04-01-2005, 07:27 PM
Here is a column from espn.com about why the Tarheels will win the NCAA tourny...what do you think about this one?
It's Ringless Roy's to lose. He has the best talent, he has the best offense, he has the best low-post player, he has the best push-it point guard, he has the best sixth man and he has the most dangerous shooting guard (when his head is right).
Roy Williams out of excuses, and out of reasons to reach for a post-elimination hankie. Two years ago he didn't give a (bleep) about North Carolina, but now he's going to give North Carolina its first title in 12 years. And in the process end his personal Can't Win The Big One melodrama.
It's either that or move over, Guy Lewis. You've been replaced as the dadgum Fold-up Artist for the Ages.
But Roy can do this. His team won the toughest league in the land (the ACC) outright and sprinted through the tournament's first two rounds. True, they needed a referee's bailout to secure a Sweet 16 victory over Villanova, then got much more fight than anticipated from Wisconsin â but they're ready for this. They're not just here to get their picture taken next to the Arch.
So tell Ol' Superstitious Roy to spit into the Mississippi River again, then relax and let his team play. He has the best players, and this is when talent usually prevails.
Why They'll Win It
Nobody can handle Sean May in the low post. Great hands, wide torso, soft touch and surprisingly quick feet make him a nightmare on the block. He's a walking double-double.
Williams' post players have always excelled at quickly getting position and pinning their defenders where they're helpless, and with May's girth it takes half the 35-second clock to get around him. It will take help to contain him, and trapping the post will open the floor for Carolina's shooters.
That's where mercurial Rashad McCants comes in. As long as he stays on the reservation, sharing the ball and resisting the urge to go solo, he's a devastating weapon. In fact, no player in the Final Four has a greater offensive skill set than McCants.
Point guard Raymond Felton is the man who makes Carolina's break so devastating, able to push the ball and make bang-bang decisions on the fly. When the Heels are showing their heels to opponents in the open floor, they're unbeatable â and opponents inevitably have to sacrifice some of their offensive rebounding in an effort to get back and stop the break. And freshman Marvin Williams is the X-factor off the bench. His all-court ability makes him a serious matchup problem, and he doesn't seem to get tense in the big moments. He'll take and make big 3-pointers and big free throws. If Carolina commits itself defensively for a full 40 minutes, then the pressure really mounts on opponents to match baskets with the Heels. And that's awfully hard to do, given what they get in transition.
Who Could Stop Them?
Michigan State gets the first shot â and might actually have the best shot. In Paul Davis, the Spartans at least have the length inside to bother May, who tends to bull around defenders more than going over them.
If Davis stands tall, stays out of foul trouble and keeps May from a 20-rebound game, Spartie has a chance. Michigan State has the perimeter athleticism to keep up with Carolina and won't shy away from pushing the ball at them, off makes or misses. Tom Izzo's team will also challenge the Heels' toughness on the boards â and outside of May and his 10 rebounds per game, it will be interesting to see who steps up. (Felton has had some big rebounding games from the guard position.)
Neither Louisville nor Illinois should be run out of the gym by Carolina, either. Although neither would appear to have a counter to May, both those teams seem mentally tougher than the Heels. And if Carolina gets lax guarding the perimeter â still waiting for the Heels to locate Clayton Hanson and get a hand up â either of those teams could light them up from 3-point range.
But North Carolina has all of the weapons, none of the weaknesses and none of the excuses. No pressure, Roy, but this national title is yours to lose.
It's Ringless Roy's to lose. He has the best talent, he has the best offense, he has the best low-post player, he has the best push-it point guard, he has the best sixth man and he has the most dangerous shooting guard (when his head is right).
Roy Williams out of excuses, and out of reasons to reach for a post-elimination hankie. Two years ago he didn't give a (bleep) about North Carolina, but now he's going to give North Carolina its first title in 12 years. And in the process end his personal Can't Win The Big One melodrama.
It's either that or move over, Guy Lewis. You've been replaced as the dadgum Fold-up Artist for the Ages.
But Roy can do this. His team won the toughest league in the land (the ACC) outright and sprinted through the tournament's first two rounds. True, they needed a referee's bailout to secure a Sweet 16 victory over Villanova, then got much more fight than anticipated from Wisconsin â but they're ready for this. They're not just here to get their picture taken next to the Arch.
So tell Ol' Superstitious Roy to spit into the Mississippi River again, then relax and let his team play. He has the best players, and this is when talent usually prevails.
Why They'll Win It
Nobody can handle Sean May in the low post. Great hands, wide torso, soft touch and surprisingly quick feet make him a nightmare on the block. He's a walking double-double.
Williams' post players have always excelled at quickly getting position and pinning their defenders where they're helpless, and with May's girth it takes half the 35-second clock to get around him. It will take help to contain him, and trapping the post will open the floor for Carolina's shooters.
That's where mercurial Rashad McCants comes in. As long as he stays on the reservation, sharing the ball and resisting the urge to go solo, he's a devastating weapon. In fact, no player in the Final Four has a greater offensive skill set than McCants.
Point guard Raymond Felton is the man who makes Carolina's break so devastating, able to push the ball and make bang-bang decisions on the fly. When the Heels are showing their heels to opponents in the open floor, they're unbeatable â and opponents inevitably have to sacrifice some of their offensive rebounding in an effort to get back and stop the break. And freshman Marvin Williams is the X-factor off the bench. His all-court ability makes him a serious matchup problem, and he doesn't seem to get tense in the big moments. He'll take and make big 3-pointers and big free throws. If Carolina commits itself defensively for a full 40 minutes, then the pressure really mounts on opponents to match baskets with the Heels. And that's awfully hard to do, given what they get in transition.
Who Could Stop Them?
Michigan State gets the first shot â and might actually have the best shot. In Paul Davis, the Spartans at least have the length inside to bother May, who tends to bull around defenders more than going over them.
If Davis stands tall, stays out of foul trouble and keeps May from a 20-rebound game, Spartie has a chance. Michigan State has the perimeter athleticism to keep up with Carolina and won't shy away from pushing the ball at them, off makes or misses. Tom Izzo's team will also challenge the Heels' toughness on the boards â and outside of May and his 10 rebounds per game, it will be interesting to see who steps up. (Felton has had some big rebounding games from the guard position.)
Neither Louisville nor Illinois should be run out of the gym by Carolina, either. Although neither would appear to have a counter to May, both those teams seem mentally tougher than the Heels. And if Carolina gets lax guarding the perimeter â still waiting for the Heels to locate Clayton Hanson and get a hand up â either of those teams could light them up from 3-point range.
But North Carolina has all of the weapons, none of the weaknesses and none of the excuses. No pressure, Roy, but this national title is yours to lose.