It looks like we are the underdog!!!!!

[notashelbyfan]

Most of the talking heads are saying we are going to lose, i love it when they count us out.

I know the Zags are very good but dang they are talking like we will only have a chance to win if we just keep it close till the end and we get lucky!

I think they said the same thing in 05 when we was playing a one loss team for the ship and we did ok!

 

[Tom79]

we're giving -2 today....

 

[DaSheed]

Vitale is picking UNC to win 87-83. I was shocked!

I think most people picking the Zags are doing so because of Berry.

 

[Heelicious]

Vitale is picking UNC to win 87-83. I was shocked!

I think most people picking the Zags are doing so because of Berry.

For sure. A healthy, good shooting Berry, and we win last night by 15+, and would be favored tomorrow by 7+. Expectations are tempered though, and we know what we have, going in, which is good, and it seems like there is likelihood that others on Heels realize this, and dig deep, and pick up the slack. And maybe JB realized what he can and can't do, adjusts, and grinds out whatever he can, without trying to do too much.

NEED to have Hicks step up.... and JJ give us at least what he did last night again, on both ends. He and Pinson have been very solid on the defensive end for a couple straight games against some really tough matchups.

 

[gauchoheel]

Nah. The Zags have been the #1 team all year by most of the advanced metrics. They are 10 bad minutes of basketball from being undefeated, and that's with wins over Arizona, Florida, WVU, Xavier, Iowa St, St. Mary's x3, etc. Healthy Berry or not I think UNC -2 is generous. They are an awesome team.

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

I'm glad that we're the so-called "Underdog", and hope Gonzaga believes it too!

Also agree that Gonzaga has earned that Mantel of "Favortie" which generally comes with more pressure to fulfill that notion....

It's a big stage that this particular group of Tar Heels is familiar with....Guess we'll find out tomorrow how the Zags handle the Championship game, and the label as the"Favorite" for the first time?

Go Tar Heels!

 

[Sk1310]

We arent winning tomorrow if Hicks and Berry go a combined 3-28. Can we have a game where Meeks, Hicks, Jackson and Berry all have a good game? This would be a perfect time for it!

 

[strummingram]

If we had to play Pepperdine, Saint Mary's, Loyola-Marymount, Pacific and Santa Clara all season then our offense and defense would be #1, too!

 

[notashelbyfan]

If we had to play Pepperdine, Saint Mary's, Loyola-Marymount, Pacific and Santa Clara all season then our offense and defense would be #1, too!

Thats right its not the good teams they beat its the abundance of crap teams that they play that drives their numbers up!

I still say if the play in the ACC they lose 7 or 8 games and dont get the 1 seed in the dance that 1 seeds exp theirs made for a less challenging path to the final four!

But with all that said they are a very good basketball team.

 

[DaSheed]

UNC's strength of schedule is ranked 11th. Zags are 78th. Those numbers may vary based on who's doing the rankings but they're all about the same. Every time the Zags play a good team...it's a close game. Monday will be no different.

 

[RoseHeel]

Berry is the reason why. Most people cite his ankle(s) being the issue.

Its understandable anyway. Hopefully the guys use this as motivation.

 

[bleeduncblue]

Heels by 10-12

 

[thaUNCshow]

my heart tells me Gonzaga hasnt seen a team like us all year. We on the other hand have been tested all season playing Dook 3 times, UK twice and beat a very good team last night that manhandled the popular favorite in Kansas who were playing a home game. The only thing im worried about is the fact that they shoot the 3 ball well and we simply dont defend the 3 good at all. If the Zags are cold from the outside we should run them out but if theyre hot its gonna be a difficult game. The Mountain Man hasnt dealt with a Meeks or a Hicks all year and tbh I think Bell was a much tougher matchup than he is

 

[GoNtheDistance]

Let's go Heels. We are due a breakout performance where we show up on a mission and beat somebody's ass.

 

[alabamaheel]

Fact is, we are due a game where we click on all cylinders. If we remotely get close to that happening then we cruise in my opinion. FOOT-HEAD-CRUSH!!!

 

[Heelicious]

my heart tells me Gonzaga hasnt seen a team like us all year. We on the other hand have been tested all season playing Dook 3 times, UK twice and beat a very good team last night that manhandled the popular favorite in Kansas who were playing a home game. The only thing im worried about is the fact that they shoot the 3 ball well and we simply dont defend the 3 good at all. If the Zags are cold from the outside we should run them out but if theyre hot its gonna be a difficult game. The Mountain Man hasnt dealt with a Meeks or a Hicks all year and tbh I think Bell was a much tougher matchup than he is

Show, I agree with most of your post. And how we let some teams like Duke get us, with unguarded threes DURING THE REGULAR SEASON, drove me nuts too.
But lets talk about Butler, UK, and OU. All good three point shooting teams. All shot very poorly from 3 against us. Were we just lucky? Were they just off? Maybe, but I give credit to Jackson, Pinson, and Berry on locking down guys pretty well on the 3 line against those three teams. I am hoping they can do the same tomorrow, and stay out of foul trouble.