Last night UNC extended its all-time record in Chapel Hill against Clemson to an unbelievable 53-o. This seems improbable based on the highly competitive nature of basketball historically played in the ACC. One would assume that at some point over the past 53 years that Clemson would have won once, but that is not the case. To the Tigers credit they have come close twice this season to beating the Tar Heels, relinquishing a 15-point lead last night before falling in double OT and losing in OT at Littlejohn Coliseum in January on a Wayne Ellington three-pointer at the buzzer. Despite a tough lose to the uber-annoying Blue Devils earlier in the week, it is important to remember that UNC is currently playing without its top two point guards, which means QT is getting extended playing time. Quentin Thomas is easily the worst point guard to ever start a game at UNC in my lifetime. One gets a sick feeling in the bottom of their stomach watching him consistently turn the ball over and take bad shots. This team is a Final Four team with Lawson and Sweet 16 team without. The country's best player has been nothing short of amazing over the last three games with 39 & 13 against Clemson, 28 & 18 against Duke, and 22 & 21 against FSU. At times it seems that Tyler Hansbrough is the only person in blue playing at full-speed.
With 37 days until the world's greatest sporting event commences, here are the Top 5 teams in the country:
1. Memphis
2. Kansas
3. UNC
4. UCLA
5. Duke
This is an interesting year, but it seems to be top heavy with the above teams, but there is a lot of good guard play across the country, which is the key to a good run in March. Other teams worth watching include Georgetown (great defense but will the real Dr. Hibbert please stand up), Texas (superior guard play that rivals all teams in the top 5), Butler (someone has to be that mid-major team), and Tennessee (arguably the funnest team to watch next to Memphis, who they play on February 23).
My current projection-UNC over UCLA
3 comments:
I really like Kansas but Bill Self's teams always seem lifeless. Going back to his potent Illinois squad to his recent KU teams they seem to be missing something. For UNC Lawson must be healthy. When healthy the only team I see Carolina having problems with is Memphis. They are very similar in talent and Joey Dorsey can bully Christian, I mean Tyler. It's easy to wite off Memphis due to their weak conference but this team aint no St. Josephs(Elite 8)
Whoa baby, be carefeul with your words here. Never demean a UNC player by invoking C.L. That is an unfair and hateful comparison. Kansas lost last night right after I finished this post. The problem with Kansas is, who is the go-to guy? Who takes the final shot? They have three capable players, but they might have too much talent in a tight game if that is possible. Also, Texas will not lose a game in the final two minutes if they are shooting free throws, as Abrahms has the best stroke I have ever seen at the line.
I forgot to mention that Derrick Rose is the only pg that can handle lawson's speed. kansas lacks a killer instinct. you must have an inside game, thats why i like unc, ucla, and gtown over the likes of duke, tennesee, and drake
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