UNC 108, Arkansas 77
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Game FlowI was a little surprised watching ESPN SportsCenter this morning. When Digger Phelps and Dickie V were asked what was the most impressive team of the weekend, their answer was Davidson. Later there was a segment on the most confident team in the tourney: Memphis or UCLA. Excuse me, but did anyone watch the 100+ point drubbings Carolina had against its two opponents? Sure, Mount St Mary's isn't a powerhouse, but Arkansas just beat Tennessee and was playing some good ball down the stretch. We made #9 Arkansas look in the same league as Mount St Mary's.
This was one of the most impressive games I've ever watched as a Tar Heel fan. Sure, we've had some good games, but to thoroughly dismantle a team like we did against Arkansas from whistle whistle is rare. Remember, we are supposed to be a second half team. That's when we get going. Not now. Something is different. Our guys, as Eric Montross said, have a workman like attitude. They want to win the tourney bad.
I don't think I've ever seen a game against respectable competition where virtually every UNC player was unstoppable. All of the regulars had very good games. Usually at least a couple of players will play ok, but not great. Not in this game. Even Deon Thompson and Alex Stephenson killed it going a combined 13-13 from the floor!
Without a doubt, if we play like that this the rest of the way we will be bringing home the championship. But I don't want to get too far ahead of myself.
We have Washington State up next. They like to slow things down. They want it to be a half court game. This will be a contrast in styles like we've seen several times this year. Let's hope we can keep bringing the same intensity as the last two games.
