CHAPEL HILL -- Will Graves is back in Coach Roy Williams' North Carolina doghouse, the term of confinement to be determined.
Graves might return to the starting lineup today for an 8:30 p.m. game against Rutgers at the Smith Center.
He could also play off the bench, as he did in last Tuesday's 98-61 win over Marshall at home, after Williams pulled him from the starting lineup for the first time this season.
Graves understands he made another mistake by not meeting Williams' playing standards. He isn't worried about getting back in the starting lineup, only in doing what Williams wants from him to help UNC improve its 9-3 record.
"My reaction was to take it back to last year, and the other years I've been here," Graves said. "I wanted to stay focused on the sideline and come in ready to play, and give my team a spark off the bench."
Graves' transgression was the second in two seasons that prompted Williams to take some form of punitive action. Last season, Williams suspended him for an unspecified violation of team policy and he did not play in the last 18 games.
He earned a national championship ring last season but didn't play in the NCAA Tournament run. He recovered to earn a starting job this season, the first of his career, at small forward, where his outside shooting is needed.
Williams wouldn't say exactly what provoked his decision to bench Graves, a 6-6 junior, and start David Wear, a 6-10 freshman, but he hinted he was not pleased with Graves' effort.
"Usually when guys don't play, it's because of poor playing that precedes it," Williams said.
The benching coaxed one of Graves' best all-around efforts of the season against Marshall. He scored 13 points in 18 minutes. He hit four of six shots from the field and all three of his 3-point attempts.
He grabbed 10 rebounds, a career high that topped his previous one by three. Four of the rebounds came on offense. He added an assist and a steal and didn't commit a turnover.
"I give it all to God right now," Graves said. "I've been praying. I've been working hard. Coach felt like I wasn't doing what I was supposed to do, and that was all the fuel I needed."
Graves entered the game after 3:30 of expired time, coming in along with Tyler Zeller, a 7-foot sophomore. He missed two free throws 80 seconds later and on UNC's next possession couldn't get a tap to go into the basket, but he kept pushing himself.
Williams liked Graves' response in the first half, not to mention the seven points and six rebounds that he amassed in nine minutes of play. Graves started the second half, when UNC was trying to build on a 44-35 halftime lead.
Ed Davis, UNC's center, said he wasn't surprised that Graves played so well.
"I knew that he was on a mission," Davis said. "I guess he wanted his starting job back."
Graves said the key for his future now will be to keep playing in such a fashion. Consistency hasn't been a trademark, and Williams has said that he will go with his best players once ACC play starts in two weeks.
"Really, it's about focusing," Graves said. "I've got to get my mind where it was before this game (Marshall) and keep it there before every game."
Graves said he isn't obsessed with being a starter. He wants only to play. He said he remembers that Danny Green played as a sixth man for UNC for three years before starting on last season's title team as a senior and said he would not mind inheriting that role and coming off the bench for the rest of the season.
"I love Carolina basketball," Graves said. "Whatever I can do to help, I'm ready to do it. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be here. Starting or coming off the bench, any way I can be part of the team and give a huge impact, I'm willing to do it."
bcole@wsjournal.com.
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