FSU/UNC Game Thread

[dukiejay]

The Heels got out to a big lead early by a dozen or so, but the 'Noles fought back. UNC up 41-37 at the half. The refs are really screwing them.

 

[dukiejay]

It's turning into a pretty good game. Brice Johnson is becoming an All-American caliber player. FSUs big man just picked up a stupid technical foul right after they took their first lead of the game. It's 56-55 Noles, but a bunch of FTs coming for UNC now with the T and a personal foul.

 

[dukiejay]

Brice Johnson is just a monster. He's put UNC on his back...they're up eight with 12 minutes left. It's probably over. FSU just mentally lost it for a brief time after that technical. It was a huge swing in this game after FSU took the lead.

 

[LetsGoDukies]

Looks like the heels are gonna take it.. Was really hoping FSU could beat them. UNC won it on the boards.

 

[skysdad]

Brice Johnson is putting up incredible numbers tonight. He will be a handful. OFC

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

I expect about 8 and 6 outa BJ next game. It was a great performance but Hamilton made ZERO adjustments to knock him outa Rhythm. Great night, but he's gotta become much more consistent to talk All America. UNC could become scary..... Thank god Roy forgot about Isiah Hicks lol.

 

[dukiejay]

Johnson is averaging over 16 and 10....that's pretty good. I know he was out of this world tonight, but he's having a terrific senior season.

UNC's thing is still defense to be really, really good. Their offense is pretty scary when they get going. They're just difficult to stop.

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

No doubt deep bench and plenty of threats. Seem to be emerging as the favorite IMO. Not sure how we're gonna match up down low

 

[timo0402]

Brice Johnson is still the most talented player on this team. He was last year as well. I was hoping he would leave, but he came back. His effort was always the thing that was in question. He's been balling out the last few weeks, and played scary good tonight on both ends, just ate up rebounds. Not sure he even took a shot that wasn't a layin or a dunk, just felt like he was always right at the rim.

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

Again, FSU needed to make some adjustments. I'm not sure anyone ever attempted to Box him out. Healthy Amile is what it takes to contain Brice.

 

[skysdad]

Their offensive transition game is looking good at times also. OFC

 

[Anon1728003274]

Just remember chemistry is a very delicate thing...Its hard to imagine UNC better on the offensive end than they were last nite. Kennedy Meeks could alter their performance to the max or lessen their efficiency as they really look comfortable w/o him, and definitely faster in transition...

 

[Jake1985]

What makes UNC function is their ability to use guys like Brice, Hicks, James, Meeks and other bigs on both the glass and in the paint. That allows their guards and wings time to create or shoot. Over the years UNC has gotten some decent bigs. I'm not in any way saying that's a receip for winning but that's how they have had their successes.

 

[johnl1219_]

Just remember chemistry is a very delicate thing...Its hard to imagine UNC better on the offensive end than they were last nite. Kennedy Meeks could alter their performance to the max or lessen their efficiency as they really look comfortable w/o him, and definitely faster in transition...

I agree with this to some extent. I actually think Meeks slows their offense up at times and clogs up the area that Brice Johnson is dominating lately. Notice how Johnson has really blown up during Meeks' absence...I don't think that's a coincidence.

Johnson has more bounce and runs the floor better than Meeks, so when Meeks returns he might take some of those shots away and keep Johnson out of the paint more. Just look at Johnson's numbers...Meeks hasn't played since the Texas game, in his absence, Johnson has scored 25,27,22,16,3 (against Clemson and was in foul trouble), 15 and 39.

His highest scoring game with Meeks in the lineup was 16, which is his season average. IMO, Meeks could disrupt Johnson's scoring which doesn't make UNC better.

 

[Jake1985]

Without Amile, two things:
1- how does Ingram do if that's his match up defensively?
2- if not Ingram, then who gets that assignment? Chase at times? Matt?

 

[WI#1Dukie22]

To me UNC is the their best with a frontline of Johnson and Hicks. What's lost in last nights game is UNC's very own lack of D. High octane Offenses give up more possessions and points, much of what we see with Duke. Lets hold off on Crowning Brice

 

[dukiejay]

I'm not crowning him anything, but I think it's silly to diminish him as player....especially based on how much he's progressed. He's a really good player. In the past he's had one glaring weakness, and that was at times being weak mentally. He's harnessed that to an extent. I said before the season that in order for UNC to get where they wanted to get it would be on the shoulders of Berry and Jackson making big improvements, because I stated that Johnson and Paige are what they are. I was wrong. Paige hasn't changed much, IMO, but Johnson is much better. Sometimes seniors just get it....we saw it last season with Quinn.

 

[Grayhead]

Meeks offers a knack for outlet passing. Depth in the front court is an issue with us if we get into foul trouble. Plus Hicks off the bench usually sparks our offence.

 

[DukeDenver]

I expect the over under for duke/unc to be 170 or more. Defense isn't great on either side. We'll see.

 

[ticket2ride04]

I expect about 8 and 6 outa BJ next game. It was a great performance but Hamilton made ZERO adjustments to knock him outa Rhythm. Great night, but he's gotta become much more consistent to talk All America. UNC could become scary..... Thank god Roy forgot about Isiah Hicks lol.

2 points

- Brice is somewhere around 17 and 10 this year. That's pretty consistent.

- Hicks picked up his 4th foul early in the 2nd.

 

[ticket2ride04]

I'm not crowning him anything, but I think it's silly to diminish him as player....especially based on how much he's progressed. He's a really good player. In the past he's had one glaring weakness, and that was at times being weak mentally. He's harnessed that to an extent. I said before the season that in order for UNC to get where they wanted to get it would be on the shoulders of Berry and Jackson making big improvements, because I stated that Johnson and Paige are what they are. I was wrong. Paige hasn't changed much, IMO, but Johnson is much better. Sometimes seniors just get it....we saw it last season with Quinn.

Great assessment. I'm not ready to fully trust Brice but he seems to be putting it together.

I have been more impressed with Berry. When he learns his first step can get him into the lane, watch out. I hate the term dribble drive but I suppose it's applicable here. Berry can get into the lane at will and either take the lay up or pass out of it.

I also like this experience for Big James. Perhaps he can be our Zoubek of sorts. I'd like for him to pass out of the paint more, but overall, he gives us the best he can.