How UNC got it wrong and took me down with them

Thinking North Carolina would play better defense, outrebound Duke, shoot the ball well, and make good decisions at home on Saturday seemed like a reasonable expectation. Being wrong in almost every category was not expected. Poor shooting, bad defensive assignments to start the game, and the mental fog that seemed to set in on some players once Duke scored first helped steer UNC back to unfocused play and poor decision making. The Blue Devils looked so dominant during the game that we wouldn’t think that both teams scored on the same number of 3-pointers, both scored 10 points on free throws, both had 59 shots from the field, and that the Tar Heels only had 8 turnovers. Leaky Black and Brady Manek lead UNC with Black holding Duke’s top target Paolo Banchero in check when on the guard, and Manek keeping the team close with his scoring outside and inside. But while Banchero was being held in check, no one had the answer for AJ Griffin as he scorched UNC for 27 points; including the first 10 points of the second half before UNC could score. Duke played as if the Smith Center was their home court, while UNC appeared to be the team playing in a hostile arena. With at least one top recruit in the building that both teams are trying to sign, his choice may tell if this game played any part in his final decision.