For the better part of 20 something years, I have lived and breathed with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Tonight “the boy” and I watched as another snapshot went into my mental scrapbook of why we love being Tar Heel fans. This image was the final shot that sent North Carolina to the win and a head to head match up with Duke for the ACC Championship on Saturday night. We both calmly raised arms in the air as the three pointer sank into the net.
Ball game.
Heels win.
Harrison Barnes delivers.
Earlier this week my lovely bride said she wanted to have a “date night” this weekend. She said “I was thinking about Saturday night”. I think my response was “Really?”. Realizing what Saturday night is, she quickly made plans for Friday night instead. If you think that is odd or funny, I have some Nashville friends (also Tar Heel fans) that did the same thing.
That’s what it’s like.
That’s what we do.
As nice as running away with an ACC Title is, I bet a straw poll of both sides would show that most Duke and Carolina fans would rather have it come down to this. The over-under would depend on where the game is being played (this one’s in Chapel Hill). This is what this rivalry so often comes down to. It’s what makes college basketball so fun. Saturday night aligns the stars for a winner-take-all shootout. It is as it should be.
GO HEELS!!!
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34134TOJwME
Surprisingly Mr. Barnes Wikipedia page did not include the following –
“arguably one of the biggest busts in High School recruiting (Harrison Barnes)” – Aaron Conrad, Jan 18, 2011…
Sorry man, could resist.
Oh man! I wasn’t even ready for lunch and now I have to eat all of this crow. I said “arguably” though so that covers me to change my mind later. I believe at the time of that writing the Heels were 7-4 and facing a game against Clemson that would make or break their season. Thankfully it made their season and Barnes has been getting better each game.
We’ve learned much about Barnes this season. I think Tar Heel Nation (myself included) thought he would step on the court and instantly drop 50 a game. The way he came in with all of that hype, what were we supposed to expect. What we’ve learned is that he makes them when they need them. He still disappears for portions of the game and has a very odd case of the “yips” when he dribbles in traffic. But I’m pretty glad he’s wearing the Tar Heel Blue now.
Well played Mr. Nelson….well played.