March to Detroit

This game seemed to be everything that we do not expect in a North Carolina game: slow-paced, half-court, defense, getting the short end of the fouls. But it was a good game. I like the strategy that Roy put into place about doubling Griffin and letting the other guys beat us, because it worked to perfection. Now I heard some Syracuse fans ranting about how cold Oklahoma was after torching them, but I really believe the Heels played solid defense. I’m not always sold on good defense vs poor shooting – is it because there was a hand in their face or because the shooter is off? – But I think this game was a good defensive game. You don’t force back-to-back shot clock violations because the shooters are off. You do it with good defense.

Things I didn't like:
1. Refs. Let's be honest, if UNC breathed on Blake Griffin, they were called for a foul and that's just the honest truth. I could hardly watch the 2nd half because there were some ridiculous fouls. If they had been calling it on the other end, I wouldn't have minded as much, but you can't tell me that Blake Griffin never fouled Ed Davis or Deon Thompson. Yes, the fouls were even at the end, but only because OK needed to foul at the end of the game (which I'm surprised they called). If you look at Ed Davis's 4th foul, he was called for a block...I'm pretty sure that's solid defense to cut someone off at the baseline.

Things I liked:
1. The fact we can have a half-court game and win. I think that since Ty Lawson has been hurt, UNC is a better half-court team. He's not playing as fast, but he can still get to the basket pretty easily, which makes him the most dangerous person on the court. You say what he did when he drove and dumped off to Zeller. He probably could do that every play.

2. Bigs played hard. I thought Hansbrough did a good job on Griffin to begin with, but it may have been because he wasn't looking to score yet (you're the best player on your team - you should be looking to score), but then came the fouls and Griffin spent the rest of the game hitting layups. I really thought UNC did a good job though. Davis, Thompson, and Zeller, even though they are not physically, did a good job and making his work and that's one of the things that made a difference.

3. Danny and Deon playing well. Around here, Lawson, Ellington, and Hansbrough get a lot of the credit, but that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate these guys any less. Despite the fact that Griffin is an outstanding offensive player, he really isn't that good on defense, as Deon Thompson scored 8 in the 2nd half. When you think of Deon, please don't get too down on him. Remember that hot start he got off to? I think he's capable of doing the same thing next year. As far as Green, good time to carry the team. Sure Lawson played as Lawson does, but Green was the man out there.



I think North Carolina is the best team in the nation. I also think that everyone agrees that they are the best team in the nation when they defend decently and when Ty Lawson does amazing things. I think they are capable of both in the Final Four.

Detroit What!

Well done Heels! I'm going to enjoy this one and you should too. But please be careful when you pump your arms in the air, you might nudge Blake Griffin and get whistled for a foul. Please NCAA, don't fine me. Aye-yi-yi!

Photo Credit to J.D. Lyon

Hard Foul

I read somewhere (I can’t find the link) about how teams are roughing up Blake Griffin and his parents are sick of it. This is something I have harped on in my extensive time in the blogging world about how players are getting hit a lot more than they have in the past, which I don’t like and probably no one does, so I sympathize with the Griffins’ situation.

But at the same time, I also say, suck it up. Has Gene Hansbrough ever gone to the media and said “My son is getting hit too much and it needs to stop”? No, which is a credit to him and the rest of the Hansbrough family. There have been times, where I just can’t stand to watch officials because they are letting these shots to the head go as just a foul and not a flagrant or intentional foul. I’m not saying that everyone needs to be like that, but how many times have we seen Hansbrough fall flat on his back because some thug laid him out or someone came around and broke his nose (yes, I know he was suspended, but still).

I understand where the Terminator’s parents are coming from, but he’s only had 2 years of it, and probably just excessively this year alone. Hansbrough has gotten it for at least the past 3 years. Think about how many soaks in the hot tub that amounts to.

NPOY

Ever go to Sportsline.com? I usually don't like their articles and I don't particularly like this one. It seems to me that sportsline doesn't have anything else to do, but they have to meet a deadline, so they print some very poorly-thought out article and this seems to be the case here. Read it and here are my thoughts:

If you read some of the comments on this article, you would see that some people are using the race arguement. I'm not even going to touch that because there are more important issues for me to comment on.

The first is the age difference. Blake Griffin is a sophomore. Tyler Hansbrough is a senior. Sure, Hansbrough can be considered the media's darling, but did he ever ask for all this attention. I bet he loathes it. Also, when Hansbrough receieved all this attention for his work ethic and drive, it was his junior year when North Carolina was in the middle of a title run. Now sure, OK looks like a contender, but I'm not expecting them to win the title. Elite 8 is a possiblility, even Final 4, but not a title. Griffin is a sophomore and when you think of elite teams in college basketball, Oklahoma is not on the list (Write that down!). My feelings are that Tyler Hansbrough had over 2 years to be exposed to him and Griffin only has had over 1 year.

Also, let us look at the conferences in which each player plays in. Blake is in the Big 12. What's the first thing that comes to your mind? Football, right? Tyler is in the ACC. First thing to come to your mind? Basketball? Me too.

My point is that Hansbrough will get more media attention because he plays in the ACC, for one of the most decorating schools in college basketball, and will most likely go down as one of the top college players of all time. I am not discrediting Blake Griffin at all. If the season were to end today, I would declare him the Player of the Year. He's good, but let's not pull the whole race card out or say that it is because people love #50. He plays in a basketball conference for the most popular team in the land and has been in the spotlight since he scored his first bucket more than 4 years ago. Blake will most likely be a top pick in the draft, plays in a football conference, and has been on a college campus for almost 2 years. The difference is in those statements, not race.

Let's admire these players for who they are, what they've accomplished and the type of players they will be. I support Tyler Hansbrough and consider him one of the best players in the country and this article made me want to support him even more.

Oh, one more thing. Seriously Sportsline, get some good writers who you can actually pay to write something intelligent. Golly!