FILE – In this November 28, 2015, file photo, North Carolina’s Andre Smith (56) tackles North Carolina State’s Nyheim Hines (7) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C. The defensive turnaround for eighth-ranked North Carolina is one of the biggest reasons the Tar Heels have gotten to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.
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The Blue Devils won all three contests in the Cancun Challenge, that also included victories over Idaho and Iowa State, by an average of 32 points while shooting 52 percent from the field. “The more complicated and the more moving parts to an offense, the less we do”. The one big question had already been answered earlier in the day with ESPN’s initial report and UNC’s confirmation that Marcus Paige would indeed return to action.
Much of the Tar Heels’ 81.3 points per game has come from its imposing frontcourt of forwards Justin Jackson (14.7 ppg) and Brice Johnson (13.0 ppg, 10.3 rebounds per game) and center Kennedy Meeks (14.3 ppg). “So I think that they have done a better job since that Duke game of when we get into that situation, playing better”. “I have a lot of work to do… but I’m only in college for four years”. To see the guys turning the ball over is something that we need to correct.
“Whichever defense has the better night, and whoever wins that turnover margin, is probably going to win the game”, Swinney said.
N.C. State outscored UNC 27-10 and outgained the Tar Heels 380-245 in total yardage after the opening quarter, though that hardly mattered since the Tar Heels were in complete control.
“I think he’s really worked hard on developing the team leaders”, said senior offensive lineman Landon Turner, a first-team All-ACC offensive lineman. A catch there puts State in Carolina territory, perhaps leads to a score, and turns rather than adds to the massive momentum monster of suck before the game got so far out of hand. First, Clemson has closed out the season against three losing teams.
This game is going to come down to Deshaun Watson cracking the code that is North Carolina’s defense. “They’re motivated. They know what they’ve got to do”. The dominant play continued in an 80-63 rout of Cleveland State as a 21 point home favorite. He isn’t the only Player of the Year candidate who will take the court, though. He said the Tigers would continue to run drills and make sure the players improve fundamentally.
“To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best”, Schoettmer said. “And that didn’t happen a year ago”, Paige said.
They might not be so lucky this week. The emergence of 6-11 freshman Diamond Stone, who has scored in double figures in consecutive games including a career-high 15 Saturday against Cleveland State, could prove to be a difference-maker, and his size inside will be critical against the Tar Heels. The North Carolina Tar Heels are a familiar foe for the Terps, but this time around, the two teams are no longer conference foes.
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“I told myself, ‘I’ll be back, ‘” UNC quarterback Marquise Williams said.
