This was a big one. To come back and score nearly 100 points in a game after failing to break 60 in the game in Pittsburgh. It's another game to continue to adjust to not having Xylina McDaniel on the court; but fortunately it was a home game. So she was present today and I know that means a lot. I sit in section 214 and I could hear her giving some encouragement from my seat. Further, the game with Georgia Tech is and has always been probably the most physical game in conference play. Their style usually turns it into a different type of game. You can't survive in a game against them if you're not tough, able to absorb contact, able to handle a full court press and aren't careful with the ball. Finally, they beat us last year in Atlanta.
Biggest thing in this game was the production North Carolina got from the bench. Everyone knows they have to step up with Xylina out. 13 points per game and nearly 9 rebounds per game, not to mention the physical and mental toughness and experience that is missing is a lot to make up. I believe the team overall has responded well; but particularly in this game I was really excited about what I saw from the players that came in off the bench.
N'Dea Bryant: 6 points, 5 rebounds (photo from www.heraldsun.com)
That midrange jumper was popping today. I love watching N'Dea play. Such a smooth player and while the midrange jumper is a rather low percentage shot, hers is a thing of beauty. She used her length to play well on the defensive end today and to crash the boards.
Hillary Fuller: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
YES! What an effort from Hillary (Fuller) today. Talk about tough. She managed these numbers in just 10 minutes on the floor. She had a variety of post moves, played really smart, didn't force anything, crashed the boards and played well on the defensive end. She made 4 of her 5 field goal attempts. That's exactly what you want.
Jessica Washington: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal (photo from www.goheels.com)
Loved the way Jessica played today. She made great decisions with the ball, took her shots in the flow of the offense, and made baskets from a variety of spots on the floor. She's another player who has a nice midrange jumper...and a nice floater...and a great 3 point shot. Well, you get the idea. She's a great shooter.
Jamie Cherry: 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist (photo from www.goheels.com)
Other than a couple of rough plays, a good outing for our freshman. Still learning of course. What I really appreciated today from her was the defensive effort. She kept the Georgia Tech guards in front of her and in that vein drew offensive fouls on the Yellow Jackets.
The starters were really aggressive today. They shot relatively well; but some close shots went half way down and came out on them; but, the way the Tar Heels crashed the boards today was inspiring. They won the rebounding battle 49 to 38 and the Tar Heels had 24 offensive rebounds.
Stephanie Mavunga: 20 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
Whatever they do with the players post game to deal with any soreness, I hope Stephanie gets plenty of it this evening. She's bound to be feeling it after her afternoon battle with Georgia Tech's post players. It was a little bit of a tough shooting day for her as a result; but still a very nice double double for the sophomore and she earned every one of those points for sure.
Brittany Rountree: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
It was a terrific all around effort for the senior today. No fear taking on the bigger Yellow Jackets, she didn't just take perimeter shots. Her success behind the three point line is a known. So defensive players would run out on her and she used her quickness to go by them. Her passing and defense were excellent today. She's never been afraid of contact and that was to her advantage today taking the ball from post players inside.
Danielle Butts: 6 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block (photo from www.goheels.com)
Terrific effort from Danielle today. I'm willing to bet that 6 assists is a career high. She's showing a lot of ability in a lot of different areas in her increased time on the floor. She's playing in longer stretches and as she always does, she's playing a lot taller than 5'10" frame suggests she could. Eight rebounds ties for 2nd on the team on a day when the Tar Heels were on the boards like their lives depended upon it.
Latifah Coleman: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal (photo from www.goheels.com)
A bit of a rough shooting day for Latifah; but she pretty much got to the basket at will. She was key in handling the press Georgia Tech began to implement once they got behind by double digits. Her speed and ball handling were what kept UNC going and able to keep the lead double digits. Georgia Tech got no closer than 12 in the second half.
Allisha Gray: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists (photo from www.goheels.com)
A little tough out on the perimeter lately for our resident sharp shooter; but she hasn't let it stop her from contributing. She was 1 of 7 from deep; but, she was 6 of 10 from inside the three point line. You'll never catch her just hanging around the perimeter only taking threes. She's going to do whatever it takes to help the team. That's what makes her a great player.
What Do We Take Away From This One?
This is good to build on with Notre Dame coming in this week. This was a good offensive performance. Plus, they did a good job of taking Georgia Tech star Kaela Davis out of the action. They were aggressive defending her and attacking her on offense and she dealt with foul touble most of the game.
The adjustment continues. Life on the court without Xylina McDaniel isn't something you just move through without skipping a beat. It is very promising to see how Hillary Fuller played today against the physicality Georgia Tech brings.
What We Hope to See Going Forward
UNC's shooting percentage was much better today, more like what it needs to be and everyone who roots for them I'm sure wants that consistently as we continue. Sharing the ball is going to be essential. The balanced effort we saw today is what we'll need every night. The Tar Heels had 22 assists today. We have a really big game this week when Notre Dame makes their first visit to Carmichael Auditorium as a member of the ACC. They've had some upheaval this week; but was back on course today scoring over 100 points at Boston College. Until then and as always...
Go Heels!
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