CHAPEL HILL -- The rivalry between North Carolina and N.C. State always makes for a challenging game, Tar Heels coach Roy Williams said. But add the Wolfpack's talent and frustrating losses of late, he added, and "they're a tough match-up for us."
"We're catching them probably at a bad time, good time - it depends on the way that you look at it,'' Williams said today. "I always would rather catch somebody where they're fat and happy, as opposed to mad where Sidney [Lowe, N.C. State coach] has been beating them with a witch stick all week, or something like that."
Indeed, while UNC is coming off a come-from-behind victory at Miami, the Wolfpack is trying to bounce after letting Clemson overcome a 19-point deficit to win.
Williams has been impressed by Pack players Ryan Harrow, Scott Wood, Richard Howell and C.J. Leslie (who he called "as talented as you can be"). But forward Tracy Smith is always the biggest concern.
"Tracy is a tough matchup for anybody,'' Williams said. "And he's just a skilled scorer in the post, gets your guys in foul trouble, and that's one of our biggest weaknesses is depth up front. And without Justin Watts [a UNC reserve who will be sidelined because of a sprained right ankle], it's even moreso in this game."
UNC has beaten State eight straight times.
-- Robbi Pickeral
Friday, January 28, 2011
UNC's Williams calls State a 'tough matchup'
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2 comments:
I am a State fan. I can appreciate what Roy has done at UNC and respect him. However, if he thinks this game is going to be tough he's crazy. UNC will win by 15-18 points. State is in a downward spiral and the only way to get out is to get a new coach in there that can force these guys to play with heart. I don't see that anywhere on the court. This rivalry needs to get back to what it used to be...THE RIVALRY in the ACC. With all that said, GO PACK!
Everyone knows Coach Lowe is pretty much the best coach in the conference. Coach K has more rings, but he's been around longer. I believe the Pack will stomp the Tar Holes and go on a tear. In the end, we will return to our rightful place as a Top 5 basketball program. Remember, we won it all in 1974 and 1983. It's only a matter of time before we reign supreme under Coach Lowe.
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