UNC-Mich St

[Third Coast]

Tar Heels looking good at home. 50-34 at the half.

 

[bierce]

I didn't see the first half, but the defense in the second half is atrocious.

4 baskets in 24 seconds?

 

[Third Coast]

Transition defense has been lacking at both ends, but UNC's offense is silk compared to ours. I know, we're young.

 

[Bob in Houston]

I missed a lot of this because the satellite transmission was blocked by the rain coming through. Watched some on the computer, turned it off midway through the second half when Michigan State hadn't made any progress, but got to watch the last couple of minutes when the front had moved through.

Given what I have seen of the Tar Heels, if UNC has to shoot 67 percent to get a workable lead, I think Texas probably wins that game. I have a lot of respect for Izzo.... but if Texas's defense really is as improved as the stats say, I like UT's chances in that one, too.

But both those teams have so much more size... rebounding probably will be an issue.

 

[bierce]

In the second half, UNC was having a lot of problems in half court defense, as well as transition defense. Easy offensive rebounds, nearly uncontested drives to the basket were prevalent for MSU while I was watching.

I don't doubt for a minute that games against MSU and UNC will be difficult. UNC has a definite size advantage, but they don't seem to be very good at moving on defense just yet.

The only reason MSU would have a significant size advantage would be Barnes' decision to use smaller lineups. Right now MSU is starting Sherman, but he quickly moves to the bench, and MSU plays three guards or two guards and a smaller wing with two 6'8" guys. That's not too unlike Texas which has been been using three guard looks for 20 minutes a game, both before and after Ward's injury. Of course, Texas will shrink in a couple of weeks, as Lucas enters the guard mix.

I'm a little disappointed, but not too surprised to see Hill averaging only 2 minutes a game. I mentioned that I was somewhat concerned about a decision to redshirt Chapman, if such a decision has been made, if Hill wasn't ready to give some significant minutes, for Texas becomes a short team when Pittman sits. That, however, is the result of conscious decision making by the coaching staff, which annually seems to favor the smaller lineups.

I like all our players. I really do. I don't mean to denigrate any of them or belittle their efforts when I say I have concerns about Texas going into March trying to give guards 100 player-minutes a game, particularly when none of the guards top 6'3" and one is as short as Lucas.

 

[Owlhorn]

Its awesome that the Horns get to play both of those teams. That was a big time atmosphere. Hate that college football doesn't get to see matchups like that very often.

As far as UNC goes, I'm clueless as to what will happen. They are very skilled and all inside. I could seem them pounding us in the low post and keeping James and Pittman in foul trouble. But on the other side of the ball, none of them have the power of Pittman or board tenacity of James. Pittman could have them in a lot of foul trouble. I think a guy like Ginyard will be what beats us. I think our guards will kill them but their inside is strong enough that it won't matter. No matter how we matchup, they will kill us at JerryWorld and their shots will be falling.

Don't know what to think of MSU. They always play great against UT and Lucas always kills us.