Art Chansky’s Sports Notebook is presented by The Casual Pint. YOUR place for delicious pub food paired with local beer. Choose among 35 rotating taps and 200+ beers in the cooler.
If there was ever a must win for the Tar Heels, it’s at Wake Forest.
Carolina has lost four of its six ACC road games this season, barely beating Syracuse and blowing out last-place Louisville for the two conference wins away from the Smith Center.
If the Heels hope to stay in the race for the top four spots in the ACC — and double bye for the tournament in March — they have to win in Winston-Salem tonight to avoid nullifying almost everything they’ve accomplished so far and have to play under the pressure of more bubble talk for an NCAA bid.
At 7-5, UNC can deadlock Duke for sixth place in the standings and make a move toward the top four with league leaders Clemson and Miami coming to Chapel Hill Saturday and Monday.
The Deacons (7-6 and 15-9) are not as big or talented as Carolina with the exception of dynamic scoring guard Tyree Appleby, who is second in the ACC with an 18-point average. They had lost four in a row before beating 13th-place Notre Dame.
Wake may be undermanned but is extremely well-coached by Steve Forbes, who will have a solid game plan ready. And a cheering capacity crowd at cozy Joel Coliseum that has witnessed only five wins over the Tar Heels in Roy Williams’ 18-years but began Hubert Davis’ tenure with a 98-76 spanking last January before they turned their season around.
UNC will be looking to do that again with a daunting remaining schedule. After Clemson and Miami comes a Sunday matinee rematch at red hot N.C. State and its last two home games against Virginia and Duke.
With the Blue Devils getting run over at Miami Monday night, the Tar Heels have to know their loss at Cameron was more on them than Duke.
Carolina has had only one full practice and some walk-throughs to figure out how to get Armando Bacot the ball in a better position to score or pass out of the double-teams that have become the way to slow AB and leave his teammates racing the shot clock to get a good look and easier baskets.
The Heels have been plagued by having to take contested shots and hurried 3-pointers that result in low field goal percentages. They need better ball movement side to side so their outside shooters can get open and their drivers and cutters can go downhill to the basket off effective ball screens for either points or more attempts at the foul line than the three they had in Durham.
It’s a lot to do in a short period of time, but it is reaching the point where Carolina’s experienced team with high expectations has to get gelling.
Featured image via Associated Press/Jacob Kupferman
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It’s very interesting that UNC fans are panicking when we are 15 & 8, although I would agree that we are used to better and are spoiled. Had UNC hired Wes Miller (although EVERYONE knew who had the job from 10 years ago), we might not have a better record (but I think we would). But one thing is for sure: NO ONE would ever question our effort and toughness and defensive intensity. But put all that aside because it ain’t gonna happen.
What is VERY interesting is that we’re panicking when we’ve won 65 percent of our games this year, but Ol’ Mack just got a contract extension through 2028 but he has only won 57 percent of his games at UNC this time around, and he lost the last 4 games in a row this past year. One more thing: Dre Bly wasn’t good (enough) at UNC but is good enough to be hired in the same position for the Detroit Lions! Amazing!
Well, this post aged well.
I lost all respect for UNC with the academic cheating scandal. The school’s primary defense was ALL students could take the fake classes, therefore no NCAA violation. Ha!!!!! Give me a break….