University of North Carolina Athletics
THB.com Spotlight: Graves Gets Hot At Right Time
January 11, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2010
by Sarah Stankavage, UNC Athletic Communications
CHAPEL HILL -
After going one for six in the first half, junior small forward Will Graves hit three critical three-pointers during the Tar Heels' run in the second half to beat the Virginia Tech Hokies 78-64.Graves sat on the bench last Monday with a sprained ankle and watched his team struggle against the College of Charleston. After that overtime loss, Graves decided he couldn't watch from the bench any longer. "I wanted to get back out there and bring some energy to the game and give it my all. Pain can't be an option," said Graves.
Graves has struggled with an ankle injury throughout this season. He has spent a lot of time with strength coach Jonas Sahratian and trainer Chris Hirth trying to get his ankle ready to play. "We have done a lot in the pool. A lot of rehab, a lot of stuff before practice, after practice, just trying to prepare my body and prepare myself to give a great performance," said Graves.
Looks like all that rehab paid off after Graves went off in the second half Sunday night against the Hokies finishing the game with thirteen points. And maybe the three field goals he hit from behind the arc will keep him out of Coach Roy Williams' doghouse for a little while.
"Will [Graves] was one for six at half and four for four in the second half. He really worked hard this week to get in a position to play," said head coach Roy Williams.
It was a rough first half for the Tar Heels, going zero for seven from three-point range, but the second half was a completely different story. Carolina fans saw glimpses of the Tar Heel team they have been missing since their stellar performance against Michigan State earlier this season.
"All those mistakes we were making in the first half were things we could control. It was a matter of more concentration, playing hard and taking care of the small things. When you play hard, things take care of themselves," said Graves.
After going one for six from the floor, you think it'd be difficult to find the confidence to keep shooting and hope that at least one shot will fall. Graves believes it's mostly mental though and realizes you can't force it.
"My dad always tells me let the game come to you, don't go to the game. I'm never worried about offense. God blessed me with a decent jump shot. So I try to go out there and do everything else and if I'm open ill take the shot. I try to put myself in position so if the ball comes my way I am ready to take the shot," said Graves.
Graves made some key plays on the defensive end, pulling down four rebounds and one big steal which created some positive energy for the Tar Heels. "When you get your confidence going, your blood going and your adrenaline, you're like okay I've been doing all this on defense, its time to do some stuff on the other end of the court," said Graves.
Hopefully all those little things will start to pay off since the Heels have a tough road ahead of them heading down to Clemson on Wednesday.
"This was a big win for us. It was a stepping stone to our season and we wont look back from here," said Graves.
