Game Review: Tar Heels Take Care Of Miami
By Matt Hamm
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UNC 73 MIAMI 56 FINAL
If you weren’t able to watch the Tar Heels defeat the Hurricane’s Tuesday night and you weren’t able to record it. Watch any of the Heels wins this year and just imagine the other team wearing Miami uniforms. The game went exactly like that. Another up and down game for Carolina, at times, they dominated, others they needed to be poked with a stick because they were fast asleep. That was the first half.
The second half, the Heels came out storming. Opening up the lead after making a nice run at the end of the first half. Would this be the Heels first complete, 40 minute game that Roy Williams (and I) have been begging for all season? No, not really, this game was really decided in the last few minutes of first and the first few mins of the second half. Basketball is about runs, most teams play above their level during their runs. For a team like UNC, playing cupcake teams like this. These runs we’re seeing are just what they are capable of, what they should be doing for most, if not all of the game.
More observations from the Dean Dome after the jump
Defensively, Roy had to be pleased tonight. Coming into the game he was concerned about the Hurricanes firepower. Especially from the perimeter where Marshall’s defensive woes would be tested. The Heels did a nice job of playing their man, rotating and not getting sucked underneath. I liked the game plan of allowing Zeller and Henson to play 1 on 1 in the paint. The Heels are the most talented team in the nation underneath. When a team beats them, it’s usually on the perimeter.
Kendall Marshall who came into the game with more assists than field goal ATTEMPTS this season. Finally cracked the double digit mark in points against Miami. Marshall was more aggressive than he has been all season long, taking the ball to the basket and finishing well in the paint. Still, Marshall shouldn’t ever shoot a three point shot. I shot the rock around for the first time in a few months the other day. I can say with confidence I have a prettier J than my man Kendall.
Freshman James Michael McAdoo played despite his doubtful status. McAdoo looked fine to me, he entered the game rather early, at the 13:50 mark in the first half. He moved around the court okay and seemed healthy.
Harrison Barnes really struggled in this one. He looked to be forcing it at times, especially on an ugly charging foul early in the second half. Barnes was a second half player in his freshman season. As ACC play rolls on, the Heels need him to step up his game and play like one of the most talented players in the country.
I still don’t understand Roy Williams‘ insistence on playing Justin Watts during anything other than garbage time. Sure he made a pretty layup, that’s the only offensive play I remember him ever making. I continue to contend that we need to see more of Reggie Bullock and PJ Hairston, sit this guy on the bench.
Up Next: UNC hits the road to take on Florida State at the Donald L. Tucker Center 2pm Saturday. The Seminoles seem to give the Heels fits, no matter how much they suck every single year. Game time Saturday gives sports fans a chance to take in some college basketball action just before the NFL Playoffs begin. Be sure to keep checking back in with us here at Keeping It Heel for all the analysis, reaction and in game tweeting you need.
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