Reactions From a Tar Heel Fan
NC State 96
North Carolina 113
Photo: Chris Baird/WRAL Sports
I may start a new series on here titled, “Reactions From a Tar Heel Fan” in which I give my post-game thoughts on UNC athletics. I won’t do it for every basketball or football game, but I would like to do it often. I may even do it for baseball season, even though college baseball is a lot more difficult to keep up with. The first one I’ll do is from last night’s basketball game against NC State, and what a great game to start it off with.
First of all, Luke Maye and Roy Williams are one in the same when it comes to playing NC State. They are like bulls because when they see red, they become infuriated and seek to destroy. I often criticize Roy Williams for over-experimenting on lineups and playing way too deep of a bench, especially in the thick of the season. But whenever he coaches against State, he shortens his bench and the starters seem to get more minutes, which is exactly how I want him to coach. Whereas so many other regular season games (even against big-time opponents) are treated experimentally by Williams in a lot of ways, he coaches against State like it’s an NCAA tournament game, and I love it. Luke Maye does the same thing against the guys in red. Last night he had 31 points and 12 rebounds. In the earlier season matchup with the Wolfpack, he had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Last year in Raleigh, he scored a career high 33 points, and over the last four matchups with them he is averaging 29 points and 13 rebounds. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s just pure hatred that gets him fired up to play, but it really is fun to watch as a Carolina fan.
Coby White (21 points), Kenny Williams (17 points), and Cam Johnson (17 points) all had nice games as well. Kenny Williams is starting to pick up his play by making more jump shots, and it is coming at the right time. Cam Johnson is someone who has been consistent all year for Carolina’s offense. In my opinion, he is the MVP of the season so far. He’s the best 3-point shooter in the ACC, and every time he lets one fly I have a great feeling about it. His contributions this season can’t be overstated. It was also nice to see Coby White get back on track after an off game against Louisville. He’s just so talented on the offensive end, he won’t ever stay cold for too long. The best thing about his game last night was his driving attempts, beating the defender pretty effortlessly and finishing at the rim, often drawing a foul on the shot. He is electrifying and I’m starting to get scared he might decide to enter the NBA draft after the season.
Carolina’s season started off pretty inconsistent, but they are now rolling with six wins in a row, with some very convincing wins in the process. It’s a great time to be playing good ball, but hopefully they aren’t peaking too early. There’s still two games against Duke and the NCAA tournament in the coming month and a half. But for right now, I’m excited with how they’re playing. And should I mention those uniforms they wore last night? THE best uniform in college basketball. After another regular season sweep of little brother NC State, the Tar Heels will take on Miami on Saturday before squaring off against #3 Virginia next Monday. If Carolina keeps playing how they have been, I’m ready and pretty confident for next Monday.
Garett