Morning Heel: UNC Tar Heels Daily News Links
By Matt Hamm
Welcome to another edition of the Morning Heel, a daily feature here at Keeping It Heel. Along with The Hub we want to bring you not only our original content but a collection of all the best UNC news.
ACC Football Power Rankings, Nov. 12
6. UNC: I had wondered what the Tar Heels would do to motivate themselves once their Super Bowl (the N.C. State game) had been played and there was nothing else left in front of them, thanks to the wonders of probation. I’m still wondering. (ACC Sports Journal)
Tar Heels win again to start 2-0
This year the Tar Heels need Reggie Bullock to be a threat on the perimeter to complement sophomore forward James Michael McAdoo in the post. The junior took a step toward that goal Sunday, scoring 10 of the team’s first 13 points as No. 11 UNC defeated Florida Atlantic 80-56 at the Smith Center. (Durham Herald-Sun)
Tar Heels must shake off Georgia Tech loss quickly
North Carolina doesn’t have much time to get over one of the worst defensive performances in program history. Not if the Tar Heels don’t want to get embarrassed again, and this time on national television. Five days after Saturday’s 68-50 loss to Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels (6-4, 3-3) will play at Virginia (4-6, 2-4) on ESPN’s weekly Thursday night game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (Durham Herald-Sun)
Joel James Making Strides
After a six-point-and-four-rebound performance in his collegiate debut against Gardner-Webb on Friday, Joel James made significant strides in between then and Sunday’s game against Florida Atlantic. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native put up 11 points and eight rebounds in just his second game in the Smith Center, as the Tar Heels took down the Owls 80-56. (GoHeels.com)
Veterans Provide Scoring Balance
Roy Williams has made it clear that North Carolina will have to rely on James Michael McAdoo and Reggie Bullock this season as the roster matures and gains experience. The duo showcased their inside-outside potential in Sunday’s 80-56 win over Florida Atlantic. (Inside Carolina)
UNC 80, Florida Atlantic 56: The look back
Those UNC fans who might have been concerned after Reggie Bullock’s five-point performance in the season-opener can relax. Bullock scored seven of the Heels’ first nine points on Sunday, and his 3-pointer in with about seven minutes to play put UNC ahead by 21. The Tar Heels are going to need Bullock to be a consistent scorer, and he was that against the Owls. (Raleigh News & Observer)
Carolina Field Hockey Advances to Final Four
The North Carolina field hockey team earned its fourth final four ticket in as many years on Sunday, beating No. 8 Old Dominion 3-1 at Francis E. Henry Stadium to advance to the NCAA semifinals in Norfolk, Va. UNC (22-1) will face Syracuse at 2 p.m. on Friday with the winner moving on to next Sunday’s NCAA championship game. (GoHeels.com)
Rapid Reaction: UNC 80, FAU 56
After failing to record an assist Friday in his career-opener, UNC starting freshman point guard Marcus Paige got that “first” out of the way quickly on Sunday, on a pass to Reggie Bullock about 90 seconds into the game. He finished with six assists, three turnovers, two points and four rebounds. The Tar Heels will play at Long Beach State at 11 p.m. EST on Friday night en route to the Maui Invitational. (ESPN.com)
UNC beats Florida Atlantic 80-56
North Carolina’s 80-56 victory against Florida Atlantic at the Smith Center on Sunday was a lot like the Tar Heels’ season-opening victory against Gardner-Webb on Friday night. In both games, the Heels showed positive glimpses of the team they might become amid sloppiness that proves they still have a long ways to go. (Raleigh News & Observer)
James Michael McAdoo leads North Carolina with 19 points, 11 boards
James Michael McAdoo had 19 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 11 North Carolina beat Florida Atlantic 80-56 on Sunday. Reggie Bullock added 16 for the Tar Heels (2-0), who shot 44 percent from both the field and the foul line. Still, North Carolina led by double figures throughout the second half before blowing the game open in the final 7 minutes. (ESPN.com)