MSU UNC at Ford Field

Well, I wish I had good news. I don't.

North Carolina is good. Very good. I don't know about this "potentially one of the best ever" talk. But good. Should be a disappointing season for them if it doesn't end in Detroit in March.

One of the papers...LSJ, Freep, or Detnews...had a matchup. Probably LSJ, but I'm too lazy to look right now. Anyhow it showed players head to head by position. UNC was favored in every category other than coaching. There's an easy one to prove.

This last week people were chatting during the Wichita State game about how much they missed Suton, how big of a difference Suton would be making, and basically making him out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. He would have helped but I seriously doubt he would have changed the outcome against Maryland. That was terrible calls, terrible offense (from 30+ feet) and terrible free throw shooting. Suton is not likely to play against UNC, which will hurt for two reasons. He can rebound (somehow without the ability to actually get his feet off the ground...) and could draw a defender out of the lane on the offensive end for a mid range shot. He also seems to hit free throws. And, I hate to say, he's certainly our best post player. Can he guard Hansborough? Probably not. Could Suton keep him off the offensive glass? Probably more often than not. Plus we will miss his 5 extra fouls.

Kalin Lucas needs to have a great game. His defense needs to be solid, no doubt, but more important is getting to the basket. I'm sick of seeing us stand around the perimeter and throw up 30' shots. Get in the lane, draw defenders and kick, or just finish. Get to the line early and often. Make or miss it gets the other team in foul trouble.

Morgan? I don't know what to say about him. He should be an unguardable force. He seems to have extended his range to 22'+ and at the same time forgot how to shoot from 15'. He still travels, puts the ball on the floor too early at times, and plays defense with his upper body (mostly his hands). That said he could still be great. In close he finishes. If he could learn to boxout on shots he could DOMINATE down low since he should have about 4 inches on anyone trying to guard him. I also can't quite figure out how we forgot the lob plays we used to run. Summers, Gray, Allen, and Morgan should all be viable lob targets.

Perhaps the most embarrassing thing about this game will be the crowd. Rumor had it that only around 20,000 tickets had been sold for a venue that holds 65k for a football game, and should have more than that with floor seating. A lower bowl ticket went half price yesterday -- to $9.50 -- no doubt in an attempt to make the place look respectable. Good luck with that.

N.C. -- 78 (with Hansborough 86)
MSU -- 65