UNC 84, FSU 58
What a nice introduction to ACC play. After a marginal first half, UNC turned a 6 point lead into a 26 point drubbing of FSU at the Smith Center. FSU played into Carolina's hands by playing a fast tempo game. Based on what I've seen so far, Carolina will be next to impossible to beat in an up-tempo game. I don't care if it is very close in the first half. We could even be down a few. We are a second half team and our depth wears the opponent down.
I wasn't able to watch the first 6 minutes of the game because the Virgina/Stanford game went long on FSN. After some poor shooting, we went on a little spurt with 5 minutes left in the half to go up 28-18, but then FSU went on a 11-2 run to make the game close. Going into the half we were only shooting 41% from the floor and 22% from the 3 point line. Wright led with 12 points and Ellington was 0-4 from the 3 point line. Tywon Lawson had 3 assists, 3 steals and only 1 turnover.
Coming out of the half, Hansbrough took over. At one point he scored 2 straight 3 point plays to increase the lead to 46-34. Hansbrough had a good game overall tallying a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
Our team shooting was much better in the second half too. We ended the game shooting 47% from the field. Ellington didn't improve much (going 1-7 from 3), but he did have 5 assists and only 1 turnover.
Quentin Thomas and Bobby Frasor continued their comebacks with 7 minutes each. Both looked pretty solid and should start competing for more minutes once fully healed.
There is a lot to be excited about after our first ACC game, but we have a tough test on Wednesday night playing at Virginia.
