Roy Williams Previews Duke Game

CHAPEL HILL—North Carolina head coach Roy Williams and members of his team met with the media on Tuesday afternoon to preview Thursday's game against Duke in the Smith Center.

The Tar Heel head coach spoke with reporters on a number of subjects, including rebounding, injured guard Seventh Woods, Theo Pinson and more.

North Carolina Head Coach Roy Williams
Press Conference Quotes

On defensive rebounding with a small lineup
"I said it the other day, the stats sometimes don't tell the truth. You take out a couple of those outrageous games, [and] last year, we were pretty solid all the time about rebounding the ball, rebounding margin. You can go look at the stats and see if I am wrong. That is okay, I just don't remember those situations. This year, we have had some really big rebound games and some really negative rebound games. I really like that consistency. Last year, we were a much better offensive rebounding team with the numbers, the percentages and all that stuff. This year, I think we are a better number rebounding team than we were last year. I was more comfortable with my rebounding last year in the really big games, because we had Isaiah [Hicks] and Kennedy [Meeks]. We were experienced and really good rebounders. Justin [Jackson] really made a concerted effort as Theo [Pinson] has been with his rebounding efforts. Last year, I was much more comfortable in our rebounding, and I haven't talked about it nearly as much this year."

On if Seventh Woods will play against Duke
"I put him down on practice today. I didn't put him in the limited [category]. That is the first time I've had him in practice and did not put him in limited. We have an out category, we have a limited category and we have a 'coach is really mad at you' category. Today, we don't have anybody in all three of those numbers."

On what he like about Theo Pinson playing at the point against Pitt
"Eight [assists] and one [turnover]. It really was. He really was trying to make plays. His follow-tip-dunk was the only one he had. I'd remember that too if I was him. That's impressive. The only thing you've got to understand is that if he does that, who is the defensive balance? We've got to break some habits. One man is supposed to be getting back into the defensive balance unless one goes for a layup, and then you send the two men back. Poor Andrew. I put him in the game against Clemson as the one. He didn't get back till the very first possession. Theo is a playmaker. If a couple of shots had gone in, it would have been one of the best statistical lines I've had in a long time."

On how much Pinson will play point when Woods returns
"I think it would it depend on what level Seventh's game is. But also, Joel's levels have been pretty high, but we have put the ball in Theo's hands a lot. I don't think his role would change dramatically just because I list him first on the board. He still needs to get the ball, and he still needs to make plays. I would guess his assists-turnovers are just as good as anybody's. I don't see it changing dramatically just because we tell him that he gets the first inbound pass."

On if Pinson has become the player he anticipated when recruiting him
"You know it has changed. You got to understand, he has had three surgeries. That changes people. It changes their bodies and the whole thing. I saw him make 21/22 free throws in a summer league. The fact that he was making free throws, I saw the great passing. That is what I have seen. He is a playmaker. I saw that in high school. I had hoped that he would be an even better defender. He hasn't gotten to that level of defender that I thought he would. Yet, he has been a great playmaker. Everybody wants to talk about the shooting percentage. I would like that to be better. I think to answer your question I went through almost every category there. I think he has matched what I hoped he would be. With the team and with building the team, I think he has far exceeded what I could have ever imagined. As far as being a team member, he has added qualities that need to be there."

On if the dynamic of the rivalry is different with Virginia topping the ACC standings
"If we were 0-12 and they were 0-11, there would be people out there filling the place up so they could talk. I just don't know if Mike [Krzyzewski] or Roy [Williams] would show up."

On if players are worries about N.C. State at all
"We are playing D-U-K-E. I know how to spell the damn thing. D-U-K-E. If you think one of my players is thinking about someone else… My mother used to tell me a million times she would shoot my rear end, and I never worried. But, if I thought they were doing that I would say it, and they better be worried."

On if he had any input in playing three games in five days
"I don't necessarily like it. I definitely don't like that we are the only ones doing it. Paul [Brazeau, Senior Associate Director of the ACC] called and said that we've got a stretch for you. It'd be very difficult, but we needed to do it. I said alright, let's do it. Does that say that if I was asked if we would do it, and I said no, if we would do it? I didn't get that impression. I don't think he was asking for permission. I think he was asking for forgiveness. It's a schedule, so we will play."

On differing coach philosophies between he and Coach Krzyzewski
"The bottom line is there is a tremendous amount of respect. I think no one has more respect for what Mike Krzyzewski has done at Duke than Roy Williams. Does that mean we agree on everything? No. But on almost every major issue for 30 years, we have agreed on almost every major issue. We were on board of directors at NABC."

Players Mentioned

Theo Pinson

Seventh Woods

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