Tar Heel Holiday Season in Review

Lawrence Jordan: I owe the readers at The ONH an apology. There have been some events that occurred over the Holidays that should have been covered but I was unable to devote the time. Let's take a quick look back at what transpired:

• 12/22/09: Basketball vs. Marshall: After hanging close in the first half, the taller Tar Heels blow open the game in the second half. Win big 98-61 despite shooting less than 50% from the floor.
• 12/26/09: Football vs. Pitt: The Heels lose 19-17 on a last minute FG. A microcosm of the entire football season: untimely turnovers or inept offense leads to either short field opportunities for Pitt or blown scoring chances for Heels. Yates goal-line interception and inability to avoid rush stalls offense. Overly conservative play calling at its finest and lack of talent at quarterback leave the Heels at 8-5, when 10-3 or even 11-2 was attainable. Can the Heels win in Charlotte (or against the Pack for that matter)? Butch Davis has some questions to answer.
• 12/28/09: Basketball vs. Rutgers: After hanging close in the first half, the Tar Heels hold on for the win despite a valiant second half run by Rutgers. Another sub 50% FG performance. Heels win 81-67.
• 12/30/09: Basketball vs Albany: The Tar Heels go up big in the first half and extend the lead to 38 points in the second half. Albany mounts a run and plays the Heels even in the second half. The Heels shoot 17-27 (63%) from the FT line and barely out-rebound the undermanned Albany team, but finally shoot 50% from the floor. Heels win 87-70.

It's been an underwhelming Holiday Season for the UNC athletic department. There are many more questions now than when the seasons began for the UNC revenue sports. Tar Heel fans shouldn't let the names and reputations of their coaches exempt them from answering tough questions about poor performances.