CHAPEL HILL — Things could get tough in the lane for North Carolina on Saturday now that reserve 7-footer Tyler Zeller is out 4 to 6 weeks with a stress fracture in the third metatarsal of his right foot.
The key for the 12th-ranked Tar Heels: get tougher.
In the blowout loss to Clemson on Wednesday, starting forwards Ed Davis and Deon Thompson combined for only eight points. They were often out of position, weren’t aggressive, and when UNC’s post players did get the ball, they had trouble finishing plays. By coach Roy Williams’ count they missed five shots from within two feet of the basket in the first half, then five shots – in one possession – from two feet in during the second half.
After the game, Thompson said he had trouble getting in position because of the rapid pace.
“I told Deon, respectfully I disagreed,’’ Williams said Friday. “His statement was that the game was so fast-paced and he and Ed were not able to get involved. Well, wasn’t it the same pace for Clemson? And their guys were involved. When we have Deon and Ed and Travis and David [Wear] -- for four post guys to not shoot a single free throw, we’re not involved. And their guys shot free throws.
“… We’ve got to get our big guys to post up, demand the ball, post up lower, post up stronger, and then we’ve got to get our guys to throw them the ball. That’s something we have to do every game, but we really have to do it against Georgia Tech.”
The 20th-ranked Yellow Jackets boast one of the most physical frontcourts in the country in 6-9 sophomore Gani Lawal and 6-10 Derrick Favors, plus 6-8 Zach Peacock, who comes off the bench. Williams called the trio “rugged.”
“If you’re talking about strength and athleticism, they’re at the top of the list,’’ Williams said.
Without Zeller’s points, rebounds and five extra fouls, UNC is going to have to find a way to match that – which means learning how to tough it out.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
What school i went to/root for....is not relevant
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 21:42 — TheMambaSTRIKESAll YOU can do is accept the Truth....as it is.......there is no upside for the Deluded & Desperate fan to exist in a Fantasyworld......and worse, to be blind to the truth..
For cynical realists like myself...The Truth is our reason for being.
The Truth is...You should be upset with Roy Boy for ruining this season by having to put this dysfunction roster of bodies on the floor that is NOT A TEAM and has NO floor leader to stop the bleeding......
MAMBA-BAMBA
Sat, 01/16/2010 - 12:10 — bluecat69bluecat69RIGHT ON, CAN U SAY JOHN WALL?OL ROY LOOKS LIKE A DUMB A-S FOR NOT SIGNING THIS GUY, THE BEST POINT GUARD PLAYING TODAY. OK. GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh look!! Mamba procreated.
Sat, 01/16/2010 - 12:20 — unc098Oh look!! Mamba procreated. He spawned a Blue Devil copy of himself.
At least we know what his school allegiance is now.
UNC-98
Sat, 01/16/2010 - 16:38 — bluecat69bluecat69U ARE BECOMING VERY TECHNICAL, AND ANALYTICAL, PLEASE DONT DO THAT SO JPDITTY-OHIO AND HIS OTHER LOOSER PACK FANS CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT U ARE TALKING ABOUT. 73-70 ANOTHER BIG L FOR SKID, GO DUKE!!!!!!!!
Feel free to click on "reply"
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 21:58 — Heels20But considering your lack of allegiance or ability to recognize the word "Reply" makes me see that you most likely didn't go to college. No one on here is talking about a repeat this year. No one on here is even talking about the Final Four. So congratulations that you are able to exagerate the obvious. It's nice to see that you take pride in being a "cynical realist" who either cheers for a team that sucks, or didn't go to school in the first place. Instead, the only way you achieve happiness is through a Carolina loss.
I'll give you some help with new material so you can extend more "Truths." Ryan Kelly is ugly. Ed Davis is dumb. Damon Thornton is incapable of making rational decisions (way to go with that second DWI over the holidays).
OK.
Sat, 01/16/2010 - 16:52 — bluecat69bluecat69I DID IT, DO U FEEL BETTER???
Heels20 , your beating your
Sat, 01/16/2010 - 12:10 — unc098The TRUTH...
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 20:41 — TheMambaSTRIKESis a beach....but it IS what it is
and your stash of koolade....delusion and desperation...can't stop this dysfunctional tsunami
Heels20 wrote:
You're a straight up troll. I don't think you have ever said anything positive about any team. Instead, you just hate on the Heels. Holding a grudge?
MAMBA-BAMBA
Sat, 01/16/2010 - 12:13 — bluecat69bluecat69U ARE CORRECT AGAIN, GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: The Truth...
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 21:01 — Heels20So your team is just so bad that you refuse to reveal who it is?
HEELS-20
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 12:24 — bluecat69bluecat69HAS ANY BODY HEARD FROM HEEL-20????? MUST OF LOST HIS COMPUTER, BUT U KNOW 6 DEFEATS WILL DO THAT TO U , I REMEMBER WHEN HE SAID CARAWHINA WOULD PASS KY. FO THE MOST WINS, I GUESS THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, AND I WAS PULLING FOR THEM SO HARD. GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNC AND NIT HAVE A SPECIAL RING TO IT, GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
mamba
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 17:39 — bluecat69bluecat69no way!!!!!! go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Don't Squeeze the Charmin!!"
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 17:33 — TheMambaSTRIKESEd Davis excluded, the rest of the Tar Holes front court are a collection of Mr Whipples with Sr. Thompson being the biggest UNDERachiever... and now with the loss of Zeller, he will have to be on the court the same, or more minutes. YIKES !!!
Coupled with their dysfuctional backcourt currently on a record turnover pace.....the Roadkill Tour may now find their unblemished record in the Whine & Cheese Dome... take it's first hit.
Do you even have a team?
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 18:58 — Heels20You're a straight up troll. I don't think you have ever said anything positive about any team. Instead, you just hate on the Heels. Holding a grudge?
HOLE-20
Sat, 01/16/2010 - 12:16 — bluecat69bluecat69GOOD TO SEE U ARE ABOVE GROUND! I THOUGHT ALL OF THOSE TARHOLE LOSSES MIGHT HAV DONE U IN, OK, GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!