University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Prepares For The Gators
March 30, 2000 | Men's Basketball
March 30, 2000
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By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Joseph Forte was shaking his head after he watched some of Florida's NCAA tournament win over Duke last week.
"They were just basically hugging their shorts after that loss," the North Carolina freshman said, giving his impression of the exhausted Blue Devils. Duke, the Atlantic Coast Conference champions, beat the Tar Heels twice during the regular season, but lost to the Gators 87-78 in the East Regional semifinals.
"Duke's a great team," Forte added. "They had problems with the press, so I know we'll have our problems with Florida as well."
Duke was one of the ACC's best at handling the ball, but turned it over 22 times against Florida.
Unlike the Blue Devils, the Tar Heels have had trouble with ball security, piling up 110 more turnovers than their opponents. In seven games, North Carolina has fumbled the ball away at least 19 times.
And while North Carolina (22-13) has lowered its turnovers to an average of 12 a game in its four NCAA wins, taking care of the basketball against the pressing Gators in the national semifinals Saturday night will be crucial.
"We have to go out there and try to make them pay for pressing us, try to control the tempo of the game," point guard Ed Cota said. "If we can get them to stop pressing, then we are going to feel that we have control of the ball game."
Cota, one of only three players in NCAA history with 1,000 career assists, realizes this game might be his biggest challenge.
"Me being the point guard, I definitely need to try to control this game," Cota said. "But against Florida, where they've got 10 guys that are really good and come in with fresh legs, it is going to take a toll on me."
Coach Bill Guthridge's biggest dilemma this week in practice has been whether to throw as many different presses at his starters, considering Florida goes 10 deep and North Carolina uses just six or seven players. Cota has played 159 of a possible 160 minutes in the NCAAs.
"I hope our players are in good shape and are used to playing 35 or 40 minutes a game and can withstand all the pressure Florida puts on us," said Guthridge, coaching in his second Final Four in three seasons.
"Because some of our guys played extended minutes, we haven't been able to get a lot of things done in practice. I think it's more important that they get rest and get their little aches and pains under control."
Some Tar Heels expressed concern about Florida's ability to strike quickly out of its press, which has forced opponents into an average of 20 turnovers a game.
"I'm worried about how it can really turn a game around, how they can get two or three steals in a row, and the next thing you know, you're down 10 points," North Carolina center Brendan Haywood said.
Forte and small forward Jason Capel will play critical roles in helping Cota with ballhanding, while Haywood knows he and the team's other big men must help out as midcourt outlets.
"We can't run away from the ball and leave (Ed) back there by himself," Haywood said. "We need to take the pressure off of him."
Guthridge summed up Florida's press this way: "They make everybody a basketball player."
