University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: UNC Basketball Mailbag December 16
December 16, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 16, 2003
By Adam Lucas
Never underestimate the ability of a Tar Heel basketball fan to notice even the smallest detail about the Carolina program. Those are the types of questions we answer this week, from the number of games on the schedule to Roy Williams's choice of eyewear to recent Smith Center additions. But don't worry, we still found room for a Damion Grant update straight from the big man himself.
We scheduled only 27 games, with no 'pre-season' tournament, this year. I noticed that FSU and Ga Tech will have 30 games before the ACC tourney, while Duke will have 29.
(1) What is the max number of games allowed?
(2) With no margin for error this season (with or without injuries), why didn't the Heels schedule more games?
John Rogers, Brunswick, Maine
It's a complicated answer that deals primarily with the NCAA's ruling on "exempt tournaments." The basic rule is that every team is allowed to play a maximum of 28 regular-season games. But if a team plays in an "exempt tournament," all games in that tournament count only once towards the 28-game limit. So, for example, Georgia Tech's games in the Preseason NIT were exempt, as were Duke's in the Great Alaska Shootout.
In 1999, the NCAA passed the 2-in-4 rule, which limits a school to two exempt tournaments every four years. The rule was intended to allow non-marquee schools to get a shot in prestigious tournaments instead of the same teams being invited repeatedly, but didn't take into account the fact that prestigious tournaments are only prestigious when they include prestigious teams. A federal judge struck down the 2-in-4 rule in July at the behest of many tournament organizers, but in August an appeals court restored it, forcing some schools to withdraw from tournaments this year.
Carolina last played in an exempt event last year in the Preseason NIT and will play in the Maui Invitational during the 2004-05 season.
I am a little confused about the scholarship situation. Isn't Reyshawn Terry on scholarship, and isn't Justin Bohlander a walk on? Why is it that Bohlander gets good minutes off the bench, and not Terry? If he is that much better then why doesn't he have a scholarship?
Steve Kelley, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Yes, Terry is on scholarship and Bohlander is a walk-on (although he turned down a scholarship to several major Division I programs, including Southern Cal). But to make any conclusions about their levels of contribution throughout a four-year career after six games is a definite mistake.
First, they don't play the same position. Carolina has a need for post players, and that happens to be a spot Bohlander can fill. Terry, meanwhile, plays on the wing, where Jackie Manuel is already a capable sub off the bench. Just because Bohlander happens to be better suited for post play right now doesn't make him "better" than Terry, his former high school teammate at Winston-Salem Reynolds High.
Roy Williams has been consistent in saying that Terry needs to improve his offensive and defensive awareness before he sees major minutes for the Tar Heels. The good news is that the player himself doesn't seem as fatalistic about his potential as some fans. "Coach Williams gets on me a lot," he said after a recent Tar Heel win. "But if he didn't, I'd be worried."
My question is: Why do some fans see Rashad McCants as being a cocky and troublesome player?
Jason Buchanan, Asheville, NC
Friends and family of Rashad would be among the first to tell you that McCants has plenty of confidence in his own abilities. "Rashad oozes confidence," says former Charlotte Royals AAU coach Cliff Knight, who coached McCants for three years. "Some people have a problem with people like that. But when things are going well and you have that confidence, everyone loves you."
Unlike some people, McCants isn't a person who will toss around smiles to people he doesn't know. That's what leads to some of the assumptions made about him. Although it takes some adjustment, it's something that his teammates have learned to look past. "A common mistake people make with Rashad is they think they understand him by his facial expressions or body language," says his former New Hampton Prep roommate and current UNC teammate Wes Miller. "But a lot of times what you think when you look at him from a distance is not even close to what's going on in his mind." Which leads us to our next question...
I heard about the James Madison transfer and I was wondering how good he is. Why did Wes Miller transfer and what type of contribution can we expect from him next year?
Drew Prichard, Cartersville, GA
Miller, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, played in all 30 games for James Madison last year, averaging 4.1 points and 1.3 assists per game. He possesses outstanding three-point range and could develop into a member of the regular rotation during his Tar Heel career.
During early season play, this Tar Heel team does not seem to follow the tradition of "pointing" (thanking) the assist. As a long time fan of that particular Carolina tradition, I wondered if there is a reason for this or is it just one more thing-of-the-past?
Alan Briggs, Raleigh
This question came up occasionally last year and when it popped into the mailbag again this week, we decided to look into it. Courtside observers were adamant that so much pointing was going on that someone was going to lose an eye, but fans didn't seem to believe it. During the first half of the Akron game, our crack Mailbag Stat Crew charted the pointing. The Heels had seven assists in the first half, and our stats indicated four "thanks for the pass" points in the opening stanza. So, on over half the baskets a passer was thanked.
If you're watching the game on television it's much harder to see the thanking because producers rarely show it anymore, preferring to show the crowd reaction or a closeup of the player who just scored. Also, when Raymond Felton scores, he's much less likely to thank the passer, since his primary job after the Heels score is to immediately get to midcourt and signal the defense--something Roy Williams has emphasized repeatedly to him in the opening months of the season.
ut don't worry, the tradition isn't dead. Last year at Carolina's Christmas kids clinic, Melvin Scott and Jawad Williams took great pride in teaching their instructional groups how to thank the passer.
Several weeks ago in the Smith Center, I noticed a clock mounted on the cement that surrounds the bottom of the upper level (the same surface that the scoreboards are
mounted on.) The small, old-looking white clock seemed awkward and out of place. It has since been replaced by a much more sightly, yet still small, digital clock. I don't think that there has ever been a clock anywhere around the court in the Smith Center. I was wondering, is this something Coach Williams has asked for?
Chris Wood, Winston-Salem
Chris, you win the award for Most Observant Tar Heel of the Week. Coach Williams did indeed request the clock, and head manager Eric Hoots was in charge of obtaining it and installing it. Coming next week: the Mailbag investigates the drapery choices in the Smith Center offices. (Just kidding, Chris)
I'm 24 years old and have been a Carolina fan my whole life. I've been lucky enough to get to go to games with my dad and almost every game I feel shame as I watch the "faithful" Carolina fans file out of the Dean Dome with about five minutes left. If you are lucky enough to get tickets to a game, then you should be prepared to stay the whole game, otherwise give your tickets to someone who will. I think that football players should stand at the top of every aisle with their arms crossed, only letting people out who have to use the bathroom or need a snack.
Bryan Nickell, Greensboro, NC
We don't have an answer to this, as we hesitate to get into the "better fan" argument. But we included this question just for the sheer hilarity of picturing Chase Page standing at the top of Section 127 and blindsiding unsuspecting senior citizens as they filed out of the Smith Center.
One point for fans who regularly attend games to consider, however. This entire coaching staff is used to games at Kansas, where they regularly sell out the 16,300-seat building even for the weakest of opponents. It's a Carmichael-type atmosphere in Lawrence, so if you want to make these coaches feel at home, you've got to arrive at the game ready to make some noise.
Why, during every timeout, does Roy Williams take off his glasses and put them in his pocket? After the timeout he puts them back on for game play.
Jeff Plyler, Charlotte, NC
Sorry Jeff, we already gave Chris the award for Most Observant Tar Heel of the Week. But you're in a strong second place. The Tar Heel coach is nearsighted, so he wears the glasses to see court action. When the players huddle around him in timeouts, however, the spectacles are too powerful, so he takes them off. By the way, you can't see it, but we're pointing to Jones Angell for the assist on this answer, which should doubtless make our above questioner happy.
With Sean May and Jawad Williams averaging close to twenty points a game, and with Rashad close at eighteen a game, I was wondering the last time (if ever) that the Tar Heels had three players on the same team averaging over 20 PPG each?
Jeffrey Rockwell, Washington, DC
This is the kind of question we love. Only 22 players in Carolina history have averaged more than 20 points per game, so you might think the odds of three of them being on the same team are slim. You'd be right, because it's never happened. In fact, there have only been three teams in Tar Heel history that had two 20-point scorers. York Larese (23.1 points per game) and Doug Moe (20.4) did it in Frank McGuire's last season, 1960-61. Billy Cunningham (25.4 points per game) and Bob Lewis (21.0) did it during the 1964-65 season, and Lewis did it again in 1965-66, when he teamed with the other "L&M Boy," Larry Miller. During that campaign, Lewis scored at a 27.4 ppg clip and Miller added 20.9.
With Jawad Williams at 19.3 ppg, Sean May at 19.0 ppg, and Rashad McCants at 17.3 ppg, this year's Heels have at least a slim chance at becoming the first team ever to feature a 20-point trio.
I have been under the assumption that David Noel has been able to participate in running/conditioning exercises throughout the course of the season, which would lead one to believe that he would be more effective once he is able to return. However, a recent article said that he just started practicing on a limited basis this week. Any insight?
Dale Prillaman, Harrisburg, NC
When you hear about a player "returning to practice," that usually means that he is actually participating in practice with his teammates. Noel was at practice while he had a cast on his hand but wasn't really able to practice. Instead, he usually spent his time doing conditioning work or left-hand dribbling and shooting. Last Wednesday was the first time he actively participated in some drills with teammates, and Roy Williams told the media last Friday that he expected it might be a couple of weeks before Noel was fully cleared to play.
And before anyone hits the "Send" button, here's the obligatory Damion Grant update: "I've been doing dummy offense and non-contact stuff," he said after Sunday's win. "Hopefully if things are on schedule I can start full contact practice on Wednesday." Grant said that so far his troublesome left knee had responded fine to the limited work he has been able to do. Keep in mind that even if he is able to make a return to full practice, it has no bearing on when Grant would be able to get comfortable enough with the system to play in a game.
Adam Lucas will answer your questions about the Carolina men's basketball program this season in an exclusive column published each Tuesday on TarHeelBlue.com. Lucas, editor of Tar Heel Monthly, will answer your questions on personnel, strategy, opponents and anything on your mind about the Tar Heels other than recruiting specifics. You can email your questions to Adam--please make sure to include your first and last names and hometown.
