University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina will play three games in five days starting on Thursday.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Tar Heels Begin Tough Stretch Thursday Vs. Duke
February 7, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers
by Pat James, GoHeels.com
By no means is the North Carolina men's basketball team looking past Thursday's home game against Duke. But plenty awaits UNC in the four days that follow.
After hosting the Blue Devils on Thursday night, the Tar Heels will travel to N.C. State for a second game at 2 p.m. Saturday. They'll then welcome Notre Dame to the Smith Center two days later for a Monday night tilt.
This stretch of three regular-season ACC games in five days is the first UNC has scheduled since 1980. It also marks the first time the Tar Heels will play three regular-season ACC games in a span of five days or fewer since 1991, when a January home game against N.C. State was postponed until February because of the start of the Gulf War.
"I don't necessarily like it," said Roy Williams during Tuesday's press conference. "I definitely don't like that we're the only (ACC team) doing it. But (senior associate ACC commissioner) Paul (Brazeau) called and said, 'We've got a stretch for you that's going to be very difficult, but we need to do it.' I said, 'Alright, let's do it.'"
Fatigue could become an issue. But UNC might draw from its past experiences in postseason tournaments, such as the ACC Tournament, and nonconference play.
The Tar Heels have already played three games in five days or fewer this season, during the PK80 Invitational – which UNC opened play in three days after visiting Stanford – and then against Michigan, Davidson and Tulane.
"The biggest thing is just making sure we're preparing our bodies, making sure we're getting our rest, hydrating well and making sure we're eating right leading up to (the Duke) game," Joel Berry II said. "Not only is it just this stretch, but we're getting toward the end of the season and this is the time we need to rack up some wins and start getting into the groove of things."
Here are three other notes from Tuesday's press conference, leading up to Thursday's 8 p.m. game against Duke:
Role reversal
As the Tar Heels have adjusted to using a smaller lineup this season after traditionally playing two big men, Duke has gone through a similar transformation.
Duke, typically a perimeter-oriented team, has featured more of an inside-outside offense. Much of that runs through freshmen bigs Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter.
"Those two big guys are a load," Williams said. "We've had some big guys like that with Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Tyler Hansbrough, Deon (Thompson), Ed Davis. It does present unique matchup problems with them.
"You've heard me say a hundred times this year I'm really concerned about defending around the rim. I've never said those things when we're getting ready to play Duke. That's not a cut against (former Blue Devil) Shelden Williams or anybody. It's just that we've always been concerned about doing a good job (defending) their 3-point shot. So it is different, for sure."
Woods nearing return
For the first time since UNC's win over Michigan on Nov. 29, Seventh Woods could play Thursday, barring any further setbacks.
"I put him down on (the) practice (report) today, and I did not put 'limited,'" Williams said. "That's the first time I've had him in practice that I did not put him into the limited."
Woods hasn't played in the last 17 games because of a stress fracture in his right foot. At the time of his injury, he was averaging 2.4 points and 1.7 assists in 10.9 minutes per game.
With Woods sidelined and Jalek Felton suspended by the University, Theo Pinson has served as the backup point guard to Berry over the last two games. Williams was asked Tuesday if Pinson would keep that role when Woods returns.
"I think it would depend on what level Seventh's game is," Williams. "But also, Joel's level has been pretty high but we've 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 needs to get the ball and he needs to make plays. I don't see it changing dramatically just because we tell him to catch the first inbound pass."
Last ride
Thursday marks the fourth and final time Berry and Pinson will face Duke in the Smith Center. Asked about that Tuesday, Berry said he's been more reflective in recent weeks.
"Just coming down to the end of the season, I'm starting to realize how time is moving fast and how things are moving really quickly," he said. "I have three home games left. Being a part of this rivalry has meant a lot to me. Even though I think the fans make it more of a rivalry than we do, it's great being a part of it and it's so great to see how people get amped up for this game."
By no means is the North Carolina men's basketball team looking past Thursday's home game against Duke. But plenty awaits UNC in the four days that follow.
After hosting the Blue Devils on Thursday night, the Tar Heels will travel to N.C. State for a second game at 2 p.m. Saturday. They'll then welcome Notre Dame to the Smith Center two days later for a Monday night tilt.
This stretch of three regular-season ACC games in five days is the first UNC has scheduled since 1980. It also marks the first time the Tar Heels will play three regular-season ACC games in a span of five days or fewer since 1991, when a January home game against N.C. State was postponed until February because of the start of the Gulf War.
"I don't necessarily like it," said Roy Williams during Tuesday's press conference. "I definitely don't like that we're the only (ACC team) doing it. But (senior associate ACC commissioner) Paul (Brazeau) called and said, 'We've got a stretch for you that's going to be very difficult, but we need to do it.' I said, 'Alright, let's do it.'"
Fatigue could become an issue. But UNC might draw from its past experiences in postseason tournaments, such as the ACC Tournament, and nonconference play.
The Tar Heels have already played three games in five days or fewer this season, during the PK80 Invitational – which UNC opened play in three days after visiting Stanford – and then against Michigan, Davidson and Tulane.
"The biggest thing is just making sure we're preparing our bodies, making sure we're getting our rest, hydrating well and making sure we're eating right leading up to (the Duke) game," Joel Berry II said. "Not only is it just this stretch, but we're getting toward the end of the season and this is the time we need to rack up some wins and start getting into the groove of things."
Here are three other notes from Tuesday's press conference, leading up to Thursday's 8 p.m. game against Duke:
Role reversal
As the Tar Heels have adjusted to using a smaller lineup this season after traditionally playing two big men, Duke has gone through a similar transformation.
Duke, typically a perimeter-oriented team, has featured more of an inside-outside offense. Much of that runs through freshmen bigs Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter.
"Those two big guys are a load," Williams said. "We've had some big guys like that with Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Tyler Hansbrough, Deon (Thompson), Ed Davis. It does present unique matchup problems with them.
"You've heard me say a hundred times this year I'm really concerned about defending around the rim. I've never said those things when we're getting ready to play Duke. That's not a cut against (former Blue Devil) Shelden Williams or anybody. It's just that we've always been concerned about doing a good job (defending) their 3-point shot. So it is different, for sure."
Woods nearing return
For the first time since UNC's win over Michigan on Nov. 29, Seventh Woods could play Thursday, barring any further setbacks.
"I put him down on (the) practice (report) today, and I did not put 'limited,'" Williams said. "That's the first time I've had him in practice that I did not put him into the limited."
Woods hasn't played in the last 17 games because of a stress fracture in his right foot. At the time of his injury, he was averaging 2.4 points and 1.7 assists in 10.9 minutes per game.
With Woods sidelined and Jalek Felton suspended by the University, Theo Pinson has served as the backup point guard to Berry over the last two games. Williams was asked Tuesday if Pinson would keep that role when Woods returns.
"I think it would depend on what level Seventh's game is," Williams. "But also, Joel's level has been pretty high but we've 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 needs to get the ball and he needs to make plays. I don't see it changing dramatically just because we tell him to catch the first inbound pass."
Last ride
Thursday marks the fourth and final time Berry and Pinson will face Duke in the Smith Center. Asked about that Tuesday, Berry said he's been more reflective in recent weeks.
"Just coming down to the end of the season, I'm starting to realize how time is moving fast and how things are moving really quickly," he said. "I have three home games left. Being a part of this rivalry has meant a lot to me. Even though I think the fans make it more of a rivalry than we do, it's great being a part of it and it's so great to see how people get amped up for this game."
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