CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina coach Roy Williams is pretty used to the Final Four stage.
It's just the court at Ford Field he has to worry about.
The Tar Heels played on the raised hardwood when it blew out Michigan State in Detroit in December. Williams spent a portion of the first half down in front of the bench, meaning "you're sitting there looking a people's shinbones." He eventually moved up to stand on the elevated court, meaning his assistant coaches looked at his shinbones.
"It did take me until after the second TV timeout to be comfortable with what I could see,'' he said. "Tom [Izzo] brought a chair up and sat it on the court level ... and I didn't want to do that; I like to sit down a lot. I was not comfortable, I couldn't see the far end of the court, what I really wanted to see. Most of the time, after the second TV timeout, I stayed up on the court level."
Williams said that playing at that venue already this season, though, doesn't necessarily give his team any advantage. The Tar Heels play Villanova in the national semifinals on Saturday.
-- Robbi Pickeral
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Raised court at Ford Field a concern
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
59 comments:
Is Roy really making MORE excuses?? Really, Roy? It's honestly getting ridiculous.
Heaven forbid Roy and the crybabies aren't comfortable. Everyone else seems to make do...
Roy and us crybabies do still have concerns because we are still playing for a national title and not able to sit back and kick it like the dookies.
Unless you are on the team, you were not included in the crybabies group that I spoke of. However, since you spoke up, you bring to mind that yes, you are all crybabies.
I think the larger concern would be the safety of the players and officials. How many times have we seen a player go into the first few rows after a loose ball? If you do that on the Ford Field floor, you'd be airborne and might get yourself killed! It's crazy.
And, just as a matter of housekeeping, isn't it time the Observer got rid of this type of ridiculous comment section where you have to "choose an identity", but it's so complicated and cumbersome everybody just picks "Anonymous"...? (No, I don't want a "Google Account", thank you.) Why not just make all the comments sections for all articles the same as the majority of them - where you just type in a comment and are tagged by your log-in?
Is anybody qualified to answer that even reading these? Anybody? Beuller?
Crying about winning, you must mean. As opposed to K, who cries over every excuse in the book when he loses with a team full of McD's AAs. Why is it that dookies don't have the wit to shut up when they lose?
Just to clarify on the assumption that only Duke fans hate carolina...that's just not true. As a matter of fact, EVERYONE hates the whining, annoying, pansy blue, egocentric, crybabys; it's not just reserved for Duke fans. Face it, people don't hate carolina because of the success of their basketball team, they hate carolina because of their ANNOYING fans.
Amen to 11:32 am. I don't think it's coincidence that Carolina fans can't get along with anyone. And in true Carolina form, they don't think it could possibly be them that's the problem...
I think the raised court is silly. Stephen Curry ended up falling over the scoring table when he tried to save an out-of-bounds ball at Ford Field last year.
uncch fans, players, and coaches are nothing but whiners, hypocrits, and crybabies with the most arrogance of any team/school in the Southeastern US.
I don't see why Roy is whining- 4 teams played in the Sweet 16/Elite 8 in the very same venue with no problems last year.
...and no, Steph Curry falling over the scorers' table doesn't count as a "problem." That happens everywhere (Belk Arena, Cameron Indoor Stadium, Bobcats Arena, etc.) from time to time
With all that Roy Williams has going right for him at this point, why in the world is he complaining about anything? Davidson played great at Ford Field last year and with no complaints. Then again, perhaps Coach Roy acting to "lower expectations" so that if UNC loses he can say, "Aw shucks, one of my boys hurt his biggie toe in that strange arena. Boo Hoo!"
If you guys listened to his press conference, he was responding to a very specific question regarding his thoughts on playing at the venue earlier in the season (he said it's not really an advantage at all and gave several golf analogies). The follow up question was asked about how the raised floor impacts his "routine" and he said he didn't like it because you can't see the other end of the floor well, etc. Just how is that whining or making excuses?
You can talk about Carolina fans being arrogant, whiners, etc but it seems like you guys are really reaching on this one.
I really don't see Roy whinning about the court. He just simply stated that "you're looking at peoples' shinbones". How is that whinning? I think it is more about the perspective you get as a coach from that angle. In football you have assistants that sit in the coach's box to get a better view of the field, so why is it so hard to understand why a coach would want to at least be on the same level as the players and not their sneakers?
As for the 10:51am commenter, it really isn't that hard to type in your name. Just click the radio button beside "Name/URL" and then type in your name. I think that most people choose Anonymous bc they are afraid to be held accountable for what they say.
Jay Wright ain't complaining. Amen again to Anon 11:32. I came down from PA hating Duke the most of any college b-ball program only to find that Carolina fans were less knowledgable and more annoying than any I've ever been around. Insufferable would be the perfect adjective for them.
Wow, going to the Final 4 sure brings out all the haters. Plus, I am a UNC alum and fan, and I don't have any problems getting along with other ACC fans (to the poster who said UNC fans can't get along with anyone and "everyone hates Carolina" fans). I have plenty of friends that went to State, Wake, UVa, Ga Tech, Va Tech and even Dook. All these hateful comments are of course the result of jealousy. Better luck next year losers!
HAHAHA Fantastic to see all the ABC fans coming out of the woodwork. Their team sits at home wishing htey had a coach like Roy, and wishing they had been able to make it this far, but since they din't they hate on UNC. What low life scum. You are the type ofd people that are below me. I walk on you. I call you out, and you cower in the corner. Man up you pansies. UNC RULES THIS STATE. If you don't like it move back to New Jersey. Coach K could not hold Roy's jock. Roy has kicked your butts for years now. Dook is an afterthought in the ACC.
Ha lanny?
It's actually quite funny... Duke fans say the UNC fans are whining crybabies. UNC Fans say the Duke fans are whining crybabies. The reality is that the it doesn't matter what school you support - the fans from every other school think you're whining crybabies, LOL.
How can dook be an "afterthought" in the ACC when they won the conference title? Just wondering...
Carolina fans don't really care if you losers hate us or not - we aren't in the same social class, anyway. All you have to do is acknowledge that our team is better than yours, if you speak to us at all. Oh, and get me my refill if you expect a tip.
You're right, Duke and UNC aren't in the same social class. Your boss' boss is probably a Duke grad, so hide your hate when the execs swing by your cubicle.
You call it arrogant. We call it just being better than you. And while we're on the subject, what's with the utterly insane generalizations? I'm sure there's some idiot fans for whatever school you cheer for that can't get along with anybody. That's true of any group of fans. Some of my best friends went to State and Dook. I don't even have to mention the beating we give them.
And if you live in Charlotte, your boss's boss also went to Carolina. The only way your boss's boss went to Duke is if his company transferred him down from the New Jersey office.
All I see written here are jealous, envious, Carolina hating whiners! Enjoy sitting on your sorry butts watching THE University of North Carolina win another National Championship while all you ABC'ers sit at home crying in your drinks!! GO HEELS! To the HELL with the rest of the ACC!!
Stop hating ABCers. It's not too late for you to get on the bandwagon. Tarheels are the shiznit! Recognize.
Seems to me they were 35 points comfy!
All I know is Duke and NC State players and fans will be watching from their dorm rooms and at their local bars. Reason? Their teams aren't even in the Final's.
GO HEELS!
Nothing else needs to be said about Carolina fans. They have already proven why everyone dislikes them with their comments so far. They can't take the heat that they unsuccessfully try to dish out. Anyone who refers to themselves as being in a higher social class does nothing but make generalizations about the idiocy and delusional state of Carolina fans. Let them live in their own world. I like it better than them being in the real world with everyone else who knows how truly distasteful they are.
Really cause usually the only reason Carolina fans say anything is because they're provoked by some ABC meathead who can't keep their mouth shut. Just look at the first comment on this page. Was that really necessary? Usually dogs fight back when you shake their cage. Just ask Michael Vick.
True colors! bwahahahahaha! The only true colors I see come from fans that will never EVER come CLOSE to winning a NC in basketball because their universities SUCK! Start winning and maybe you all will understand how STUPID you ABC'ers look right now. How pitiful you guys are!
come on - all 4 teams play on same court. UNC played MSU at beginning of season at Ford Field and won by 30. So I guess the Heels got used to it. GO HEELS.
I went to State and dont have a problem with Carolina being in the final four - they deserve to be. I just think its hilarious how everyone that loves carolina has to resort to the we are better than you attitude, while at the same time the haters are calling Carolina whiners. I guess thats what keeps this post of comments going. Carolina fans, you are going to represent the ACC finely - just learn that the best response to ignorant comments is non at all.
Since when did Holes fans start calling themselves "THE" University of North Carolina? I thought that was saved for OSU fans/players with 850 SATs.
Anyway, back to the article. Roy makes a ton of excuses, we all know that. NOW he's saying his "flu" caused the Heels to get drilled by KU last year! It never stops!
Wow. So two ABCers are the first ones to comment here and they are pretty bad comments about Roy and the Heels. And a few Heels make comments in return to defend Roy and the Heels. Yet, Carolina fans are the ones that are annoying???? LOL They must teach that kind of logic at Dook or Moo U.
When you win 82.46% of your games like Ole Roy, you can whine, comment, complain or whatever the heck you want to. Until then, sit down and shut up!!
Whether you are a carolina fan or not is a moot point here. As a person that likes to play basketball, I'd have some reservations myself of hustling for a loose ball knowing i can fall off the sides and injure something or someone. It will only take one player to get hurt for Detroit to get hit with a huge lawsuit. All in the name of making the stadium more fan friendly.
At least the world is safe from ANY of you ever being a NCAA Coach
Why do you believe anyone cares what you think?
Give it a rest Dook fans...Sore because we swept you this year, sore because Hansbrough/Green are 4-0 in Cameron, sore because we have the ACC POY, sore because Hansbrough broke JJ's scoring record, sore because we came out #1again in the ACC, sore because we are again on our way to another National Title making us even further ahead of Dook in that catagory, sore because UNC has the record number of wins in NCAA tournament play, sore because you are again out of the tournament, sore because Roy our-recruited K again, on and on and on and on....Admit it, jealousy does not become you Blue Devils....HEELS RULE....
James wrote "sore because we came out #1again in the ACC"
Might want to check that one chief. I believe that trophy resides at DUKE
UNC was #1 in the ACC dude. Duke won the tournament. There is a difference. Winning 3 games in a tournament is nothing compared to coming out #1 for the season. Get your facts straight. UNC is the ACC Champs for this year. Duke is the ACC tournament champs.
The post season tournaments are a waste of time. Winning the tourney doesn't make you the best. The regular season DOES! The ACC tournament is about as relevant as the old Big Four tournament.
Why do you think UNC was a #1 seed and Duke a #2????
Because UNC was #1 in the ACC and Duke got a #2 seed because they won the tournament....HEELS
No matter who you pull for - the raised floor just isn't a good idea. Oh well, you play the hand you're dealt I guess.
Everyone make sure to get your wine and cheese before it all sells out this weekend.
Roy Williams is simply making comments about the upcoming game. As usual, his enemies have to take issue and make it "crying" or "making excuses."
Get over it, people...is that ALL you have to do? This is simply an observation about the arena - nothing else. GEEZE!!!!!!!!
I grew up in Raleigh around the Big Four - even went to David Thompson's first ACC game at Greensboro. Then I moved to SC and matriculated at Clemson. Thank God I do not have to listen to these Duke/WF/UNC/State fans bitch at each other like this 365 days a year! What a bunch of neurotics! So Roy makes a comment about the court - I don't know about you, but if I were going to coach, yes I'd like to see the game as well. Whatever - why can't these people stop whining about each other long enough to recognize that their constant bickering obscures a more meaningful problem occurring in the ACC - namely, the teams are getting hammered (including the Tigers, Oliver) in the tournament. Twenty years ago (mid-80's) the ACC had a four year run where all nine teams made it to the Elite Eight. It was the best conference hands' down. Now, without Carolina, we'd all be sitting here watchiung 'Big East Madness'. My suggestion: you want to bitch about something, take care of your own problems first, then otherwise make it about something useful....
OK...my problems are taken care of.
ROY IS THE BIGGEST WHINER IN NCAA BASKETBALL. DEAN NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE THIS MANY EXCUSES!!!
Sorry to disagree Anon - you obviously need serious help with your problems if trotting out Dean Smith is the best you can come up with...shut up and let the serious fans enjoy the best part of the year without your jaw flapping or your brain spewing redundancies...
UNC- University of National Champions.......
DUKE- Dind't yoU get Knockout Early
For 5:46 comment, Although I am a Heels fan the 3 day tournament does determine the conference champ. Not the regular season. Go Heels
The ACC bylaws (since 1961)say that the ACC champion is determined by the tournament, so Dook is the ACC Champion (no tournament need be included in the name). There is no such thing as being ACC champion when you don't win the tournament. I'm a State fan, so I don't have a dog in the fight between uncch and Dook.
http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/022499aac.html
Regular Season Champions...UNC
What do you call someone who ends up the season in first place? Champions
ACC Tournament champions...Dook
Conference Champions get #1 seed...
Lesser teams get #2 seed...
UNC will lose to Villanova on Saturday...
James, I have to correct you. The Heels went 4-0 in the last four years at Hansbrough Indoor Stadium. You said Cameron, but probably just an innocent mistake.
uncch fans are just showing their ignorance. You are NOT ACC champs. Just ask the ACC, they will point to the bylaws laying out who is champion. There is no such thing as a regular season champion in the ACC (in other conferences like the Pac-10, the team with the most wins in conference is the conference champion, and the team that wins the tournament is the tournament champion; in the ACC that is not so).
ACC Champs (regular season) UNC
7:17: You're actually the one showing your ignorance. That bylaw is widely flouted, as evidenced by numerous schools (not just Carolina) proclaiming themselves as Regular Season Champions and hanging banners to that affect. Feel free to take a look around the ACC if you don't believe me.
Unlike some of these other idiots (some of whom I'm ashamed to call my fellow Carolina fans), I'm not saying Duke is not the ACC Champion. They are. But Carolina is the ACC Regular Season Champion.
I cannot believe I just spent the last 10 minutes of my life reading this entire string of posts. Except for the maybe 5 people that said something sensible in these posts, GET A LIFE LOSERS!!!
Whether you are Dook, UNC, NCSU, WFU, Davidson fans...who the hell 'ever, please use your brains for something more productive.
UNC Beats Nova
Post a Comment