University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Face Important ACC Road Game
February 25, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2000
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina, tied with Virginia for third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference at 8-5 this season, plays another important conference road game on Saturday at Maryland in Cole Field House. The game will be televised by Raycom/Jefferson Pilot in the ACC area and nationally by ESPN2. Maryland sits one game above Carolina in the ACC standings at 9-4.
Carolina's 70-67 win over Florida State on Feb. 23 improved its ACC record to 8-5 and assured the Tar Heels' 36th consecutive .500 or better ACC record. The first 35 of those seasons were all above .500, so a win over Maryland would ensure a 36th straight winning record in the ACC.
The win at Florida State improved Carolina to 4-2 on the road in ACC play this season, the eighth straight season the Heels have won at least half of their ACC road games.
Brendan Haywood has hit 48 of his last 58 field goal attempts (82.8 percent). On Wednesday at Florida State, he hit all seven of his shots and led Carolina with 19 points. Haywood has made at least half his shots from the floor in 25 of 27 games this year and at least 70 percent in nine of the last 10 games. He has averaged 15.9 points in the last 10 contests.
The Florida State game was the fourth contest this season in which Haywood has gone 7 for 7 from the floor.
Jason Capel has scored in double figures in 11 of the last 12 games, averaging 14.3 points in that span. Capel (.449) ranks third in the ACC in three-point percentage in ACC games only. Capel hit a career-high four of five three-pointers at Clemson on Feb. 6.
Joseph Forte (15.9 points per game) has led Carolina and all ACC freshmen in scoring throughout the season. No freshman ever has led Carolina in scoring and just one has averaged more points than Forte so far this season.
North Carolina (17-10, 8-5 ACC)
Maryland (20-7, 9-4 ACC)
Head Coaches
North Carolina: Bill Guthridge (Kansas State '60)Guthridge's Record as Head Coach: 75-23 (3rd year)
Guthridge's Record at UNC: 75-23 (3rd year)
MARYLAND: Gary Williams (Maryland '68)
Williams' Record as Head Coach: 419-253 (11th year)
Williams' Record at Maryland: 212-125 (21st year)
Television: Raycom/JP/espn2
Radio: Learfield Communications (Woody Durham, Mick Mixon)
Series: Carolina leads, 105-47
Last Meeting: 1/27/00 - Carolina 75, Maryland 63 in the Smith Center in Chapel Hill
Last Meeting in College Park: 2/13/99 - Maryland 81, Carolina 64
Alltime UNC Freshmen Scoring (by average)
| Player | Season | Scoring Average |
| 1. Phil Ford | 1974-1975 | 16.4 |
| 2. Joseph Forte | 1999-2000 | 15.9 |
| 3. Antawn Jamison | 1995-1996 | 15.1 |
| 4. Sam Perkins | 1980-1981 | 14.9 |
| 5. J.R. Reid | 1986-1987 | 14.7 |
Carolina has turned the ball over more than its opponents in 19 of 27 games and committed an equal number of miscues in four other contests. The Tar Heels are 11-8 in games in which they commit more turnovers, 2-2 in games they force more turnovers and 4-0 in which turnovers are equal. The four games in which UNC has committed fewer turnovers include wins over UNLV and Howard and losses to Michigan State and Cincinnati.
Carolina has averaged 17.2 turnovers in its 10 losses and 13.8 per game in its 17 victories.
UNC is 6-5 at the Smith Center this season and has lost five home games in one season for the first time since moving into the Smith Center in January 1986. Carolina also has tied the school record for home losses in a season (also set in 1929-30 and 1943-44).
Overall, the Tar Heels are 162-25 (.866) at the Smith Center. Carolina was 169-20 (.894) from 1965-86 at Carmichael Auditorium. In the last 35 seasons, the Tar Heels have been beaten just 45 times at home.
Carolina leads the ACC in field goal percentage (.504) and is second in three-point percentage (.369).
TAR HEELS AND TERRAPINS
The Tar Heels lead the series, 105-47. Earlier this season, Carolina defeated Maryland, 75-63, in the Smith Center on Jan. 27.
Last year, Maryland won both regular-season meetings and Carolina earned an 86-79 victory in the ACC semifinals.
In Cole Field House, Carolina sports a 28-16 record but has lost the last two meetings.
After Carolina won six in a row over the Terps from 1993-95, Maryland has won seven of the last 13 meetings.
Ed Cota is averaging 7.9 assists in nine career games with Maryland, including a pair of 11-assist performances (on 1/8/97 and 1/13/99).
Brendan Haywood averaged 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in four games versus the Terps over the last two seasons, including two double-doubles (18 points and 11 rebounds in Chapel Hill and 10 points and 10 rebounds in the ACC Tournament semifinals) and a career high-tying 24 points earlier this season.
UNC head coach Bill Guthridge is 3-4 in seven meetings with the Terrapins as Carolina's head coach.
EARLIER THIS SEASON IN CHAPEL HILL
On Jan. 27 in wintry Chapel Hill, Brendan Haywood tied his career high with 24 points as the Tar Heels broke a four-game losing streak after trailing by as many as 11 points.
Jason Capel had 11 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for UNC, while Kris Lang had 13 points and six rebounds despite still battling the effects of a stomach virus.
The Tar Heels shot 50.0 percent in the second half while holding the Terrapins to 25.9 second-half shooting (7-for-27).
Because of icy conditions in Chapel Hill, the lower level of the Smith Center was opened to general admission seating and Carolina students surrounded the court.
LAST YEAR AGAINST MARYLAND
Maryland defeated Carolina, 89-76, in the Smith Center on Jan. 13, 1999. Maryland shot 53.6 percent from the floor, the first time a UNC opponent had shot over 50 percent since Jan. 14, 1998, at Maryland. The win was Maryland's fifth at the Smith Center, the most of any opponent. Brendan Haywood led Carolina with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Ed Cota had 17 points and 11 assists.
The Terps defeated Carolina, 81-64, on Feb. 13, 1999, in College Park. The Terps shot 50 percent from the floor and scored 35 points off 25 Carolina turnovers. Maryland blocked 14 shots to Carolina's zero in the game. Ademola Okulaja led the Heels with 15 points.
In the 1999 ACC Tournament semifinals, the Tar Heels played one of their best games of the season and defeated the No. 5-ranked Terrapins, 86-79, to advance to the ACC championship game for the eighth time in nine years. Carolina had a 23-point lead in the second half, but the Terps closed to within four with under a minute to play. Max Owens scored a career-high 23 points (since matched on Dec. 4, 1999, vs. UNLV) and hit 11 of 12 free throws, including six in a row with less than 36 seconds remaining. Ademola Okulaja had 19 points, including four three-pointers, for UNC.
BERSTICKER TO APPLY FOR MEDICAL REDSHIRT
Brian Bersticker will apply to the Atlantic Coast Conference for a medical hardship after the 1999-2000 season is completed. Bersticker fractured his fifth left metatarsal in Carolina's win over College of Charleston on December 3rd and underwent surgery that included a bone graft three days later. "We hoped Brian would be able to return this month and contribute to this year's team success," says head coach Bill Guthridge. "However, his foot has not responded to the medical treatment the way we anticipated. He stopped practicing on Monday when his foot felt sore and has not been able to return to practice. We feel it is in Brian's best interests to not play again this year and apply for a medical red-shirt when the season is over."
Bersticker averaged 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in Carolina's first five games. He scored 12 points against Purdue in the Maui Invitational championship game and grabbed seven rebounds in the season opener against Southern California. Bersticker made 12 of 17 field goal attempts this year.
He returned to limited activity in practice on February 7th, but experienced soreness while practicing on February 14th.
The Virginia Beach, Va., native is eligible to apply for a medical red-shirt season since he played only in the first half of the season and competed in less than 20 percent of Carolina's contests.
HAYWOOD HEATING UP
Junior center Brendan Haywood has been dominant at times in the second half of this season, making a strong case for All-ACC honors.
In his first 10 games this season, Haywood averaged 11.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and hit 70.8 percent of his field goals. In the 17 games since, he has averaged 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest and hit 76.4 percent of his shots.
Has hit 57 of 80 free throws (71.2 percent) in the last 17 games as compared to 63.6 percent overall.
He has made 48 of 58 field goal attempts in the last eight games (.828).
In ACC games, Haywood has improved his scoring average (14.8 vs. 13.6), rebounding average (7.9 vs. 6.9), field goal percentage (77.1 vs. 74.5), free throw percentage (68.2 vs. 63.6) compared to his overall averages. He ranks fourth in the ACC in rebounding in ACC games only.
Haywood is now shooting 143 for 192 from the floor this year, a percentage of .745. That is an alltime ACC single-season best and would be the second-highest percentage in NCAA single-season history. Steve Johnson of Oregon State shot 74.6 (235 for 315) in 1980-81. Dwayne Davis of Florida shot 72.2 (179 for 248) in 1988-89 and would rank third behind Johnson and Haywood.
CAROLINA'S DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT
At times maligned this year for its defensive play, the Tar Heels have held their opponents to 40 percent shooting or lower from the floor in 14 of the 27 games this season, including five of the last eight games. Carolina has won 13 of 14 contests when holding its opponents to under 40 percent shooting. The only team to shoot less than 40 percent from the floor to beat UNC was Wake Forest. The Deacons shot 37.9 percent in its win over the Tar Heels in Winston-Salem.
Carolina has allowed its opponents to shoot 45.0 percent or better in just eight games this season.
Carolina's defense has limited its opponents to 205 field goals in 521 attempts in the last seven games, a percentage of .393.
Four opponents - Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Florida State - have shot 50 percent or better from the floor and UNC is 0-4 in those contests.
In ACC games, Carolina ranks second in the conference behind Maryland in field goal percentage defense at .407.
CAROLINA'S STRONG SECOND HALF PERFORMANCES
In Carolina's 17 wins this season, the Tar Heels have shot 59.2 percent in the second half and 53.0 percent overall. In the Tar Heels' 10 losses, they have shot 43.4 percent in the second half and 46.3 percent overall.
The Tar Heels have shot 50 percent or better from the field in the second half in 17 of their 27 games this season (60 percent seven times and at least 70 percent three times).
Carolina is 15-2 in games in which it shoots 50 percent or better >from the floor in the second half (only losses were at Virginia when UNC made 55 percent from the floor but committed nine second-half turnovers and vs. Duke at home when UNC forced overtime after trailing by 19 in the second half).
Carolina in the Second Half (Last eight games)
| Date - Opponent | UNC-Opp. Scoring | UNC FG Shooting |
| 1/27 - Maryland | 41-22 | .500 (14-28) |
| 1/29 - @ Ga. Tech | 42-25 | .667 (16-24) |
| 2/3 - Duke | 49-32 | .500 (25-50) |
| 2/6 - @ Clemson | 38-30 | .478 (11-21) |
| 2/9 - @ NC State | 42-36 | .552 (16-29) |
| 2/12 - Wake Forest | 54-32 | .654 (17-26) |
| 2/20 - Virginia | 43-44 | .400 (14-35) |
| 2/23 - @ Fla. State | 38-38 | .583 (14-24) |
| Totals | 347-259 | .527 (125-237) |
HAYWOOD LEADS HEELS PAST SEMINOLES
Junior center Brendan Haywood hit all seven of his field goal attempts and finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots as the Tar Heels defeated Florida State, 70-67, on Feb. 23 in Tallahassee.
The Tar Heels continued to work the ball inside, shooting 59.1 percent from the floor for the game and attempting 17 more free throws than the Seminoles.
Carolina led by as many as seven points in the second half but the Seminoles battled back and went on an 8-2 run to take a 64-62 lead with 2:17 left in the second half. From that point, the Tar Heel defense stiffened and UNC hit five of six free throws in the final two minutes to take home the victory.
Ed Cota blocked a Delvon Arrington three-pointer with 0:54 left and FSU ahead 67-66. Joseph Forte grabbed the loose ball, drove to the basket and fed Jason Capel who scored and was fouled (he hit the free throw). Cota also grabbed two key rebounds in the closing seconds to seal the win. Cota had more turnovers than assists for the second game in a row and the third time on the season, finishing with four assists and five turnovers.
Jason Capel finished with 15 points and a career-high seven assists for the Tar Heels.
The win was UNC's 15th in its last 20 games with FSU.
VIRGINIA EARNS FIRST WIN AT SMITH CENTER
Virginia snapped Carolina's three-game winning streak when it earned a 90-76 win over UNC on Feb. 20. It was the Cavaliers' first-ever win in the Smith Center after losing their first 14 games on Carolina's home floor. The loss was the Tar Heels' first to UVa in Chapel Hill since 1981.
Jason Capel recorded 17 points and nine rebounds before fouling out with 0:29 left in the second half. Four other Tar Heels scored in double figures -- Joseph Forte (13), Ed Cota (11), Brendan Haywood (10) and Max Owens (10).
UVa's Travis Watson led all scorers with 18 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds. Chris Williams finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
Virginia forced 16 Tar Heel turnovers, but only four of those came in the second half. Virginia committed just eight turnovers. UNC hit just four of 19 three-point attempts in the game.
BLISTERING SECOND HALF LIFTS UNC OVER WAKE FOREST
Carolina continued its strong play in the second half of its games, outscoring Wake Forest, 54-32, after halftime to earn an 87-64 win over the Demon Deacons in the Smith Center on Feb. 12. The Tar Heels shot 65.4 percent from the field in the second half while holding the Deacons to 29.7 percent.
Three Tar Heels recorded double-doubles against Wake Forest: Brendan Haywood (20 points and 10 rebounds), Jason Capel (12 points and 13 rebounds) and Ed Cota (10 points and 13 assists). That was the first time since a March 2, 1997, win over Duke that three UNC players had double-doubles in the same game. In that victory over the Blue Devils, Antawn Jamison (33 points and 11 rebounds), Serge Zwikker (14 points and 10 rebounds) and Cota (12 points and 11 assists) had double-doubles.
Freshman Joseph Forte missed his first two three-point field goal attempts but hit a season-high six in a row and finished with a game-high 24 points. That was the first time a Carolina player had hit six three-pointers in a game since Shammond Williams had six in the NCAA Tournament second-round win over UNC Charlotte on March 14, 1998.
The 23-point margin of victory was Carolina's largest over an ACC foe in nearly a year, dating back to a 78-49 win over Georgia Tech on March 5, 1999, in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
Wake Forest shot 36.2 percent from the floor in the game, the fifth time in the last six games that UNC has held its opposition to 40 percent or less from the floor.
TRACKING THE TAR HEELS IN THE POLLS
| Week | AP | USA Today/ESPN |
| Preseason | 6 | 5 |
| Nov. 15 | 5 | no poll |
| Nov. 22 | 5 | 6 |
| Nov. 29 | 2 | 2 |
| Dec. 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Dec. 13 | 7 | 9 |
| Dec. 20 | 6 | 7 |
| Dec. 27 | 13 | 14 |
| Jan. 3 | 14 | 14 |
| Jan. 10 | 13 | 14 |
| Jan. 17 | 21 | 21 |
| Jan. 24 | NR | NR |
| Jan. 31 | NR | NR |
| Feb. 7 | NR | NR |
| Feb. 14 | NR | NR |
| Feb. 21 | NR | NR |
The Tar Heels are unranked in both national polls this week. Prior to Jan. 24, UNC had been ranked in the Associated Press poll for 172 consecutive weeks (dating back to the 1990-91 preseason). That was the second-longest streak in NCAA history.
Carolina has been ranked in 628 Associated Press polls since the poll's inception in 1949, more than any other school in the nation. Kentucky is second with 622.
COTA'S CAREER NUMBERS IN EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Senior point guard Ed Cota has 1,184 points, 962 assists and 462 rebounds in his career. He is just the fourth player in Carolina history to score 1,000 points and have 500 assists (joining Phil Ford, Kenny Smith and Jeff Lebo).
Cota is the only player in ACC history to compile 1,000 points, 800 assists and 400 rebounds in a career.
Cota ranks third in ACC history and fourth in NCAA history with 962 career assists. Bobby Hurley of Duke is first in NCAA and ACC history with 1,076 career assists and Chris Corchiani of NC State is second in both categories with 1,038. Keith Jennings of East Tennessee State (983) is third in NCAA history.
Cota led the ACC in assists in each of his first three seasons and is vying to become the only player in conference history to lead the ACC in assists four times. Virginia's Ralph Sampson and Wake Forest's Tim Duncan both led the ACC in blocked shots four times and are the only players in ACC history to lead the league in a statistical category four times.
COTA A WOODEN AWARD CANDIDATE
Senior point guard Ed Cota, who ranks third in the nation in assists this season, has been named to the John Wooden Award Midseason All-America Team. The team includes the top 30 candidates for the Wooden Award, which is given in the postseason to the National Player of the Year. Cota is one of five Atlantic Coast Conference players to survive the cut down from 50 preseason candidates to 30 at midseason. The other ACC honorees include Shane Battier (Duke), Chris Carrawell (Duke), Jason Collier (Georgia Tech) and Terence Morris (Maryland).
IN THE LATEST NCAA STATS (AS OF FEB. 21)
Carolina is tied for second in the nation in field goal percentage (50.1 percent).
Brendan Haywood leads the nation in individual field goal percentage (74.5 percent).
Ed Cota ranks third nationally in assists (8.5 per game).
NCAA Field Goal Percentage Leaders (as of Feb. 21)
| Team | FG Pct. | |
| 1. | Bowling Green | .504 |
| 2. | Long Beach State | .501 |
| North Carolina | .501 | |
| 4. | Samford | .500 |
| 3. | LSU | .499 |
SCORING IS UP
Carolina is averaging 77.9 points per game in 1999-2000 and has scored more than 80 in 12 of 27 games. Last year, Carolina averaged 71.4 points per game and scored 80 points or more just six times all season.
UNC's 102 points versus UNLV were the most in a single game since scoring 107 in a double-overtime win at Georgia Tech on 2/8/98.
TAR HEELS WIN MAUI INVITATIONAL TITLE
North Carolina outscored Purdue, 56-26, in the second half and defeated the Boilermakers, 90-75, to win the 1999 Maui Invitational on Nov. 24 in Lahaina, Hawaii. The Tar Heels earlier had defeated Southern California, 82-65, and Georgetown, 85-79, to advance to the finals.
Freshman guard Joseph Forte was named MVP of the Maui Invitational and to the all-tournament team after averaging 20.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in the three Tar Heel wins, hitting 22 of 39 field goals (.564) and 7 of 10 three-pointers (.700) in the tournament. Forte led Carolina in scoring against Southern California (24 points) and Purdue (21 points) and scored 17 in the semifinal win over Georgetown. His 24 points in his collegiate debut against USC were the most ever by a UNC freshman in his first college game and the most by any Tar Heel in his first game since Lennie Rosenbluth scored 30 in the first game of his sophomore year in 1954-55 before the days of freshman eligibility.
Ed Cota and Brendan Haywood also received All-Tournament honors.
HEAD COACH BILL GUTHRIDGE
Guthridge is 75-24 as the Tar Heels' head coach. He is in his third year as head coach, but 33rd as part of the UNC program. He was an assistant coach for Dean Smith for 30 seasons before taking over in 1997-98 following Smith's retirement.
Guthridge won more games (58) in his first two seasons than any coach in NCAA history and reached 50 wins faster than any coach in UNC history.
In 1997-98, Guthridge set the NCAA record for most wins by a first-year head coach with 34.
Guthridge received National Coach-of-the-Year honors and was ACC Coach of the Year in 1997-98. He was named the National Coach of the Year by the NABC, The Sporting News, the Atlanta Tipoff Club (Naismith Award) and CBS/Chevrolet.
BRENDAN HAYWOOD (7-0, JR., C, GREENSBORO, N.C.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
' The ACC's and Carolina's alltime leader in field goal percentage. Has made 66.9 percent of his shot attempts from the floor (338 for 505). Second-best is Rasheed Wallace at 63.5 percent.
UNC Career Field Goal Percentage
| 1. | Brendan Haywood (97-active) | .669 |
| 2. | Rasheed Wallace (93-95) | .635 |
| 3. | Brad Daugherty (82-86) | .620 |
| 4. | Bobby Jones (71-74) | .608 |
| 5. | J.R. Reid (86-89) | .601 |
Is sixth in school history in career blocked shots with 160. Scott Williams is fifth with 161 blocks.
UNC Career Blocked Shots
| 1. | Sam Perkins (80-84) | 245 |
| 2. | Warren Martin (81-86) | 190 |
| 3. | Kevin Salvadori (90-94) | 174 |
| 4. | Eric Montross (90-94) | 169 |
| 5. | Scott Williams (86-90) | 161 |
| 6. | Brendan Haywood (97-active) | 160 |
Averaging 8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in his 99-game career. Over the last two seasons as a starter, he is averaging 12.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest.
Has scored in double figures 42 times in his career with a high of 24 at California on Dec. 27, 1998, and against Maryland on Jan. 27, 2000.
Has 14 career double-doubles (points and rebounds).
Has scored 20 or more points nine times, most recently vs. Wake Forest on Feb. 12.
Has made 50 percent or more of his field goal attempts in 53 of 61 games over the last two seasons as a starter.
Grabbed 10 rebounds against Wake Forest on Feb. 12 to pass 500 for his career (he now has 513).
HAYWOOD'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
' Leads the nation in field goal percentage at .745. Has converted 143 of 192 field goal attempts. The single-season ACC record is .670 by Clemson's Dale Davis in 1988-89.
1999-2000 NCAA Field Goal Percentage Leaders (as of Feb. 21)
| 1. | Brendan Haywood (North Carolina) | .745 |
| 2. | Len Matela (Bowling Green) | .646 |
| 3. | Carlos Boozer (Duke) | .646 |
| 4. | Stromile Swift (LSU) | .625 |
| 5. | John Whorton (Kent) | .622 |
ACC Single-Season Field Goal Percentage
| 1. | Brendan Haywood (99-00) | .745 |
| 2. | Dale Davis, Clemson (88-89) | .670 |
| 3. | Bobby Jones, UNC (71-72) | .668 |
| 4. | Horace Grant, Clemson (86-87) | .656 |
| 5. | Rasheed Wallace, UNC (94-95) | .654 |
Second in the ACC in blocked shots with 2.5 per game. Has blocked 67 shots in 27 contests.
Leads the team and eighth in the ACC with 6.9 rebounds per game.
Has scored in double figures in 19 games with a high of 24 against Maryland on Jan. 27.
Blocked a career-high seven shots vs. the College of Charleston.
Grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds vs. Howard.
Scored 10 of his 14 points against top-ranked Cincinnati in the second half.
Posted consecutive double-doubles against Louisville and Howard. It was the third time in his career he had back-to-back double-doubles.
Was 7 for 7 from the floor and finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks in the win over NC State.
Had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the loss at Virginia.
Matched his career scoring high with 24 points in the 75-63 win over Maryland. Was 7 for 9 from the floor and 10 for 11 from free throw line. The 10 free throws made were a career high. Also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots.
Scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots in the second half as Carolina broke a 28-28 tie and won 70-53 at Georgia Tech. He picked up his third foul with 12:05 left in the first half and sat the rest of that period. Limited Tech center Alvin Jones to 1 of 11 shooting from the floor.
In his first 10 games this season, Haywood averaged 11.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and hit 70.8 percent of his field goals. In the 17 games since, he has averaged 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest and hit 76.4 percent of his shots.
Has hit 57 of 80 free throws (71.2 percent) in the last 17 games as compared to 63.6 percent overall.
He has made 48 of 58 field goal attempts in the last eight games (.828).
In ACC games, Haywood has improved his scoring average (14.8 vs. 13.6), rebounding average (7.9 vs. 6.9), field goal percentage (77.1 vs. 74.5), free throw percentage (68.2 vs. 63.6) compared to his overall averages. He ranks fourth in the ACC in rebounding in ACC games only.
Haywood has five double-doubles this season. He has recorded double figures in rebounds in three of the last five games.
Against Wake Forest on Feb. 12, Brendan Haywood matched his career-highs for made field goals and assists for the second consecutive game. He was 9 for 12 from the floor and had 4 assists at NC State on Feb. 9 and was 9 for 10 from the floor and had 4 assists on Feb. 12 against Wake Forest. He previously had made nine field goals in a game one other time (at Cal last year) and had four assists just one other time (Appalachian State last year).
At Florida State, he hit all seven of his field goal attempts and finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots.
Haywood is now shooting 136 for 185 from the floor this year, a percentage of .745. That is an alltime ACC single-season best and would be the second-highest percentage in NCAA single-season history. Steve Johnson of Oregon State shot 74.6 (235 for 315) in 1980-81. Dwayne Davis of Florida shot 72.2 (179 for 248) in 1988-89 and would rank third behind Johnson and Haywood.
ED COTA (6-1, SR., G, BROOKLYN, N.Y.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTSIs the first player in ACC history to score 1,000 points, have 800 assists and 400 rebounds in his career.
Carolina's alltime assist leader with 962. Is third in ACC history and fourth in NCAA history in assists.
Is third in ACC history with 7.46 assists per game behind NC State's Chris Corchiani (8.37) and Duke's Bobby Hurley (7.68).
Has led the ACC in assists three straight seasons. No one has ever done it four years in a row.
Has 28 career double-digit assist games, a UNC record. Ranks third in ACC history in 10-assist games.
Is seventh in UNC history with 180 steals. Mike O'Koren is sixth with 183.
Has scored in double figures 56 times. Career scoring high is 23 points against NC State on Jan. 8, 2000.
Has 13 career double-doubles (12 points and assists, one points and rebounds).
Has played in three ACC Tournament championship games (winning two) and two Final Fours.
UNC Career Assists
| 1. | Ed Cota (1996-present) | 962 |
| 2. | Kenny Smith (1983-87) | 768 |
| 3. | Phil Ford (1974-78) | 753 |
| 4. | Derrick Phelps (1990-94) | 637 |
| 5. | King Rice (1987-91) | 629 |
NCAA Career Assists
| 1. | Bobby Hurley, Duke | 1076 |
| 2. | Chris Corchiani, NC State | 1038 |
| 3. | Keith Jennings, East. Tennessee State | 983 |
| 4. | Ed Cota, North Carolina | 962 |
| 5. | Sherman Douglas, Syracuse | 960 |
| 6. | Tony Miller, Marquette | 956 |
| 7. | Greg Anthony, Portland/UNLV | 950 |
| 8. | Gary Payton, Oregon State | 939 |
| 9. | Orlando Smart, San Francisco | 902 |
| 10. | Andre Lafleur, Northeastern | 894 |
ACC Career Assists
| 1. | Bobby Hurley, Duke | 1076 |
| 2. | Chris Corchiani, NC State | 1038 |
| 3. | Ed Cota, North Carolina | 962 |
| 4. | Grayson Marshall, Clemson | 857 |
| 5. | Tyrone Bogues, Wake Forest | 781 |
| 6. | Kenny Smith, North Carolina | 768 |
| 7. | Sidney Lowe, NC State | 762 |
| 8. | Phil Ford, North Carolina | 753 |
| 9. | Drew Barry, Georgia Tech | 724 |
| 10. | Tommy Amaker, Duke | 708 |
ACC Career Assists Per Game
| 1. | Chris Corchiani, NC State | 8.37 |
| 2. | Bobby Hurley, Duke | 7.68 |
| 3. | Ed Cota, North Carolina | 7.46 |
| 4. | Grayson Marshall, Clemson | 7.02 |
| 5. | Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech | 6.98 |
ACC Career 10-Assist Games
| 1. | Chris Corchiani, NC State | 49 |
| 2. | Bobby Hurley, Duke | 33 |
| 3. | Ed Cota, North Carolina | 28 |
| Tyrone Bogues, Wake Forest | 28 | |
| 5. | Sidney Lowe, NC State | 26 |
COTA'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
A leading candidate for first-team All-ACC honors after being named second-team in each of the last two seasons.
Leads the ACC and is third in the nation with a career-high 8.3 assists per game. Florida State's Delvon Arrington is second in the ACC at 6.5 per game.
1999-2000 NCAA Assist Leaders (as of Feb. 21)
| 1. | Doug Gottlieb (Oklahoma St.) | 8.9 |
| 2. | Mark Dickel (UNLV) | 8.9 |
| 3. | Ed Cota (North Carolina) | 8.5 |
| 4. | Chico Fletcher (Arkansas St.) | 8.3 |
| 5. | Brandon Granville (Southern California) | 8.2 |
Has an assist-turnover ratio this year of 2.54 to 1 (216 assists/85 turnovers). That is the best ratio in the ACC.
Leading the ACC in minutes played at 36.1 per game.
Tied the UNC single-game assists record when he dished out 17 against UNLV. Equalled Jeff Lebo's mark against Chattanooga in 1988. Cota had just two turnovers to go with his 17 assists. No other player in the country this season has had as many as 17 assists in a game.
Has scored in double figures in 13 games and had double-doubles in three contests.
Was named to the All-Tournament Team after leading UNC to the Maui Invitational title. Had 15 points and 10 assists vs. USC, 20 points and 7 assists vs. Georgetown and 15 points and 7 assists vs. Purdue.
Shooting 47.4 percent from the floor (102 for 215).
Second on the team with a three-point percentage of 41.4 (29 of 70).
Has seven or more assists in 21 of his 26 games and more assists than turnovers in 23 of 26 games.
Was 8 for 8 from the field and finished with a career-high 23 points in the win over NC State on Jan. 8. He had scored 24 points in the four previous games combined. It was the fifth time in his career he scored 20 or more points in a game.
Had 10 assists and committed just two of UNC's 21 turnovers in the loss at Virginia.
Scored 11 points and added eight assists in the win over Maryland. Hit a pair of second-half three-point field goals.
Had six assists and just one turnover in the win at Georgia Tech.
Had a team-high 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists against Duke on Feb. 3. Eighteen of his points came in the second half. His nine field goals and 23 field goal attempts were both career highs.
Had 17 points, seven assists and six boards at Clemson Feb. 6.
The 38 points in the Duke and Clemson games are the most Cota has scored in back-to-back games in his career. The previous high was 35 points in the first two games of this season.
Was brilliant at NC State on Feb. 9, dishing out 11 assists and committing just one turnover (with 1.3 seconds remaining in the game). Hit a three-pointer (as the shot clock expired) with just under a minute to play in the game that gave Carolina an 8-point lead.
Had 10 points and 13 assists against Wake Forest on Feb. 12, his second double-figure assist game in a row. Combined to post 24 assists and four turnovers in the wins over NCSU and WFU. That is the first time this year and eighth in his career he posted 10-plus assists in back-to-back contests.
Blocked a Delvon Arrington three-pointer that could've tied the game with 0:54 left in the second half of a 70-67 win at Florida State on Feb. 23. Also grabbed two key defensive rebounds down the stretch to ice the win.
MAX OWENS (6-5, JR., G/F, MACON, GA.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTSEarned All-Tournament honors at the 1999 ACC Tournament after he scored 23 points in a win over No. 5 Maryland 22 points in championship game against No. 1 Duke.
Career 81.0 percent free throw shooter.
Has scored in double figures 18 times, including a career-high 23 against Maryland on March 6, 1999 and 23 against UNLV on Dec. 4, 1999.
Scored his 500th career point in the win at NC State on Feb. 9, 2000. Now has 527 points.
OWENS' 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Fifth on the team in scoring with 9.5 points per contest.
Has scored in double figures nine times with highs of 23 against UNLV, 22 against Louisville and 18 against #7 Michigan State and #1 Cincinnati.
Was 5 for 9 from the floor, 2 for 3 in 3FG and 6 for 6 from the free throw line against the Spartans.
Made 8 of 13 shots from the floor and was 5 for 5 from the line against UNLV.
Made a career-high four three-point baskets against Cincinnati and Louisville.
Has scored 20-plus points four times in his career, three times in the Charlotte Coliseum.
Had 17 points and six rebounds in the win at Miami. Made 6 of 10 from the field, including an acrobatic, left-handed reverse layup, and was 5 for 5 from the free throw line.
Hit a three-pointer from the left corner that gave Carolina a 52-50 lead with 13:19 to play in the second half of the 75-63 win over Maryland. That gave UNC its first lead since the 11:59 mark of the first half, a lead Carolina would not relinquish the rest of the contest.
Hit critical, back-to-back three-pointers in a 32-second span in the second half of the Feb. 9 game at NC State. His shots increased Carolina's lead from two points to eight as the Heels took control of the game. Owens also had a huge tip-in off an Ed Cota missed free throw with 33.2 seconds left to play to give UNC a 10-point lead and ice the victory.
Scored 10 points against Wake Forest on Feb. 12, his first double-figure day since scoring 14 against Clemson on Jan. 2.
Scored in double figures in 9 of the first 14 games, but then scored a total of 45 points in the next nine games. However, in a three-game stretch Feb. 9-20, he scored eight (at NC State),10 (Wake Forest) and 10 (Virginia) points, averaging 9.3 ppg.
JASON CAPEL (6-8, SO., F/G, CHESAPEAKE, VA.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTSCarolina's most versatile player. Playing mainly at the small and big forward spots this year after playing mostly off guard as a freshman.
Had off-season back surgery to repair two disks and is playing pain free for the first time in several years.
Has improved his points, rebounds and field goal percentage this season.
Has scored in double figures 30 times in his career with highs of 23 against UNLV on Dec. 4, 1999, 21 against UCLA on Jan. 15, 2000, 21 vs. Tennessee Tech on Dec. 12, 1999, 20 at Miami on Dec. 18, 1999, and 20 at Georgia Tech on Jan. 29, 2000.
Has shot 83.2 percent from the free throw line. Was second in the ACC in free throw percentage last season.
1999-2000 ACC Free Throw Pct. Leaders (as of Feb. 24)
| 1. | Shane Battier, Duke | .835 |
| 2. | Jason Capel, UNC | .813 |
| 3. | Darius Songaila, Wake Forest | .812 |
| 4. | Juan Dixon, Maryland | .804 |
| 5. | Chris Carrawell, Duke | .771 |
CAPEL'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Has scored in double figures in 20 contests, including 11 of the last 12 games. Has scored 20 or more points five times.
Averaging 14.3 points and shooting 50.4 percent (57 for 113) over the last 12 games.
Second on the team in rebounds at 6.8 per contest, just behind center Brenan Haywood. Ranks ninth in the ACC in rebounding.
Is second in the ACC, shooting 81.3 percent, from the free throw line. Has converted 84.6 percent from the free throw line in ACC action.
Has made 31 of his last 34 free throw attempts.
Had 14 points and nine rebounds against Michigan State.
Was outstanding in the two games in Charlotte. Scored 16 points in the opener against Charleston and had a career-high 23 points and nine boards vs. UNLV in the championship game.
Had 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a block and a steal against Tennessee Tech.
Was named MVP of the Orange Bowl Classic after leading Carolina to a 78-68 win over Miami. He scored 20 points (only his second career 20-point game, but his second in five outings), had a career-high 14 rebounds, had five assists and two steals.
Led all scorers with 21 points in the loss to UCLA (on his birthday). Was 7 for 12 from the field (including 3 of 6 from three-point range) and had two steals. Scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half. Hit two free throws in the final minute to cut UCLA's lead to 69-68.
Was all over the court with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals on Jan. 22 vs. Florida State.
Had 11 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and five assists in the win over Maryland. That was the third time this year he has grabbed 12 or more rebounds in a contest.
Led all scorers with 20 points in the win at Georgia Tech. Was 8 for 8 from the free throw line at Tech. Also hit a pair of three-pointers, including a key one in the second half that gave the Tar Heels a 9-point lead for the first time.
Had 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists despite fouling out versus Duke on Feb. 3.
Had 12 points and 13 rebounds and five assists against Wake Forest on Feb. 12. Recorded his fourth double-double against Wake, all coming this year (Buffalo 13 pts and 12 rebs, Miami 20 pts and 14 rebs, Maryland 11 pts and 12 rebs, Wake Forest 12 pts and 13 rebs).
Led Carolina with 17 points and nine rebounds before fouling out on Feb. 20 vs. Virginia.
Had 15 points and a career-high seven assists on Feb. 23 at Florida State.
JOSEPH FORTE (6-4, FR., G, GREENBELT, MD.)
1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTSCarolina's leading scorer at 15.9 points per game. Was named Most Valuable Player of the Maui Invitational after he helped lead the Tar Heels to three wins and the title.
Seventh in the ACC in scoring average and tops among freshmen.
On pace to become the first UNC freshman to lead the team in scoring since freshmen became eligible to play in 1972-73.
Has 428 points on the season. The last UNC freshman to score 400 points in a season was Antawn Jamison (484 in 1995-96). Phil Ford holds the UNC freshman scoring record with 508 points in 1974-75.
Has scored in double figures in all but three games and topped 20 points five times. Had 24 in his collegiate debut against Southern California, 21 in the Maui championship game vs. Purdue, a season-high 27 at Virginia, 20 vs. Duke and 24 at home vs. Wake Forest.
Is shooting 46.1 percent from the floor, 38.0 percent from three-point range and 74.7 percent from the free throw line.
Scored more points in his freshman debut than any Tar Heel in history.
Is third on the team in rebounds at 5.5 per game. Has six or more boards in 12 games with a season-high 11 at Virginia. Also had nine boards (five offensive) against Maryland on Jan. 27.
Ranks second on the team in assists with 76 and had a season-high six against top-ranked Cincinnati.
Has connected on at least one three-point field goal in 21 of the 27 games with a high of six at home vs. Wake Forest.
Connected on a big three-point field goal late in the game at Miami after the Hurricanes had cut UNC's 16-point lead down to six.
Led the Tar Heels with 15 points on 7 of 12 shooting against Clemson in the ACC opener.
Scored 18 points against NC State (Jan. 8) on 6 of 9 shooting from the floor. Hit a pair of 3FGs, was 4 for 4 from the FT line and added 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Had 13 points, five assists and four steals in the UCLA game. Steal and dunk and three-pointer brought UNC back from an 11-point second-half deficit to within 62-60.
Had a season-high 27 points on 11 of 16 shooting at Virginia. Recorded his first career double-double against the Cavaliers, finishing with 27 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals. The 27 points were the most by a UNC freshman since Antawn Jamison had 31 at Maryland in 1995-96.
Tied for the team lead with 15 points on Jan. 22 vs. Florida State despite missing much of the second half with foul trouble.
Hit a key three-pointer to start the second half in the win over Maryland (UNC was down by seven at the break).
Had 11 second-half points in the 70-53 win at Georgia Tech.
Hit a three-pointer with 0:05 left in regulation to force overtime on Feb. 3 versus No. 3 Duke. Tallied 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals against Duke.
Second on the team with 16 points in the win at NC State on Feb. 9, recording 12 of those points in the second half.
Led all scorers with 24 points against Wake Forest on Feb. 12. Missed his first two three-point attempts but hit six in a row to finish 6 of 8. That was the first time a UNC player hit six three-pointers since Shammond Williams had six vs. UNC Charlotte in the 1998 NCAA Tournament second round.
Named the ACC's Rookie of the Week for the second time on Feb. 14. Forte averaged 20.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in the Tar Heels' victories over NC State and Wake Forest.
Had 13 points and six rebounds on Feb. 20 vs. Virginia.
KRIS LANG (6-11, SO., F/C, GASTONIA, N.C.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTSAveraged 10.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a freshman and was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team.
Shooting 54.9 percent from the floor and averaging 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in his career.
Has scored in double figures 29 times and has three double-doubles.
Career scoring high of 21 vs. Georgia in 1998 Preseason NIT.
Was in the hospital for almost a week in late summer of 1999 with a virus.
LANG'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Summer virus and shin splints severely hampered his playing time and effectiveness in the first semester.
Sprained his right knee in the first half of the Cincinnati game and was held out of the Tennessee Tech contest for precautionary reasons.
Fought a stomach bug in late January.
Earned Tournament MVP honors at the Food Lion MVP Classic in Charlotte on December 3-4. Had 15 points and three rebounds against College of Charleston and 16 points and four rebounds in the finals against UNLV. Made 12 of 16 shots from the floor and 7 of 8 free throws in the two games. Played 35 combined minutes in the two games.
Was 10 for 10 from the free throw line against NC State (Jan. 8).
Led Carolina in scoring (14) and rebounding (11) at Wake Forest, recording the third double-double of his career.
Had 13 points and six rebounds in the win over Maryland on Jan. 27. Played despite still feeling the effects of a stomach bug that caused him to miss the final minutes of the game against FSU on Jan. 22.
Had six rebounds and played outstanding defense in the win at Georgia Tech. Defended Jason Collier for much of the contest and helped limit the Yellow Jacket standout to 6 of 16 shooting from the floor.
Had 15 points (11 in the second half and overtime) and eight rebounds vs. Duke on Feb. 3. Was 7 of 14 from the floor.
JULIUS PEPPERS (6-7, FR.-R, F, BAILEY, N.C.)
1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTSJoined the basketball team on Nov. 29 after the Tar Heels returned >from the Maui Invitational.
Averaging 3.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Helped limit Georgia Tech frontcourt stars Alvin Jones and Jason Collier to 7-27 shooting from the floor on Jan. 29.
Had three steals and five boards against Maryland on Jan. 27.
In 18 minutes of action against UCLA, he had five points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. Grabbed three offensive rebounds.
Ripped down 13 rebounds (five on the offensive glass) against Clemson on Jan. 6. Added six points, a blocked shot, an assist and two steals in a season-high 24 minutes against the Tigers.
Had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocked shots against Howard, 7 points and 4 rebounds vs. Tennessee Tech, 6 points at Buffalo (including a spectacular breakway dunk that was featured on ESPN) and 5 points at Louisville.
Played crucial minutes in the second half and had five points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and three steals against Florida State on Jan. 22. Had a three-point play as UNC attempted its second-half comeback.
Had four points and three rebounds in the win at NC State on Feb. 9.
Has made 10 of his last 15 field goal attempts.
Started all 11 football games in 1999 at defensive end. He had 50 tackles and led the team in tackles for losses with 10 for 47 yards and in quarterback sacks with six for 36 yards. He also intercepted a pass (at Clemson), caused and recovered one fumble and blocked one kick. He was sixth in the ACC in sacks. The Sporting News named him first team Freshman All-America.
The NCHSAA Male Athlete of the Year as a high school senior at Southern Nash High School in Bailey, N.C., in 1997-98. Peppers was recruited by several Division I programs to play basketball. He played on the same AAU team with Tar Heel teammates Brendan Haywood and Kris Lang.
BRIAN BERSTICKER (6-10, JR., F/C, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTSHas shot 54.9 percent from the floor (78 for 142) and 77.4 percent >from the free throw line.
Scored in double figures five times in his career, including three times in his last 10 games.
Had an ACC high of 12 points in the Tournament last year against Georgia Tech.
BERSTICKER'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot against the College of Charleston on December 3rd. Had surgery to repair the fracture on December 6th. Had a similar fracture in the same bone in August.
Resumed practicing on Feb. 7 but will seek a medical redshirt.
Averaged 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in the first five games. Had 12 points against Purdue in the Maui in the championship game and seven against USC.
Had a season-high seven boards against the Trojans.
Shooting 70.6 percent from the floor (12 for 17).
