Off the cuff: Kentucky's Ashton Hagan set the tone for the game with a steal and layup in the first 20 seconds of the game. Hagan scored only seven points on the day but he had eight steals. Keldon Johnson hit one of his four threes on the day to give Kentucky a 19-17 lead with 10:52 left in the first half and the Tar Heels never led again. After a 14-4 run late in the firs half, Carolina wasn't really in it again. The Heels cut it to five at 54-49 but Kentucky quickly got the lead back up to double digits. Kentucky took Carolina out of its game early and simply showed more effort. The rebounding edge was huge as the Tar Heels often have to go to a smaller lineup to keep up on the court. Perhaps Carolina just matched up better with Gonzaga than Kentucky but the Heels looked like two different teams. After the Gonzaga win, Carolina fans had the Final Four dancing in their heads but after the Kentucky game they probably think it will be tough to finish in the top three of the ACC. If Brooks and Manley aren't going to be difference makers inside, this team's chances are going to rest on freshmen Coby White and Nassir Little. Both played like freshmen against Kentucky. Coach Williams certainly knows his team better than I but if I were coaching I think I would sit White a bit more with Seventh Woods playing more. Also, while Little probably isn't playing well enough to earn more time, I think he'd play better if you'd just roll with him. |
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