UNC vs. NC State Game Thread

Well, the Tarheels have had a week of preparation for life without Dexter Strickland.  The first full game without him will test the defense as NC State has a good point guard averaging 7 assists a game, and a good 3 point shooter averaging 45% from deep.  These are the two biggest weaknesses the defense has shown this year.  On ball defense and defending the 3 point shot.

UNC will have a size advantage inside, like most games, and will really need to take advantage.  I would like to see Henson be more aggressive going to the basket and not settling so much for the 15 ft turnaround jumper.  I also would like to see Barnes come out as aggressive as he finished against VT.

The game is on ESPN.

I think the Heels come out strong and win this one by 16. 


GO HEELS!!       

   

State has been very inconsistent this season (but I guess most teams have). One day they're hanging with Syracuse, the next they're losing on their home court to GT. That's really a calling card of a team that is in the rebuilding stage. Give them a couple years and they'll be back to the top of the ACC with us.

I like State. Not to sound blasphemous, but my father and sister are alums there, so I consider them my 3rd favorite team (#1 is the Heels, #2 is whoever is playing dook).

Sure, they are going to come out firing, thinking they have something to prove, and like every other team we'll face, will jack up 1,000 threes. The way we're going to beat them even if the long ball is falling for them is to outrun them. If we push the tempo, their legs will give out and the long ball won't fall. I love late game situations when there is a stoppage of play and we see the opponents bending over with their hands on their knees while our guys don't even look winded. Roy designed the system like that for a reason.

All in all, should be a good game. Putting a top team against an old rival who is back on the rise will always be interesting, but our Heels will prevail in this one.

big game tonight we gotta show that we can dominate without our best defender.  I think people are overrating with the loss of strickland yes he was a very important part of this team and would lock down on the other teams best player but this gives more minutes to bullock and hairston who can light it up any given night.  I think by starting bullock he will be able to get into a shooting groove sometimes its hard to get started coming off the bench.  We also have to face the facts the way we were playing defense it didnt matter that we had strickland. hairston will also benefit from the extra minutes. I think this was a good time for the injury to happen because it will give the team a solid month to gel before conf champ games are played.  it seems like each year this team has a few ugly losses in the 1st half of the schedule are ridiculed saying that have no chance to win a title then start getting it together at the right time. last year was a great example coming off a nit appearance and a terrible early start people wrote this team off. they got hot and got to the elite 8. I know its hard to imagine now but i still think this years team will get it together and win it all.  

 I would like to see Henson be more aggressive going to the basket and not settling so much for the 15 ft turnaround jumper

it drives me nuts when he settles for jumpers he is at his best when he makes his move to the basket.

I for one am not buying the ncsu hype and to me they are wildly inconsistent. The only problem I see is state will try to jump on UNC as we have had very slow starts. I still see this be somewhat close because every team has been playing out their minds against UNC. But we have better size and can match their three point shooters. Defense will be the difference if we play lackadaisical it will be a fight if we come out and smack them in the face like what they deserve they will shut up and fold like a poker game. Not impressed with state but it doesn't mean this team should come out relax. State will be ready for upset we just gotta show em who runs the acc

Go Heels. Been dying to see them play again. A week off is too long. At least it's the early game this time...

If we open up on a big run state will fold like a lawn chair.

if we come out and smack them in the face like what they deserve they will shut up and fold like a poker game

Damn BlkFlag...which is it?  Got any more ways NC State could fold?  Or is this it?  lol 

I've said it too...if Carolina can match an opponents intensity at the start of the game they should be able to take care of business.

So don't let the Wolfpack come out as the more aggressive team...Carolina should step up their game from the tip.  I know State is coming as a team and they got a lot to prove.  But this is the Heels season...they can't let the young upstarts come into Chapel Hill and walk out with wins. 

They haven't played in a week and should be rested and ready...back at home...and should still have some momentum from the 2nd half at Va Tech.  And Bullock will be more amped up than the rest as this is his first start...he should come out firing.

I think we roll in this one.  A lot of folks are making a big deal about releif of Marshall at the point, but that is only going to happen for about 5-6 minutes per game.  We may have lost a good defender in Strickland, however, we gain size that will be harder to shoot over from outside and more offense.

Glad to see State getting better as they were our main rival when I was in school, but I still want to dominate the series.

Gah if there is one thing I hate passionately it is Pack fans.  I despise Duke with all my heart and all my soul, but Pack fans I despise the same.  They are ignorant.  They talk some much junk even when they suck.  They have beat 4 tier ACC teams all which are slumping...and they are bragging about a tie at first.  I hope we come out and crush them.  I want to see us just put the game away in the first half, so I can point and laugh.  

I see a W but I don't think it will come easy, especially if NCSU comes out guns blazing and we don't match intensity. That has been the problem so far. They need to come out firing on all cylinders, take no prisoners kind of mentality.

State basically plays 3 big guys so we need to attack the post.  Foul trouble may be an issue for State.  State is big on the perimeter, but we are as well.  Kendall against Brown will be an interesting matchup.  I'm really hoping Bullock comes out and shows his length, quickness, and long arms on defense.  Barnes has to focus on defending Woods on the perimeter as he is deadly from 3.  I think Woods on Barnes will give Barnes a huge advantage on the offensive end.  Barnes should have his way and be able to post up and drive on the smaller Woods.  I'd love to see Barnes come out and be aggressive from the tip.  We've yet to see  Barnes establish his will for a full 40 minutes.  I'm also very interested to see if PJ gets going.  PJ has always struck me as he is always over his shoulder.  PJ knows he's seeing the floor now for an additional 8-15 minutes a game.  No more looking over his shoulder and trying to force shots knowing a sub is there ready to take him out.

I'm really curious to see UNC's new rotation.  I think we still go 9 deep with McAdoo the first in, then PJ, then Watts, and White.  Desmond Hubert may also benefit with a few more minutes as McAdoo may be asked to fill in at the 3 periodically with Bullock and PJ playing more of the 2.  Anyways, I see the loss of Strickland as a rallying point, much like the loss of Drew last year.  It was this time last year the UNC turned the corner.  Let's hope for the same this year and please God no more injuries.

If we lay an egg like we did against Florida State then all bets are off and anything can happen.   If we play like we should against a rival like State, we should win handily.   Also interested to see the lineup changes affecting play.  Let's go Heels!!!

it drives me nuts when he settles for jumpers he is at his best when he makes his move to the basket.  





thats all fine and dandy IF he dunks it, because we all know he can't buy a freethrow, I would rather see him take his 15 footer than go up soft and get fouled
   

Man I hope we shut the State fans up tongiht with a butt kicking . I can't believe a teams fans would run their mouths off all the time when they have sucked for the longest time. I think we come out tonight and take it to state and win this game by 15 or more. I think Barnes, and Zeller will have huge games and Bullock might come out tonight fired up and ready to show us what he can do with more minutes. After tonight state will realize they are what they always are and that is just a pebble in the road for our Tar Heels in the ACC. Go Heels !!!!!!!!!!!

Also something else that put a big smile on my face today was our football coaching staff got a  committment from state's best player. James Summers a four star athlete/quarterback from NC who had been committed to state for a long time haha.

Zeller is really looking great tonight! Dickie V just said something like "he'll have a double double before halftime" and I think that's pretty realistic.

Defense looks pretty decent so far. A few cheap fouls and for a while they were calling it really close, seems like they've been letting them play a little more the last few minutes.

Pleased with the game so far ... no real "high's", but no real "low's" either ... nice steady play, which is a pleasant change.  Especially good to see the defense against Wood. And White is doing a solid job in allowing Marshall some minutes of rest.  Hopefully we'll see the same efforts throughout.

Our house OUR HOUSE OUR HOUSE. We got injured players doing a tar heel 2 step dougie, slams hustle defense outside of the half court shot ncstate looks dead. Even the coach looks defeated OUR HOUSE. Take your lil raleigh buzz n top class hype back out of the hill. Let's keep this up I told you if we smack the in the face they arent gonnA want anymore...this aint a rivalry anymore ....it's not '83 Anymore

So far so good tonight. But McAdoo is a real concern for the rest of the season. We have no quality depth in the front court because McAdoo SUCKS!!! I really hope Zeller & Henson stay healthy. And even though it's a long way off, next year worries me because with Zeller & Henson going pro we really needed McAdoo not to be a giant bust.

1 minute
3 fouls

Thanks for contributing Mack.

Is it to late for this loser to choose Duke?

But on the bright side. Reggie Bullock is a welcome addition to our starting lineup. He is a much better compliment to Marshall & Henson than Strickland was. Once Strickland is healthy next year I hope Roy keeps Bullock in the starting lineup. Even though Strickland will be a senior his game is more suited coming off the bench.

Cut McAdoo some slack ... he'll come around.
Marshall is awesome ... not hard to get a team to move without the ball when they are so frequently rewarded. Loving this game!!