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University of North Carolina Athletics
Julius Peppers Saves Carolina
March 29, 2000 | Men's Basketball
March 29, 2000
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By David Droschak
AP Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina expected a football player would be a key member of its basketball team this year. The Tar Heels never thought it would be Julius Peppers.
Ronald Curry was supposed to be the backup point guard behind Ed Cota before the starting quarterback ruptured his Achilles' tendon on the football field and was lost for the basketball season.
Coach Bill Guthridge helped recruit the 6-foot-8, 270-pound Peppers with the promise that he could walk on in basketball. He didn't expect Peppers to take him up on his offer after getting six sacks and 50 tackles in a stellar freshman season.
He's glad Peppers did, though, as 6-11 Brian Bersticker broke his foot early in the season and Kris Lang has been hampered by illness, shin splints and now a bum ankle.
"Julius has been a godsend for us," Guthridge said Tuesday. "When basketball season is over, we're going to loan him to the football team."
It's hard to say where the Tar Heels (22-13) would be without Peppers. Certainly not in the NCAA tournament's Final Four.
"He has been just a huge lift, his presence, his athletic ability, the energy he brings," Jason Capel said. "You know when he gets into the game something is going to happen - he is going to block a shot, get a dunk, do whatever."
Peppers is 22-for-29 from the field in his last seven games as the team's top substitute, including a 30-minute stint in a 59-55 victory over Tulsa in the South Regional title game after Lang went down with a sprained right ankle.
The hulking Peppers, who wears a size 17 shoe and has 6.1 percent body fat, usually would be halfway through spring football, but could only smile at the thought of not knocking heads with offensive linemen.
"I miss it a little bit, but I'm having fun right now," said Peppers, who should play a key role against a deep Florida team Saturday night in the national semifinals. "If we keep winning I'll get back when I get back."
Peppers didn't expect to play much when he joined the team Dec. 1. And at first he didn't, logging a few minutes here and there to give Lang and 7-foot center Brendan Haywood rest.
ut as the season progressed, Peppers' game rounded into shape and he has become a valuable sixth man on a team with little depth.
"I didn't expect to play as important a role as I'm playing now," said Peppers, who is averaging 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in the NCAAs. "I'm coming off the bench and giving them a boost. They look at me when I come in the game to contribute."
Peppers is a unique talent. His physical stature is scary on the basketball court. However, Guthridge said his feet are quick enough to hawk guards on the perimeter.
"It's like going against some tall, skinny guy and then some big huge monster," Lang said.
Practice even changed when Peppers came on board.
"When Julius came out to practice, people had to be aware," said Capel, who played against Peppers many times while growing up in the state. "He came out there blocking shots, dunking, and the backboard would be shaking for the next couple of possessions down the floor."
Guthridge said he watched Peppers pounce on QBs during the fall.
"I don't know much about football, but my guess is he'll be playing on Sunday afternoons," said Guthridge, referring to the NFL. "I can see how he's such a good defensive football player. I would hate if I were a good offensive lineman to try and block him with as quick of feet as he has."
It's hard to project Peppers' future on the hardwood, considering football is his first priority. The gracious Guthridge has accepted that decree - for now.
"I hope he can go to a Jan. 1 bowl," Guthridge said. "So, in that case, it will be harder for him to make a contribution.
"But he is part of the team. When he comes out now, we'll know more of what to expect. He'll have a lot better chance of fitting in."
© Copyright 2000 The Associated Press
