By Eddy Landreth
Staff Writer
North Carolina is closer to being one of the best teams in America than most of the media and fans around the nation understand.
“You going to tell me that two of the better teams in the country are not us and North Carolina?†Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said after the defending national champions had to come from behind to win at Cameron Indoor Stadium. “The team we played tonight is not as good as anybody in the country? Come on, they can play with anybody.
“They were as good a team as we’ve played; there’s no question about it,†Krzyzewski said. “They have such good talent, and Roy has them in a system that suits them so well. They run so well. [John] Henson has an impact that shows up in stats, but he has more of an impact than that. He is really good. I don’t think there’s a more unique guy than him.â€
This Carolina team’s chemistry, or blend of personalities and styles on the court, is outstanding. UNC is gifted and possesses a unique talent base on which to build a far greater team by the time this season finishes.
Losing to Duke inflicted pain on the Tar Heels; but if pain can be a good thing, this was. The Tar Heels will continue to grow and mature from a game of this stature, played in an arena that was so loud the noise hurt one’s ears.
“Tonight we made each other better,†Krzyzewski said. “Both teams got something out of it. Going forward, both teams will have a chance to cause some trouble for people.â€
Why is UNC good? That’s a good question, coming one season after the Tar Heels’ lost 17 games, particularly given that Carolina is relying heavily on three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior who has not played much before this season because of injuries.
In looking at this team, one has to start with Henson. He snatches rebounds half a foot above where most big men can reach. He blocks shots so often and with such timing that he seems to get inside opponents’ heads.
In the bounce-back victory against Clemson this past Saturday, Henson blocked the Tigers’ first four shots and helped to push their offense to the perimeter for much of the game.
Offensively, he is simply uncanny in his unorthodox manner of driving to the basket. He is able to put the ball on the floor without losing it; and, taking two long strides from the free-throw line, lay it in the bucket for two points. He can shoot hook shots that no one playing college basketball today can dream of blocking.
“His reach is unbelievable,†Krzyzewski said. “I don’t think there’s a better shot-blocker in the country. He is unique. He’s as good a big guy as there is in the country.â€
Kendall Marshall is an ideal point guard for this group because he is a skilled passer who puts the ball into people’s hands right where they want it, to score.
Harrison Barnes is quietly starting to realize his great potential. The drive and dunk he had at Clemson, energizing the team, is a prelude of dominance to come.
“When that happened, I said, ‘OK, we’re going to win this game,’†Marshall said. “It took the crowd out of it. Everything went silent. They didn’t see it coming. We didn’t see it coming.â€
This Carolina team is developing into a more effective defensive force with every practice and game. And as the players learn to try to go one-on-one less, move without the ball and make the so-called extra pass, their offense is going to get better and better.
The offense will also improve when Leslie McDonald and Reggie Bullock learn to spot up in the right places and then shoot jump shots with confidence. Both would benefit from driving more and shooting some mid-range jumpers.
The real X-factor for this team is 7-foot Tyler Zeller. When he learns to focus the entire time he is on the court, to always be ready to catch the ball and make strong moves to the basket or kick it out to the perimeter when double-teamed, this team will be incredibly difficult to guard.
As a group, the most important thing for the Tar Heels for the rest of the season is to improve their desire to win and be willing to put in the extra work and attention needed to hear what Coach Roy Williams is teaching, rather than just listening to the sounds from his mouth.