The Tar Heels have touched down in L.A. and will be reaching for the stars in a town full of them when they suit it up against the top-seeded Wisconsin Badgers Thursday night at the Staples Center.
***Listen to the story***
For the first time since 2012, Carolina finds itself still dancing in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
But despite the hiatus, UNC head coach Roy Williams says his team hasn’t lost sight of its big dreams and aspirations.
Roy Williams will be looking to impart all his experience to his players (Todd Melet)
“I think at this round, we’re happy where we are, but hopefully we’re not satisfied. I always tell them that each round you go, the excitement, the fun and everything gets so much greater,” Coach Williams says.
With that said, unlike in years past, Coach Williams says he’ll need to show this year’s squad the ropes. There aren’t many players on the roster who have experience in the latter rounds of March Madness.
But the good thing for Coach Williams is the Tar Heels should be all ears to his coaching.
“To me, it’s sort of like, ‘okay guys, you’ve never been here so you better listen to what we got to say,’” Coach Williams says.
Junior point guard Marcus Paige says he’s going to soak up every minute of the California sunshine and would prefer it be more than a few days’ stay.
“It will be a lot of fun. You never want the season to end. It’s winding down. Now I want to make it out of the second weekend. We made it out of the first; let’s make it out of the second. We’re looking forward to the challenge that Wisconsin brings,” Paige says.
Marcus Paige will need to continue his fine form Thursday (Todd Melet)
In contrast to the Tar Heels, Wisconsin has experience in spades. The Badgers have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in four of the past five seasons and most certainly aren’t satisfied with stopping at that stage this year.
The slow, methodical pacing to Wisconsin’s offense will be eerily reminiscent to the ACC’s Virginia. Luckily for the Tar Heels, they’ve experienced recent success against that plodding style. UNC topped UVA in the ACC Tournament semifinals.
But still, Paige says he knows the challenge ahead remains formidable.
“I think it’s so different from the way we want to play. Sometimes, we have issues with that and struggle with turnovers. In a game with fewer possessions, taking care of the ball becomes more important. We’re definitely capable of playing in these games,” Paige says.
Thursday’s challenge may be made even stiffer by the status of Kennedy Meeks’ knee injury. Right now, it remains a mystery. But Coach Williams says he’s doubtful he’ll have the sophomore forward’s services Thursday.
But with or without Meeks, the show must go on, and the Tar Heels will be hoping to avoid taking their final bow against the Badgers.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines