University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Open Second Half Of ACC Play
February 4, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2000
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Carolina begins play in the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season Sunday when it plays at Clemson at 1:30 p.m. The game will be televised by Raycom/Jefferson Pilot.
Brendan Haywood has made at least half his shots from the floor in 20 games this year and at least 70 percent four of the last five games. He has averaged 16.0 points in the last five contests.
Jason Capel has scored in double figures in seven straight games, including 17 or more in three of those seven games (21 vs. UCLA, 17 at Virginia and 20 at Georgia Tech). Capel has scored 20 or more points five times this year.
Freshman Joseph Forte (15.9 points per game) has led Carolina in scoring throughout the season. No freshman has ever led Carolina in scoring and just one has averaged more points than Forte.
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 |
The Tar Heels have shot at least 50 percent from the floor in three of the last five games, winning two of those three contests. Carolina leads the nation in field goal percentage and has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in 11 of the 22 games this season. UNC is 8-3 in games in which it makes at least half its field goal attempts (losses to Louisville, Virginia and Florida State).
Carolina's defense has limited its opponents to 75 field goals in 204 attempts in the last three games, a percentage of .368. Maryland shot 37.7 percent (23 of 61), Georgia Tech shot 27.4 percent (20 of 73) and Duke shot 45.7 percent (32 of 70).
Carolina outscored Maryland and Georgia Tech a combined 83-47 in the second half of UNC's two recent victories. In the second half, the Terps were 7 of 27 (25.9 percent) from the floor and the Yellow Jackets were 9 of 41 (22.0 percent). At the same time, The Tar Heels shot 50.0 against Maryland and 66.7 percent in Atlanta in the second half. Carolina also outscored Duke, 49-32, in the second half on Feb. 3 to overcome a 17-point halftime deficit and force overtime. Duke shot 42.1 percent and Carolina 50.0 percent after halftime.
Although maligned for its defensive play, the Tar Heels have held their opponents under 40 percent shooting from the floor in 11 of the 22 games this season. Carolina has won 10 of those 11 contests. 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.
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.
The Tar Heels average 15.6 turnovers per game this year, despite the fact that senior point guard Ed Cota averages just 3.0 miscues per game.
Carolina has turned the ball over more than its opponents in 14 of the 22 games and committed an equal number of miscues in four other contests. The Tar Heels are 7-7 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 17.3 turnovers in its nine losses and 14.3 per game in its 13 victories.
The Tar Heels have led at halftime in 10 of the 22 games and have won eight of those 10 contests (road losses to Wake Forest and Virginia). Carolina is 4-7 in games in which it trails at the half. UNC has come back from halftime deficits to beat Georgetown (down by 11), Purdue (down 5), Buffalo (down 5) and Maryland (down 7).
Carolina has played significantly better in the second half this season. The Tar Heels are shooting 48.0 percent from the floor in the first half, compared to 52.7 percent in the second half.
The Tar Heels have shot 50 percent or better from the field in the second half in 13 of the 22 games this season (60 percent six times and at least 70 percent three times). Carolina is 11-2 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). UNC has shot 43.9 percent from the floor in the second half of its nine losses.
UNC is 5-4 at the Smith Center this season and has lost four home games in one season for the first time since moving into the Smith Center in January 1986. Prior to this year, the last time UNC lost four home games in a season was 1951-52 when the Tar Heels were 5-4 in Woollen Gymnasium. The school record for home losses in a season is five, set in 1929-30 and 1943-44.
Overall, the Tar Heels are 162-24 (.871) 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 44 times at home.
North Carolina (13-9, 4-4 ACC)
Clemson (8-13, 2-6 ACC)
Head Coaches
North Carolina: Bill Guthridge (Kansas State '60)Guthridge's Record as Head Coach: 71-23 (3rd year)
Guthridge's Record at UNC: 71-23 (3rd year)
Clemson: Larry Shyatt (College of Wooster '73)
Shyatt's Record as Head Coach: 47-37 (3rd year)
Shyatt's Record at Clemson: 28-28 (2nd year)
Television: Raycom/Jefferson-Pilot (Bob Rathbun, Gil McGregor)
Radio: Learfield Communications (Woody Durham, Mick Mixon)
Series: Carolina leads, 106-16
Last Meeting: 1/6/00 - Carolina 65, Clemson 45 in the Smith Center in Chapel Hill
Last Meeting in Clemson: 2/4/99 - Clemson 78, Carolina 63
CAROLINA AND CLEMSON
Carolina leads the series with Clemson, 106-16, including a 30-12 advantage in Clemson. The Tar Heels hold a 19-9 series edge in Littlejohn Coliseum and have won four of their last five on Clemson's home court.
The Tar Heels have won 19 of the last 22 games between the two schools.
Earlier this season, Carolina defeated Clemson, 65-45, to improve to 46-0 vs. the Tigers in Chapel Hill. Freshman guard Joseph Forte led UNC with 15 points and added five rebounds. Brendan Haywood just missed his third straight double-double, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds. Walkon forward Julius Peppers had six points and a season-high 13 rebounds and Carolina held the Tigers to 31.7 percent field goal shooting for the game.
Last season, the two teams split two games, with Carolina winning the first game in Chapel Hill, 69-53 on Jan. 2, and Clemson winning the rematch in Clemson, 78-63 on Feb. 4.
COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AGAINST DUKE
Carolina trailed by 17 points at halftime and by 19 with 14:41 to play in the second half but battled back to force overtime before losing, 90-86, to No. 3 Duke on Feb. 3 in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels scored on 19 of their 22 second-half possesssions and shot 50.0 percent (25-for-50) while limiting Duke to 42.1 percent (16-for-38) after halftime.
Ed Cota took a career-high 23 shots from the floor and scored 21 points, his third 20-point game of the season. Cota also finished with eight assists and seven rebounds. Cota scored 18 of his points after halftime.
Joseph Forte had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists in the game and hit a three-pointer with 0:05 remaining in regulation to tie the game and force overtime.
The Tar Heels outrebounded Duke, 53-38, in the game but committed 19 turnovers. However, just five of those turnovers occurred after halftime.
In the first half, Carolina committed 14 turnovers and shot 37.9 percent from the floor. Duke led, 41-24, at intermission.
Carolina had a loss of ball percentage of 33 percent in the first half and six percent in the second half.
DEFENSE, HAYWOOD DOMINATE GEORGIA TECH
Brendan Haywood 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.
Haywood picked up his third foul with 12:05 left in the first half and sat the rest of that period.
The Tar Heels shot 66.7 percent from the floor in the second half (16 of 24) and held the Yellow Jackets to 22 percent shooting from the floor in that half (9 of 41).
Georgia Tech shot 27.4 percent from the floor for the game, the lowest percentage by a UNC opponent since Florida International shot 26.4 percent on Nov. 16, 1998.
The win was Carolina's seventh in the last eight games against Georgia Tech.
Freshman Jonathan Holmes made his first career start at point guard (Ed Cota was one minute late for the pregame meal) and had one assist in four minutes. Holmes had six assists, five points and two turnovers in 22 minutes against Florida State on Jan. 22 in his first significant action.
Jason Capel led all scorers with 20 points. He was 5 for 9 from the floor, including 2 of 4 three-pointers, and was 8 for 8 from the free throw line.
Carolina's defense, especially big men Brendan Haywood, Kris Lang and Julius Peppers, limited Jason Collier and Alvin Jones to a combined 7 of 27 shooting from the floor.
The Tar Heels were 12 for 12 from the free throw line (Capel was 8 for 8).
HAYWOOD LEADS WIN OVER MARYLAND
Center Brendan Haywood made 10 of 11 free throws and equalled his career scoring high with 24 points as Carolina defeated 21st-ranked Maryland, 75-63, at the Smith Center. The win snapped a four-game overall losing streak and a three-game streak in ACC action.
Maryland led 30-19 in the first half, but Carolina outscored the Terps, 56-33 over the final 26 minutes. The Terps led by seven at the half. The win was Carolina's fourth this season in a game in which UNC trailed at the half.
Haywood was one of four Tar Heels in double figures (Haywood 24, Kris Lang 13, Jason Capel 11, Ed Cota 11).
Cota had 11 points and eight assists and moved into eighth place in NCAA history with 909 assists.
Julius Peppers was a defensive standout. He had five rebounbds and three steals and played solid defense against Terence Morris.
Kris Lang had 13 points and six rebounds despite still feeling the effects of a stomach bug that caused him to miss the final minutes of the previous game against Florida State.
Max Owens came off the bench and drilled a three-pointer from the corner that gave Carolina a 52-50 lead with 13:19 to play in the second half. 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.
Carolina out-rebounded the Terps, 42-30, including a 17-15 edge on the offensive glass. Jason Capel led all players with 12 boards. Capel and Joseph Forte each had five offensive rebounds.
UNC turned the ball over 16 times, but committed just five turnovers in the second half.
The Tar Heels shot 43.3 percent from the floor, but made 50 percent (14 of 28) in the second half. The Tar Heels made nine of their first 12 shots from the floor in the second half. During the same time span, Maryland was just 3 for 12 from the floor. The Terps were 7 for 27 from the floor in the second half (.259).
Maryland made 7 of 13 three-pointers in the first half and began the second half by hitting three of its first four from bonus land. However, Maryland missed its last 10 three-point attempts.
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 |
- 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 619.
COTA'S CAREER NUMBERS IN EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Senior point guard Ed Cota has 1,132 points, 923 assists and 440 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 eighth in NCAA history with 923 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. Gary Payton of Oregon State is seventh (939) 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. 1)
Carolina led the nation in field goal percentage (50.7 percent).
Brendan Haywood led the nation in individual field goal percentage (71.8 percent) and ranked 26th in blocked shots (2.6 per game).
Ed Cota ranked third nationally in assists (8.4 per game).
SCORING IS UP
Carolina is averaging 78.5 points per game in 1999-2000 and has scored more than 80 in 11 of 22 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 71-23 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 HIGHLIGHTSCarolina's alltime leader in field goal percentage. Has made 65.5 percent of his shot attempts from the floor (306 for 467). Second-best is Rasheed Wallace at 63.5 percent.
UNC Career Field Goal Percentage
| 1. | Brendan Haywood (97-active) | .655 |
| 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 |
Ranks seventh in school history in career blocked shots. Rasheed Wallace is sixth with 156 blocks (in just two seasons).
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. | Rasheed Wallace (93-95) | 156 |
| 7. | Brendan Haywood (97-active) | 151 |
Averaging 8.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in his 94-game career. Scored nine points against Duke on Feb. 3 to give him 807 points for his career. Over the last two seasons as a starter, he is averaging 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest.
Has scored in double figures 37 times in his career with a high of 24 at California on Dec. 27, 1998, and against Maryland on Jan. 27, 2000.
Has 12 career double-doubles (points and rebounds).
Has scored 20 or more points eight times, most recently at Virginia on Jan. 18 and against Maryland on Jan. 27.
Has made 50 percent or more of his field goal attempts in 48 of 56 games over the last two seasons as a starter.
HAYWOOD'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Leads the nation in field goal percentage at .721. Has converted 111 of 154 field goal attempts. The single-season ACC record is .670 by Clemson's Dale Davis in 1988-89.
No other player in the ACC has made more than 57.9 percent from the floor.
ACC Single-Season Field Goal Percentage
| 1. | Brendan Haywood (99-00) | .721 |
| 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 2.6 per game. Has blocked 58 shots in 22 contests.
Leads the team and ranks eighth in the ACC with 6.8 rebounds per game.
Scored in double figures in 14 games with a high of 24 against Maryland on Jan. 27. Also had 21 against Howard, and 20 against Georgetown, Louisville and Virginia.
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.
Has made 71 of 93 field goal attempts in the last 11 games (.763).
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.
Has grabbed 94 rebounds in the last 11 games, an average of 8.5 per game.
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 923. Is third in ACC history and eighth in NCAA history in assists. Needs 17 more assists to pass Gary Payton to move into seventh place.
Is third in ACC history with 7.44 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 26 career double-digit assist games, a UNC record.
Has scored in double figures 53 times. Career scoring high is 23 points against NC State on Jan. 8, 2000.
Has 12 career double-doubles (11 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) | 923 |
| 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. | Sherman Douglas, Syracuse | 960 |
| 5. | Tony Miller, Marquette | 956 |
| 6. | Greg Anthony, Portland/UNLV | 950 |
| 7. | Gary Payton, Oregon State | 939 |
| 8. | Ed Cota, North Carolina | 923 |
| 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 | 923 |
| 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 | 7.44 |
| 4. | Grayson Marshall, Clemson | 7.02 |
| 5. | Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech | 6.98 |
COTA'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Leads the ACC and is third in the nation with a career-high 8.4 assists per game. Florida State's Delvon Arrington is second in the ACC at 6.8 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 10 games and had double-doubles in two 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 a career-high 49.4 percent from the floor (83 for 168). His previous best was 49.3 percent as a sophomore.
Has an assist-turnover ratio this year of 2.64 to 1 (177 assists/67 turnovers). That is the best ratio in the ACC.
Has seven or more assists in 18 of his 21 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.
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 82.0 percent free throw shooter.
Has scored in double figures 16 times, including a career-high 23 against Maryland on March 6, 1999 and 23 against UNLV on Dec. 4, 1999.
OWENS' 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
One of five Tar Heels averaging in double figures in scoring. Is fourth on the team with 10.1 points per contest.
Has scored in double figures eight 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.
Shooting 51.9 percent from the floor. Also is shooting 83.0 percent >from the charity stripe.
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.
Scored in double figures in 9 of the first 14 games, but has scored a total of 33 points in the last seven games. Has attempted only 22 shots from the floor in the last seven contests (making 12).
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.
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 scored in double figures 26 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 83.4 percent from the free throw line. Was second in the ACC in free throw percentage last season.
1999-2000 ACC Free Throw Pct. Leaders
| 1. | Shane Battier, Duke | .833 (75-90) |
| 2. | Jason Capel, UNC | .815 (75-92) |
| 3. | Darius Songaila, Wake Forest | .800 (72-90) |
| 4. | Juan Dixon, Maryland | .795 (70-88) |
| 5. | Carlos Boozer, Duke | .775 (62-80) |
Has improved his points, rebounds and shooting percentage this season.
CAPEL'S 1999-2000 HIGHLIGHTS
Has scored in double figures in 16 contests, including seven games in a row, and had 20 or more points five times.
Averaging 15.1 points over the last seven games.
Second on the team in rebounds at 6.7 per contest behind center Brenan Haywood.
Is second in the ACC shooting 81.5 percent from the free throw line. Has converted 87.5 percent from the free throw line in ACC action (21 of 24).
Has made his last 19 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.
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.
1999-2000 ACC Scoring Leaders
| 1. | Will Solomon, Clemson | 20.5 |
| 2. | Chris Carrawell, Duke | 17.9 |
| 3. | Jason Collier, Georgia Tech | 17.4 |
| 4. | Juan Dixon, Maryland | 17.3 |
| 5. | Ron Hale, Florida State | 17.3 |
| 6. | Shane Battier, Duke | 16.0 |
| 7. | Joseph Forte, UNC | 15.9 |
On pace to become the first UNC freshman to lead the team in scoring since freshmen became eligible to play in 1972-73.
Has scored in double figures in all but three games and topped 20 points four times. Had 24 in his collegiate debut against Southern California, 21 in the Maui championship game vs. Purdue, a season-high 27 at Virginia and 20 vs. Duke.
Is shooting 46.7 percent from the floor, 38.1 percent from three-point range and 69.7 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 11 games with a season-high 11 at Virginia. Also had nine boards (five offensive) against Maryland on Jan. 27.
Has 65 assists and 60 turnovers. Ranks second on the team in assists and had a season-high six assists against top-ranked Cincinnati.
Has connected on at least one three-point field goal in 18 of the 22 games with a high of four in the opener against USC.
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.
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 55.7 percent from the floor in his career. Averaging 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds.
Has scored in double figures 27 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 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.
Has 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.
Had seven points and six rebounds in Maui title game against Purdue.
Has scored 103 points in the last 10 games (10.3 ppg) since he joined the starting lineup in the Howard game.
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.
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. Should be out of action for approximately 10 weeks. Had a similar fracture in the same bone in August.
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).
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 3.8 points and 3.7 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.
Started all 11 football games this year 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.
TAR HEEL PLAYERS IN THE NBA
(as of Feb. 4, 2000)
| Vince Carter | Toronto |
| Pete Chilcutt | Cleveland |
| Hubert Davis | Dallas |
| Rick Fox | LA Lakers |
| Antawn Jamison | Golden State |
| George Lynch | Philadelphia |
| Eric Montross | Detroit |
| Sam Perkins | Indiana |
| J.R. Reid | Milwaukee |
| Jerry Stackhouse | Detroit |
| Rasheed Wallace | Portland |
| Scott Williams | Milwaukee |
| Shammond Williams | Seattle |
CARTER LEADS TAR HEEL NBA ALL-STARS
Former Tar Heel Vince Carter finished as the leading vote-getter for the NBA All-Star Game. The Toronto Raptors star forward will start for the East squad in the All-Star Game on Feb. 13 in Oakland, Calif. Carter received more than 1.9 million votes, the second-highest vote total of alltime behind Michael Jordan.
Former Tar Heels Jerry Stackhouse (Detroit Pistons) and Rasheed Wallace (Portland Trailblazers) were each named to their conference's All-Star team as reserves.
Former UNC stars Carter, Stackhouse and Antawn Jamison (Golden State Warriors) will each take part in the NBA dunk contest on All-Star Weekend.
TAR HEELS IN NBA ADMINISTRATION
| Larry Brown | Head coach, Philadelphia |
| Michael Jordan | President of Basketball Operations/Part-owner, Washington |
| George Karl | Head coach, Milwaukee |
| John Kuester | Asst. coach, Philadelphia |
| Mitch Kupchak | GM, LA Lakers |
| Bob McAdoo | Asst. coach, Miami |
| Mike O'Koren | Asst. coach, New Jersey |
| Donnie Walsh | President, Indiana |
Carolina's ACC Rookies of the Week
Nov. 30 - Joseph Forte
Carolina's ACC Players of the Week
Dec. 20 - Jason Capel
Jan. 31 - Brendan Haywood (co-winner)
