NOW PLAYING: March Sadness 29 March, 1998 I wish I could just fault the refs (as so many people claim UNC fans do) -- I mean, unless a player pulled a knife, the zebras wouldn't call a foul. I'd rather have had Ray Charles wearing the stripes. But the plain fact is, the 'Heels had a crummy night, Utah took it to 'em, and kicked their butts, zooming off to a lead and not letting it go. I don't know what kind of pressure Shammond Williams puts himself under when he plays in games like this -- the poor guy is going to be labeled a "choker" for sure, after having a similar shooting performance last year against Arizona in the Final Four. Antawn Jamison couldn't get the room he needed inside to be as effective as he was all year, (and the fact that the officials were unusually dextrous in getting their heads even farther up their asses than would be normal in a game like this wasn't helping) and it's hard to make baskets when you're being mugged by two or three guys. Vince Carter was the bright spot in a very dark night, carrying the rest of the team with 21 points. Mahktar "The Foul Machine" Ndiaye was gone after playing just 15 total minutes -- not the thing to do when your team is only 6 (maybe 7, if you count Heywood) deep. Carolina had opportunities -- they just couldn't take advantage of them. Even with everybody (with the exception of Carter) having a really crappy night, they came within two points at the end of the game, and had chances to win it. When you can do that, you've got a good team. Antawn kissed the Final Four logo at center court as he left the floor following the game -- I hope that wasn't a goodbye smack. There's no reason why these guys can't come back to the finals next year and win if Jamison and Carter hang around for their senior year. Just you wait, 'Enry 'Iggins -- just you wait. In the meantime, I've gotta root for the Utes. Not only do I like Majerus and think he's a fabulous coach, but if Kentucky loses the championship, I win my office pool (on points -- my Stanford pick being the big key there!). And if the 'Heels gotta lose, at least they should lose to the National Champs.
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