For the second Sunday in a row, I witnessed North Carolina's exit from the NCAA tournament. The men last week and the women last night. They did so in very similar fashion with double-digit leads melting away along with a sudden inability to hit a field goal. The Tar Heel women were up 12 with 8:18 to go but only got two measly free throws THE REST OF THE GAME.
Carolina felt the discrepancy in fouls called and trips to the foul line were 2 reasons for the loss. 26 trips to the line for the Vols to 8 for the Heels. You get to the line by being aggressive. Carolina felt they attacked the basket and drew contact but the whistle didn’t follow. There was so much contact from both teams in the first half that wasn’t called so you naturally think it’ll be that way the second half. Not so. The refs may have missed some calls but they weren’t the ones missing several close range shots. That was Carolina.
Maybe the most baffling stat of the game is Tennessee won on a night they shot 27 percent. As tears streamed down her cheeks, Carolina’s Erlana Larkins stared straight ahead and whispered, “they shot less than 30% and won the game.” It may have been easier for the Heels to digest if they were the team that shot 27% and lost. At least you can say the shots just weren’t falling.
Understandably the Carolina locker room was an emotional mess after the game. It’s one of the worst things about my job, having to interview athletes after a crushing and season ending defeat. But through the pain and tears, each player answered every question thrown their way. It’s another example of how sports is a wonderful teaching tool. The Tar Heel women had a heck-of-a run and Ivory Latta and Camille Little were 2 core players that led this 4-year journey. The season and their careers ended a few shots shy of what they dreamed of doing. Winning a game at the Final 4 to give them a chance to hang another national championship banner in Carmichael. That shouldn’t define Latta, Little or this year’s team.
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