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Marshall’s Law
Feb 7th
After searching for hours trying to find some type of highlights or recap of the North Carolina/ Florida State game yesterday I finally gave up. Yesterday the Tarheels put on yet another virtuoso performance that was capped off by none other than freshman point guard Kendall Marshall playing so well that he broke a long standing Carolina record in the process. The Heels dominated the Seminoles with the game having a final score of 89-69. The Heels played a marvelous game even though many of the so-called experts had created a sense of doom of the remainder of the season after Larry Drew abruptly left the team.
Most of the Carolina fans already knew how good Kendall Marshall could be, but I’m sure that no one person in their right mind expected for a freshman point guard to run the offense with such effortless efficiency. I would compare Marshall’s conducting skills with Ed Cota from UNC’s past teams. Marshall like Cota is not the fastest, most athletic, or the biggest scoring threat we have ever seen, but his ability to run the offense in such an unselfish manner is unparalleled.
Sunday’s game saw the Tarheel big men get more easy baskets than at any point this season or last season, and the scary thought is that Marshall will only improve. Marshall’s game is a far cry from Larry Drew II, who seemed indecisive and never really was a feared penetrator, scorer, or passer. Drew’s passing usually left Carolina’s post players in uncomfortable positions where they were not used to scoring the basketball, and the offense as a whole suffered.
Now that Marshall is at the helm all is well in Carolina. Only I wish that fans would realize that their critical remarks and harsh treatment of Drew led were probably the leading causes of his early departure. Marshall may be the better option as a starter, but Drew played very well coming off the bench. Now Carolina fans are left to wonder whether or not Dexter Strickland can be the secondary ball-handler that the Heels so desperately need.
Either way the Heels appear to be more confident than ever leading into their colossal matchup with rival Duke. Marshall’s court vision and his unlimited number of scoring options should pose real problems for the Blue Devils. I can only hope that he can carry his record breaking 16 assist performance eight miles down the road to Durham on Wednesday, and prove to the rest of the country that the state of North Carolina is under “Marshall Law.”
Strong Finish for Carolina
Jan 26th
Some fans of Carolina may feel that Roy Williams owes them an apology for the teams play over the past year and a half. Some Carolina fans have been spoiled over the past six years after experiencing two national championships. Some fans may even be ready to call into question the coaching ability of a first ballot hall of fame coach even though the team continues to improve. This season has not turned out to be as spectacular as many people would have liked, but this version of the Tar Heels continues to win even though they have lost support from a particularly fickle group of fans.
For fans of Carolina to call into Roy Williams’ radio show last week for no other reason than to voice their uniformed opinions, reveals a serious lack of knowledge of the game of basketball. Anyone who has watched the Tar Heel program for more than a day can see a team that is void of senior leadership, but people are still watching this team like they’re supposed to magically begin performing like the Tyler Hansbrough-led group in ‘09. Unfortunately for those people, this is the real world and this team is developing its own unique identity. Albeit one that does not have fans thinking National Championship in March.
Tonight, the Heels played a tough game against the Miami Hurricanes, who feature a 300 plus pound grizzly bear at center Reggie Johnson hungry for a victory after losing two straight closely contested games. The Canes displayed this hunger with 13 three point field goals made during the contest and a 14 point lead over the Tar Heels at one point in the first half. Surprisingly, the game was tied at halftime. Even more surprising the Heels ended up winning 74-71.
This group has been a pleasant surprise to those who enjoy the simple nuances of basketball, though. The Heels are mostly comprised of freshmen and sophomores, yet they play excellent team defense and display a sense of poise that is off the charts. Whether anyone would like to admit it or not the ACC is still a tough conference to compete in, and the Heels have played well enough to earn a three way tie at the top through five games. Each game of their four conference wins this season have come by the team overcoming painfully sluggish starts.
How could anyone be dissatisfied with that type of performance? Maybe if this Tar Heel team were a racehorse they would receive more national attention for their come from behind conference wins, but the basketball public is not too fond of their play. Tonight’s game completely exemplified Carolina’s season as a whole, by teaching the Miami Hurricanes an age old lesson. It’s not how you start, its how you finish. Anytime a young team can dig themselves a 14 point hole and end the game with a three point victory, is definitely on the right track for a successful season. Maybe one day the fans will understand that, too.
***Harrison Barnes led the Heels in scoring with 13 and also hit the game winning three pointer.***
Damein Fitzgerald
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