University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Men's Basketball Coach Hits Recruiting Road In Good Spirits
April 3, 2000 | Men's Basketball
April 3, 2000
Send A Postcard
Press Conference Video
Complete NCAA Tournament Coverage
By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Bill Guthridge won't take a breather for another six weeks, his schedule clogged with 10 booster meetings and numerous recruiting trips.
The North Carolina coach expects a warmer reception than he would have gotten in January.
"This certainly helps," Guthridge said, referring to his second Final Four appearance in three years since replacing Dean Smith. "But we'll have to wait until Nov. 10 to see if we win that game."
That's North Carolina's season opener next year, and likely date of the first second-guessing of the 62-year-old Guthridge.
"We've got fantastic interest in our program and some fantastic fans," Guthridge said 12 hours after the Tar Heels lost 71-59 to Florida in the NCAA tournament national semifinals Saturday night. "Usually the ones you hear from when things aren't going well aren't happy with anything in life. They aren't going to come up to me."
A turnaround and trip to college basketball's showcase event didn't seem possible in mid-January, when the Tar Heels (22-14) were in the midst of a season-high, four-game losing streak. Or in early March as the team lost four of six heading into the postseason.
But Guthridge told his team repeatedly during the rough times they would be happy in April. He was right.
"I really felt they were working hard and they were improving and good things would happen to us," Guthridge said. "We almost ran out of time."
North Carolina fans almost ran out of patience with the likeable Guthridge, saying his team lacked drive and heart against lesser teams.
The worst he heard all year?
"Dummy. Can't coach," Guthridge said. "It bugs me a little bit, but I can't dwell on it. You have to consider the source."
Guthridge doesn't expect the criticism to end. He can live with it, though, as his team returns almost intact.
"The goal is the same next season: win a national championship," said Joseph Forte. "And we'll be able to do it."
So, Guthridge will trudge on, saying Sunday he would coach at least another four, five or six years.
"The tone of the fans and the tone around campus will help the players feel better about themselves, and it helps the atmosphere of recruiting, showing that Carolina basketball is still there and going strong," he said.
The biggest loss will be Ed Cota, who against Florida had nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists despite playing the final 13:18 with four fouls.
"I just want people to remember me as a winner and a person who loved to play the game," said Cota, who finished with 1,030 career assists, third in NCAA history.
Cota will be replaced by either Jonathan Holmes, Ronald Curry or recruit Adam Boone. Guthridge also said Forte could see some spot action at point guard.
"We definitely showed why we were one of the best teams in the country," Cota said of the program's 15th trip to the Final Four. "They are going to be great next year as long as they find somebody to handle the basketball. They have a lot of talent and they're going to have a lot of depth."
While some fans and media harped on North Carolina's lack of depth - they used mostly six players in the NCAAs - Curry and Brian Bersticker should return from injuries and top 1999 recruit Jason Parker is expected to qualify academically.
"Against Florida was really the first time the depth problem hurt us," said Guthridge, who played four of his starters at least 35 minutes each. "I would like to have more players playing. Probably our lack of depth is my fault, because I didn't develop it very good."
Guthridge said he'll also talk with junior center Brendan Haywood in the next few days about his pro future. However, Guthridge said he expected the 7-footer to return.
