Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Tar Heels Early Title Favorites

Blowout of Michigan State Latest Statement By North Carolina

Dec 4, 2008 David Hein

The North Carolina Tar Heels are the clear early favorites to win the 2009 NCAA title, which would be the fifth in school history.

Roy Williams's North Carolina Tar Heels are the clear early favorites to win the 2009 NCAA title - which would be the school's fifth following 1957, 1982, 1993 and 2005. And that was confirmed once again after another impressive display in the 98-63 manhandling of Michigan State in Detroit's Ford Field - site of the 2009 Final Four.

Hansbrough And Lawson Dominating Once Again

Tyler Hansbrough led UNC with 25 points including 13-of-13 free throws and 11 rebounds, and Ty Lawson had 17 points, 8 assists, 7 steals, and zero turnovers in the 35-point blowout. UNC committed just 9 turnovers in the game while forcing 21 for the Spartans. Wayne Ellington added 17 points while Deon Thompson and Ed Davis both chipped in 10 points.

Hansbrough Sends Scary Message To Rest Of College Basketball

The rest of the college basketball world must not have liked Hansbrough’s comments to ESPN television after the game: “We are on a roll right now. But we know there are still things we need to do to get better. We’ll listen to coach and do those.”

Carolina Giving Opponents The Blues

The Tar Heels improved to 8-0 and have won their last eight games by more than 30 points.

"We got embarrassed," Michigan State point guard Kalin Lucas told espn.com. Michigan State was ranked No. 12 coming into the game.

Depth Deciding Factor

Coach Williams's real advantage is the depth of his extremely talented side as he can easily go nine or 10 men into his bench. All told, 12 players are averaging at least 1.9 points per game.

Hansbrough In Top Form

The reigning college player of the year Hansbrough showed no signs of a bum ankle that has been hampering him the last couple days or a leg injury which forced him out of the three weeks of practice and three games. He did not play against UNC Asheville on Sunday but "Pyscho T" toughed it out against a top foe like Michigan State. He has averaged 22 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season to lead six players averaging double figures for the season.

Impressive Wins Over "Top" Teams

Even though North Carolina has not entered the always-tough Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, the Heels have already collected a series of impressive wins - before the Michigan State massacre. UNC crushed Kentucky by 29 points, brushed aside Oregon by 29 points as well and then beat then No. 8 Notre Dame by 15 points.

How Can Carolina Get Beat?

So, the rest of the basketball world is left to wonder, who can beat the Tar Heels? Ellington offered an answer to espn.com after the Michigan State game: "What's going to beat us? Ourselves. We have all the talent in the world and experience. We know what Coach wants, and the only thing that could beat us is ourselves."

The copyright of the article Tar Heels Early Title Favorites in Basketball is owned by David Hein. Permission to republish Tar Heels Early Title Favorites in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.