Showing posts with label UNC Tarheels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNC Tarheels. Show all posts
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Sticky Tar Heels - Observations from the loss
The basic plot of this game was whether the re-emergence of UNLV's place in college basketball could out muscle a under-performing UNC, who get a shot at revenge this time in their home arena. The end result was a 79-73 loss.
The oddsmakers kept it real, while UNLV is a fantastic basketball team most nights, and arguably loaded with as much talent as any team out west, the Runnin' Rebels were 4 point underdogs to the Tar Heels. Why? Home court advantage, they are UNC, and they were motivated. The Rebs lost the game by slightly more than the spread, but nonetheless it was a close game in the second half. Even though UNLV was the #20 team and UNC was unranked, this was in no way an "upset" as some media outlets have called it.
The statistics show that several players played well - starters, and the bench did not add enough to boost the Rebels to victory. Katin Reinhardt was particularly impressive with his 3 point shooting, as was Anthony Marshall. The ESPN commentators lauded Marshall considerably for his dominance over whatever guard matched up against him. Its tough to figure the Rebels losing a game where we had four players with double digit scoring, but Marshall, Reinhardt, Bennett, and Bryce Dejean-Jones all had production. They accounted for 59 of the Rebels 73 points (almost 81% of scoring). Anthony Bennett was not his normal self in the first half, and finished the game without hitting a signature three pointer. While the four that did score shared the load, very little else was contributed from the others whereas UNC didn't have that problem.
The other reason that the Rebels lost a game with four guys scoring in double digits, was a lack of effective defense. The Rebels played a passive lackadaisical defense in the first half, and when they did actually try UNC still managed to make their shoots look too easy. The Tar Heels shot 53% in the first half, compared to the Rebels 38%. Even with defensive adjustments in the second half, the Rebels were only able to drop the Tar Heels to 47.8% in the second half. Besides their free throw shooting, UNC just had a really good shooting night - whether or not the UNLV defense bothered them.
Telling stats in this one besides overall shooting, was the Rebels dominated rebounding (38-33) but turned the ball over far more than the Heels (17-12). While both teams shot poorly from the free throw line, UNC got themselves in the double bonus very early and had a lot more opportunities (at home) to make some. In all, they were 20 of 33, whereas the Rebels were 11 of 21. That's a nine point difference, enough to have swung the game into a Rebels victory.
Home advantage - The common notion is that playing in your home court gives you a ten point advantage, due to familiarity lack of having to travel, and fan support. Putting that notion to work, that would explain our victory over then #1 UNC last year (by 10) and our loss this year. Clearly, had UNC played us at the Mack or even the Orleans this year, we likely would have won this game. On the subject of fan support, UNLV did have a robust fan contingent travel to Chapel Hill and watch the game - that speaks well of UNLV fans and how much they support the team. Bravo!
Splitting the series - While it still stings to lose a game when you've only had one previous loss, its is not a bad loss, its an explainable loss, and regard the 'legacy' that Anthony Marshall alluded to when referencing potentially beating UNC today - this still is a good legacy. The Rebs played UNC close today, and were not "dominated" in any way by them. Fact of the matter is nobody has beaten UNC at home this year, and their overall home winning percentage is almost 90% over the last five years - and that's playing in the normally tough ACC. Beating UNC last year at a 'neutral' venue, and playing them close at home this year is an admirable accomplishment and is definitely improvement.
Mike Moser - It was nice to see Mike Moser back on the court, surprising since Coach Rice said it was unlikely and would be a game time decision, and Mike himself said there was 'no way' that he would play in this game. But, having seen Mike in there you have to wonder whether it was the right decision. First, I don't believe Mike cost the Rebels the game. Had he not played we may have seen more of Savon Goodman, Quintrell Thomas, and Carlos Lopez-Sosa, but none of those guys had much going for them, so it was a wash. But, Mike was either not fully recovered, or likely a bit rusty. In just 12 minutes of playing time he picked up 5 fouls, and only contributed 3 points. That kind of fouling would make even Carlos Lopez-Sosa blush. Nobody is going to argue that having Mike Moser on your team is a bad thing, but it appears (hindsight 20-20) that it might have been better for Mike to bring him back against our next two cream-puff opponents (Chicago State and CSU Bakersfield).
Conclusion - In all likelihood just one of the players the Rebels normally count on to do big things (Justin Hawkins, Khem Birch, Quintrell Thomas, or Mike Moser) being productive would have won the game, or at least have made it a nail biter. The saying that you learn more from your mistakes then victories rings true, and the Rebels will benefit from this loss. I would say Katin Reinhardt should have confidence from his shooting, Bennett can be emboldened by his dunks on UNC, Marshall out played the Tar Heel guards, and Bryce Dejean-Jones made some difficult shots. Everyone else knows they can and have done better. The Rebels may fall a few spots in the rankings, or may fall out completely - not their fault. It all depends on who's popular among the voting group, and whether there are 25 better teams out there then the Rebels. Clearly, New Mexico has claim to one of those spots, but it will take more from Texas and UCLA to lay claim to one given their records so far this year. UNC may have gotten back into the high 20's with this win, who knows.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
UNLV BEATS UNC
UNLV never really had problems in this game, the Rebels started off blazing with consecutive 3 pointers. The first inside bucket was Massamba’s with a layup making the score. 11-4 with 16:19 to go. UNLV’s biggest lead early in the game was 7 points, but then gave some of it back when UNC went on a run and cut it to 2 points, (11-9). UNLV then went on another nice run sparked by Marshall and Stanback which pushed the score back out to 17-9. UNC then finally took the first lead of the game which the Rebels quickly tied at 18 all with about 8:30 left to play in the first half. UNC and UNLV were evenly matched as far as shooting percentage went in the first half. UNC took the lead again and then the lead traded back and forth between teams until the 4:30 mark, when UNC held the lead for the remained of the first half. UNLV stalked UNC though keeping pace and ending the half only four points behind UNC, 38-42. One of the more amazing moments of the first half was a drive and dunk by Anthony Marshall – if you didn’t get up and yell on that one, you probably not reading this website (or didn’t watch the game.)
The second half started very much like the first, with UNLV blazing again and capitalizing with layups, jumpers, and three pointers. UNLV retook the lead at the 18 minute mark, 44-42. What’s key about this point, is from there on out UNLV never relinquished the lead, and it only grew. UNC shooting went especially cold compared to the first half, they shot only 31%. UNLV held their largest lead of the night at 13 points on a dunk by Carlos Lopez at the 5:40 mark. It was at about that time I was telling my wife precluding some tragic event (or series of tragic events), UNLV would win this game. The closest UNC cut it to down the stretch was 83-77 at the 1:31 mark. Once that flurry had vanished, the bench was celebrated, the crowd went wild, and everyone knew it was a foregone conclusion – UNLV was going to beat the #1 team in the nation.
Team shooting for the game was impressive, UNLV shot almost 44% from the field, and 40% from three (13). UNC shot 42% from the field and 44% from three (only 4). Free throw shooting was squarely in favor of UNLV, 83% vs 60%.
Moser was all over the boards as usual, he collected 18 boards and 16 points, a monster double-double. Even though the Rebels were scorching from three point land shooting 13-32 (40%), what was particularly impressive was the inside play against the predicted more physical and skilled UNC players. Massamba, Thomas, and Lopez were all beasts, and held their own against a field of draft picks and all-americans. Moreover, Massamba goated Tyler Zeller into some silly fouls which kept him largely ineffective.
UNLV guards had fantastic nights as well, Oscar Bellfield was huge, especially from three point range, he was 4-8 from three and finished with 16 points and 9 assists. Anthony Marshall was big too, he was 2-3 from three point land and finished with 13 points and 2 steals.
Chace Stanback, welcome to the Rebel Reign MVP circle! Techincally everyone worked as a well oiled machine and had to, to beat the Tarheels, so everyone gets the award. But Stanback, what an effort – 28 points, only 1 foul, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist, and 10 rebounds, a double double and all around massive performance. He was good for 4 of the Rebels 13 3-pointers, and was perfect from the charity stripe. When someone like Stanback, who has been in the background through the first five games of the season can erupt against UNC – you have yourselves one of the five deepest teams in the NCAA. Chace was a hero tonight, we salute you.
What makes this particularly sweet is that UNC was at full strength, no key injuries and no excuses. Sure, they played last night – but so did UNLV. This win isn’t an astricks like the win we pulled off against #6 Kansas State last season – this was legit.
What should UNLV’s ranking be. Well, unfortunately this isn’t Highlander, you don’t take the head of your opponent and their ranking. But, we did just beat the #1 team on a neutral court and impressive fashion, by 10 points. I belive a ranking in the top 10 is in order, perhaps even top 5 given our record.
What makes the feat even more amazing was it was pulled off by a rookie coach in Coach Dave Rice. I am unaware of any head coach in his first season who knocked off the #1 team in the nation – if you can find it let me know, but this is spectacular. We are all super proud of our Rebels, and despite the odds against us had faith they could pull of this monumental upset. GO UNLV!!
Come discuss the win in the forums!
Post-game interview with Heath Schroyer:
Anthony Marshall unassisted dunk:
Post-game interview with Heath Schroyer:
Anthony Marshall unassisted dunk:
Preview info for UNC v. UNLV game
vs. 
Tonight's match-up is an exciting one for Runnin' Rebels fans, and here are links and information on tonight's nationally televised game:
From UNLV Athletics:
You’d be hard-pressed to find a team longer or more athletic than the No. 1 ranked Tar Heels. Entering play tonight, UNC ranks second in the country in assists-per-game (22.2), third in points-per-game (89.6), tenth in rebounds-per-game (43), and eleventh in field-goal percentage (52%). Led by Naismith College Basketball Hall of Fame member and two-time ACC Coach of the Year Roy Williams, the Tar Heels boast a wealth of talent across the board. Sophomore forward Harrison Barnes (17 ppg) leads a trio of players averaging at least 16 points per contest. A native of Ames, Iowa, the 6’8 Barnes was named North Carolina’s ninth ACC Rookie of the Year last season in addition to being tabbed a freshman All-American (USBWA and FoxSports.com). Barnes isn’t the only Tar Heel talent down low, however.John Henson, a 6’11 junior forward is pouring in 16.5 points-per-game in addition to snaring 11 rebounds. As a sophomore last year, Henson became just the third UNC player in the last 13 years to average a double-double for the season. Then there’s the Tar Heel’s man-in-the middle, 7’0 center Tyler Zeller. So far this season, Zeller is averaging 16 points-per-game to go with eight rebounds. Always one to look for a quality shot, the senior led the ACC in field-goal percentage a year ago by converting nearly 55% of his attempts. If UNLV is to have success tonight, it must be solid in the paint and allow its guards to have quality looks at the hoop.
Story about Chace Stanback's father, actually a UNC fan:
Las Vegas Sun's Preview:
A North Carolina perspective preview:
ESPN Blog preview - three things to watch:
Fox News preview - Battle of the unbeatens:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)