updated 11:05 p.m.
CHARLOTTE -- North Carolina coach Roy Williams said he was concerned about his team’s lack of NCAA experience.
So perhaps it was fitting that with the second-round game on the line Friday night, the Tar Heels got the most out of the player that had played in the postseason the most.
Junior forward Tyler Zeller – who logged a total of 32 minutes during UNC’s six-game national title run in 2009 – scored 25 of his career-high 32 points in the second half of the second-seeded Tar Heels’ 102-87 victory over No. 15 seed Long Island University.
Tar Heels sophomore John Henson added a career high 28 points (including 20 in the first half) at Time Warner Cable Arena, and freshman Harrison Barnes chipped in 24 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.
But it was Zeller’s poise (and points) that secured the game down the stretch; as a result, Carolina (27-7) will either face either seventh-seeded Washington or No. 10 seed Georgia in at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday for the right to advance to the Sweet 16.
“I feel like they did go to him in the second half, and he attacked it a lot,’’ said Long Island forward forward Jamal Olasewere, whose team shot 36.5 percent and was out-rebound by 15. “What can you really say? He did a good job.”
The Tar Heels – who saw the score tied 33-33 with five minutes remaining in the first half -- led by as many as 21 points with 14:04 left. But they had their lead chipped to 73-59 about three minutes later, thanks to a tenacious Blackbirds offense that entered the game leading the nation in free throws (30.4 per game) and was fourth in scoring (82.6 points per game).
“Nobody’s played significant minutes in this tournament, so it’s one of those things where you get up by 10 or 15 in a regular season game, they might just go away,’’ Zeller said. “But it’s their last game, and they keep coming back, coming back, and you’ve got to be aware of that.”
UNC point guard Kendall Marshall (three points, 10 assists) said at that point, he wasn’t necessarily looking to get the ball to Zeller – but to any of his big guys, “because they [Long Island] were getting into foul trouble and our bigs were doing a good job of finishing around the rim.”
Zeller was the most aggressive at getting the ball at that juncture, scoring his team’s next 11 points to keep the Tar Heels ahead 84-70. After a breather, he came back onto the floor and followed Marshall 3-pointer with six more points help seal the victory.
“It was something we emphasized all week, getting the ball inside – either throwing it into us, or off the dribble,’’ Zeller said. “And we did a great job of it throughout the course of the game.”
Another reason it was key: the Tar Heels were having trouble hitting outside shots; they made only 3 of their 17 3-point attempts for the game, although they shot 50.7 percent, overall.
Forward Julian Boyd led LIU with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Williams said he wasn’t necessarily happy with the way his team played, but he is happy they are still playing.
“John carried us in the first half, Harrison at the end of the first half, and Z carried us in the second half,’’ Williams said. “There were some really good things from these three guys, but it’s got to be everybody.”
Especially now that they all have more NCAA experience under their belts.
Photo: UNC's Tyler Zeller shoots as Long Island's Kenny Onyechi (32) defends during the second half. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
Comments
As a lifelong spectator, TV watcher,
Sat, 03/19/2011 - 17:25 — UNC1998and radio listener of UNC basketball I have to just say one or two things about the game. This isn't a typical UNC team that makes a long and successful run in the tournament. This team can do well in this tournament, though. It's a tired refrain, and would be new to very few here. Play defense, protect the ball, and take advantage of transition opportunities. When in the half court work the ball around like you know you can. Work for the inside shot. That's a UNC staple..... the inside shot. How many times have we seen DES's teams trade 3's for 2's with the assumption UNC makes more of theirs than the opponent? How do you do that... play great defense that denies the ball getting into the lane. If UNC can do that they will win. Although their are teams that can hit their jumpshots (Wa among them), UNC knows it can hit dunks.
I'm afraid
Sat, 03/19/2011 - 20:18 — gvillegatrThis team is simply not that. Meaning, WE are just to prone to the silly turnovers. Give us Tar Heels ( fans ) one more year, Barnes and Henson.
Seems like in the past 4
Sat, 03/19/2011 - 12:47 — unc098Seems like in the past 4 games we have returned to being a turnover machine. That has to end now or it will be the end of this season.
Great game Z !!!!
agreed
Sat, 03/19/2011 - 13:53 — JPDOhioIf UNC keeps it up, they may find themselves out of the tourney as early as tomorrow. I doubt that any of their upcoming opponents are going to be as generous as Miami and Clemson were in allowing the Tar Heels to make a late comeback.
Video game
Fri, 03/18/2011 - 22:00 — gvillegatrWhether you still play video games (I don't) or can recall when you did, this was just like it. Where you load up a couple of guys stats and have fun meanwhile not really caring, too much, about a few silly, careless passes that resulted in easy buckets for the opposing team.
This game was a joke. I hope these guys (Kendall Marshall) come out a little more focused in the next game.
agree
Sat, 03/19/2011 - 11:26 — SurferI am
fairly confident certain that Coach Williams will make dadgum sure that the team is aware of the apathetic passes/turnovers made last night and that it just won't fly in future games if they want to advance.