Living Up to the Hype

Harrison Barnes is a special player, and just an impressive human being in general.  He came to Carolina with astronomical expectations, being anointed preseason All-American without ever playing a college game.  After a very tough start to the season in which he was hampered by some bad shot selection and an inept point guard, Harrison Barnes is now playing like the guy we all expected to see.  His confidence never wavered, even after shooting less than 50% in the majority of his games over the first half of the season. That stretch included an 0-12 performance against Minnesota in only his 3rd game.  Whenever Barnes was asked about his struggles he always replied with a poised response, something about learning experiences or continuing to get better.

There's no doubt he's definitely getting better, and he's one of the clutchest players in basketball...at any level.  This guy has an incredible ability to focus at the most important moments, seemingly willing the ball in the basket with the game on the line.  Few players really excel in these moments, as most people are simply not able to control their nerves under such intense pressure.  Barnes seems to have everything in the proper perspective as an 18-year old college freshman, and I just get the feeling we are seeing the rapid development of the next great Tar Heel in the NBA.

With the Heels trailing the Seminoles by 1 with only a few seconds left, there was never a question who should take the last shot.  Barnes got the ball at the top of the key, took a dribble or two then pulled up for the game winning 3-pointer with 3 seconds to go.  It hit nothing but net, moving Carolina to 13-2 in the ACC and into a monstrous matchup with Duke in Chapel Hill for the regular season ACC Championship.

Games like these just have a sense of magic to them.  You know you're about to watch an epic battle, and there's no better place to witness it than Chapel Hill.  The energy on campus is electric, and the tension and excitement grow as tip-off gets closer.  Everyone in the city shares a common bond, and it's really something special to be a part of.  I try to watch all the biggest UNC games within the city limits of Chapel Hill, and I'm gonna get to campus in the early afternoon and just take it all in.  I fully expect Carolina to take down the hated Blue Devils and hang another championship banner in the Dean Dome, and there's no way I would miss the celebration of such a big event in a year where no one thought it was possible.  LET'S GO HEELS!