http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/jeff-goodman/post?id=4738&ex_cid=InsiderTwitter_GoodmanCarolinaRoyWilliams
DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina fans are a lot like Kentucky and Kansas fans. UNC's supporter base isn't content with just getting into the NCAA tournament, or even with reaching the second weekend.
They want national championships. They expect Final Four appearances.
But even in the shadow of Wednesday night's loss to Duke -- in which the Tar Heels looked like the better team for much of the game -- the chances are beginning to look more and more remote that UNC will hang banners in the Roy Williams Era. For the third straight season, the Heels are not going to finish first or second in the ACC. For the third straight season, barring an unlikely run of consistency over the next month, North Carolina (18-8) will finish with double-digit losses. Not since Frank McGuire struggled at the beginning of his tenure in the mid-1950's has a single UNC coach presided over three consecutive seasons of 10 or more losses.
Greg29fan said:Some of that's true (Roy's also four years younger than Coach K is though) but people were writing and saying the same thing about Duke when UNC had Tyler, Ty, Danny, etc. and won four straight in Durham and a National Title. It all goes in cycles. UNC still has a chance to have a good season (who would have picked UCONN to win the title at this time last year?) and should have everybody back next year.
tims4wins said:
While true, overall Duke wasn't nearly as down as UNC over the last 3 years. During the period of time where UNC won 4 straight in Cameron, Duke lost a total of 28 games.
UNC has already lost 29 games over the past 3 years.
Sounds like the Patriots with Gronk in 2011.Greg29fan said:
Fair point, but I don't think they've really been that "down," despite the loss totals. Two years ago they made the ACC tourney final and lost to a really good Miami team, and even last year they beat you guys, Michigan State, and Louisville just for three. And they've won a tournament game both years, which as you guys know, isn't always the easiest thing to do. And they signed a fantastic recruiting class last year (top five by all the recruiting gurus) so the notion that Roy can't get elite guys to come to Chapel Hill any more I find a little far-fetched too.
UNC has had some really weird/unexpected stuff happen too. Their best player last year doesn't get to play b/c of eligibility stuff, Reggie Bullock leaves when nobody expected him to, Kendall Marshall leaves when nobody expected to, this year a whole pile of injuries (Paige playing through plantar fascitis, Joel Berry gets hurt, Theo Pinson, Desmond Hubert). Roy has had to have JV guys and former walk-ons come in just so they can practice; that's not going to help you get better as the season goes on.
I feel pretty confident that if Kendall doesn't get hurt that UNC wins the title in 2012 (or at least makes the final against Kentucky) and none of this UNC is never going to win again stuff doesn't even come up.
DukeSox said:Running a play that was the reason for a literal change to the rules of how the game is played, because its implementation made the game so shitty, hardly seems an honor. Not to even mention he ripped it from a D2 coach.
I hope, when Coach K passes, I don't act/sound like this.DukeSox said:Running a play that was the reason for a literal change to the rules of how the game is played, because its implementation made the game so shitty, hardly seems an honor. Not to even mention he ripped it from a D2 coach.
Greg29fan said:Was really cool to see UNC run the four corners to start the game today (and got an easy backdoor layup out of it)
Greg29fan said:State pretty much kicked the shit out of Duke
DukeSox said:You're supposed to win home games
Line continues to growBigSoxFan said:Apparently there's a line forming...
shiiiiiii....Greg29fan said:I think he wanted to make sure it was loud for NC State Tuesday night too.
DukeSox said:Thank you ND for losing, popping Duke up to #2 in the ACC and on the other side of UVA in the conference tourney.
tims4wins said:Fewest ever points in the Dean Dome? Holy smokes.
When Roy left KU for UNC, I (along with the rest of the planet) figured he would coach there until he chose to retire, and UNC would be among the elite every year. I never imagined that he could possibly have a hot seat and be forced out. But I think the seat is definitely warming up...
minischwab said:https://okafortheory.wordpress.com
These numbers are alarming for Duke. Defense clearly better without Okafor. But the offense is too? Uh oh, I smell an early exit.
The point is the guards are EVEN MORE efficient offensively - turn it over less, and can shoot FTs.SuperManny said:
I find it hard to believe that Duke is better off with Okafor on the bench. He's so efficient offensively although he is a huge liability at the end of close games due to his horrible free throw percentage. I'd like to see these same calculations run against every player on the team to see if they pass the smell test. If they come back with Plumlee as the most important player on the team then I'm completely out on it as a statistic.
I think Duke will be fine in the tournament and would think they will make at least the Elite 8. Literately no one can stop Okafor offensively.
But Gottfried looks good in his spring suit. I have an irrational hatred for that man.tims4wins said:True. But I expected better
Okafor is a clownGreg29fan said:Duke's a little smelly at the foul line
or maybe more Okafor is a lot smelly.
DukeSox said:Just realized that unless UNC wins both the ACC tourney and the NCAA a tourney, they will finish with at least 10 losses again.