Phenomenal execution by Belmont.

J.J. strikes again in the Dean Dome. Mann is one hell of a shooter.

Great game.

wildcats20;1537608 wrote:Phenomenal execution by Belmont.

After the '08 NCAA tournament scare and then needing a last-second Andre Dawkins three to beat Belmont in Cameron two years ago, I am a big believer in Rick Byrd. His teams are always prepared and they can play.

Losing to Belmont is not something to be ashamed of.

Miss 26 FTs, but come back to take a 78-70 lead late in the game, and then piss it away with horrible execution in every way imaginable down the stretch.

Just inexcusable.

Seriously, how do you let Belmont go on a 13-2 run to end the game? How do you let them make 15 threes? How do you miss more FTs than Belmont even took?

This loss ends Carolina's 82 game home winning streak against non-ranked opponents also.

If Hairston ends up being done the entire season, and McDonald for most of it, this has disaster written all over it.

A better question might be how do you let a team whose first 20 field goal attempts consisted of 18 three-pointers continually bury triple after triple without any apparent defensive adjustment to prevent it? Belmont shot 37 threes and only 16 twos. Without the three ball, the Bruins have no chance in this game against a bigger, stronger and more athletic Tar Heel team. Yet, Belmont shot open three after open three for the full 40 minutes.

It's been one of Roy's biggest weaknesses while at UNC. He either doesn't know that shots beyond the arc are worth an extra point or he is content to let the opposition live or die from outside, simply hoping they die. As a Duke fan, I have personally witnessed that philosophy work against Roy more times than it works for him.

reclegend22;1537766 wrote:A better question might be how do you let a team whose first 20 field goal attempts consisted of 18 three-pointers continually bury triple after triple without any apparent defensive adjustment to prevent it? Belmont shot 37 threes and only 16 twos. Without the three ball, the Bruins have no chance in this game against a bigger, stronger and more athletic Tar Heel team. Yet, Belmont shot open three after open three for the full 40 minutes.

It's been one of Roy's biggest weaknesses while at UNC. He either doesn't know that shots beyond the arc are worth an extra point or he is content to let the opposition live or die from outside, simply hoping they die. As a Duke fan, I have personally witnessed that philosophy work against Roy more times than it works for him.

Roy's defensive philsophy is based on percentages. It's supposed to be less likely that an opponent will make a bunch of threes, so you try to keep them from getting looks near the rim and make them take lower percentage shots. The fact is, though, that wide open or semi-open three pointers are simply not a low percentage shot for most teams in today's game. It drives me, and the rest of the Carolina fanbase, absolutely crazy that the Heels give up so many good looks from the perimeter game after game. It doesn't appear that Roy is going to change his approach, which is unbelievably frustrating.

ironman02;1538227 wrote:Roy's defensive philsophy is based on percentages. It's supposed to be less likely that an opponent will make a bunch of threes, so you try to keep them from getting looks near the rim and make them take lower percentage shots. The fact is, though, that wide open or semi-open three pointers are simply not a low percentage shot for most teams in today's game. It drives me, and the rest of the Carolina fanbase, absolutely crazy that the Heels give up so many good looks from the perimeter game after game. It doesn't appear that Roy is going to change his approach, which is unbelievably frustrating.

And that theory might have been a really good one in the George Mikan days. As you said, though, in today's basketball landscape, the three-point shot is an integral part of the game and often the focal point of many teams' offensive schemes. Hell, look at the Miami Heat in the NBA, they practically rode that shot all the way to a world title last year.

Like you, I have just never understood Roy's unwavering position on this subject. Honestly, I just think he's stubborn and stuck in his ways. Can't wait to play you guys this year with all our three-point weapons.

And another wheel falls off the Mark Gottfried bus. The Wolfies lose at home to North Carolina Central in OT. Even after the Sweet 16 run in 2012, I predicted he would be gone in four years. Then came this summer's mass player exodus and transfers. He's in year three. On pace so far.

With Syracuse in the ACC now, the climb back to the top for State is even steeper. Don't see it happening any time soon.

Coming off the VCU win, FSU up 32-23 early on michigan. Where were they picked to finish in the acc?

Mulva;1541377 wrote:Coming off the VCU win, FSU up 32-23 early on michigan. Where were they picked to finish in the acc?

9th

Florida State is going to be a force to be reckoned with, I think, in the ACC this year. There is a lot of talented size there, always a typical ingredient of Leonard Hamilton's better teams. And Okaro White is the leader of the pack. Kid is breaking out this year.

Not looking forward to Duke playing that front line.

Carolina hanging tough with Louisville early. Marcus Paige is going to have to carry this team on his back and he's doing that so far today. Hitting his jump shots and finding players in position in transition similar to Kendall Marshall. From what I've seen, this UNC team scores better in that type of situation than it does in the half-court without the playmaking ability of Hairston and shooting of McDonald.

Cardinals 29, Heels 25

Tie game as half-time approaches. This would be a huge victory for UNC if they can keep it up for another 20 minutes. Ugh.

I watched most of the Richmond game yesterday online, and this teams looks entirely different today.

Marcus Paige continuing to play out of his mind. Such an improvement. I was pretty down on him last year, but his play this year is so refreshing. Becoming a true leader of this squad.

If Hairston and McDonald come back in the near future and this team has a chance to really gel before the meaty part of the ACC schedule, it's going to be a very good team at some point. Without those two, I still see a team that could get into the tournament, but it will probably be close unless some other guys outside of Paige really step up.

reclegend22;1542178 wrote:If Hairston and McDonald come back in the near future and this team has a chance to really gel before the meaty part of the ACC schedule, it's going to be a very good team at some point. Without those two, I still see a team that could get into the tournament, but it will probably be close unless some other guys outside of Paige really step up.

Pretty accurate. JMM is again doing his disappearing act today. But the other bigs have played well, especially Brice Johnson.

Paige with 24 points and three threes again today. And his passing is getting better and better. Damn. Coming out party for him this weekend.

And Tokoto should be replaced in the lineup with Meeks based on today. Not all that impressed with Tokoto. He thinks he's a great swingman who can launch triples, but he doesn't make any.

Is this the same team from yesterday that was losing to Richmond near half-time? I'm really confused. They look like a legit top ten team right now.

Just goes to show you what playing with confidence can do. It's powerful. Paige has it and it is spreading to his teammates.

With that said, Go Cards!

Lead was 11 when Paige went out with his 4th foul. It's now 16. I am stunned.

Louisville doesn't deserve to win, even if they come back and do. They have been thoroughly outplayed by North Carolina for most of the day. I am also pretty stunned by this.

The Cards really miss Dieng.

Somewhere, ironman02 is involuntarily bouncing back to life like one of those clay people in that Buffalo Bills ESPN commercial.

A dominating win for UNC over a top three team and the defending national champ. Did not think that would happen so soon after the events of the past week. What a turnaround.

Honestly, I was expecting a 25-30 point loss. I thought Louisville's pressure would destroy Paige and Britt. Complete opposite result, Paige and Britt handled it so well. Kennedy Meeks played so well too.

The Heels definitely needed that one! GREAT win, especially with PJ and LMac not around.

Paige has been spectacular so far this season. He was starting to show signs of this near the end of last year and I'm glad that he seems to have taken the next step in his development. Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks were outstanding as well. I expected Johnson to be really good this year, but Meeks is a pleasant surprise. He worked in the off-season to shed a ton of weight, and that's really paying off for him.

Still not that optimistic about Hairston and McDonald returning any time soon, but if they do, this team could be very dangerous. Just hope they can use the momentum from this win to make it through the tough non-conference schedule that includes, MSU, UK, and Texas.

Louisville got exposed today. Other than Harrell, who is undersized for a true center, they have no defensive presence or post scoring game.

If you just limit their back court and other wings from absolutely going off and don't let their pressure crush you, the Cards will be lucky to make the Elite 8 again.