Lucas: Rapid Reactions

By Adam Lucas

1. What an emotional day for Tar Heel fans everywhere. The ACC Tournament was one of Woody Durham's favorite weekends of the year, and the evening was filled with references to Carolina's legendary broadcaster. If you haven't already heard the Tar Heel Sports Network's tribute to Woody, you can find it here:

'Tonight's broadcast open with a brief tribute to Woody Durham #heywoody' on #SoundCloud #np https://t.co/XlUU2Z3dXg
— Jones Angell (@JonesAngell) March 8, 2018

The Durham family was also represented by Woody and Jean's son, Wes, who accepted the Bob Bradley Award on Woody's behalf during the game. The Atlantic Coast Conference also held a moment of silence before the game.

2. And then they played a basketball game. Carolina got a solid win over a Syracuse team that was desperate for an NCAA credential-boosting win. That advances the Tar Heels to tomorrow night's game against Miami, and you well remember what happened the last time those two teams met (of course, they also met in the ACC Tournament last year, in a game Carolina completely dominated).

3. There wasn't an overwhelming standout offensive performance for the Heels, but they got contributions from up and down the lineup. Theo Pinson turned in yet another double-double, notching 16 points to go with his 11 rebounds. He also had five assists, including two of the full-court variety.

4. Great defense by Kenny Williams on Syracuse offensive dynamo Tyus Battle, who scored 26 points in the first meeting this year. The shifty guard made two of his first four shots, but then went two of his next 17, largely with Williams guarding him. Early in the second half, Williams stoned Battle on a baseline drive that resulted in an airball, and Battle visibly sagged with frustration in going against Williams. Carolina was good overall defensively for most of the evening, including coming up with eight steals. Williams, with the benefit of some late-game run-outs, also ended the game as the Tar Heels' top scorer with 17 points.

5. Carolina did some great work on the offensive glass against the Orange defense early. In the first half, the Tar Heels had a whopping 17 second-chance points as compared to 22 on the first scoring opportunity of the possession. Sterling Manley was effective again against the Syracuse big men, as the rookie had six points and three rebounds in seven minutes of first half action.

6. The offense wasn't very productive getting to the free throw line on Saturday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium, attempting just five free throws. They quickly breezed by that total on Wednesday in Brooklyn, going 10-for-11 from the stripe in the first half and hitting 22-of-28 for the game.

7. At the Carrier Dome, it was Syracuse's switch to some full-court pressure that changed the context of the game and nearly brought Jim Boeheim's team back from a second half deficit. On Wednesday it was Roy Williams who made the first defensive switch, putting the Tar Heels in a halfcourt trap midway through the first half. The Orange promptly turned it over on three of the five possessions on which the Heels trapped. Carolina turned the miscues into five quick points, which helped ignite a 16-3 run.

8. The Carolina bench was big in the first half against a Syracuse team that isn't very deep. The reserves played 21 minutes in the opening half and contributed nine points, seven rebounds and two assists against just one turnover. In what the Tar Heels hope is a four-game stay in Brooklyn, any productive rest the starters receive is a bonus.

9. In what was supposed to be a virtual Syracuse home game, great turnout by the New York-area Tar Heels. The Barclays Center rang multiple times with the "Tar-Heels" cheer.

Players Mentioned

Sterling Manley

Theo Pinson

Kenny Williams

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