North Carolina sophomore forward James Michael McAdoo scored 15 of his 22 points during the first half on Tuesday night. ROBERT WILLETT
ATLANTA — Getting ready to make the drive north after North Carolina’s 70-58 victory here last night against Georgia Tech. It wasn’t always pretty – and at times was ugly, as Roy Williams pointed out – but this was an important victory for the Tar Heels, who are learning how to run.
Onto the look back …
Since North Carolina adopted a smaller starting lineup last week before its game at Duke, P.J. Hairston, the Tar Heels’ sophomore guard, has received the most attention amid UNC’s successful transition to a new style of play.
During the Heels' 70-58 victory here on Tuesday night against Georgia Tech, though, two players who recently have been overshadowed and overlooked might have benefited most of all from a change that has given the Tar Heels (18-8, 8-5 ACC) renewed hope in what had been a sluggish season.
In the first half against the Yellow Jackets (14-11, 4-9), that player was James Michael McAdoo.
Given Georgia Tech’s defensive acumen, beating the Jackets before they had a chance to become set was important for the Tar Heels. And Dexter Strickland, UNC’s senior guard, helped them do that – especially during the second half.
A fast start would be advantageous for North Carolina against slow-it-down Georgia Tech. ROBERT WILLETT
CHAPEL HILL — I’m about to start the drive down to Atlanta, where tonight North Carolina plays Georgia Tech in an ACC game of consequence at the McCamish Pavilion. The Tar Heels, of course, have been a different team in their past two games – mainly because of their new four-guard starting lineup.
UNC’s small lineup will be tested, as I write about in a story right here, against a large, lumbering Yellow Jackets’ frontcourt. Thoughts on that and more in our preview …
North Carolina freshman forward Joel James continues to recover from a concussion and will not play on Tuesday night at Georgia Tech. ROBERT WILLETT
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina freshman forward Joel James won’t play on Tuesday night at Georgia Tech while he continues to recover from a concussion he suffered earlier this month. It will be the third consecutive game that James has missed.
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina was well on its way to a 79-63 victory here against Georgia Tech on Wednesday, but for a while the Tar Heels’ second-half performance resembled the disappointing one they gave during their victory against Maryland on Saturday.
At no point during the second half on Wednesday did the Heels (13-5, 3-2 ACC) struggle as badly as they did on Saturday, but still they had difficulty pulling away from the Yellow Jackets (10-7, 0-5) – and putting the game out of reach.
Roy Williams has promised a lot of running if North Carolina overlooks Georgia Tech tonight. ROBERT WILLETT
CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina has played some of its best basketball of the season during its past two games – a pair of victories against Florida State and Maryland. Now, with a victory tonight against Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels would have a winning ACC record for the first time this season.
The Yellow Jackets enter the Smith Center at the bottom of the league standings, at 0-4. But don't count on the Heels taking the Yellow Jackets lightly – not unless UNC wants to endure what Roy Williams described earlier this week as a “track meet.”
Some things to know before tonight’s late tip-off:
