12/1: ACC/Big Ten Challenge - MSU at Carolina

• swamisez

  

  In addition to the ACC Big Ten challenge (where they have played in Bloomington, in West Lafayette ) Duke plays a home and home with Georgetown and has done so since 2002.
  They have done the same with St.Johns and UCLA this decade.
  
  I think they get the perception because when they play these teams (minus UCLA) they usually play in arenas that NBA teams play in also.
  
  For some reason fans don't count preseason tournament games as road contests because they don't play in an on campus venue. This doesn't make them any less road games though. It isn't Duke's fault when they played ACC Big Ten games vs. Illinois the games were played at United Center? It is not a valid argument, and for the record Georgetown has been to a final four more recently than Kentucky.
• ironman02

  Sounds good, swami.
  
  Playing St. John's at MSG and Georgetown in the Wizards' arena probably does contribute to that notion.
• wildcats20

  

  So I haven't watched the game yet, but obviously I know Carolina won. Everyone is telling me it was "ACC officiating" that won the game for the Heels???
  
  About to start it now, so we'll see.
• hoops23

  

  Great win for the Heels.. I was a little frustrated with the finish, the sloppiness at the end of games is killing me..
  
  But, this just gives Roy something to get on the guys about, so it's going to turn into a good thing.
• swamisez

  

  Superior size and depth won the game for Carolina
  
  not any officiating
  
  It helped that MSU couldn't throw the ball in the ocean from outside four feet. But that is more likely due to Carolina's length.
• ironman02

  Yeah, I don't think "ACC officiating" had anything to do with this.
  
  Carolina just played a flawless first half and made enough plays down the stretch to get the win.
  
  MSU was definitely cold from the field, but I do think that Carolina was pretty good defensively.
• k_boogy

  ironman02 wrote: Big, big win for Carolina.
  
  GREAT first half by the Heels, but they still need to learn how to finish. Missing free throws and turning the ball over down the stretch will get you beat, especially against good teams. The young guys need to develop the killer instinct, and guys like Ginyard and Thompson need to do a better job of closing out the game.
  
  Ed Davis was a beast all night and Larry Drew II is really coming around. Thompson had a nice game and the contributions from Strickland and Henson were huge. The freshman did play over their heads a little tonight, but you can see that they're gaining confidence and beginning to play much better.
  
  There are still things to improve on, and the Heels are a work in progress, but this is a great win over a Top 10 team. I'll take it.
  
  Now it's time to go to Rupp on Saturday. Hope the Heels can get another big win, this time over UK.

  Definitely agree. Dont know what was up with Thomoson but in the last 2 minutes he played awful. Forced up a 3 early in the shot clock and had 3 or 4 TOs.
• ironman02

  Check out this line from Dexter Strickland tonight.
  
  In 14 minutes, he had 9 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, a steal, and ZERO turnovers.
  
  Larry Drew II in 27 minutes, had 18 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, a steal, and three turnovers.
  
  That's 27 pts, 9 assts, 6 rebs, 2 stls, and 2 blks, with only 3 turns from the PG position. Carolina will be in every game they play if those guys play anywhere near that well throughout the season.
• k_boogy

  Ya I agree bout the PGs. Drew played great in the Neveda game and I really liked that coming into this game, for confidence. Thought tonight would be a great test for Drew going up against Lucas and he is definitely playing some very good bball right now.
  
  Stirckland just played out of his mind tonight, pushing the ball extremely well and the one pass to Ginyard on the break was Lawsonesque lol
• Prescott

  I'm not too familiar with Duke's past schedules,

  There aren't too many "ats" on any duke pre-league schedule and the "ats" that do appear should questioned.For example, duke played AT Texas in 2005-06. The game was played at The Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
  
  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/teams/schedule?teamId=150&year=2006
• hoops23

  

  UNC's length was the biggest factor of MSU struggling from the field. Dickie V made reference to it several times and you could tell when MSU had to pass on several 3 pt chances because the length of UNC getting out to the shooter...
• ironman02

  LTrain,
  
  I agree. Carolina's length definitely gave MSU problems, especially when Henson was in the game. He had 4 blocks tonight and altered several other attempts. In situations like that, it's nice to have a 6'10" guy playing the 3 spot.
• hoops23

  

  Exactly. When MSU is putting out front court guys who go 6'6'' to 6'8'' and UNC is putting out front court guys at 6'8'' to 7'0'', obviously there is a big size advantage..
  
  This is going to be the biggest advantage for UNC this year, because if they really put the effort in, their defense could be good enough to win games by itself...
• swamisez

  

  I think MSU can win against Carolina but they are going to have to shoot the lights out to do so. They can't really compete inside with their lack of size, and as evidenced by the final few minutes, they can't get the big rebound to keep them in games.
• Hb31187

  

  I missed the 2nd half...Is Carolinas nearly double FT attempts due to MSU having to foul repeatedly down the stretch....Or home cookin?
• swamisez

  

  MSU fouled Carolina for the last 2 and half minutes. So that really contributed.
  
  Delvon Roe getting his 5th foul at the 8 minute mark in the second half was surprising, but he simply couldn't maneuver through the interior of the Carolina defense and he got two cheapies battling for position down low (just got a little too rough).
• Hb31187

  

  Oh okay that makes sense then, just looking at the stat sheet it just doesnt look right lol.
  
  
  I dont think Izzo and MSU should really be that disappointed. They play 10 more times and I doubt 1. MSU goes 2-20 from Three point range and 2. That Carolina shoots ilke 60% again. That being said it was still only a 7point loss.
• RiverRat13

  Carolina just isn't going to be a great FT shooting team like last year, so every game down the stretch will be shaky. Deon and Ed are going to attempt the most FTs, and neither is an 80% shooter like Hansbrough was.
  
  Drew II has been more than UNC fans could have hoped for thus far. If Carolina struggles, I don't think it will be because of his play.
  
  I can't see MSU winning a title. It would take a very fortunate draw to find six teams that don't take advantage of the Spartans' problems at the center position.
  

  Hb31187 wrote: Oh okay that makes sense then, just looking at the stat sheet it just doesnt look right lol.
  

  Actually, looking at the stat sheet provides all the evidence you need as to why Carolina attempted 14 more FTs. MSU took twice as many 3-point attempts and trailed at the end. That is going to lead to a team attempting significantly less FTs than its opponent.