Sunday, March 11, 2007
Carolina Finds Its Heart
Carolina did everything right.
The Tarheels controlled the tempo, played with great defensive intensity, shot 58% from the field, 60% from behind the arc, and made 23 of their 24 free throws. That performance should have allowed them to blow N.C. State out of the gym, right?
It wasn't that easy.
After Carolina built a 16 point lead only six minutes into the second half, the game could have been over. The Wolfpack, playing for the fourth straight day, overcame exhaustion in a slow but steady comeback, cutting the lead to three with 74 seconds left.
Critics and fans of Carolina have noted the Tarheel's lack of intensity during the last two months. Today, Carolina's intensity reached its peak to beat an outmanned N.C. State team playing strictly on heart.
Keep an eye on Carolina as it moves through the NCAA tournament. Roy Williams may have to give Sidney Lowe a game ball for helping his team realize how good it can be when it plays that hard.
The Tarheels controlled the tempo, played with great defensive intensity, shot 58% from the field, 60% from behind the arc, and made 23 of their 24 free throws. That performance should have allowed them to blow N.C. State out of the gym, right?
It wasn't that easy.
After Carolina built a 16 point lead only six minutes into the second half, the game could have been over. The Wolfpack, playing for the fourth straight day, overcame exhaustion in a slow but steady comeback, cutting the lead to three with 74 seconds left.
Critics and fans of Carolina have noted the Tarheel's lack of intensity during the last two months. Today, Carolina's intensity reached its peak to beat an outmanned N.C. State team playing strictly on heart.
Keep an eye on Carolina as it moves through the NCAA tournament. Roy Williams may have to give Sidney Lowe a game ball for helping his team realize how good it can be when it plays that hard.
