Off the cuff: Over the last three games, and really for most of the last six games, have looked like an NCAA Tournament team. But the Heels are on the outside looking in and will have to win the ACC Tournament to get back where they belong. But it's likely too little, too late. Still, there is some satisfaction that the Tar Heels are playing like most thought they would at the start of the season. Yes, Sterling Manley and Anthony Harris are out for the year but, except for healing injured Armando Bacot and Brandon Huffman, the Tar Heels are finally getting healthy. Little-used walk-on seniors Robbie O'Han and Caleb Ellis, graduate transfers Christian Keeling and Justin Pierce, and four-year seniors Brandon Robinson and Shea Rush got to "start" for the Heels on Senior Night. That's six players so Ellis headed to the bench when officials "warned" Carolina that there were too many players on the court to start the game. It was the 10th different starting lineup of the year for the Tar Heels. If Bacot is back healthy for the ACC tourney, it will be the healthiest the team has been all year. "This year has been a year of up and downs," Robinson said. "We have had to fight through a lot of adversity. Going through injuries, going through a car accident, not winning. All and all, I have been grateful for every moment I have had here." Robinson scored 18 points, hitting a team-high five threes. "For him to have a big-time game on senior night is a testament about how much he works," said Keeling. "Coming from the end of the bench to now, he's one of our big-time players…I'm just so proud of him. He's a tough kid." How tough these Tar Heels are could be shown at Duke to end the regular season and at the upcoming ACC Tournament. |
|