GoHeels Exclusive: WCU Preview

by Pat James, GoHeels.com

Before each season, former UCLA men's basketball coach John Wooden looked over his team's schedule on paper and marked the wins and losses.

He'd then put the paper in an envelope, which he placed in his desk drawer. Finally, at the end of the season, he'd pull the paper out and review his predictions.

During his press conference on Tuesday, Roy Williams mentioned how Wooden once told him of this annual exercise. Williams said he's never brought himself to do it. But if he had before this season, Williams thinks he would have been pleased with North Carolina's 8-1 start.

"Everybody wants more," Williams said. "We would have liked to have played better against Michigan State; there's no question there … But if you would have said 8-1 (before the season), I would have said, 'Yeah, that's pretty good.'"

Here are five other notes from the press conference, leading up to Wednesday's 7 p.m. game against Western Carolina at the Smith Center:

'Tremendously high hopes'
The beginning of Jalek Felton's UNC career hasn't been easy, as Williams has often challenged the heralded freshman. But in Sunday's 97-73 win over Tulane, Felton posted career highs in points (nine) and assists (three) in 13 minutes.

On Tuesday, Williams was asked if Felton's uncle, Raymond Felton, went through a similar adjustment period during the 2003-04 season, Raymond Felton's first playing for Williams.

"Raymond was so tough and almost a different generation," Williams said. "Jalek is really gifted, and I'm on him hard. I really am because I see so much there. If he can get tougher and better defensively, he's got more gifts, more skills than Raymond … I have tremendously high hopes for him."

Rebounding concerns
The Tar Heels led the country last season with a plus-12.3 rebounding margin. But despite losing their top three rebounders and relying on three true freshmen big men, they've registered the same number this season and ranked sixth nationally in that category through Monday.

Still, Williams said he's uneasy about his team's rebounding.

"I was worried and am worried a great deal about our rebounding," he said. "I go back to Michigan State, and they got us 52-36. We've had some big numbers ourselves, too. But with Michigan State, we've got to be able to rebound against those kinds of people because that's who we play in our league.

"Rebounding and the defensive end of the floor are still my biggest concerns."

'Do what Kenny's doing'
UNC is limiting its opponents to just 40.8 percent shooting, including 42.4 percent on two-point field goal attempts. And much of its defensive success has been because of Kenny Williams.

Theo Pinson said Kenny Williams' defensive energy sticks out when watching film, and Roy Williams has implored his team, specifically the underclassmen, to look at him as an example.

"That's a teaching moment for the younger guys," Pinson said. "If you want to play and you want to go out there and contribute, do what Kenny's doing. Coach loves defense, he loves hustle plays. And at this point, we're getting close to conference play, it's about trust. Who can I trust to be in there at these crucial moments and make plays?"

Looking for more from Pinson
After discussing Kenny Williams' play, Roy Williams proceeded to talk about Pinson, who he said could be the best perimeter defensive player he's ever coached if he fully committed himself.

"We've had some really big-time players who didn't buy into it as much," Williams said. "But he has every skill. I wouldn't trade him, period. But I do think he could be a lot better defensively."

Pinson agreed. When watching film, he said he notices when he's tired and not fully engaged on defense. Yet he also see how effective he is when playing on his toes.

"He gets on me all the time, wanting me to be a better defender and be locked in every play defensively and not take a play off," said Pinson of Williams. "I've definitely gotten a whole lot better since freshman year … He's stayed on me, and that's what I expect."

Woods' injury update
Seventh Woods missed his second straight game Sunday because of a strained left foot. And according to Williams, Woods' injury might be more serious than originally thought.

"We're getting more information every day …" Williams said. "He's going to be out for a while. We don't know how long."

Woods last played against Michigan on Nov. 29, when he finished with four points and four assists in eight minutes.

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jalek Felton

Theo Pinson

Kenny Williams

Seventh Woods

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