University of North Carolina Athletics
Woody: Heels Remain Confident
January 26, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2001
Carolina's winning streak, currently one of the three best in the country, is now at 13 games, and the fifth-ranked Tar Heels have an overall record of 16-2, which includes a perfect 6-0 mark in the ACC.
However, some of the fans, who really like coach Matt Doherty's energy and intensity as well as his team's hard play, are uneasy. The Tar Heels have nearly lost big leads in their last two games, and with arch-rival Duke crushing its conference opponents by an average margin of 27 points, these fans think their team should deliver a solid knockout punch.
But Carolina never lost its advantage at Florida State--winning 80-70--or at home against Virginia--notching an 88-81 victory. "I never felt like we were going to lose the games," said the rookie head coach, "and, I don't think our players have ever felt that way.
"In the second half at Florida State, they got a couple of shots early and it gave them some confidence." The Seminoles, down 33-13 in the first half, pulled within three--60-57-- with just under eight minutes remaining. That's when Joseph Forte, who had dropped in a couple of free throws, extended his run with 12 more points in a row. He finished with 28 points, and the Tar Heels had their third straight ACC road win for the first time since 1993.
Doherty spends the halftime of nearly every game urging the Tar Heels not to let up, but against Virginia the offensive execution in the second half wasn't great, and the defense was a little porous. "They drove us a little bit," he explained. "But you expect good teams to make a comeback, and the teams in this league are not going to just lie dead and say,'This is your game, we're going to quit this half.' And, Virginia is a very tough team to play against because they are so quick."
A 16-4 Virginia run in the first 4:30 of the second half chopped a 16-point Carolina lead down to 54-51 with 15:30 remaining. That's when Forte responded once again. The sophomore guard scored nine consecutive points. And, when the Cavaliers crept back within three points in the last 7:27, Forte tossed down seven more points in a row. He finished with 33 points making it the tenth game this season he has scored at least 20 for the Tar Heels.
"I'm not the smartest guy in the world," Doherty said, "but, I know when the game is on the line I like to put the ball in his hands. We ran some plays for him down the stretch, and he made some plays on his own. He's very gifted, and he's one of those rare athletes who can focus well, but be so relaxed. He really enjoys the crunch time of a big game."
There were some other scary second stanzas this season against UCLA, Wake Forest and Maryland, but Carolina prevailed each time.
Back in December at UCLA, the Bruins erased a 19-point deficit and moved in front with 7:25 to play. However, the advantage lasted less than two minutes. Keyed by Forte, Jason Capel, Brendan Haywood and Ronald Curry, the Tar Heels went on a 16-0 run and wound up winning 80-70.
At home against Wake Forest, Carolina trailed 54-49 with ten minutes left, but pulled it out 70-69 on Haywood's putback in the final seconds.
In the next game at Maryland, a spectacular start to the second half pushed Carolina ahead 71-52 with a 8:14 left. The Terps staged a desparate rally and pulled within three, 80-77, with 27 seconds remaining. But Forte hit a couple of free throws, along with a layup and Julius Peppers jammed the final basket as Carolina held on for an 86-83 triumph.
So maybe it has been a bit scary in the second half of several games, but the Tar Heels, who never felt they were going to lose, found a way to win. No doubt, those earlier close calls were a big help recently against Florida State and Virginia.
And, they might come in handy again Sunday in Raleigh. N.C. State hasn't been playing very well, but Doherty expects the Wolfpack to play great during his first visit to the ESA. Carolina has won the last five games in the series, but four have been decided by 10 points or less.
