“Because it’s here,” Williams said. “… Big-time basketball is here.”
If the Tar Heels had forgotten that during their few days away, Williams reminded them when they returned.
“He’s definitely made that point a couple of times in practice, and just talking to us,” freshman point guard Marcus Paige said Friday. “He always talks about how big-time players play in big-time games. And then yesterday he gave us quite a few reminders in practice that it’s here, and there’s no time for any casual slip-ups.”
The Tar Heels will play their final nonconference game of the
season on Saturday, and UNC enters its game against No. 20 UNLV still
seeking its first marquee victory. The Tar Heels have lost against their
three most difficult non-conference opponents – against Butler in the
Maui Invitational and on road against No.?1 Indiana and Texas – and
their best win, according to the RPI, came last week against No. 59
McNeese State.
Yes...it is here big time game with big time players and our very own version of the two headed monster..............Bennett and Birch....is the marquee name of North Carolina foolin ya..??
Sure, Carolina ranks third in the country in points per game (84) and they share the wealth, ranking first overall at more than 20 assists per game. They also hit the glass hard, ranking third in the country in rebounding as well at more than 45 per game.
But let's be honest here. In the three games Carolina has lost they've been boat raced in every one. Indiana could have beaten them by 30 and Texas embarrassed them by 18 in Austin. Carolina has scored all those points against teams like East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Mississippi State, UAB and McNeese State. UNLV is going to be the best team the Tar Heels have seen since Indiana and we all saw how the Hoosiers exploited the youth of Williams' squad.
The constant pressure from UNLV is going to be too much for the Tar Heels today. UNLV is holding opponents to just 37.1 percent from the field in shooting. Look for a run and gun style of game in this one and watch Vegas cause turnovers by Carolina. The Rebels need a bigtime win to solidify their spot in the polls and a road win at unranked Carolina isn't the best but the Heels in Chapel Hill are certainly tough to beat.
UNLV 82, North Carolina 78 REBELS + 4