UNC 106, Iowa 92 - Maui Invitational champions!
Game Summary
I think Jay Bilas put it best: "This has been a stunning performance." Carolina dominated from the tip of the BYU game to the completion of Wednesday's championship game at the Maui Invitational. So many things went right, it is hard to believe this is the same team that got drubbed by Santa Clara. Obviously, it is easy to point the finger at Ray Felton as a big reason for the turnaround. But it is more than that. Overall, the team played better on both ends of the court. Better shooting and considerably better defense. The performance was impressive to say the least.
The score was 59-40 AT THE HALF. With many games you don't see that score for a final, but they got 59 points by the half and followed it up with a solid performance in the second half to finish with 106 points total. The announcers said the all-time record at the Maui Invitational was 162 points by Loyola Marymount. I can't imagine how they could score that much. It seemed like UNC was scoring constantly the whole game and "only" made it to 106.
Picture from tarheelblue.com.
Game Breakdown
Who: Iowa
Where: Maui, Hawaii
Viewing method: ESPN
Box Score
Photo Gallery 1
Photo Gallery 2
Photo Gallery 3
Starters
Ray Felton - Where do I start. Felton's performance during this tourney showed why he is considered one of the premier point guards in the country (if not the best!). Felton ended as the Tourney MVP and it was well deserved. He came into the game with his left hand heavily tapped. I was concerned it would affect him, but obviously it didn't too much. He had a couple of dunks, he was dribbling all over the place, and making great passes. He didn't score a lot (13 points), but had 9 assists and only 1 turnover. He provided the leadership and intangibles Carolina needed to win. Oh, and I have to mention the great behind the back drive and layup he had while being closely guarded. It was a masterful performance. Bring on Wake and Chris Paul!
Rashad McCants - McCants also had another outstanding game and was rewarded by being named to the all-tourney first-team. He ended with 22 points on 8-14 shooting. There was a black spot though near the beginning of the game. McCants' man went up for a shot outside and McCants blocked it. Then McCants stared his guy down while the guy was on the ground. He then turned around and didn't help the guy up. Coach Williams yanked him out of the game directly after that and could be seen giving him a lecture of some sort. We just don't need that mess.
McCants had a couple of nice dunks including a dunk (picture below) from a great tip pass from Marvin Williams off a long pass from Felton. The pass and dunk were replayed several times as the announcers said it was top 10 material.
Sean May - Sean didn't do so well around the rim tonight. He went 5-13, but scored 16 points due to a 6-7 performance from the free throw line. Glad to see him making more free throws this year. There is still a question for me as to whether he can score consistently around the rim.
Jawad Williams - Jawad is Mr. Versatile. He scored 18 points, went 2-4 from 3 point line, and had 4 assists. He is definitely the quiet leader this year. Let's just hope he keeps up the defensive intensity.
Jackie Manuel - Jackie played well. He had a nice drive for a layup in the first half. He did well driving to the hole last year. He should do more of it. He ended up 2-6 from the floor with 2 steals.
Reserves
Melvin Scott - If Melvin could just play the rest of the season like he has for the last 3 games, we absolutely will be in the hunt come March. He went 3-5 from the three point line and all of his shots looked good. Again, the key for him is to be set and shoot straight up. I've also been impressed with Melvin's D lately. Keep it up!!
Marvin Williams - Oh yeah, Marvin had a bit of a breakout game here. He did much better around the rim not to mention the great tip pass to McCants I mentioned earlier. He scored 11 and was solid again from the free throw line. I love it when a big man can make his free throws. I think May and Marvin are shaping up to be a great tandem. May is Mr. Silky Smooth and Marvin is Mr. Wild Man. Marvin played scrappy D all game and came out with 3 steals.
Quentin Thomas - Didn't play a whole lot (box score has him down for 8 minutes), but while he was in, he did a good job. When you have the Tourney MVP playing ahead of you, you can't expect a lot of time, but at least when he did come in, he didn't make any bad mistakes. I'm glad he's been able to get these first few games under his belt and show that he'll be a good PG for the future.
David Noel - Another solid performance by Noel. He was 4-4 from the field. I'd really like to see him have a breakout game soon. He has such hops they should really try to get him going to the hoop more.
Byron Sanders - Came in slightly ahead of the other guys on the bunch at the 5:40 mark in the 2nd half.
Wes Miller - Came in after Coach Williams cleared the bench during the final few minutes of the game.
Reyshawn Terry - Came in after Coach Williams cleared the bench during the final few minutes of the game.
Damion Grant - Came in after Coach Williams cleared the bench during the final few minutes of the game.
C.J. Hooker - Came in after Coach Williams cleared the bench during the final few minutes of the game.
Charlie Everett - Came in after Coach Williams cleared the bench during the final few minutes of the game.
Sidelines
Roy got upset with the refs on several occasions and rightfully so. But generally he was in a good mood and even laughing at times. Hard to be too upset with this performance.
Announcers
Jay Bilas
Bill Raftery
Sean McDonough
It was the same crew as the other games. These guys obviously have a good repoire. They were joking and cracking jokes on each other. I didn't hear them razzing the UNC coaches about their clothes this time, but I may have just missed it.
In Bilas' words: "This has been a stunning performance."
Refs
The refs seemed to get worse and worse as the tourney went on. And I don't think it was just me. Even Raftery said they were calling "a lot of nickel and dimers". Lets hope these refs stay in Hawaii for the rest of the season.
Crowd
The heavily UNC-biased crowd was lovin every minute of the game, as was I. As with the last two games, it didn't look like anyone left until after the final buzzer despite the blow out. Felton got a standing O after was pulled out toward the end of the 2nd half. It was well-deserved.
