Heels eager to right ship

UNC will honor Hansbrough at tonight's game against Duke

Credit: AP File Photo

Duke’s offense relies heavily on the shooting of Nolan Smith (2), Jon Scheyer (30) and Kyle Singler.

By: By Bill Cole | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: February 10, 2010

CHAPEL HILL --

Will Graves said he's confident that North Carolina is in strong position to play Duke today, despite five weeks of mounting losses and team problems.

Graves has heard the whispers that North Carolina can't beat Duke. He declined to respond to team critics, and said that North Carolina's play in the 9 p.m. game at the Smith Center would be the answer.

"It's time to bring it," said Graves, a 6-6 junior forward. "We've been getting knocked down, so we've got to come out with some fight, especially when you see those four letters on the other team's jersey."

The Tar Heels will have additional incentive. Tyler Hansbrough, the center on last season's NCAA Tournament championship team and the consensus 2008 national player of the year, will have his No. 50 retired at halftime.

Graves said that the Tar Heels will not lack for motivation, but he is hopeful that Hansbrough's appearance will spark stronger, more efficient play from a team that has already lost three home ACC games.

"The crowd will already be rocking, but with Tyler in here, the roof might come off from the screaming," Graves said.

The Blue Devils are 19-4 overall and 7-2 in the ACC, and the Tar Heels are 13-10 and 2-6 after losing their past three ACC games and seven of nine games overall. The Blue Devils have motivation as well; the Tar Heels have won six of the past seven games in the rivalry.

"It's obviously on your mind; you think about it," said Jon Scheyer, Duke's point guard. "Obviously we want to beat them again. We want to beat them really bad for a lot of reasons."

Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler average a combined 53.6 points for Duke, led by Scheyer's 18.9 points. All three are deadly 3-point shooters. Duke is making an average of 7.6 3-point shots a game. North Carolina gave up 12 3-point baskets in a 92-71 loss at Maryland on Sunday, and Coach Roy Williams said that defending Duke's outside shooting will be crucial.

"That's the biggest question mark," Williams said.

Williams has said at least twice during the losing streak that he must do a better job of coaching. But senior swingman Marcus Ginyard said the responsibility of recovery lies more on the players than the coach.

"It lands on us," Ginyard said. "There's only a certain amount I know the coaching staff can do.... We've just got to come together collectively as a team and start to do better. There's no question that we've been more up and down than the coaching staff has. We're the ones out there on game nights."

Williams said he's seeing progress. He said he hasn't lost faith in Larry Drew's play at point guard. And he doesn't see any dissension in the ranks, as some chatter has suggested.

"I know in my locker room Sunday there were some hurt youngsters in there," Williams said. "And it was not hurting youngsters pointing fingers at somebody else. I don't see lack of cohesion in my locker room."

Williams is receiving encouragement and advice from old friends, former Tar Heels and concerned fans on how to end the tailspin. Williams spoke to Mike O'Koren by phone yesterday. George Karl and Buzz Peterson called, missed Williams and left messages. Jeff Lebo left a message. Billy Cunningham, Doug Moe and Steve Previs sent notes. A former team manager sent a note.

"That part just makes me feel worse," Williams said. "I don't want to let them down."

bcole@wsjournal.com