Quick stuff (SDSt game - NCAAT)...

[gary-7]

...and well, ok then.

So yeah, that's how it's done, and on a night full o' superlatives I'm gonna start with one guy --- JWit. I cannot be happier for him to A) get this chance to put that bad moment behind him, and B) show up tonight with a double-double and some high-effort D. Good on ya!

So, let's get to the rest:
- I wondered how we'd come out, and for a couple of minutes the guys had me worried with those half-assed passes --- I mean, Drake all but handed a guy the ball one time --- but fortunately, that was short-lived. Once the guys got cranked up, and especially with the ball going thru the basket, well.... duck!

- One thing we didn't half-ass was defense. Our 20 was mostly consistently good, and we attacked the ball, forcing TOs and busting ass for some classic Carolina fast breaks.

- Speaking of that, our TEMPO was so much more like it tonight. Did you notice how mamy fewer times we walked up to called plays? --- way more transition and Freelance action. And I know what we're all thinking --- if RJ gets back in the "zone" like his shooting tonight indicated, yeah... that dog will flat-out hunt.

- Granted, we're not gonna be able to expect that kind of shooting, but what was sustainable was him getting so many shots in rhythm. Yeah, it's nice to have the step-back bail-out in his back pocket, but when we can get the little guy in the flow, well... you saw the possibilities.

- Speaking of tempo and flow, that was the handiwork of #3. I told a coach buddy I didn't mind being in the play-in because it was an extra opportunity to watch EC operate. He kicked off our scoring and then went to work, wheelin' and dealin', triggering and running breaks, disrupting on D and generally driving SDSt crazy, We actually got a stat guy who could count his 12 Assists (hell, he mighta got credited for 8 in Chapel Hill ), plus he had 5 "coach's" that led to FTs. Eliot did get shorted a steal, but Lordy, some of those sick passes. Maybe some will get it and some won't, but putting it in hoops lingo: he just ain't normal...

- Speaking of that, we' continue to improve at CATCHING the ball, especially Lubin --- and I love watching Seth sky to the rack, looking more like he did at Memphis. Moreover, we continued what worked in the dook comeback by attacking the rim, and we toughed it out on the glass to the tune of a 39-28 advantage. In addition to Withers, that was a team effort, with JWash --- who played some stout inside D --- and others battling.

- Finally, look, I told y'all these guys were gonna get up in our grilles, but we made them play our game. Trust me, Beard's Ole Miss team plays like absolute bastards and will be even more physical and mature than these guys. With that said, I imagine whichever of his Assistants scouted this game wrote "oh shit" somewhere on that sheet...

Anyway, that's how you start off a tourney --- at one point late, I looked up and we were up 40. Wow. Oh, and how about Dante Mayo getting a 3 in an NCAAT game? --- pretty cool IYAM. So yeah, on to Milwaukee and get Seth in front of the home folks, Just gotta come out with the same approach and maybe just a tad quicker...

 

[tarwhiz]

...and well, ok then.

So yeah, that's how it's done, and on a night full o' superlatives I'm gonna start with one guy --- JWit. I cannot be happier for him to A) get this chance to put that bad moment behind him, and B) show up tonight with a double-double and some high-effort D. Good on ya!

So, let's get to the rest:
- I wondered how we'd come out, and for a couple of minutes the guys had me worried with those half-assed passes --- I mean, Drake all but handed a guy the ball one time --- but fortunately, that was short-lived. Once the guys got cranked up, and especially with the ball going thru the basket, well.... duck!

- One thing we didn't half-ass was defense. Our 20 was mostly consistently good, and we attacked the ball, forcing TOs and busting ass for some classic Carolina fast breaks.

- Speaking of that, our TEMPO was so much more like it tonight. Did you notice how mamy fewer times we walked up to called plays? --- way more transition and Freelance action. And I know what we're all thinking --- if RJ gets back in the "zone" like his shooting tonight indicated, yeah... that dog will flat-out hunt.

- Granted, we're not gonna be able to expect that kind of shooting, but what was sustainable was him getting so many shots in rhythm. Yeah, it's nice to have the step-back bail-out in his back pocket, but when we can get the little guy in the flow, well... you saw the possibilities.

- Speaking of tempo and flow, that was the handiwork of #3. I told a coach buddy I didn't mind being in the play-in because it was an extra opportunity to watch EC operate. He kicked off our scoring and then went to work, wheelin' and dealin', triggering and running breaks, disrupting on D and generally driving SDSt crazy, We actually got a stat guy who could count his 12 Assists (hell, he mighta got credited for 8 in Chapel Hill ), plus he had 5 "coach's" that led to FTs. Eliot did get shorted a steal, but Lordy, some of those sick passes. Maybe some will get it and some won't, but putting it in hoops lingo: he just ain't normal...

- Speaking of that, we' continue to improve at CATCHING the ball, especially Lubin --- and I love watching Seth sky to the rack, looking more like he did at Memphis. Moreover, we continued what worked in the dook comeback by attacking the rim, and we toughed it out on the glass to the tune of a 39-28 advantage. In addition to Withers, that was a team effort, with JWash --- who played some stout inside D --- and others battling.

- Finally, look, I told y'all these guys were gonna get up in our grilles, but we made them play our game. Trust me, Beard's Ole Miss team plays like absolute bastards and will be even more physical and mature than these guys. With that said, I imagine whichever of his Assistants scouted this game wrote "oh shit" somewhere on that sheet...

Anyway, that's how you start off a tourney --- at one point late, I looked up and we were up 40. Wow. Oh, and how about Dante Mayo getting a 3 in an NCAAT game? --- pretty cool IYAM. So yeah, on to Milwaukee and get Seth in front of the home folks, Just gotta come out with the same approach and maybe just a tad quicker...

Our help defense was there all night.
Cadeau was brilliant for the second consecutive night and I can see the makings of a team leader emerging.
So happy for JWith.
After his first turnover he was really good making shots, boarding, defending.
Seth's energy was contagious and RJ was locked in as a scorer.
Looking forward to Friday, and dare I say beyond.....

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

Whenever we are able to dictate tempo, we are an effective and dangerous team.
Holy smokes, that was fun to watch.
BTW, how about that consistent officiating? The same physical contact
that our bigs and driving guards have received all season sans free throws
rightly earned us trips to the free throw line. We got knocked to the floor and
smacked on the arm, and lo and behold, the refs called fouls on the Aztecs.
We defended them by beating them to spots, hustling, and using active hands
and phantom fouls were NOT called to thwart our efforts.
Oh, please, please, please…..may a group of stripes whose agenda is to
officiate consistently be assigned to our next game.
Congratulations, guys. Keep it up. GDTBATH 🏀 ⛹🏾

 

[imajericho]

If RJ can remain hot, we are going far. This team is gonna go as RJ goes. It's been that way for years now despite all those that wanted RJ gone and so on. Hopefully RJ keeps it up. Defense looked good. Passing looked mostly good. Cadeau played well. A few others did well also. It's amazing what making shots does to opening up other opportunities.

 

[big_deez]

What a great win all around, happy for these guys.

 

[Steat]

Cadeau did not have a foul in the first half. Case closed.

 

[ChrisMPA]

I hope that jackass West Virginia governor enjoyed the show. Investigate that

 

[Oak ridger]

I hope that jackass West Virginia governor enjoyed the show. Investigate that

He needs to find another basketball coach.
Coach lasted one year.

 

[NathanFielder]

I thought it was a pretty comfortable matchup. It took maybe 10 minutes to get used to San Diego State's length, then UNC took care of the ball a little better. You always look better when your shots are falling. They always look really bad when their shots are not falling. I do think UNC's defense affected their shots more than the other way around.

It was a really good matchup. San Diego State's offense is among those you'll see from 14, 15, 16 seeds in this tournament. It's by far the worst offense of any at large team. And while UNC has had their issues defending this season, San Diego State's lack of skill was on display.

Probably UNC's best all around performance in this game this season? Now they have a coinflip game against Ole Miss.

The team looked like they had more bounce to their step. Looked like a really confident team.

 

[montana_heel]

Have to give credit to our guards. They played well.

That was the Cadeau that Gary sees every game. I kid! But you could not ask any more of him. Don't know if anyone noticed the play where a SDS player drove on him and he backed up with his hands straight for no foul. Minor play but I think that play triggered me to think, this kid is maturing.

Man, hope he is here next year coupled with a taller PG and adequate big.

I thought Drake played very good. He really has all the tools. Good to see Ian put a few buckets in for confidence.

Bigs played good. Even saw dome aggressiveness out of JWash.

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

Elliot blocked a shot with his elbow, FFS. 😳😁

 

[DSouthr]

That's why!

That is why UNC had to be in this NCAAT and frankly that's why so many other fan bases didn't want UNC in this tourney. Ole Miss, your turn, you are now in our vision, we see you, now you are next.

I know some see it, but I simply love watching Seth Trimble defend, it tends to go unnoticed but it is there every game, ball handler tries to drive and there is Seth, step for step, yet another drove stoned. I have watched this kid all season, stone a drive, switch off to another guy and stone him to, it is just so important to the out come. And Drake is becoming a longer version of Seth.

RJ has found his shooting eye, not just last night but over the last several games but these last 2, RJ has found that zone where his shooting efficiency just soars! Cadeau not in foul trouble and taking better care of the ball, making better decisions on who to pass to and when, got him a buck twenty in dimes, get yours young man!

I whole heartedly agree gary, it was fantastic to see JWith get that double double, I just can't get the expression out of my head of that kid on the side lines right after committing that lane violation and after Hubert with his arm around that kid as if he was shielding his player from the reporters. JWit played his ass off last night, good on you young man, good on you!

40, we went up 40, when we got up 40 that was ball game, no matter the final score, it felt like a 40pt win. While everyone else was hyping SDSU up, I looked in to them, I was not impressed. Yeah, they beat Houston but they did so in a early season tourney, those things see big time teams losing every season, those early tourneys rarely show you what is there late season. I doubt that SDSU team would have even reached the ACCT had they been in the ACC. I believe it was Fanta that had SDSU going to the sweet 16, maybe that guy should find a profession he is good at? All this persecution of Bubba, well was Bubba so wrong now? All you national media talking heads have done is piss off this group of Tar Heels, thanks, we appreciate it, by all means keep it up, tell us how we have no chance against Ole MIss, enthrall us once more...

 

[bluetoe]

Whenever we are able to dictate tempo, we are an effective and dangerous team.
Holy smokes, that was fun to watch.
BTW, how about that consistent officiating? The same physical contact
that our bigs and driving guards have received all season sans free throws
rightly earned us trips to the free throw line. We got knocked to the floor and
smacked on the arm, and lo and behold, the refs called fouls on the Aztecs.
We defended them by beating them to spots, hustling, and using active hands
and phantom fouls were NOT called to thwart our efforts.
Oh, please, please, please…..may a group of stripes whose agenda is to
officiate consistently be assigned to our next game.
Congratulations, guys. Keep it up. GDTBATH 🏀 ⛹🏾

lol, this was one of the few times in my long and illustrious sofa-ref career that I sometimes wondered if it wasn't the other team getting shafted a little by the whistle....not so much in terms of calls being called accurately but in terms of fouls called the same both ways...but then I got real and thought no, benefit of the whistle just doesn't happen to whistle-targets like us. But I did see what I thought were several phantom fouls on us. That's OK though, phantom calls happen when the refs are actually trying to call fouls rather than ignoring them; that's just the way I like it.

This feels to me like a bit of a trap game after the fact because for one thing we won't likely see a game called that tightly again. And SDSU's offense was at times defensing itself as much as we were. Much tougher rows to hoe on both ends from here on.

 

[bluetoe]

That's why!

That is why UNC had to be in this NCAAT and frankly that's why so many other fan bases didn't want UNC in this tourney. Ole Miss, your turn, you are now in our vision, we see you, now you are next.

I know some see it, but I simply love watching Seth Trimble defend, it tends to go unnoticed but it is there every game, ball handler tries to drive and there is Seth, step for step, yet another drove stoned. I have watched this kid all season, stone a drive, switch off to another guy and stone him to, it is just so important to the out come. And Drake is becoming a longer version of Seth.

RJ has found his shooting eye, not just last night but over the last several games but these last 2, RJ has found that zone where his shooting efficiency just soars! Cadeau not in foul trouble and taking better care of the ball, making better decisions on who to pass to and when, got him a buck twenty in dimes, get yours young man!

I whole heartedly agree gary, it was fantastic to see JWith get that double double, I just can't get the expression out of my head of that kid on the side lines right after committing that lane violation and after Hubert with his arm around that kid as if he was shielding his player from the reporters. JWit played his ass off last night, good on you young man, good on you!

40, we went up 40, when we got up 40 that was ball game, no matter the final score, it felt like a 40pt win. While everyone else was hyping SDSU up, I looked in to them, I was not impressed. Yeah, they beat Houston but they did so in a early season tourney, those things see big time teams losing every season, those early tourneys rarely show you what is there late season. I doubt that SDSU team would have even reached the ACCT had they been in the ACC. I believe it was Fanta that had SDSU going to the sweet 16, maybe that guy should find a profession he is good at? All this persecution of Bubba, well was Bubba so wrong now? All you national media talking heads have done is piss off this group of Tar Heels, thanks, we appreciate it, by all means keep it up, tell us how we have no chance against Ole MIss, enthrall us once more...

even as much as us winning, I love to see RJ at his best. I think he is actually underappreciated even with all the notice he is given. In my mind of appreciation for heroics, he even nudges Phil Ford a little.

I have never seen him in more of a zone than the one he was in last night, and I think he would agree, judging by his reaction to that long three as the shot clock ran out. I bet a lot of people were thinking 'warm up the bus' when that went in.

All this persecution of Bubba, well was Bubba so wrong now?

you know most fans and much of the media don't get any further than Bubba's position on the committee. His non-participation in our case doesn't make for fodder for the hate/resentment for teams squeaking in that always comes from teams being left out. My thought last night was I bet WVa dropped any notion of pursuing that lawsuit.

 

[tarheels0015]

I hope that jackass West Virginia governor enjoyed the show. Investigate that

Send him a cheerwine

 

[gary-7]

Whenever we are able to dictate tempo, we are an effective and dangerous team.
Holy smokes, that was fun to watch.
BTW, how about that consistent officiating? The same physical contact
that our bigs and driving guards have received all season sans free throws
rightly earned us trips to the free throw line. 🏀 ⛹🏾

Y'know, when they missed that textbook double dribble and another one early, I was worried, but yes, they called a very fair and solid game without an agenda to reward mayhem. Way different from what we typically get in the ACC, huh?

Oh, on a semi-related note, hey @DukeDallas9192011015 --- how pathetic a dookie are you to create an account just to come on our board and "react" to a post here that's clearly over your head?

 

[gary-7]

Don't know if anyone noticed the play where a SDS player drove on him and he backed up with his hands straight for no foul. Minor play but I think that play triggered me to think, this kid is maturing.

Well, in fairness, he does that pretty consistently and beats his guy to the spot.
Only difference is, in the ACC the zebras seem to have a quota to invent a foul about every 3rd time... 🦨

 

[gary-7]

That's why!

That is why UNC had to be in this NCAAT and frankly that's why so many other fan bases didn't want UNC in this tourney. Ole Miss, your turn, you are now in our vision, we see you, now you are next.

I know some see it, but I simply love watching Seth Trimble defend, it tends to go unnoticed but it is there every game, ball handler tries to drive and there is Seth, step for step, yet another drove stoned. I have watched this kid all season, stone a drive, switch off to another guy and stone him to, it is just so important to the out come. And Drake is becoming a longer version of Seth.

RJ has found his shooting eye, not just last night but over the last several games but these last 2, RJ has found that zone where his shooting efficiency just soars! Cadeau not in foul trouble and taking better care of the ball, making better decisions on who to pass to and when, got him a buck twenty in dimes, get yours young man!

I whole heartedly agree gary, it was fantastic to see JWith get that double double, I just can't get the expression out of my head of that kid on the side lines right after committing that lane violation and after Hubert with his arm around that kid as if he was shielding his player from the reporters. JWit played his ass off last night, good on you young man, good on you!

40, we went up 40, when we got up 40 that was ball game, no matter the final score, it felt like a 40pt win. While everyone else was hyping SDSU up, I looked in to them, I was not impressed. Yeah, they beat Houston but they did so in a early season tourney, those things see big time teams losing every season, those early tourneys rarely show you what is there late season. I doubt that SDSU team would have even reached the ACCT had they been in the ACC. I believe it was Fanta that had SDSU going to the sweet 16, maybe that guy should find a profession he is good at? All this persecution of Bubba, well was Bubba so wrong now? All you national media talking heads have done is piss off this group of Tar Heels, thanks, we appreciate it, by all means keep it up, tell us how we have no chance against Ole MIss, enthrall us once more...

Just to add to the fun:

and

 

[Steat]

Bubba saved his job by getting the the Heels in the Dance. No one can convince me that he wasn't a factor. Probably less than 5%, but who in heck cares at this juncture. I have seen UNC on the other end of this many times. I will not apologize for the Heels getting in. STFU

 

[NathanFielder]

Just to add to the fun:

View embedded media

and

View embedded media

Confirmed: Jon Rothstein hates North Carolina. I mean just look what he said here after they beat Coach K to send him home.

 

[gary-7]

Confirmed: Jon Rothstein hates North Carolina. I mean just look what he said here after they beat Coach K to send him home.

View embedded media

Meaning what? TBH, he sounded remarkably like a couple of angry dookies I know reacted back when that happened.

 

[Lewis&Miller]

Carolina had an all around dominating performance last nite. Actually thought Withers played an almost mature, error free game with focus after the early obligatory turnover. He seemed focused and that is very unusual. I cant remember him taking a really poor shot. He was active in the paint, rebounding, defense, and making good shot selection. Im hoping his traumatic flub has energized a different awareness. He is highly skilled just lagging in basketball decision making/IQ. Is it possible Withers could deliver last nites solid game every nite going forward. Of course, history says not likely but sometimes big blunders can force a self reckoning.

Withers is just one of many starters who will have to step up. RJ did last nite. Powell and Lubin were solid. But hey, the key to this team is clearly Cadeau. He controlled the game and he will have to do that every game going forward. The team did not feel any of the vaunted SDSU defense with the ball in Cadeaus hands. Cadeau is our offensive system. Hubert needs to ride with him because when Hubert calls a set play, it usually fails. The last 2 minutes of the dook game produced 4 set plays after TOs and everyone failed to be executed. Those 4 plays ended in 2 shots by Powell and 2 shots by Lubin with the game on the line. Cadeau making decisions is easily a better option.

 

[tarwhiz]

Elliot blocked a shot with his elbow, FFS. 😳😁

I thought so too in real time, he did but the ball hit the side of the backboard first.