CB3 Media Heel Prints

Check back prior to the 2008 season for a preview and a program outlook.

Click here for Carolina baseball analysis.

Off the cuff: The first eight games of the season show that Carolina is not ready to assume it's rightful spot in the nation's top 10.

It's been a brutal schedule but the Tar Heels really should have beaten Michigan State and put up a better effort at home against Alabama, the team that ended their season a year ago.

Alabama has a lot of weapons and if they are going to hit 12 threes, it's going to be tough to beat them. But the Tar Heels have got to shoot better. Carolina is a guard dominated team this year but the three starting guards combined for 11 of 41 from the floor.

Free throw shooting was even poor as the Heels were 10 of 16.

The fourth and fifth starters seem to be in flux as is the rotation off the bench. Cade Tyson, who was expected to be a three-point threat, is not playing much. He played eight minutes and failed to even shoot.

Jalen Washington, who was expected to be the top big man, did start but he played only minutes and scored just one basket. He was a better shooter last year and he didn't put on enough muscle between seasons to compete inside.

Jae'lyn Withers, who has started games this season, played only 11 minutes and he continues to disappoint.

By mid-year, this may be a freshman dominated team as Drake Powell drew a start and Ian Jackson, after a 23-point explosion, may also draw starts.

Ven-Allen Lubin and Ty Claude may also have earned more playing time.

This team needs to turn it around quickly and hammering Georgia Tech in an ACC matchup at home would be a good start.

Alabama 94, Carolina 79
Bama controls Tar Heels who fall to 4-4

(Photo by UNC Sports Information)

Alabama controlled the game from start to finish as the visitors hit 12 three-pointers and six players scored in double figures and North Carolina fell for the third straight game, 94-79. (12/4)

Carolina got down by double figures midway through the first half and trailed 43-34 at the half. After the Tar Heels pulled within five early in the second half, the Crimson Tide went on a 9-0 run over just 1:41 to put Bama up 52-38.

It never got closer than nine the rest of the way as Alabama worked the lead up to 18 at one point midway through the second half.

UNC coach Hubert Davis mentioned Alabama's superior size inside as a problem for Carolina's offense. "We did not have the ability to get to the basket and finish or draw fouls to get to the line," Coach Davis said. "We just didn't play well enough to compete against a really good Alabama team."

Statistically though, Carolina outrebounded Alabama, scored more points in the paint, had more second-chance points and actually had more points off turnovers. But the outside shooting was deadly by Bama and dead by the Heels. The Tide was 12 of 22 from three while UNC was a woeful five of 28 from beyond the arc.

RJ Davis, who had his worst game of the year against Alabama last season when the Heels were eliminated from the NCAA tourney, once again laid an egg against the Tide. Hounded all night, Davis was a mere one of 11 from three and was just seven of 24 overall.

Fellow Carolina guards Seth Trimble and Eliot Cadeau also failed to shine. Trimble was four of 13 from the floor while Cadeau was zero of four with four turnovers.

The brightest spot for the Heels was freshman Ian Jackson, who shot well on his way to a season-high 23 points including three of Carolina's five threes. He also added five rebounds, two steals and no turnovers.

Ty Claude, who had less than 11 minutes on the court, played with a lot of enthusiasm and effort, finishing with six points (going three of three) and five rebounds.

Mark Sears led Alabama's six double figure scorers with 20 points. The No. 10 ranked Crimson Tide improves to 7-2.

The Tar Heels, who fall to 4-4 on the season, starts conference play at home Saturday at 2 p.m. against Georgia Tech.

Box score

Check out the other game articles.
Read my Tar Heels' season preview on by clicking here.