UNC 74, USC 64
This game was the tale of two halves. We looked lethargic and lost in the first half, but after a short spurt by USC in the second half, we took over. Much as we have all year, we are wearing teams down in the second half. Teams that come out fast against us are like distance runners that jump out of the gate sprinting. They may look good early on, but falter by the end of the race because they are so tired. That was USC in this game.
On our end, the story was Brandan Wright's 21 points and 9 rebounds and Marcus Ginyard's 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ginyard missed some open shots early in the game, but had several offensive rebounds and put backs at critical points. He served as a key spark that aided our second half domination. We ended the game on a 25-5 run.
Hansbrough was not a big factor. He only scored 5 points and 3 rebounds. I was a little surprised he didn't seem more aggressive because he's been on such a tear lately. USC did a good job of double and triple teaming him when he got the ball.
Next up is a lucky Georgetown team. Regardless of what Billy Packer says, Georgetown's Jeff Green traveled on the final play of their game against Vandy. They should have lost that game. It doesn't matter, I'm glad we are playing them. The vast majority of analysts have Georgetown beating UNC so it will be all that much sweeter when we send them packing!
Second half notes:0.40. 74-64. Ginyard fouled and makes both. This game is over!
0.48. 72-64. USC's Gibson gets charged with an illegal screen. He's out of the game. Doh! USC Coach Tim Floyd throws some papers on the court and gets called for a Technical Foul! Danny Green makes both free throws.
1:00. 70-64. Third straight possession where we come up short.
1:29. 70-64. We need to get a stop and we do! We get the ball back and call a timeout with 1:16 to go.
2:13. 70-64. USC is pressing and it is hurting us. We had two bad possessions in a row.
4:08. 69-62. You know things are going our way when Wright makes two free throws.
4:36. 67-59. Ellington scored on a reverse. This looks like another team compared to the first half!
6:17. 64-59. USC looks tired. Wright scored again. 15-0 run by UNC!
6:44. 62-59. Another steal and layup!!
7:06. 60-59. UNC takes the lead off Danny Green steal and put back after an Ellington failed dunk.
7:18. 58-59. Somehow Green got called for a foul while boxing out. He's had a horrible game.
7:36. 58-59. Ginyard is a monster! He got another tap in.
8:29. 56-59. Momentum has finally swung in our direction!! 16 point lead down to 3. Here we come!
9:15. 54-59. Wright was fouled on a lay-up and it wasn't called! Wright missed it so USC got possession.
9:36. 54-59. Ginyard scores a second straight put back. He was fouled and made the free throw.
11:36. 49-57. Wright has made two straight put backs.
12:25. 45-57. USC's Gibson picks up his 4th foul. He's has been schooling Hansbrough I hate to say.
12:47. 45-57. USC makes 5 straight points.
13:12. 45-53. Terry with an easy bucket followed by a Lawson steal and bucket.
13:49. 39-51. Green threw the ball away for the 2nd time under the USC basket which led to an easy USC bucket. Terry is coming in for Green. Damnit Green!
14:30. 39-49. Lead down to 10! Horray!
15:31. 35-49. I rarely look forward to a TV timeout, but this is one of those times.
17:00. 35-49. We finally scored! We went 7 minutes since our last bucket.
17:35. 33-49. USC scores 6 straight to start the game. We are sucking.
