UNC 102, Notre Dame 87
Boxscore |
RecapTyler Hansbrough looked in NPOY form again scoring a game high 34 points, but the big difference in UNC's win over Notre Dame was the blistering speed of Ty Lawson who finished with a double-double (22 points, 11 assists) and named Tournament MVP. I'm sure you've already heard all the adjectives that describe his speed, but words don't do him justice. He literally can run past anyone on the court--that includes defenders that are two steps ahead and running at full speed. In the past few games Ty has done a decent job driving the lane, but he missed a bunch of layups. Not this game. He was slicing and dicing the Notre Dame defense and they couldn't do anything about it.
Much like Tuesday's performance, this was a team win. Nine players got double digit minutes. Wayne Ellington went 2-4 from the three point line. Deon Thompson grabbed 13 rebounds and scored 19 points. The Heels were 19-21 from the free throw line (Tyler moved into 10th place overall among NCAA free throw attempts). We played good defense again.
Much was made of the matchup between fellow Preseason All-Americans, Tyler Hansbrough and Notre Dame's
Luke Harangody. Granted Luke was ill for much of the day, but Tyler dominated. Luke's defense was suspect. He's definitely a big body, but he doesn't have the diverse skills of Hansbrough. Tyler made 3 shots from outside in the first half including a 3 pointer! Tyler missed his second three point attempt, but it wasn't off by much. Tyler was able to score inside at will.
The bigger playmaker for Notre Dame was definitely
Kyle McAlarney. He was making about everything he shot in the first half, but in the second half he was out of his mind! Literally anything he threw up went in. He was shooting beyond NBA three point range and swishing it. He only needed a half second to look at the basket and shoot. He ended the game with 39 points (a career high for him). You can see from the Game Flow below that the safeness of UNC's lead took a major dip toward the end of the second half. That was all due to Kyle. Even the referees were shaking their heads by the end of the game because it is so rare to see someone go off like that. The last time I saw a display like that was when Tayshaun Prince was at Kentucky and for one game (don't remember which one) he was raining threes from a few steps in from half court. Kyle was in the same kind of zone. Jay Bilas (ESPN sports commentator) said it well. If UNC could overcome Kyle being on fire for the last 5 minutes then it would be a good indication of just how good UNC is. Turns out we did an excellent job. Sure, Kyle would nail a three, but we'd come down the floor, get the ball to Tyler or Deon, they'd score, and even get fouled for a three point play.
I also agree with Jay Bilas that Ty Lawson is perhaps the most important player on UNC's quest for a National Championship. When Ty is running the floor, being aggressive, playing good defense, and nailing three pointers I don't think there is anyone that can compete with us. And if the reigning National Player of the Year is healthy and on his game? We could give the 2004-2005 UNC team a run for its money.
Next up is UNC-Asheville on Sunday.
