Tar Heels Sprint to Easy Victory

UNCG 50 - UNC 81

UNCG Athletics
UNC Atheltics

Halftime: UNCG 14 - UNC 44

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Cain, Locke (Tied - 13)
Leader Rebounds: Cain (8)
Leader Assists: Locke, Saddler, Parker, Paulos (Tied - 2)
Team FG: 20-49 (40.8%)
Team 3 Pt: 3-14 (21.4%)
Team FT: 7-13 (53.8%)
Rebounds: 28
Turnovers: 21

UNC Stats
Leader Points: Johnson (14)
Leader Rebounds: Meeks (8)
Leader Assists: Paige (8)
Team FG: 32-66 (48.5%)
Team 3 Pt: 1-6 (16.7%)
Team FT: 16-26 (61.5%)
Rebounds: 46
Turnovers: 13

Thoughts
For the first five minutes and the last 20 minutes, UNCG looked very competitive with a very good UNC team that has beat two top 5 ranked teams. The final 15 minutes of the first half, however, is where UNCG lost the game. The Tar Heels forced the Spartans into a bunch of turnovers that led to easy baskets. They clogged up driving lanes and did pretty much whatever they wanted on the offensive end. Optimistic UNCG fans were wanting to see a little more out of the team, but they looked like a young team in awe of the environment and the name on the front of their opponents jerseys.

On the plus side, I thought UNCG's defense was better than it has been in recent weeks. They came out and played with energy throughout the game. The quick 13-4 run after halftime showed flashes of what this team is really capable of doing in the future. The hole was just too big. Kyle Cain looked good again and it was good to see Kayel Locke play solid. I think he's been pressing too much, but he really looks comfortable on the bigger stages right now (see: NC State last year). I really hope he can get fully back on track coming up soon.

UNCG guards really had a tough time hanging on to the ball again in this game. The 21 turnovers basically were the story of the game. UNC scored 30 points of those turnovers, and won by 31. A lot of teams would turn the ball over against that kind of pressure, but this has been a trend in almost all of the Spartans games. It's something that needs to get corrected before conference play starts next month.

In the end this game was more about the experience than the score. There are some winnable games on the schedule coming up, but UNCG will have to play well. I hope that happens starting on Wednesday afternoon. Go Spartans !!!