Sweet 16---in 2016

     It's 2016 and the Tar Heels are in the Sweet Sixteen--- again.   Last year, they were whipped by Wisconsin in the Sweet Sixteen.   This year they're back again-- after an up and down year-- and looking as good as a team as they've looked all year in beating Florida Gulf Coast and Providence.   The point could be made that these two teams weren't exactly in the same league as Carolina.    No blockbusters here.   They stayed with the Heels for a short time, but UNC blew both of them out in the second half.   But some have said that if Carolina plays the same type of game that we've seen in the ACC Tournament and the first two NCAA games, it would be difficult for them to be beat by anybody--- that's right--- anybody.

   Speaking of the Sweet Sixteen, here are the 16 teams that are left in the tournament, and they include six--- (yes, six!)--- ACC teams.

      UNC blew by Florida Gulf Coast in the first round, leading only by one point at halftime, but opening up the game in the second half.    Then they led Providence by only four at the half, but poured it on again to win in convincing fashion.    


    The Tar Heels were led by their star, Brice Johnson, with 18 and 21 points, and an amazing eight blocks against Gulf Coast.   However, the team was not without other contributors--- including Joel Berry II, Justin Jackson, Marcus Paige, and incredible performances off the bench by reserve forward Isaiah Hicks, who scored in double figures in both games.  ____________________________

    Perhaps the Tar Heels are hitting their stride at the right time.

    Speaking of time--- the Tar Heels meet Indiana on Friday night in Philadelphia--- sound a bit familiar?   To most of you Tar Heel fans, you are too young to remember.   But in 1981-- yes, 35 years ago--- a President was shot and the Tar Heels' title hopes were shot too-- by Isiah Thomas and the Indiana Hoosiers--- at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.   An assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan that afternoon had almost cancelled the game, but it went on as scheduled, and nothing else went quite right for the Tar Heels that night.

      Enough said, right?   It's a different year--- a different Tar Heels team--- and a different Indiana team.   True--- But don't look past this matchup.   

     One ESPN sports reporter labeled the UNC--Indiana game a "true Final Four type" game.   Since our last blog, several highly rated teams have been knocked off, including Michigan State, Xavier, and West Virginia.   The word on the street is-- if the Tar Heels get by Indiana, then their Regional Final game may be an EASIER game.   Possibly so--- although it's always difficult to beat a conference foe twice in one season (Notre Dame) and the other team is the one that sent the Tar Heels packing last year (Wisconsin).

     The Indiana Hoosiers are a good team.   We are also a good team--- with the potential of being a great team.    This will undoubtedly be a tough contest.   What we do in the next game-- or four games-- will contribute to the Tar Heels team's legacy.    I'm expecting a BIG STEP up in each successive game.   The stakes get larger as each opponent surfaces.   Bottom line is--- we win (however we do so)--- and we move on.    We lose--- and we go home.   It's one--and--done time.   

     I look for a very close game.   I also believe we have what it takes to win in the closing minutes (or seconds) of a game.   I'm looking for the Heels to step up and make a statement, and then close out the East Regional and earn a trip to the Final Four.

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UNC vs Indiana

Friday, March 25 @ 9:45 pm