1/16: Georgia Tech (12-4) at North Carolina (12-5)

• ironman02

  Tech will make the trip to Chapel Hill tomorrow to face the Tar Heels at 2 PM on ESPN.
  
  After the big win over Duke, the Yellow Jackets became a victim of the dreaded "trap game", losing in Charlottesville to UVA. Meanwhile, Carolina comes into this contest after being hammered at Clemson on Wednesday. Tech is 1-2 in conference play, while Carolina sits at 1-1, so this is obviously an important game for both teams in the ACC regular season race.
  
  As if things weren't already bad enough for the Heels, Tyler Zeller has a stress fracture in his foot and will be out for 4-6 weeks. Zeller missed most of last season after sustaining a wrist injury in the team's second game, and was only able to return late in the year. Once again, it looks as though he will miss most of ACC conference play, and possibly the rest of the season unless his recovery goes perfectly.
  
  The loss of Zeller means that the Wears will likely see much more playing time, or maybe John Henson will begin to see some time at the 4 spot, rather than the 3. Whatever the case may be, Carolina will be short-handed inside, which could pose big problems for them against the Jackets on Saturday.
• slidepiece

  The play of Larry Drew, Jr. is so important today. He has played pretty well in spots this season, but the Clemson game was an absolute nightmare. He looked rattled and played poorly. The frontlines of UNC & GT are strengths for both teams, so the play of the guards on both sides will be vital.
  
  UNC 78
  GT 75
• september63

  

  Tarheels laying another EGG today!!
• karen lotz

  

  once again, terrible decisions with the ball combined with hot shooting from the opposition/poor defensive effort and the Heels are down 20 in the first half
• hoops23

  

  Got it back to 13, but GA Tech is just playing like they want it more...
  
  UNC is just playing like crap (again)... Though the last few minutes have been encouraging...
• swamisez

  

  Give it time. Paul Hewitt will find a way to over-coach this game and GT will blow it. I have zero faith in GT to close on the road.
  
  Also, Monica Abbott....enough. We get it K factor.
• k_boogy

  Ya two stats not happy with so far in this game the 12 TOs of course and 9 O rebounds for GT. With all the TOs cant be giving them multiple opportunities on the offensive end
• hoops23

  

  Down to 11...
• karen lotz

  

  If they can somehow get this lead down to 8 or 9 by half they might have a shot. Then again if they keep giving up uncontested dunks, its over...
• hoops23

  

  Nope.
  
  42-28 at half...
  
  Poor, poor, first half... Defense is trash, ball handling is trash, offensive rhythm is trash...
• slingshot4ever

  If UNC is still in the top 25 after these last two games it would be an absolute travesty.
• swamisez

  

  yeah, i can't fathom UNC being ranked if they lost today. Their RPI is pretty low as is (44?) and with 6 losses they would likely depart the top 25.
• hoops23

  

  Rightfully so, we're not playing like a top 25 team.
• swamisez

  

  I still think Carolina will come back and win this. Sick as it makes me.
• karen lotz

  

  Carolina is playing much better so far and are climbing their way back into it. They need to do a better job of rebounding the ball on the defensive end. Giving up a lot of second chances and its gonna come back to bite them in the end.
• swamisez

  

  Wine and Cheese crowd is waking up from last night's mixer
• Ironman92

  

  60-49
  
  
  9:53 remaining
• karen lotz

  

  wow what a run they are on now. need to finish it
• Ironman92

  

  Regardless of how this turns out....Carolina will "get it" how Roy wants it sooner than later and be a tough, tough out in the tourney.
  
  
  
  IF GT can fend off this rally @ Chapel Hill.....they will have to be dealt with all year with the confidence they have built up thus far.
• karen lotz

  

  Graves with a huge second half
• Ironman92

  

  UNC takes the lead....they will win by 7
• karen lotz

  

  ONIONS
• Ironman92

  

  Graves from 27 feet.....2 point lead UNC
• swamisez

  

  I still don't think this Carolina team will do much in the tournament. They are so inconsistent at the guard spot, I don't know how they can overcome the turnovers. They want to play so fast, that they kick the ball around all the time.
  
  Maybe if they played a slower game, but I don't think anyone at Carolina thinks they will do anything close to that.
• Ironman92

  

  Carolina is only going to improve.