Off the cuff: Hansbrough didn't lose a tooth against Clemson - not yet anyway. He came back on the court quickly and the reason is that he wouldn't let the dentist look at it. I understand that the tooth was knocked back in his mouth but that trainers moved it back in place and gave him a mouthguard to use. Hansbrough does initiate a lot of contact but it appeared he was fouled many more times than was called. Luckily the Heels don't have to rely solely on him although he had another workmanlike double-double, scoring 20 and getting 10 rebounds. I thought the Clemson game would be close, like last year's three games (two of which the Heels won in overtime and the third by just give points in the ACC tournament). But I did think if Ellington could duplicate his feat from the Miami game, the Heels could win handily and that's what happened. In fact, Ellington scored more points in this game and had an even better all-around game as he dished out a career-high seven assists. With the Heels having won three straight ACC matchups in convincing style, it's a shame that they don't play again until Jan. 28 at Florida State. But Ellington said he thinks the short layoff will only give them a chance to have fresher legs during the heart of the ACC schedule. Speaking of which, the Florida State and Duke games are the only 9 p.m. games left... thank goodness. The games are really too late, especially on Sunday and weekday nights. I miss the early Saturday afternoon games I grew up with. The only game before 3:30 left on the schedule is a noon start at home against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Feb. 28. Now that'll feel like the old C.D. Chesley and Sail-with-the-Pilot days. The Tigers had only lost to undefeated Wake Forest and no doubt wanted to be the team that stopped the 53-game losing streak at Chapel Hill. If you'd like to sponsor this award-winning site, or agree or disagree with something written, please let me know by emailing me.
|
|