Carolina vs Clemson

Someone call the police, cause the Heels totally stole that game tonight. It's hard to be totally shocked by the outcome given Clemson's tendency to struggle in close games and Carolina's proclivity for comebacks. Yet, this is one that will go down in the annals of Tar Heels basketball lore as one of the all-timers. For a team to be on pace for 56 turnovers at one point early in the game (56!), go down again by 15 with 8 minutes left, and 11 with 4 minutes left and pull out a win is pretty amazing. And, Clemson is a good team. They are not great, for reasons demonstrated tonight, but the Tigers are a tournament team for sure. That being said, Carolina got tough. A tough Tar Heel team makes me very happy.

My quick thoughts:

• Tyler is incredible. If he's not the national player of the year, I don't know who is. His toughness and refusal to ever chill out and take a play off, no matter the score, is remarkable. He will definitely be the quintessential Tar Heel great for a generation or two, much like Phil Ford for my Dad.
  
• Danny Green's HUGE three-pointers at the end of regulation were...um...huge. For the boneheaded plays he still makes, Danny sure does come through big-time when it matters.
  
• I'm in the process of sawing my leg off in order to give my ACL to Bobby Frasor, ankle to Ty Lawson, and foot to Marcus Ginyard. But...
  
• QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ. I stand by Q. End of discussion.
  
• This team may not (and probably will not) win the national title, or even make the Final Four. But, as I mentioned above, they are as tough and resilient as all getout. As frustrating as the games can be to watch at times, one cannot help but admire and be inspired by this squad. That being said...
• If this team gets healthy in about two weeks or so, watch out. Motivated and at (nearly) full-strength, I like their chances at Duke, in the ACC Tournament, and in the NCAA Tournament. So keep that big picture in mind as you wait for the Boys in Baby Blue to get healthy.
  

I'ma get what I can and more, even if
my blood, my sweat, and my tears don't mean nothin'
It's the heart of a champion (it's the heart of me)
It's the heart of a champion in me

-Nelly

Go Heels and good night.