University of North Carolina Athletics
Late Night Looks Forward, Back
October 25, 2008 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 25, 2008
By Lauren Brownlow
The intended final destination of this team was a common theme at Late Night with Roy Williams. The team put on Carolina blue suits and danced to "Hello Detroit." The Final Four logo came up on the video board after it was over. Stuart Scott asked, "Wouldn't it be nice to have some reservations in Detroit in April?"
That's to be expected. But as the last year's season recap video rolled, it was a poignant reminder that this team has already given so much. There are so many valuable memories that Carolina fans still love - the Tyler Hansbrough dunk over Kenny George and the Danny Green dunk over Greg Paulus were particular crowd favorites.
The video stopped before it ended, as Carolina celebrated after a win over Louisville. But it was better that way.
"If ya'll don't have goose bumps on your arms, get up and get out of here," Scott said as it ended.
There were plenty of goose bumps popping when Tyler Hansbrough was announced. Stuart Scott's introduction of the senior superstar was not even close to audible. The crowd screamed so loud for him that the arena was vibrating. The only comparable decibel level in recent memory was Marvin Williams' and-one against Duke in 2005.
In a moment that was funny but a little bit eerie, the five seniors came out in full graduation garb and reminisced about what had already happened in their careers. There was Danny dancing, Bobby falling while celebrating the Clemson win, Jonas Sahratian trying to eat three burritos in 30 minutes, Hansbrough's goofy celebration after the Virginia Tech game-winner, and Marcus Ginyard missing a dunk.
After the fun, the seniors got together and hugged each other. Whatever issues may have been left over with three Tar Heels "testing the waters" are gone. This team is a family now, and that's what Carolina is about.
David Noel reprised his role as "Divine," then sat behind the bench during the scrimmage and handed out water and towels to the victorious white team as they came out of the game. "Divine" even pushed a wheelchair-bound Marcus Ginyard around the court during a dance number.
Bobby Frasor was able to perhaps finally take his impersonation of Coach Williams beyond the spot-on one done by Wes Miller. In a skit that was making fun of Williams' indignation at the slippery NCAA logo, Frasor (with the same horrible gray wig) played Williams slipping on the logo in his driveway, on the golf course, and in the office.
And in one of the more touching moments of the night, Stuart Scott recounted his recent battle with cancer. A little over a year ago, Scott had an emergency appendectomy to remove a malignancy and had to undergo chemotherapy. As anyone who's ever been through or had a loved one go through that knows, it's grueling. But Scott said that Coach Williams sent him notes asking how he was doing and the basketball office sent him extra Carolina t-shirts to wear.
"That's what family is about. That's what home is about. I got to experience it firsthand and that meant a lot to me," Scott said.
The scrimmage itself was almost anti-climactic, save to get a look at some of the freshmen. Ed Davis did not appear to be intimidated in the slightest by Tyler Hansbrough, going at him repeatedly. Tyler Zeller showed some nifty moves and a nice jump shot.
This group of seniors remembers what it was like as freshmen and for the first time, they can legitimately lead and teach. These freshmen have to learn - and face off against - some of the best players in the country.
"When we came in we had a couple upperclassmen but we were pretty much half the team, our freshmen. So we came in and we were just thrown into the fire. We had to be welcomed to the ACC by playing in games," Green said. "For a lot of those younger guys, it helps them a lot. When they get in a game, they won't be as nervous. They won't face anybody that much better. We have some of the best guys in the country on our team."
Hansbrough has clearly helped the young post players. It's been so long since fans have seen them that they may have forgotten, but he doesn't have an off-switch. He was knocking over teammates, giving Bobby Frasor a bloody nose on a missed free throw, drawing charges and fighting against double teams for points. Just another day at the office for him but something that fans of which Carolina fans will get just one more year. So cherish Danny's dancing, Marcus' tenacity, Mike Copeland's big goofy grin, Bobby's corny sensibility and all of Tyler Hansbrough while they are still here.
Lauren Brownlow is the managing editor of Tar Heel Monthly.
