UNC Redux – Game Thread
There’s no sugar-coating tonight’s challenge. Vegas has the Pack as a 20+ point underdog, and Roy no doubt has his team’s mind on revenge. But we’ve met the challenge of facing the talented Holes already this season. Hell, we’ve done it this month. There is no long rival game losing streak hanging around our collective neck. Tonight, we’re playing with house money. Relax, enjoy the ride, and hope (against all reason) that we shock the basketball world once more.
Halftime Update: Wow, that was a very well-played first half. I was especially impressed with how well we took care of the basketball, and handled UNC’s ball pressure. I think both teams are playing very well. We aren’t shooting that well, have foul trouble, and are only down 1 at the break. I’ll take that. The tight whistle – note that I didn’t say unfair, I said tight is going to make things difficult for us in the second half. I also think it’s time for everyone to realize that Engin Atsur isn’t just “gritty” or “smart” – he’s good. I think he deserves 3rd team all-ACC honors.
10:24 Update:Wow, I thought Sid didn’t look good at the end of the half. Turns out, they’ve taken him to the hospital (flu-related dehydration). Very fortunate that UNC Hospital is extremely close to the Smith Center. He’s in good hands. The game is getting out of hand.
Final Thoughts: When Sid left for the hospital, you had to think our chance was over. We have too narrow a margin of error as it is – we can’t lose our coach at halftime. Dennis Horner makes a nice shot (take that one more, kid!) at the end to cancel Wes Miller’s dick move and keep the final margin under 20. In essence, it was like the GT game against a much better opponent – the Pack just couldn’t withstand 40 minutes of ball pressure with such a shallow bench. Down the stretch, we couldn’t shot, pass crisply, defend, or rebound. No legs. It was borderline criminal for Towe to leave Atsur in the game for that many minutes with the outcome decided. We need him at full strength on Saturday. Your final score – UNC 83, NC State 64.
109 Responses to “UNC Redux – Game Thread”
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“Nothing can happen if it’s not first a dream. If you have someone with a dream, if you have a motivated person with a goal and a vision, if you have someone who never gives up, who has great hope, anything can happen.”
Jimmy V thinks we can win tonight.
I gotta a feeling. A good feeling. I just hope it’s not gas!
WE CAN WIN THIS GAME! WE ARE DESTINED TO DO IT AGAIN!
I got the same feeling AND I’ve got gas…I think you’re safe.
I have heard people (man on the street) predict State by 9 or 5.
These kids know what they have done, they know what they can do, and pretty much know what to expect tonight.
My prediction—State by 6
I’m expecting something similar to our chapel hill game last year. A solid performance, but a loss by 10-15.
Last game I was seriously shaking during the first 10 minutes. I have never been that nervous watching a state game. My mind was saying that we would get killed by 20+ but my heart told me the opposite. On the other hand I was just hoping to keep the game close. I’m not sure how I feel about this one.. I obviously know it’s possible that we can win after the first game and I guess i’ll just hope for a great outcome like last time. UNC fans still think our team isn’t worthy. I want to keep them on the edge of their collective seats the whole time just to prove that we’re not the crap little cousin in raleigh.
My prediction is something like 85-76. Let’s just hope to give em a run for their money! Go Pack!
Headline – “Heels Try To Salvage Split With Pack”
We won with 22 TO’s the first time, but with great shooting and timely rebounding. The defense was solid all game. If we can limit our TO’s and still play with alot of heart on the defensive end the shooting and rebounding does not have to be perfect. I predict it coming down to the wire. Not always pretty but pretty entertaining.
Just remember folks, we got down to an Alabama team this year and came on strong in the second half. Roy would like to put his foot down on States throat if the Heels got up by a big margin, but these young guys at Carolina like to beleive they’re as good as the wine and cheese crowd hooting them on. They will start patting each others butts and thinking about biscuits and we will make them pay for it.
Atsur has got to be the man tonight. Ben has got to stay out of foul trouble. Beyond that, I would’t mind seeing Davis come in as soon as Wright goes out. I think he could hang with Hans-Bra for a minute and keep Costner fresher for the end.
Nice to actually sit here and for the first time since I can remember the feeling about this game is that it means more to UNX than us. When’s the last time any of us can remember when they actually had a focus on playing on us. I hope for the first time in years that Sydney is BOOED loudy by the UNX crowd. Crazy prediction but I say if Sydney wears the red jacket we win. I hope he wears it and brings somemore attention to what he’s doing and our program. Go Pack! We got a good chance as long as the refs keep that Hansborough Shuffle in check!
I am feeling a little sick. My hate for UNC is so amazingly deep seeded in my soul that I can barely function right now.
I think that I would be willing to sacrifice one of my digits for an NCSU win.
They are bball, not overwhelmed and jittery at the onset, that’s coaching.
First 8 minutes have not been fast for us, but we’re only down by 2. Need to get Ben involved and Fells holding on to the ball.
This is great so far! Atsur is going to have to carry us for awhile. Whats the friggin’ deal with Roy’s tie?
this is hilarious. i think the refs think UNC is playing Duke. HA im lovin this.
Hand-checking is apparently legal if you’re Wes Miller
According to the stats on CNNSI, they’ve played 11 guys, 9 have scored. We’ve played six, and they’ve all scored.
These refs are absurd – it’s friggin criminal the way they are allowed to beat up Atsur. It’s just bullshit. IF Atsur or any of our other players or coaches physically attack those refs – they would be heroes in my mind.
Cool. Down by one at the half, at their place. I like our chances. But since I cannot SEE it, please describe things a little better for those of us without video!
We’re not shooting great, but have out-rebounded them. What’s the ref’ing like? Has Cryler Hansborough started tearing up yet?
I was joking earlier about the gas—until I ate a bowl of chili and had a Bud. Now I really got it and my stomach is in knots after the first half.
Sure looked like a clean block by Grant to me too!
LET’S GO PACK! WE’VE WON 2 OUT OF 3 QUARTERS WITH THESE GUYS. LET’S MAKE IT 3 OUT OF 4 AND WIN THE GAME!
As normal the refs, the annoucers and the tar hole fans are pulling for the baby blues. Looks like somebody needs to deck wee williy wes and put him on his butt!
Great job rebounding by McCauley, Costner and Fells. I watch how we box out and anticipate the ball coming off the rim when we play against the Holes and can’t figure out why it doesn’t spill over into other games. Oh well, it’s great to see it. Go Pack!
I love the effort.
Early foul trouble worries me, because playing tenative is not what makes us “impose our will” on unc this year.
And yes Archie, we do believe this, the pack is back.
We’re hanging in there . . . . and I’m glad to see Atsur stepping up. I’m a little worried with our fouls, especially McCauley’s 2 fouls. I agree with FullMoonRising . . . I hate UNX so much it makes me sick to my stomach.
I just hope the Pack can hang in there for the second half! I wish the announcers were a little more positive, but what else is new.
Let’s go Pack!
That WAS a clean block by Grant, he made contact with the hand AFTER the fact–that is a no-call situation.
BTW—-Have I mentioned how much I’d like to hang Billy Packer up by his herbals and beat him with a stick?
They just showed the Deanster. He is not aging well.
Looked like he’d been in a race with the grim reaper.