The GREAT Roy Williams gamble that paid off

[IDUNK4HEELS]

Freshman Kenny Williams in probably the biggest game of the season who normally never gets more than a couple of minutes of PT when he actually gets in-gets extended minutes in the second half because Paige needs a breather does a tremendous job on the ACC player of the year allowing Paige to get his second wind and the rest is history. Putting a freshman on a GREAT senior scorer was a GIGANTIC gamble which paid off. No question Coach Williams knows his players and their skill set better than many of the couch potato coaches that often try and give him coaching tips. Offense wins games but defense wins championships. Case in point the last two games against quality opponents...

 

[Archer2]

And I'm sure some of our fans were going absolutely apes**t when he did it! I can't help but laugh at the thought of that.

 

[strummingram]

I was really scratching my head... and yelling out loud... but, the sky didn't fall. Gambles are gambles.
Hey... maybe this will help us on a bigger stage when the stakes are even higher.

 

[coryfly]

Williams has been a good defender all year. I think he did pretty well in there. Heck, I wanted him to shoot it, haha.

 

[Steat]

Roy knows that Kenny is ready now after he hit that 3 pointer the other night.

 

[bleeduncblue]

Roy should retire

 

[HeelFan58]

Despite giving up 30 lbs. to Brogdon , Kenny went toe to toe with him.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

A great in-game adjustment. Very happy with the win, and that Roy was willing to switch things up mid game this time around.

ACC Champs!!

 

[n8tiveheel]

At times, I've been overly critical of coach and some of his decisions. I'm so glad he is our coach and has lead our team to an undisputed conference championship. I'm really excited about Kenny's future.

 

[TARRRRRHEEEEEELS]

And I'm sure some of our fans were going absolutely apes**t when he did it! I can't help but laugh at the thought of that.

I think the intelligent ones panic a lot more when Joel James enters the game. Kenny isn't a problem on the court - he's too timid to force anything and make bad decisions. Plays tough defense and will take the open 3 when it's there. I don't see a problem with spurts of Kenny at SG.

 

[Prof C]

It was a big risk by Coach Williams to have a freshman guard the (unofficially) co-ACC POY. Because had UNC lost, fans would have pointed this out as one of coach's worst decisions and called for his head.

I watched Kenny Williams the entire time he was on Brogdon during that sequence, paying attention to nothing else. KW played incredible defense on him in denying the ball and staying in MBs back pocket; I don't believe he even got a shot off. This goes to show that Roy knows his players much better than us fans, and has the faith in his players to succeed.

Well done Coach Williams and the Tar Heels. Another Carolina Championship.

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

I like that Roy trusts KW enough to put him in..bright future for that young man !

 

[jah420]

If there is one thing Shaka Smart recruits, it's good tough defensive minded ball players. Not surprised Kenny can get after it defensively but I would be lying if I was wondering what coach was doing there. That however is why he is a division 1 HOF coach and I'm just sitting at home trying to find the right combination of my lucky seat and lucky shirt/jersey to wear!!

 

[LifeboatParty]

Freshman Kenny Williams in probably the biggest game of the season who normally never gets more than a couple of minutes of PT when he actually gets in-gets extended minutes in the second half because Paige needs a breather does a tremendous job on the ACC player of the year allowing Paige to get his second wind and the rest is history. Putting a freshman on a GREAT senior scorer was a GIGANTIC gamble which paid off. No question Coach Williams knows his players and their skill set better than many of the couch potato coaches that often try and give him coaching tips. Offense wins games but defense wins championships. Case in point the last two games against quality opponents...

I was really scratching my head... and yelling out loud... but, the sky didn't fall. Gambles are gambles.
Hey... maybe this will help us on a bigger stage when the stakes are even higher.

In the 1993 NCAA Championship, Dean Smith sent in Scott Cherry and Matt Wenstrom with 6 minutes and 50 seconds to play and Carolina down 62-61. That turned out okay.

Gina

 

[Prof C]

In the 1993 NCAA Championship, Dean Smith sent in Scott Cherry and Matt Wenstrom with 6 minutes and 50 seconds to play and Carolina down 62-61. That turned out okay.

Gina

Welcome back Gina. I've always enjoyed your insight so feel free to post more.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Since KW was always known as a defender and multiple practice reports said he was a top notch on ball defender and he played good D on his other outings, I think of it as a shrewd decision not a gamble. At this point, Coach knows who he can count on and what his team is capable of; unlike king ratty who doesn't even know how many peeps are on his bench!

Roy just pulled another Ace out of his sleeve and I am impressed.

Go KW!
Go Roy!
Go Tar Heels!

 

[trestyles]

I think the intelligent ones panic a lot more when Joel James enters the game. Kenny isn't a problem on the court - he's too timid to force anything and make bad decisions. Plays tough defense and will take the open 3 when it's there. I don't see a problem with spurts of Kenny at SG.

I agree with this comment. I'm not nervous wit Kenny. Joel can't grab a rebound at times and refs give him fouls for being BIG.

 

[TheGLOV]

Freshman Kenny Williams in probably the biggest game of the season who normally never gets more than a couple of minutes of PT when he actually gets in-gets extended minutes in the second half because Paige needs a breather does a tremendous job on the ACC player of the year allowing Paige to get his second wind and the rest is history. Putting a freshman on a GREAT senior scorer was a GIGANTIC gamble which paid off. No question Coach Williams knows his players and their skill set better than many of the couch potato coaches that often try and give him coaching tips. Offense wins games but defense wins championships. Case in point the last two games against quality opponents...

He must have earned the right in practice sir.

That's the "Roy" way.

 

[TheGLOV]

In the 1993 NCAA Championship, Dean Smith sent in Scott Cherry and Matt Wenstrom with 6 minutes and 50 seconds to play and Carolina down 62-61. That turned out okay.

Gina

I talked to Scott once over the phone. Great guy!!!

 

[Grayhead]

Kenny has played sticky d to maximize his game time. He played d at another level against UVA. Obviously he has been hampering our guards in practice with the defence to get Roy's attention. Roy rolled the dice and it worked. I can't wait to see his shot start falling. I think his ceiling is high.

 

[dgheel57]

If Kenny lives up to his potentional along side Berry then next year we may have the best 3pt shooting team we've had years.

 

[Grayhead]

The same was said about this year's team. Berry is a sniper. Paige and Jackson could be also. I want all three to go off in the tourney. That is a side of the heels noone has had to deal with yet.
Anything Kenny does is gravy this year. I too hope he meets his potential as well. Would love to see him drain 1-2 a game from here on out.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

No question Coach Williams knows his players and their skill set better than many of the couch potato coaches that often try and give him coaching tips.

I told him to do that.

From my couch.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Kid always looks good. He'll get his chance next year. It will be tough competition, but he now has a critical bit of experience that could help him edge out some of the higher-ranked incomers.