic as the discrepancy between Marshall and Larry Drew.”
I’m not so sure about that, as far as the difference between LD and Strickland at the PG position . (Not considering scoring) I didn’t think LD was that much less effective, if any, at the point than Dexter. Granted, Dexter seems to be much more comfortable this year.
LD2 was obviously not meant to be here, but I’m trying to be honest about what looked to be a promising back-up situation after the pressure of starting and leading was removed.
In LD’s last 4 games, and as a non-starter with fewer minutes than KM, he had 14 pts., 10 RB’s, 19 assists, 3 TO’s, and 5 steals. That’s pretty good, scoring aside.
“It would also be nice to see Reggie Johnson get called for all the fouls he actually commits but we already know that ain’t happening…”
If it did, he’d already be fouled out…
Dont disregard how important John henson is to the tar heels. He rebounds every miss, and protects Marshall when he gets beat off the dribble.
I wouldnt want to lose him either… Honestly other than dex, i wouldnt want to lose any one in the starting lineup
I would love to see a lineup of Marshall, Hairston, Bullock, Barnes, and Henson/Zeller. I’ve been begging for some of that all year, but I don’t think this is the type of team I’d like to see it against. They have quality size that Barnes will likely have difficulty defending at the four.