Well, here we go again. Time for the oldest and greatest rivalry in college sports. Carolina-Duke!
Being a Tarheel fan, and having been on the better side of this rivalry seven out of the last nine games, it usually feels good to say that it never matters what the records are or who the players are - this game is ALWAYS great.
I remember one year in the nineties - during one of Duke's worst seasons in the last three decades - it took three overtimes for UNC to overcome an overmatched effort from the Blue Devils that included a 50-foot buzzer beater by Jeff Capel to survive. I also remember during Carolina's horrendous 8-20 season in 2002, they barely lost to Duke in another couple of thrillers.
But this year, it's harder to imagine. Yes, I realize that just a couple weeks ago I spouted my undying belief that this group would get it figured out and march into March and yet another appearance in at least the Sweet 16. But I'm just not so sure anymore.
What looked like the start of a comeback with the win against NC State has turned into yet another losing streak of bewildering performances. What bothers me the most is that nobody - and I mean, nobody - seems to know what's going on. I am concerned about hearing statements like, "I don't know what it is", and, "we have to play as a team," and, "We need to come together with more effort," etc.
These are simply not statements that Tarheel Nation is used to hearing. To me, when you put on that uniform, the effort and focus should be a part of that. End of story. How do you 'coach' that? Unfortunately for Roy Williams, you can't. And that's what scares me about tonight.
But who knows?? Stranger things have happened and most often, they happen in this game.....
No comments:
Post a Comment