North Carolina's opponent in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament, Mississippi State, is well-rounded, Tar Heels coach Roy Williams said in a telephone conference with reporters today.
The first thing he mentioned about the Bulldogs (23-11, 9-7 SEC) was Jarvis Varnado, the 6-foot-9 senior forward averaging 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.7 blocks a game.
"He's such a relentless rebounder," Williams said. "And on the offensive end, he gets his hands on so many balls. You've got to be concerned about him dominating that area, six or eight feet around the basket. He doesn't give up many looks, to say the least."
Williams also said they would have to respect the Bulldogs' 3-point shooting tomorrow (noon, ESPN). Mississippi State is averaging 9.1 3-pointers a game.
"They've got four guys that can shoot the 3," Williams said.
Williams also said MSU's defense will be a handful.
"They really guard you," he said. "They’ve got great athleticism, and one of the things they do, too, is they push the ball at you. If … Varnado blocks a shot, they turn that into a fast-break opportunity on the other end."
Watching Mississippi State lose to Kentucky twice in overtime, Williams said he thought the Bulldogs deserved to win both games.
"It's almost like the stars and the moon were aligned that it wasn't going to happen, because it had to be something weird for them not to win," Williams said.
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail 
Comments
This will certainly..
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 16:14 — UNC1998be a bigger test than W&M. Miss St. They play in a more athletic conference. They played better competition. UNC still isn't as good as it should be. They will not be as highly regarded in the next game. Of course, they can still win. It will be harder. In front of a hostile crowd that will harrass the team at every turn. After all it's still UNC, and they be playing in Mississippi. How often does that happen?
UNC1998
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 16:23 — bluecat69bluecat69HOW OFTEN DOES IT HAPPEN --NEVER, CARAWHINA USUALLY PLAY ALL O THEIR GAMES IN CARALIONA, THEY HAVE ALLWAYS GOTTEN THE BREAKS, GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was speaking more to the point
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 23:36 — UNC1998that there is no real historical connection to UNC's and either MSU or Ole Miss' basketball programs. Although your point seems to be more of a complaint I do not think it valid.
actually
Sun, 03/21/2010 - 12:01 — gvillegatrthey both played in the Southern Conference many, mnay years ago.
No worries
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 09:46 — Surfer1998,
Those with a previously stated level of intellectual acumen fully understood your point regarding previous associations between a big time bb program in the Old North State and the home of old man river. Those that did not, provided a comment proving the lack of such intellect and solidified their position of ignorance.
sufer-girl!!
Sat, 03/20/2010 - 11:36 — bluecat69bluecat69what the he-l did u say?? are u trying to show-off? this is a sports site, not linguistics class, ok go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is way too deep for mamby, go duke!!!!!!!!!!!