North Carolina is fortunate to still be playing basketball. The Heels were thoroughly outplayed by USC in the first half and at halftime, they got an ear full from coach Roy Williams AND assistant Steve Robinson. Marcus Ginyard pointed to Robinson’s message that particularly hit home. “How dare you play that way.” The Heels responded with effort and passion in the 2nd half.

With the score 57-47 Trojans, Carolina went to work on the defensive end and the offensive boards….two areas that require effort and desire. During an 18-2, Carolina had 5 put backs and that was demoralizing to USC. After it was 59-49, the Trojans only scored 5 more measly points the rest of the game to Carolina’s 25. Now we get the match-up we all wanted…North Carolina vs. Georgetown for the right to roll into Atlanta’s Final 4. Just the mention of the Heels and Hoyas brings back memories of 1982 when Dean Smith earned his first national championship over his good friend, John Thompson. Now Thompson’s son will coach against one of Smith’s assistants for the right to go to the Final 4.

On a different subject…Former UNC guard King Rice is an assistant at Vanderbilt. After the Commodores valiant loss to Georgetown, Rice walked across the court to first console the Vandy players then to comfort his own son whose face was drawn tightly with sadness as tears flowed down each cheek. Rice was deeply hurt as well. You know he would have loved the opportunity to be on the opposite bench coaching against his alma mater.