WINSTON-SALEM — North Carolina guard Wayne Ellington said last week he couldn’t imagine his team — you know, the deep, speedy, experienced Final Four favorite — falling to 0-2 in the ACC.
Now, it’s a reality.
Fourth-ranked Wake Forest knocked the No. 3 Tar Heels down yet another peg at Joel Coliseum, 92-89, led by 34 points from point guard Jeff Teague.
The Demon Deacons remained one of three undefeated teams in the country. Carolina, which snapped a 15-game road winning streak, hasn’t lost its first two league games since 1996-97; that team began conference play 0-3 before advancing to the Final Four.
But this squad now looks far from that.
For his second straight ACC game, UNC point guard Ty Lawson was outplayed. Forward Deon Thompson played his worst game of the season. And All America Tyler Hansbrough (17 points) was outscored by Wake’s Chas McFarland (20).
The Tar Heels struggled to play their game from the outset, making up a nine-point first-half deficit to tie the game 44-44 at halftime, but never taking control in the second period.
The final time UNC led was at the 17:55 mark, when Thompson made a free throw.
Three Ellington free throws with 1:16 left put the Heels back into contention, cutting Wake’s lead to 87-83. But Teague hit five free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
UNC coach Roy Williams said Friday that it was “eerie” how close the two teams were statistically, so perhaps it wasn’t surprising that the score was knotted 44-44 at halftime.
Wake led by as many as nine points early, 27-18, before the Tar Heels reeled off a 10-2 run that included a three-pointer by Danny Green and a three-point play by Hansbrough. A pair of Green free throws with 2:54 left gave UNC back a 40-39 lead — but only briefly.
Green hit another pair o free throws to give his team a 44-42 advantage with about a minute left, but a putback by Wake’s Tony Woods knotted the score, again. UNC point guard Ty Lawson committed an offensive foul, then Demon Deacon point guard Jeff Teague missed a long three pointer in the closing seconds, to keep it tied at the break.
But frankly, it seemed like the Deacons should be leading, considering Teague had 14 points while Lawson had as many turnovers (four) as points, and Thompson was 0-for-5 shooting with three fouls. The only reason they weren’t: free throws. UNC was 13-for-13 from the line, which Wake missed five of its 17 attempts.
Staff photo by Robert Willett
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Pleasantly Surprised ...
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 10:49 — wsphutchApparently I came to the computer this AM bringing a bazooka to a knife fight. As I mentioned in Tudor's column, I am shocked at the N&O writers giving credit where credit is due. I spent my shower time this morning thinking of all the sarcastic, chip-on-my-shoulder remarks I was going to lay on Tudor, JPG, and some of my hometown writers. Usually (see BC loss) UNC losses are follwed up with the writers AND the fans making lame excuses, failing to give credit to the victor, and not accepting that your team simply lost b/c the were not as good that night - which was certainly the case last night. But I have seen some respect thrown the Deacs way today. I know anywhere east of G'boro, Deacs media is far and few between - so kudos to the N&O this morning for letting your readers know what I have known all season ... the best team in the ACC right now, resides in Winston-Salem. Although, PLEASE do me a favor and DO NOT print something so rediculous as 'Will Wake go Undefeated?' ... surely no self-respecting newspaper would EVER print that about any ACC team in December or January ... would they???
You don't know what you're missing....
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 10:03 — JPDOhiountil it is gone. Coaches preach defense all day and some players roll their eyes and yawn. Blah, blah, blah. Well, UNC's pathetic defense without having Ginyard doing the dirty work is all you need to see the truth.
Not that I expect Ty Lawson to ever get it. He is an extremely talented underachiever who will never reach his full potential. He pumps up his stats against overwhelmed opponents and disappears against good competition. Relying on him to carry UNC to the Final Four is a risky proposition.
Bench Lawson
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 13:11 — Guitarman51Larry Drew II is already a better point guard than Ty.
The GAME
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 10:01 — jcg3I'm a Wake fan and feeling real good about this team. That said, it's early in the season and I feel there will be a lot of ups & downs for the top teams. Carolina is good, Duke is good, starting to think Clemson is good, and I now believe that Wake has a chance to be very good.
It was a disappointing game.
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 08:23 — UNC1998Going into a hostile place and winning against a tough opponent is what being a Tar Heel is all about. UNC better listen to the coaches and start holding themselves accountable. This could be a long season otherwise.
I can now say I've been
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 00:52 — JPMajorI can now say I've been knocked completely back down to earth.. lol
way to go Heels??
the awesome heels
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 00:06 — saltydawg1Coach K had it right!! the biased writers will probably drop the heels down to 4th in the next poll.
I saw that boston college lost again. Ellington and Lawson being NBA good.....what a joke. Heel fans.....I'm loving it!!!
Wake win over Heels
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 00:03 — EastsurryI'm a hardcore Wake Forest fan and can't believe I'm saying this. Carolina has a great basketball team and a great coach. Wake has a very young and talented team and played extremely well tonight. Coach Gaudio has done a geat job of bringing these players together as a team. You should have seen them play like an AAU team at the beginning of the season. Sounds like these Carolina fans are a bunch of spoiled brats. Dook, Carolina, and now the Demon Deacons some the absolute best college basketball in the nation.
spoiled brats? maybe if Wake
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 00:51 — JPMajorspoiled brats? maybe if Wake Forest made it to the Final Four and then returned all starters and then some you'd be a little pissed off with their performance if they were playing the way UNC is.... it's uncalled for. A team this good should not have the simple problems they are having. Such as free throws. missed 7 free throws.. you make just 4 more and UNC wins the game.. 18 turnovers. really? shoot 35%
Spoiled brats? maybe if Wake
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 10:39 — wsphutchHey genius, Wake missed more free throws than the 'Holes did, so find another excuse. You realize that if you didn't before, that now you do sound like a spoiled brat ... i
Carolina is aloud to miss
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 18:58 — JPMajorCarolina is aloud to miss free throws cause Wake missed more? Im guessing Wake Forest has problems w/ free throws too but that doesn't mean anything to Carolina and how they play. *Carolina* has to play better! free throws and all...
why didnt you say anything about the 18 turnovers and shooting 35%. I honestly dont see how their considered excuses? Those *are* the reason they lost... that with horrible defensive play.
Dysfunctional
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 23:32 — unc1dmoIt's bad enough NC plays lousy or no defense.....Now their offense is dysfunctional...... They need to seriously RExxxxxGROUP.......
Wake is the best of the ACC
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 23:07 — thereoFace it UNC, Wake is the best of the ACC and I'm a Duke fan. They are extremely talented, deep, and play defense. They are not afraid of anyone and have a great coach in Gaudio! Give them the credit they are due becuase they are the best team in the ACC!
Refs of the ACC
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 23:04 — thereoFor those UNC fans who want to blame the officials, get a life. Everyone has to deal with the officiating. Have any of you ever seen how quickly calls have to be made? I didn't think so. Give them a rest because they are human. Just remeber, it's only a game!
UNC
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 23:01 — thereoKind of funny to say this, but UNC is now the cellar dweller of the ACC! Just don't know how to play defense!
it ain't the refs...
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 22:20 — scocca...unless they're wearing light blue uniforms and missing their shots.
ticked
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 22:31 — JPMajorCongrats WF, you beat a over rated UNC team...
Carolina is a disappointment right now. Absolutely horrible play. I cannot believe this is Carolina Basketball. I'm a ticked off Heel fan. Carolina has no defense, cant make a damn free throw, turns the ball over too much. anyone got anything else?
also, it looked like Thompson and Green had some problems with each other...
Right now, Carolina sucks!
I'll say that UNC could do better...
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 22:03 — UNC1998The refs are picking and choosing their calls. I've never and will never use that as a reason for a loss, though. If UNC is so much better...they better start showing it. When does football start? lol.
blows.
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 21:55 — gvillegatrUNC is terrible and the refs are a joke. how Fake is not destroying UNC is beyond me and any other realistic basketball fan.
wayne ellington, you should have gone pro cause you are non exsistent. go find a room with gerald henderson.