Take a Breath Please...

Wow. What a heart-ripper of a game, but this time the heart is left to beat another day. The Jackets pull out an amazing effort and take down the Tarheels 84-77. It was a whirling dervish is lights out shooting, fast breaks and physical pounding in the paint.


REBOUNDING THE KEY
The boards were critical tonight as they hold the Tarheels to only 9 offensive boards and the Jackets grab 13 of their own. It was a true team effort as nobody had more than 6 but 7 guys had 3 or more. Truly outstanding effort on the glass. It made the difference considering the Heels are an outstanding rebounding team.


DEFENSE
The defense was in fact tenacious. The Tarheels shot 48% from the field and 21% from long distance. There were a number of clear breakdowns but that happens when you play UNC. The Jackets grabbed 9 steals and really made it hard for the Tarheels most of the night. I think the optimal word was physical and/or toughness. We played hardball.......... clean.......... but hard............. and I liked it. We weren't going to be pushed around.


OFFENSE
The Jackets were clearly on fire. They shoot 51.6% overall, 45% from 3pt range. In the first half they shot over 60% and there was one stretch where they just couldn't miss.


Thaddeus Young an amazing game, taking the initiative many times - scoring 25 pts (10-18, 5-6). grabbed 4 boards, 1 assist, 3 steals, 2 to's.................... Javaris Crittenton had a double/double with 13 pts and 11 assists, with 3 boards, 2 steals, 5 to's....................... Anthony Morrow was the other guy on fire, lighting up the perimeter for 18 pts (6-12, 4-10), along with 3 boards, 1 assist, 3 to's......................


THE WARRIOR AWARD
Jeremis Smith gets the nod here - as he was an enforcer as usual. He only scored 2 pts and he did foul out, but he did grab 6 boards, 1 block, 2 assists, 2 steals and did a nice defensive job on numerous guys.


WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Many will say we're in the dance. I say it gives us a 50/50 shot of getting in. Win our next game and it's a no-brainer. Lose to BC and we better get to work in the ACC Tourney.


Just a fanstastic effort tonight by the team. I told many of you to have hope and some level of faith in Coach Hewitt. His teams generally have higher winning percentages the further you go in the season, so why should this season be different. They're playing good ball at just the right time.


THE LADIES REPRESENT
By the way, the ladies won game 1 of the ACC tourney tonight against Miami!!!!!!! Great job!!!

GO JACKETS!!!!!!