Off the cuff: With the three-point shot in play, you're never really comfortable with a lead but Carolina seemed to have the game against Louisville in control most of the way. And when it got close, the Heels used the three themselves to create distance. Carolina had five more threes and eight more twos than Louisville. The only thing that made it somewhat within reach for the Cardinals was the disparity at the foul line, where Carolina shot only 10 times, canning nine, while Louisville went 22 times but only managed 13 free throws. Perhaps there were a couple of bad calls against Carolina or non-calls against Louisville but the home team was taking the Heels to the hoop quite a bit drawing fouls. While Joel Berry did his share of that, Louisville was probably more aggressive offensively. But when you can drain a shot that counts three points, why drive in trying for two and having to earn them both from the foul line? UNC coach Roy Williams still wasn't satisfied with the defense, especially giving up some open threes, but he said he hasn't been happy with it all season. Coach Williams did say that a block by Berry on what appeared to be a certain dunk that would have brought the lead down to five was "big time." While praising Berry and Maye, he may have paid the biggest compliment to Theo Pinson saying that the senior was the best playmaker on the team. I think I would like the ball in Berry's hands to make the big play but it's hard to argue with the fact that a lot of good things have been happening lately when Pinson gets his hands on the ball. Against Louisville, Pinson scored 19 points, hauled in seven rebounds, dished out five assists and picked up a couple of steals - and he went six of six from the foul line. A lot of players on this team can be playmakers. |
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