The North Carolina Tar Heels were coming off a shaky loss against UAB, but that didn’t show against Michigan State. On Wednesday night, the Heels upset the #1 team in the country 79-65 in a nationaly-televised game.
How can a team who is coming of a loss to UAB, win against the #1 team in the country? How do they have such Jeckyl and Hyde performances in back-to-back games. It is a question that must have Roy Williams pulling his hair out.
In seeing this game, as well as an earlier win over Louisville, it should be clear that this Carolina team has an abundance of talent. Marcus Paige, JP Tokoto, Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, Nate Britt and James Michael McAdoo are all highly talented and have explosive point scoring potential. They also have playmaking potential in the lineup.
One thing we have seen is that this team gets better as the game goes on. For example, in their wins against Louisville and Michigan State they were tied at the half, and a second half rally led them to a win. Even losses against Belmont and UAB contained 2nd half comebacks for Carolina.
It is also amazing that the Heels are doing this without PJ Hairston and Leslie McDonald. Hairston and McDonald were key players for UNC last year, and can really help Carolina’s game from beyond the arc.When Hairston and McDonald return, I believe this Carolina team can be as good as anybody in the nation.
There were a few key players who stepped up and propelled UNC to victory. Freshman Center Kennedy Meeks led Carolina with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Meeks reminds me of a young Sean May, and I believe he has the potential to match his talent level.
As the on-court leader of this team, Marcus Paige also amazed with 13 points, 5 assists and 2 steals. Paige is evolving into a true “Carolina Point Guard”, along the lines of legends Phil Ford, Reymond Felton, Ty Lawson and Kendall Marshall. It’s my belief that Paige is actually further along than Kendall Marshall was during his sophomore year. Paige’s leadership and character is also a plus.
Nate Britt, JP Tokoto, and Brice Johnson also amazed, scoring a combined 39 points. Britt, Johnson and Tokoto have been key for Carolina throughout the early part of the season, providing a spark for the 2nd unit. These three are also defensive-minded, and box-out well, with 26 boards between them last night. I believe this Carolina team depends a lot on the play of these three guys, their unique and special talent really contributes to the play of other players.
One disappointmen was the play of James Michael McAdoo who only scored 8 points in 25 minutes. This is definitely not the performance NBA scouts would like to see. I really can’t explain why McAdoo is under-preforming. I do however hope this is just a slump not an indicator of his future play. It is a factor though in the up-and-down nature of the team. McAdoo certainly isn’t the only player who has been inconsistent, and hence the losses to UAB and Belmont.
The Heels are currently unranked, after holding the ranks #12, #24 and #16 earlier in the year. This came after a stunning loss to UAB. However, at 5-2 and I expect Carolina to be ranked somewhere between #15-20 next week coming off this big win.
Carolina will play UNC-Greensboro in Chapel Hill on Saturday.
At 7-1, this loss is a first for Michigan State this season. Michigan State is currently ranked #1, but I expect Michigan to slip anywhere from #3 to #5.
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