Heels Entering Murky Waters

UNC played a decent game on Tuesday against UNC Asheville.  The Tar Heels took control after a slow start and led by as many as 22, but they let the Bulldogs close to within 6 late in the game before holding on to win 80-69.  The UNC forwards made great use of their size advantage down low, as Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Justin Knox, and Harrison Barnes all had good games.  Zeller scored 23 points and pulled down 7 rebounds, while Knox contributed 10 points and 8 boards in 18 minutes off the bench. John Henson recorded another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and moved up to 8th in the nation in blocks with 5 more in this one.  Harrison Barnes threw in 13 points and 7 rebounds, including a 3-3 performance from three-point range.

The guards struggled again, with the starting backcourt of Larry Drew II and Dexter Strickland committing 8 turnovers to just 6 assists.  Strickland did get to the line 10 times and finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds, but if the Heels want to be a top-tier team they will have to get more efficient production from the guard position.  Kendall Marshall was once again much more calm and collected handling the ball, as he finished with 4 assists to just one turnover in his 15 minutes of playing time. 

I really hope Roy Williams stops ignoring the obvious and starts playing Marshall much more, because if he doesn't, UNC could be in for a rough week.  The College of Charleston comes to Chapel Hill tomorrow, and star guard Andrew Goudelock comes in averaging 23 points a game.  Forward Jeremy Simmons has had a great season so far as well, so the Cougars could easily pull a repeat of last year and knock the Tar Heels off again.  Reggie Bullock was held out of the Asheville game to rest his knee, and UNC will need him back and playing significant minutes if they hope to beat Charleston.  The Tar Heels travel to Illinois on Tuesday to take on the #19 Illini, then return to Chapel Hill to host #9 Kentucky on Saturday.  All three of these teams are good, and a 2-1 record for the week would be an impressive feat.