University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Doherty Upbeat Despite Injuries
January 25, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2002
NC State fans made headlines Wednesday night for their rowdy participation in the Smith Center in their 18-point win. But they didn't just have an effect on the players on the court-they also impacted the players in street clothes.
Still suffering from the lingering effects of a concussion, Jason Capel participated in the team shootaround before the game before deciding he wasn't able to play. He sat on the team bench during the game, but the constant sitting and standing coupled with the loud atmosphere made his condition worsen by Thursday.
That's not the only member of the Carolina walking wounded. Two days after playing the Wolfpack without two starters, North Carolina will gather for practice this afternoon without enough players to scrimmage five-on-five.
Brian Bersticker's shoulder is bothering him, Orlando Melendez will sit out with tendonitis problems in his knee, and Jackie Manuel's foot problems could take up to eight weeks to resolve, although he could be able to play before that date. Kris Lang had a painful toenail problem that had to be resolved yesterday, and then there is Capel's continuing saga. Even the walk-ons are starting to get banged up, as Philip McLamb has a possible knee cartilage tear.
The status of all the injured players for Sunday's game against Clemson, which has been moved to 6 p.m. instead of the previously announced 3:00, is undetermined. Matt Doherty, who might want to consider taking some medical school classes in his spare time, is trying to remain positive about the situation.
"We've had some JV guys practice with us," he said. "It's hard to go through a competitive practice when you don't have the bodies. But I'm not the only coach in America who's had to do it."
In fact, Doherty is remaining remarkably positive through what has been a trying two months. The book on him when he arrived in Chapel Hill two summers ago was that he was a fiery, emotional type who could light up a room with his intensity. There have been glimpses of that, as when he broke a chair at halftime of the Massachusetts game last season or when he picked up a technical foul Wednesday night for vociferously disagreeing with a foul call.
But with his players, the youthful coach is learning, much like a minister, when to be fiery and when to be compassionate. Finding the proper mix of those two elements has been perhaps the most difficult part of the season. Before the St. Joseph's game, he lightened up the mood at practice by participating in team sprints. During the Florida State game, he showed a more pointed side after mistakes.
While tinkering with the emotional recipe, Doherty has remained upbeat, perhaps drawing on his sports psychology background. After the loss to the Wolfpack, the second-year Tar Heel coach talked of, "When we go over to Raleigh and win..." Not if, but when. And Friday afternoon, Doherty said the struggles of this season will eventually pay off. "When we do cut down those nets at the Final Four, we'll appreciate it even more," he said. "I've learned a lot about teaching and nurturing and being a leader."
Now, if he could just find enough guys to practice.
