Hoopocalypse 2012, Part Deux
Carolina 88, Duke 70

Ah, Hansbrough Indoor Stadium...one of my favorite venues for the Heels to play. There's just a warm feeling you get there...a warm, sweaty, fetid feeling... But the Heels have taken 5 of the last 7 there, so you won't hear me complaining about the place...

It wasn't even as close as the score indicates. If Roy'd have put the pedal to the metal, it'd have been really ugly. But best to secure the win, obviously.

I'll give this to the Devils, they made their run--19-7 at one point--and my certainty about the victory dimmed--though just a tad, and for just a moment.

The officiating was typical ACC randomness. A couple of touch fouls on Zeller, and no call on a blatant shove by Mason Plumlee (Miles was the shover last time) that would have fouled him out. But Henson got away with a couple, and it seemed to me that the puzzling calls more-or-less balanced out.

Kelly, of course, was flop, flop, flopping away for a good bit of the game.

Apparently, just before tip-off, the d00kies played highlights of their nominal victory at the DES from February, and Kendall thought that was disrespectful. He called a quick huddle and said that he wanted to make a statement. Which they then proceeded to do, with a 22-5 run from the get-go.

This game was no surprise, really...except insofar as things finally gelled. They're a better team than Duke...but the question is: can they be a better team than Kentucky? Until now they haven't been.

Finally, the Heels seemed to be trying something new with their 3-point defense, and it looked great. I'm wondering whether Roy adjusted in response to the recent KenPom numbers.

Anyway, an awesome night of hoops.

Nice work Heels!