Tar Heels Run By Scarlet Knights
by Ray Floriani
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Number one North Carolina journeyed into the Rutgers Athletic Center for a meeting with Rutgers. Naturally there was great anticipation and excitement on the part of Rutgers, but as the Scarlet Knight followers would soon learn, an appreciable edge in talent can offset a rapid fan base.
North Carolina, after a close five minute start, built a 21-point halftime lead en route to a 93-71 triumph. The win raised the Tar Heels’ record to9-0 while Rutgers dropped to7-4.
North Carolina unleashed a relentless transition attack that accounted for a 27-4 edge in fast break points. But the real story behind the Tar Heel dominance was defense. Continuously, the Carolina guards, usually Ty Lawson, picked up the opposition right at center court and exerted suffocating pressure. For a good part of the night, Rutgers struggled to get into an offense or even comfortable completing an entry pass. By halftime Lawson led all scorers with 19 points, a number coming off his four steals.
The second half was still at a quick pace but Rutgers had a better final twenty minutes. They did execute better and run their sets with more poise and efficiency. Rutgers coach Fred Hill was quick to reiterate how turnovers and Carolina’s transition were major factors in the game. He also noted Rutgers hadn’t been shooting well and the 38 percent shooting from the field (4 of 17 from three) were not acceptable, especially against a top ranked opponent with the weapons of North Carolina. The effort, especially in the second half (Carolina outscored RU 46-45), was cause for optimism.
Roy Williams was pleased over a sixth straight road win. “Now I get to sleep in my bed and maybe my wife will even cook supper,” he joked.
In all seriousness the six-game run featured some nice wins in hostile environments like Kentucky and Ohio State. Williams noted his club played a “ragged” second half but credit Rutgers. “They (Rutgers) never gave up,” he said.
Lawson led all scorers with 26 points. Besides transition points, a huge tell tale stat was not just the 20 Rutgers turnovers but the 30-10 edge Carolina enjoyed in points off turnovers.
Notes
- Rutgers introduced luxury or priority seating for the game. The seating, which will now be an every game option for a price, is right on the sidelines where the press tables opposite the benches were previously located. Among those seated courtside were former Rutgers star Quincy Douby, RU football coach and New Jersey Net assistant Brian Hill.
- More than just an interested observer, Brian Hill is Rutgers coach Fred Hill’s uncle. He is also a New Jersey native from East Orange who attended (now closed) Our Lady of the Valley High School in West Orange. Hill remembers his NJ roots with fondness and can recite the members of the catholic conference he faced during his prep days in the mid-Sixties. The Garden State is home again and Hill is actually working for a coach he gave a start to, Lawrence Frank. “I hired him (Frank) at Vancouver to do advance scouting,” Hill said. “He’s an outstanding coach and just a great guy.” Hill also promised the Nets will get on track as soon as they get healthy.
- Corey Chandler led Rutgers with 23 points. He found it difficult to penetrate the first half but did manage to get to the basket and finish several times the final twenty minutes. “(Chandler) is a quick kid and a scorer,” hill said. “He has great ability and with experience will be even better for us.”
- JR Inman added 10 points for Rutgers as the best inside threat. Inman, though, was bothered by Carolina’s size all night and finished just 3-of-14 from the floor.
- Danny Green came off the bench to add 12 points from the guard spot for UNC while Wayne Ellington turned in a solid 13-point, 7-rebound effort. The Tar Heels weren’t just guards and transition, as Tyler Hansbrough scored 20 points and added 11 boards before leaving with a concussion with just over 5 minutes to play. Dean Thompson had a nice nine-rebound outing.
- Rutgers women’s coach C. Vivian Stringer was also in attendance. I mentioned to coach Stringer that I got my women’s basketball activity in earlier by officiating two girls travel games. Her reply: “You also officiate, that’s wonderful. Let us know if you see some good players.”
