I went into this thinking a couple of things. One, both teams have been shooting well and it’s
going to be close. Two, it’s going to be
a track meet. Ohio State struck me as
one of few teams that can run with North Carolina despite their relatively
short bench. During the game between
them and James Madison, I noticed how fast both teams were getting up and down the
court. I was right on both counts. It was close though it didn’t go the way I
expected and it was very fast paced. Once
the game started, I noticed one very significant detail. They were going with single coverage on
Stephanie Mavunga. I can’t remember the
last time that happened prior to Xylina McDaniel getting hurt. They went with
that for most of the first half and the Tar Heels made them pay big time.
Now of course seeing that half-time score, one would wonder if the teams switched uniforms at half-time. No, I called this game a tale of two halves. I think these teams match up pretty well and each team had a half where they played at their highest level and each team had a half where they played tight. It’s easy to figure out which team did what and when. Neither half went the way I expected. I neither expected North Carolina to outscore Ohio State by 20, nor did I expect the opposite to happen. But March is pretty much about seeing the unexpected. I went to the restroom at halftime knowing Ohio State was going to make a run. We’re talking about a team that scores 80 a game after all and they have the nation’s leading scorer who was averaging 25 a game sitting at 4 points at halftime. But I figured we would hold on.
What I didn’t expect due to their short bench was that Ohio
State would begin to press North Carolina full court. I’ve often heard if you want to bother a
pressing team (which North Carolina is on occasion), you need to hit them with
a press and Ohio State did just that.
After 2 turnovers in the first half, a stat that had me over the moon
happy, North Carolina had 14 in the 2nd and Ohio State maximized
those extra possessions. They weren’t getting
breakouts for lay-ups or anything like that.
They just managed to score most of the times they got the ball back even
though they didn’t get a bunch of wide open shots.
Fouls also started to mount a bit, which usually changes the way the Heels play defense because they know how important it is to stay on the floor. This was kind of confusing to me because the officials had not been very active in the first half. Neither team reached the bonus in the first half that I can recall; but both were in the bonus with over 8 minutes left in the 2nd. But I don’t have anything more to say about that portion of the game really.
Ohio State made it all the way back to tie the game so we had the nail biter I expected. Players on both teams that you expect to give big numbers gave big numbers. Down the stretch, players on both teams made some huge baskets and key plays on defense. After Mitchell completed the OSU comeback by hitting a 3 pointer to bring the game to a tie, Latifah Coleman hit a jumper to put North Carolina ahead again with 12 seconds to go. This would set the stage for a classic ending.
At the end, it was two freshmen making the final plays for each team. With North Carolina leading 84 to 82, Kelsey Mitchell drove to the basket and appeared to be tied up by two North Carolina players. Everyone in blue and UNC’s bench was signaling jump ball (UNC had the arrow); however, our friends called a foul on Stephanie Mavunga. Now, I realize I’m biased; but it looked similar to a play on our end that resulted in a jump ball instead of foul. But it fit the way the game had been called in the 2nd half. Mitchell made both free throws knotting the score at 84 a piece with 5.1 seconds to go. Jamie Cherry entered the game for N’Dea Bryant. My mind immediately flashed back to this.
Jamie Cherry hits 3 pointer to force overtime in the ACC Quarter finals
Stephanie Mavunga: 27 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 4
blocks, 1 steal (photo from www.goheels.com)
Did I mention she ruled the paint? Okay, just checking. She also made some 15 foot jump shots in the
game. She went left, she went right, it
didn’t seem to matter. That’s a new
career high and another double double.
Really
appreciate how that midrange jumper kept the defense honest in this game. And those were some huge rebounds. Nearly a double double for our player on the
rise.
Girl was on
fire! 5 of 7 on three pointers. That’s a senior making it happen. Kept the defense spaced and did her thing out
there on defense. Yes, Mitchell scored
25 points; but it also took 25 shots to get there and her defense is one of the
many things I appreciate the most.
The press
bothered her some; but our senior came through with some big plays on defense distributed the ball well and that shot to give us the lead with 12 seconds to
go…HUGE!
Jamie Cherry:
7 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists (photo from www.goheels.com)
We knew we had a gift
when this young lady signed to play with us.
A little under the radar; but doing big things. Just a freshman folks. We get three more years. Played under control for the game, had 5
assists to go with the 7 points in 16 minutes and in the end, after Kelsey
Mitchell tied the score with 5.1 seconds to go, Jamie came in for N’Dea and you
know the rest.
Allisha Gray:
20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal (photo from www.goheels.com)
Quietly
going about the business of an All-American.
Okay, well officially All-Region according to the WBCA. Allisha put together another stellar performance. Big shots from everywhere, including two from
long range. Those 7 rebounds and 5
assists were big as well. To have 5
assists from the three position is amazing.
She joined the 1000 point club a couple of games ago and hasn’t slowed
down a bit. She’s reached double figures
in 31 games this season.
So the Tar Heels continue on. I'm sure Ohio State is going to be a force going forward. They have several players out injured and what they accomplished was amazing. We are fortunate to be moving on. Even more fortunate to have our coach moving on. It really hits me watching this video because last year...well.
Things don’t get any easier for sure. Our bracket along with the Oklahoma City
bracket remained intact and the top 4 seeds will converge on Greensboro this
weekend. So North Carolina will face the
#1 seed South Carolina in the regionals again this season. Until then and always…
Go Heels!
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