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North Carolina coach Roy Williams has said several times in recent weeks that he feels like a "broken record" when he talks about the Tar Heels' defensive deficiencies. He repeated the tune Saturday, after UNC's first loss of the season, 82-80 to Maryland in the Smith Center.
"Our defense didn't force the turnovers, and (the Terrapins) did a great job of taking care of the basketball," Williams said. "I think that was huge for them. They got the shots where they wanted. They got the ball where they wanted it, and we didn't get it stopped."
Maryland, ninth in the ACC in field goal percentage (at 44 percent) entering the game, shot 47 percent from the field against UNC. The Tar Heels (18-1, 3-1 ACC) were ninth in the ACC in field goal defense (at 42 percent) entering the game, and they were 11th in scoring defense (71 points per game).
The Terrapins had 20 assists and only 10 turnovers versus UNC, an outstanding ratio in ACC play and the Terps' best ball-handling performance of the season. Previously, Maryland had more turnovers than assists against Lehigh, Boston College, Ohio, Savannah State and Holy Cross.
Maryland forward James Gist dominated the post at times and finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Point guard Greivis Vasquez controlled the perimeter and ended with 12 points, 11 assists and six turnovers.
"You look down, and (Maryland) only had 10 turnovers," Williams said. "Greivis I thought was really important to them today, but Tuesday night (against Wake Forest) he had eight turnovers himself."
UNC has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation all season. Of the Tar Heels' six players who play the most minutes, five (Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson, Deon Thompson and Danny Green) are best-known for their offensive abilities.
Among the top six players, however, only guard Marcus Ginyard is regarded as an outstanding defender. The team's other top defender, guard Bobby Frasor, suffered a knee injury earlier this season and was lost for the year. Defensive intensity also has been a question at times for UNC.
"During a couple of possessions in the second half, I was really mad because I didn't think we sprinted back. I didn't think we got involved and got back the way we did," Williams said. "We had one time two guys give me the tired signal running back on defense. That should never happen. If you're going to be tired, tell me on offense, don't tell me as you're running back and the other team's laying it up on the other end."
The Tar Heels allowed a guard-oriented UNC Asheville team to shoot 53 percent on Jan. 9 in a closer-than-expected 93-81 UNC victory. Georgia Tech shot 45 percent Wednesday in UNC's 83-82 win. Those aren't the kinds of defensive numbers Williams wants to see.
"With North Carolina State the first half (Jan. 12), I thought we were pretty doggone good," Williams said. "We haven't played well since then."
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Maryland's Osby scored easily when Hansbrough left him to trap at the top of the key midway through the second half. So, when Maryland needed a do-or-die bucket to win the game, what happens? Hansbrough again leaves Osby to trap at the top of the key, and Osby scores easily over Green.
Shouldn't Ol' Roy have had his defense -- especially his inside defenders -- staying put, not trapping on the edge?
January 23, 2008 12:26 p.m.
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