Heels prove Williams knows best

Now we know why Roy Williams complained about North Carolina’s defense for the whole month of December.
Williams wasn’t trying to be a Scrooge as the Tar Heels won their first 18 games and held onto the nation’s No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press’ poll for 11 weeks. Since ACC play began, it’s become more obvious than ever that poor defense could prevent North Carolina from its goal of reaching the Final Four.
The Tar Heels held a four-point lead against Maryland with 2 minutes, 20 seconds remaining Saturday and could have closed out the game with their defense. Instead, the Terrapins – the same team that lost at home to Ohio and American – scored on their final four possessions to edge North Carolina 82-80 at the Smith Center.
During the closing minutes, the Tar Heels failed to stop penetration by Greivis Vasquez and allowed an offensive rebound and a lob to Bambale Osby for a basket in the post. After the dust cleared, Maryland had shot 46.9 percent from the field.
Three times during the past four games, North Carolina’s opponents have shot 45 percent or better. Because of that shaky defense, three of the Tar Heels’ four ACC games were decided by two points or fewer.
This is a North Carolina team that received all 64 first-place votes in the ACC’s preseason media poll. The Tar Heels are supposed to be a lot better than their opponents in the conference.
Because of their defense, they’re not. That’s why Williams will continue to nag them during January, February and March, if necessary, about the same things that were frustrating him in December. -- KEN TYSIAC