Game Day: UNC vs NCSU: Raleigh, NC

Lawrence Jordan: The Tar Heels make the short trip to Raleigh this evening for its yearly visit to NC State, but there is a different feeling in the air this year. This isn't the preseason top ranked Tar Heel squad the "experts" predicted. This isn't the talentless, rebuidling NCSU squad many foresaw. This is a Pack team that soundly defeated Duke, their last home opponent, and has a chance to defeat both Duke and UNC for the first time since 2003.

Not to be overlooked, this is also a Pack team that just suffered a 24 point road loss at Maryland. This inconsistency has been a recurring problem for Sidney Lowe during the '09-'10 season. The Pack will turn in a losing performance against Northwestern and barely beat Elon, but will win at FSU, beat Duke in Raleigh, and hang tight with Clemson. Rivalry games mean everything in the state of North Carolina, especially home rivalry games, so I predict the Pack's performance against Duke is similar to the team that will surface this evening.

Inconsistency is not the proper term to describe the Heels. The Tar Heels have been consistent of late, consistently bad. The Tar Heels, losers of 4 of their last 5 games, are limping into Raleigh this year. Their roster, stacked with accomplished high school stars and seasoned role players from Championship Teams, has not performed up to expectations this year.

What's the problem? Injuries? Yes, Davis, Zeller, Ginyard, Strickland, and McDonald have all missed games this year. Inexperience? Yes, the Tar Heels 5 freshman log major minutes. Leadership? Yes, Ginyard, at times, has been more of a liability than the senior leader many predicted. Thompson has lacked scoring and rebounding tenacity many thought they would see. Talent? Yes, the Tar Heel backcourt has been consistently out-performed this year, defensively and offensively. Coaching? Dare I say, YES! Williams seems to be forcing square pegs into round holes this year. The pace of play may be too quick with the lack of backcourt talent. The stock of "talented" players may be confined to unnatural positions and undefined roles. The "teaching" techniques perviously used on experienced teams may not resonate with this roster.

The Tar Heels and Williams had six days to prepare for the Wolfpack. If Williams is finally ready to game plan around this year's players abilities, it should be tonight. If Williams spent his time pouting because the UNC fan-base is daring to question his coaching (or his pinky's) coaching decisions it could be another long night for the Tar Heel faithful.

Keys to the Game:

• Punchy Paint Play: Davis is questionable for the Heels tonight. The Tar Heels track record shows they back down when hit in the mouth. Who will establish the toughest paint presence?
• Perimeter Shooting: Open perimeter shots will be available this evening. The Tar Heels traditionally give up open perimeter shots and this year seems to be an extreme. Tar Heel opponents pack in the defense and dare the UNC guards to shoot. Who will hit the open threes?
• Hustle Plays: As cliche as it sounds, who is going to pick up the loose balls? Who is going to tip out a rebound and reset the offense? Who is going to strip the ball away in the interior?

Game Prediction:
Williams will have the team motivated and ready to play and will have some snide remarks for his doubters at the press conference. It will be an all around entertaining evening:
UNC 80
NCSU 78

Interesting look at UNC's struggles this year: LINK