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UNC's Green: 'We've got to be hungry'
CHAPEL HILL — Two days after his team fell to 0-2 in the ACC, UNC forward Danny Green spoke to several reporters on Tuesday about the state of the No. 5 Tar Heels as they prepare for Thursday's game at Virginia.
Q: What is the mood on this team right now?
A: "Everybody is disappointed in ourselves because we know what we're capable of and we know that we're not playing our best basketball. Last game, we competed, though. But even when we compete, we know that's not good enough, because we still didn't come out with a win.
But we've just got to be hungry again — somehow, some way, find that hunger again to come out, be motivated to dominate other teams and play other teams and play better basketball and execute offensively and play better defense. That's the main thing — play better defense, boxing out and limiting other teams to one shot."
Q: Does 0-2 make you hungry?
A: I think we should always be hungry. Every game I come out, I feel like it's an opportunity, and I try to take advantage of it as much as possible. But we need everybody on the same page, and I feel like not everybody's on the same page, and not everybody's clicking. And a lot of times, you're not going to have everybody clicking. But it helps when everybody's on the same page. If shots aren't going in and not everybody's clicking offensively or defensively, if you're on the same page and the chemistry's going wrong, I think things will turn out a little bit better. I think last game, we got a little frustrated with each other a little bit, and not everybody shot well. And when you're not shooting the ball well, and the other team's shooting well, not many times you're going to come out with a win.
Q: What's the vibe around this team? Is it as tight-knit as last year's was?
A: Definitely, it's the same team. Chemistry is fine, I thing we just got too comfortable, and right now, we're going to try to pull it together a little bit. Right now, I can see guys thinking about it a lot, watching film on their own; I notice guys came to the gym last night, people were rehabbing, people were working on their game. But it just comes down to the desire to want to win, and want to play defense -- that's really all that defense is about, having the will and the desire to stop somebody. So if we just find that hunger again, we'll be fine.
Q: Do you remember times (tough losses) like this in the past?
A: My freshman year ... there were a lot of tough losses in the beginning of the year. We were young, we were thrown out there, we were just thrown into the fire, and we just had to learn as we went along. I know this team, and I'm not doubting our character or our chemistry or talent. We'll come together, and we'll get it together soon.
Q: Obviously, what happens in March is most important, but is there anything about losing in January that stresses you out now?
A: Every stress kind of stresses us out a little bit; we shouldn't lose, we want to go out and win every game possible. We know it's going to happen ... each loss, we try to learn from it, but we feel like if we play to the best of our ability and execute the way we're supposed to, we feel like nobody can beat us. The last couple games, we haven't been doing that, so....
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Robbi Pickeral
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at robbi.pickeral@newsobserver.com.
Comments
Shows lack of depth
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 18:10 — vyper0011This game (WAKE) really showed the lack of depth that is missing with Ginyard out and with Zeller not playing the remainder of the season. Someone better show up too play here on out or it is gonna be a long season and a short lived NBA draft hope for Hansboro, ellington and lawson. The only Players keeping the hope alive right now is Greene, Davis and on defence Drew...Hansboro needs more bench time and Davis needs more court time...Im a tarheel fan but the hype about hansboro has only hurt the team...
Not playing together
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:22 — jonesm70I agree that there is a lack of depth. Another thing is they aren't playing together. It's every man for himself. Look at Lawson. He's not looking to pass the ball they way he used to. He's trying to build himself up for the NBA draft. He's loosing his edge for team play. They lack that connection they had at the beginning of the year. One man can't and never will beat 5.
yadda yadda...yadda
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 13:59 — manamongstThese guys are delusional. This loss is for all of those people saying that Tyler has gotten better, and Wayne can play defense now and Deion has gotten meaner. Non of it is true, I think everyone except tarheel fans and bookmakers knew that they were gonna catch an "L". seriously, this game really showed how unpolished Hansborough is, I mean in most posting situations he's a Blackhole, and he never settles for a good post shot. He always ends up in double-team situations under the basket, he doesn't move well without the basket he can't screen and he definitely can't defend or get his own shot. McFarland truely ate him alive, his stock went down.
And for all of these Ty Lawson koolaide drinkers choke on it...
We've definitely seen that before in Felton, you will not go coast to coast on Teague and Smith...bottomline...he nor any of their guards could handle either of them, they could get anywhere on the court they wanted and the commenter (hoxendine) that whined about the official screen, what was their excuse the 30-odd times there wasn't an official in the way. He's the ACC leading scorer respect game...he makes lay-ups with the prowess of Tony Parker.
And lets talk about the desperation Tarheels, not a good look at all, and trust me Marcus Ginyard ain't helping you guard Wakes backcourt, and he ain't the answer to your problems. If Ty Lawson is so prolific then how come he couldn't keep Teague from in-bounding the ball the 12 straight times down the stretch to eviserate that tarheel press. That is what putting a team on your back looks like, and you guys just don't seem to have that kind of player. Ellington and especially Green are the closest to that definitely not Tyler...especially if he can't get to the line 8 plus times a game.
search your soul Roy, you boys better get right.
Seen it before, Heard it before
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 11:18 — r939789Those words and admissions would be encouraging if these guys were still freshmen and sophomore, but when you are juniors and seniors there is absolutely no excuse for not taking game time seriously (no matter who the opponent is). A (good) veteran team shouldn't need wake up calls or reminders. The fact that these guys still do is worrisome.
Why is it when the Tarheels
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 12:52 — frogmanWhy is it when the Tarheels lose you always have to criticize the officiating. They were outplayed and out coached. You need to place the blame on where it belongs, ROY WILLIAMS. It's easy to beat up on the small programs when your up by 30 and keep the starting 7 in the game. Before the BC game Danny Green was bored, he wished they would have a close game. Well you did and came out on the short end of both but it wasn't the team's fault. Remember just a couple of weeks ago all you Tarheel fans were saying, Looking good the Tarheels will be undefeated this year. We can beat any NBA team.
Please...
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 18:16 — getrealHeelGive me a break. You're whining about UNC fans blaming the officiating and then claiming that our losses are Roy's fault? Does he get out on the floor and play? Is he responsible for making good passes, setting up screens, blocking shots, and making free throws? The best he can do is tell the guys to do that, and if they don't, it's their fault. That's why we've lost. We got outplayed by two good teams, yeah. I can say that my team played like crap but I still think they can beat any team in the country when they play up to their potential. And I don't who the hell would say we could beat an NBA team (if anyone actually did), but all teams have blowhard fans.
Official Screen
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 09:04 — hoxendineOn the last inbounds play, one official set a perfect screen for Teague. While he was telling Teague to tuck his shirt, the other official put the ball in play and Green had no chance of denying the ball! Incredible goof for an officiating team of this caliber.
Scary?
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 08:52 — eskinn44_40Much of what Green says is as we suspected: This IS the same team as a year ago . . . a team that at times looked dominant but which, ultimately, was dominated.
I'm not sure there isn't at least a little bit of a hangover from the embarrassing National Championship performance against Kansas last April. I believe the 2007-08 'Heels entered that title game believing they were the best team in the nation and that they would show up and be handed a trophy. 10 minutes in, they knew it simply wasn't going to happen.
The way they have played this season - and I mean in some of the wins, as well - it appears the seeds of doubt were planted last April. There are times when this team of experienced, (supposed) NBA-calibre players looks like it is completely lost. Desperation sets in and the scramble is on to produce a bucket. All too often, mistakes, bad decisions and bad shots are the result.
I have no crystal ball, but I do believe UNC will lose again - maybe multiple games - and the most devastating loss will come sometime in March, well before the National Championship game is played.
UNC
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 08:13 — LawrenceMThe team on Sunday looked totally intimidated, in a state of panic. Lawson, Hansbrough, Thompson, and Ellington all seemed to be playing as if they thought they alone could make or break the game. Shot selection was horrible. Nobody looked for the open man, but tried to make baskets they weren't making (and taking shots they shouldn't take). The only reason we got so darn many offensive rebounds is that there were so many of them. Even though he hates the zone, Roy needs to mix it up more on defense. Otherwise, we're too predictable. It didn't help that the officiating seemed to change about 10 minutes into the first half. they started making calls for "little stuff" that had gone unnoticed in the beginning of the game, and that happened at both ends of the floor. The officiating should be predictable.
They Just Need a Loaf of Bread!!
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 22:33 — jeromfitzIt's plenty of biscuits on campus. I think they need a loaf of bread to cover the spread. UNC was only a few shots away. Green gave it his until he foul out. He deserves a loaf of bread and some butter biscuits.
If you're hungry...
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 21:01 — UNC1998Make some "biscuits".