CHAPEL HILL – There have been a lot of North Carolina fans calling for freshman point guard Kendall Marshall to start.
There will almost certainly be a lot more after his performance during North Carolina’s come-from-behind, 64-61 victory against Virginia Tech on Thursday night.
Marshall had nine points and nine assists – with zero turnovers - while logging a career-high 24 minutes in North Carolina's 64-61 win against Virginia Tech, a line that coach Roy Williams called “pretty impressive.”
But Marshall -- who re-entered the game with 5:33 left, after starter Larry Drew II (3 points, 3 assists, 16 minutes) picked up his fourth foul -- was most impressive as the final seconds of the game ticked down.
With the Tar Heels gripping a 62-61 lead after yet another 3-pointer from Hokies guard Malcolm Delaney, UNC forward Tyler Zeller missed a shot – and Delaney got his hands on the ball, yet again, with about 8 seconds left.
“I think I saw the ball was tipped out to Delaney, and there was a big man near him,’’ Marshall said. “ … But I knew I had to get up there and defend him, and stay in front of him, and hope that it [the shot] would come off.”
The shot did come off. And with three seconds left, Marshall got fouled, went to the free throw line, and buried two foul shots to seal the victory.
“Kendall, he’s just the gas to the car right now,’’ said freshman Harrison Barnes. “He finds guys, gets the ball to them, he’s run the show the second half pretty much.”
Indeed, Marshall also buried a 3-pointer and threw three key assists -- two to Barnes, one to Tyler Zeller -- in the final five minutes of the game to key the victory.
Even so, Williams has seemed hesitant to make a switch at point guard – noting since the beginning of the year that Drew is the better defensive player. One play, against a player he didn’t guard for much of the game, might not immediately change Williams' mind about Marshall’s defense or reserve status. But it could give the coach more food for thought.
“I think I’ve improved a lot [on defense],’’ Marshall said. “I think when I came in, I was more of a liability. But now I think I’m to the point where I can help out.”
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
Comments
100% Positive
Sat, 01/15/2011 - 12:07 — SurferConfidence regarding this year's version of UNC bb may be in short order, but I am 100% sure of one thing. That is, that Coach Williams is not perusing this blog or any other web site for help or fresh ideas.
Personally, I like both Drew and Marshall. Marshall, without a doubt seems more fluid and comfortable making decisions, yet Drew has flashes of productivity on both ends of the floor. It does seem that maintaining both of their confidence levels is important. Perhaps, Marshall is more comfortable coming off of the bench?
Bottom line, I sort of like Marshall getting the majority of the minutes, but we need Drew to be productive as well. How Coach Williams does that is his business only and I wouldn't give him my opinion unless he asked for it.
Footnote:
Any future prospects should be drooling at the fact that KM will be there to distribute the ball.
Good comments Surfer. It is
Sun, 01/16/2011 - 14:18 — unc098Good comments Surfer. It is important to deftly manage the D2/KMAR situation. As you say we need both of them to be productive. D2's defense has definitely improved. We have seen the disaster in Raleigh of putting the cart before the horse in terms of playing freshmen over the older players. It should be an interesting story to follow as the season progresses. KMAR's passing ability is fantastic and with the talent and athleticism on this team finding the open man who can do some damage is essential.