Roy Williams’ disdain for the ACC tournament is as much a part of the current era of North Carolina basketball as the “I am a Tar Heel” montage.
He couldn’t hold it back Saturday, in the wake of clinching the No. 1 seed and ACC regular-season title with a 14-point win over Duke, but he also sounded a little more determined to win in Greensboro.
“I’m going to enjoy the regular-season title,” Williams said. “Everybody wants to hear me say it’s the biggest frickin’ cocktail party -- well, it is. But I’ll go play. And you know what? We’re going to try to win it.”
Williams paused at the podium, looked around, and started to stand up.
“I’m out of here, guys,” he said, exiting -- like George Costanza -- on a high note.
Duke has won two straight ACC tournaments after North Carolina won in 2007 and 2008, but at least one of the recent losses wasn't the worst thing for the Tar Heels. In Atlanta in 2009, North Carolina went out in the semifinals without the injured Ty Lawson, then used the extra day of rest to get ready for an NCAA tournament run that ended in a championship.
Last year, the 10th-seeded Tar Heels lost to Georgia Tech on Thursday. This year, they’ll be the No. 1 seed, playing at noon Friday against Virginia, Maryland, Miami or N.C. State.
Duke, the No. 2 seed, will play Maryland, Miami or N.C. State at 7 p.m.
"Look, when we get on the bus, we're 0-0," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "We have to prepare for the next part of our season. ... This was a big game, but the upcoming games are the biggest games. The games we will play in the next few weeks are the biggest and most important games."
The Thursday matchups await the results of Sunday’s Florida State-N.C. State and Miami-Georgia Tech games. Florida State has locked down the No. 3 seed and Clemson the No. 4 seed, while Georgia Tech is the No. 11 seed and Wake Forest is the No. 12 seed.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or
Comments
We all know what the Head Coach thinks about the ACC Tournament.
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 20:52 — UNC1998I think I'll concentrate on what he said about trying to win the thing. I believe they can, and I would like to see it happen. in '09 Lawson was hurting, and they bowed out. This year I'd like to see the team try to win every single game like it will be the last they ever play. For this team once we get past next Sunday it will be. Urgency is a good thing here, and I think the players may have it.
Roy Williams better act like
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 02:41 — mad_maxRoy Williams better act like he cares about the ACC Tourney, or else the commish might punish him like he did the FSU soccer coach. Oh, what? Swofford is still in charge? Nevermind then. Carry on gentlemen!
Dumb comment
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 07:35 — gvillegatrI guess we have to find different ways to vent now that UNC is the champ of the ACC regular season. But, if Coach decides to leave his top seven players in CH, you'll come out smelling like roses, maxy.
C'mon now, you knew I was
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 15:22 — mad_maxC'mon now, you knew I was going to throw that one out there no matter where UNC finished in the regular season standings!
Anyways, congrats on the big win last night. Made Dook look pretty average.
Predicted response from Max
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 13:20 — Heels20"@&%$*%($##&@ you Gatr! It was a joke! Jeez! You guys take these boards way too seriously!!!!! GAH!"
You know darn well that's
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 15:38 — mad_maxYou know darn well that's not my style H20! If anybody takes these boards too seriously, it's me!
Congrats on the regular season title. Call me sick, but I hope the Pack gets another shot at the Heels next weekend.
I appreciate it
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 17:49 — Heels20Definitely wouldn't mind another Pack-Heels matchup. I'm going to the State game tonight to see what will probably be Sid's last regular season home game. Sometimes the most dangerous teams are the ones with nothing to lose, so I really could see State having a shot if Leslie's role is minimized.
Hah
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 15:19 — mad_maxJust like when you guaranteed a victory over State in football last season, your prediction is dead wrong!
My fault
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 17:46 — Heels20When I made that guarantee back in April of 2010, I forgot to take into consideration that we'd have 14 guys suspended this season. Glad you can hang your hat on that, though.
Typical
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 18:04 — mad_maxActually, you continued to guarantee it even after players were suspended. In fact, I remember you specifically saying that UNC would win despite the missing players.
Not hanging my hat on $hit. Just pointing out your history of making predictions. ;)
Correction
Mon, 03/07/2011 - 00:13 — Heels20I said I would stick with my word because there's no turning back once you make a guarantee. Even someone who is not a fan can understand those circumstances.
But Max, That was no a...s
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 19:21 — unc098But Max, That was no a...s kicking on the part of the Pack ( football ) . Heels really should have won that game. Luck and one wimpy butt kicker were the only reason the Pack won that game. I guess one could make a case for RW here but I was with H20 all the way on that prediction. Next year will be another story.......but wait!!!!! Its time to celebrate the Heels victory over Duke, something the Pack fans can understand and appreciate. Thanks for your congrats.
Perfect
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 09:52 — SurferYep, I can see it now. Coach Williams only takes Blue Steel to the ACC Tourny and they all come out with "Max" on the back of their jerseys.
Hey, that would be pretty
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 15:19 — mad_maxHey, that would be pretty cool, I have to admit.