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Off the cuff: Kentucky made a lot of upforced errors but during the first half, Carolina's aggressive defense was causing the Wildcats' problems. That stretch was probably about as good as this team can play without Tyler Hansbrough in the lineup.
It looks as if Hansbrough will be back for the Maui Invitational next week. The enthusiasm for the win and the fact that Hansbrough is likely to return soon was dampened by the Zeller injury. Coach Williams said it was a hard foul but not a dirty foul. However, Thompson felt that with 1:26 to go, the defender should have just let Zeller get the dunk rather than contesting it, especially so hard.
While the Heels shot only 41 percent from the field, they did sink seven of 13 three-pointers to make up for the missed two-point field goals. And while the Heels were outrebounded 37-35, they got 16 offensive rebounds. If you win the offensive rebound battle, you usually win.
I like Dick Vitale, I really do, but my goodness, his mind flits from here to yonder in micro-seconds. I'd really prefer that the announcers talk about the teams playing and the action on the court.
That being said, it was interesting to read the letter on screen from Mike Krzyzewski to "Mike" Jordan after Jordan decided he didn't want to go to Duke. Coach K wrote: "Dear Mike: I am sorry to hear that you no longer have an interest in learning more about Duke University, however I do want you to know that my staff and I wish you the very best in your college career. You are a fine young man and you should make an immediate impact on whatever you choose. Take care, and best of luck. Sincerely, Mike Krzyzewski."
By the way, actress and Kentucky fan Ashley Judd didn't look as good as a Carolina girl two rows behind her.
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Source: UNC freshman Zeller likely out for season
Freshman big man Tyler Zeller is likely to miss the remainder of the season after breaking his left wrist Tuesday night, according to Fox Sports.
The 6-foot-10 Zeller suffered multiple fractures in his wrist when he landed on it late in the Tar Heels' 77-58 win over Kentucky, according to a source close to the situation.
Zeller, who had started the last two games in place of Tyler Hansbrough, was injured when he missed a breakaway dunk and came down on his hand.
UNC Basketball Season Preview
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Shorthanded Heels get big game from freshmen in opener
Heels 77, Wildcats 58
Carolina jumps on Kentucky early; Zeller hurt |
No. 1 North Carolina jumped on Kentucky early, getting out to a 15-2 lead, and cruised to a 77-58 victory at home. (11/18)
The two programs have more wins than any other in college basketball history. The Tar Heels still trail the Wildcats in all-time wins 1,966 to 1,951. But Carolina controlled this matchup, taking advantage of 28 Kentucky turnovers.
UNC's Deon Thompson hit double figures in scoring in just the first seven minutes of the game as he scored his 10th point on a dunk to make it 19-4 with 12:59 left in the first half.
A Ty Lawson to Wayne Ellington alley-oop dunk on a fastbreak put the Heels up 25-6 but the largest lead of the half came on a Will Graves three-pointer from the corner with 1:35 left to make it 41-21.
The Heels led 41-25 at the half and the lead hovered between 13 and 18 points throughout the second half. The lead hit 21 points once when Thompson sank a turn-around jumper to make it 52-31 with 13:30 to play.
The bad news for Carolina came with 1:26 to go when Tyler Zeller was fouled hard as he went in to try a dunk. Zeller fell awkwardly on his left hand and wrist. He immediately went to the hospital for x-rays and Coach Roy Williams said, "it doesn't look good."
The Heels are already without All-America Tyler Hansbrough, who should be back soon, and Marcus Ginyard, who is out until at least December.
Thompson led the way with 20 points (a career high) and nine rebounds while Ellington scored 16. Lawson tallied 11 points, dished out nine assists and had three steals.
Carolina shot only 41 percent from the field and 67 percent from the free throw line. The big difference was that Kentucky turned the ball over and the Heels shot the ball 70 times compared to only 45 for the Wildcats.
"All in all it was a good first 10-12 minutes," Williams said. "We meandered around after that."
Williams said he was pleased with the enthusiasm and intensity of the team defensively during that early spurt.
The Heels play next at UC-Santa Barbara on Friday night on their way to the Maui Invitational.
Boxscore |
Terrapins 17, Tar Heels 15
Carolina can't stop Maryland on third and long situations
A tired North Carolina defense gave up chunks of yardage on third and fourth and long situations to blow a win at Maryland, falling 17-15. The Terrapins drove 73 yards in nine minutes and kicked a game-winning 26-yard field goal by Obi Egekeze with 1:42 left. (11/15)
The Terrapins converted on three third downs and one fourth down on the drive. Maryland QB Chris Turner threw 18 yards to Ronnie Tyler on third and 10 and then ran nine yards on fourth and five to put the Terps in field-goal range.
The Tar Heels, who held a 15-14 lead at the half, failed on opportunities to score in the second half. Casey Barth missed a 28-yard field goal off the left upright in the third quarter.
"We didn't do very well on third-and-long plays and we missed a field goal," Coach Butch Davis said, succinctly wrapping up the loss.
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Boxscore
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Season Preview: Carolina almost surely will improve
Look for Heels to have a winning record in Davis' 2nd year
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Tate out for the season with knee injury
University of North Carolina senior wide receiver Brandon Tate injured his right knee in the first quarter of North Carolina's 29-24 win over Notre Dame and did not return. An examination by UNC Sports Medicine revealed a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). An MRI on Sunday night confirmed that diagnosis.
A senior from Burlington, Tate finishes his career as the NCAA's all-time leader in combined kick return yards with 3,523 yards. At the time of his injury, Tate was leading the ACC in all-purpose yards (163.7 yds/gm).
Ginyard has foot surgery, out until December
CHAPEL HILL University of North Carolina senior men's basketball forward/guard Marcus Ginyard had surgery this morning at UNC Hospitals to correct a stress fracture in his left foot and is expected to be out of action for approximately eight weeks.
"You hate this for Marcus because he has worked so hard to get ready for his senior season, but he decided it was better to have the surgery now and be ready sometime in December, than risk a more substantial injury that would knock him out of action later inthe season," says head coach Roy Williams.
Tar Heels 2008-2009 basketball schedule
Season Review: UNC baseball had one of its best years
Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson and Danny Green all return
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Other headlines:
Carolina basketball's run ends after comeback falls short
Tar Heels run out of gas against Fresno State
Season Review: Carolina ends season where it wanted - in Omaha
Flack does it in the clutch again as Tar Heels fight on
Federowicz heroics keep UNC alive in College World Series
Carolina in the College World Series again
UNC is one win away from third straight trip to the World Series
Carolina baseball advances to host Super Regional starting Saturday
Heels defeats UNC-Wilmington 7-3 with five-run inning
UNC's wins over Miami vault Heels to No. 1 in the nation
Carolina baseball reaches 40-game win mark
Tar Heels take two of three from Florida State
Also, check out my articles for the UNC alumni Web site on Carolina's 8-4 win over LSU, the 5-3 loss to Fresno State, the 7-3 win over LSU, the 4-3 victory over Fresno State and the season-ending loss to Fresno State. |
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© 2008 CB3media Cary, NC
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Heel Prints reviewed each UNC game
As a student sports editor years ago, prior to the season, Clifton Barnes predicted a national championship for the Tar Heels and indeed they won. In fact he wrote his lede paragraph for the national championship game almost a year early. He regrets that he didn't keep a journal after each game. While he didn't predict a championship this season, he did have those same feelings. He kept a journal after each game of the 2007-2008 season and you can reach them here. He recently completed writing about UNC's baseball season and will write an analysis after each UNC football game.
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