UNC 89, UNC-Asheville 47
If the USC game was kind I hate to watch, the UNC-A game is the kind I love to watch. UNC blew it open early and never looked back. It wasn't that we were that much better on the offensive end, we were just more athletic and more aggressive. Our defensive was smothering and I wonder at times if Roy would ever pull the dogs off UNC-A. The tar heels forced 5 turnovers in the first 5 minutes and after 10 minutes of play the score was 28-6. We took a 33 point lead into the half (53-20).
The second half was more of the same but with less intensity. I imagine it is hard to maintain the same level of play when it is obvious you are going to blow out your opponent.
Unlike the USC game, there are plenty of kudos to go around. To start, our center, Tyler Hansbrough tied the Smith Center record with 8 steals. Let me repeat: our center tied the record in STEALS. He was just 1 off tying the all-time UNC record of 9 set by Derek Phelps. This kid is special for sure. He also scored 14 points on 5-10 shooting and 4-5 from the free throw line. His only negative of the game was turning the ball over 5 times (several of which came on fast breaks he started). Hansbrough's overall FG% is in the mid-60's and if the season ended tomorrow he'd set the all-time record for a UNC freshman. We'll see if he can keep it up during conference play!
Despite Tyler's great game, my game ball would have to go to Danny Green. Mr. Green came off the bench to record his first double-double of the season with 15 points (team-high) and 11 rebounds (game-high). He made lots of good decisions on the court (and recorded 4 assists).
This leads me to my one big concern of the game and that is Reyshawn Terry. I've been a Terry supporter since he arrived at UNC. I think he has tons of potential (he definitely has the body to dominate at the college level), but he seems to get rattled easily. He made several bad plays in the game and did not look sharp at all. He even missed an open dunk off the back of the rim. Then he got stuffed pretty badly. He did score 14 points, but if he doesn't step up in the next couple of games and Green continues the way he is playing, I wouldn't be surprised to see Coach Williams make a change in the starting rotation.
Last but definitely not least, David Noel put on another acrobatic show. He had not one but two highlight reel dunks in the game including a windmill. That guy is electric. He is the best kind of senior to have on a team. He's unselfish, a leader, fairly consistent, and can bring the crowd to its feet. He had a great all-around game.
Other key stats:
+ UNC Free throws: 26-33 (79%)
+ Rebounds: 51 (UNC), 38 (UNCA)
- UNC 3-Pt FG: 3-13 (23%)
+ Wes Miller 3-Pt FG: 2-3
+ Quentin Thomas assists: 5 (game-high)
+ 5 UNC players scored in double figures (Green, Ginyard, Terry, Hansbrough, Noel)
