Wow ...
Pour me a tall glass of light blue Kool-Aid, because I'm drinking it. Carolina Basketball is every bit as good as advertised this year.
Last night's game against Ohio State was college basketball at a high level. It had the feel of a Final Four matchup, although I doubt either team wants to face the other again this season.
One thing I asked each of Carolina's freshmen was what they "learned" about themselves as a group from this game, and it's pretty impressive to me that they all spoke about defense.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that was Roy Williams' post-game message to his team but it's still a very positive sign that these talented teenagers have bought in to that most "team" of "team concepts," defense.
There will be stumbles this season -- I'm sure of it. The Heels are too young not to have a few bumps in the road. But it really says something about the development of these freshmen -- and Roy Williams' confidence in them -- that with the game on the line last night we saw three (even FOUR) freshmen on the court for Carolina.
It's amazing the difference a few days can make -- a week ago, fans were up in arms after the Gonzaga loss. But that looks like a mere blip on the radar screen after a win over No. 1 Ohio State.
As for the Buckeyes, I (like a lot of us) had only heard about their talented freshman class. But after seeing them play, I'll sign off on their elite status. What's really scary is that this team still doesn't have Greg Oden. How dangerous will they be then?
