NFL
By: Allan Erickson
Hubert Davis took over for Roy Williams at the beginning of this season. Some really bad losses on the record for the Tar Heels. Media outlets and opposing coaches labeled this team, “soft” unwilling to work, and lacking desire. Now, the UNC Tar Heels are final four bound for the 21st time, more than any other college program.
I’ll start with Hubert Davis. This man has been crushed by some Tar Heel fans, media outlets, saying he was undeserving. He’s in over his head. There’s no way he can take over for Roy Williams and bring this program back to being elite. These are things we’ve heard all season. Hubert Davis wasn’t “the guy.” Wow. In his first season as the coach of the University of North Carolina, he has brought this undermanned UNC team to the Final Four.
The Tar Heels lost Dawson Garcia to family matters, they only play 6-7 guys per game. Against all odds, this group has put together a magical run. Regardless of what happens on Saturday against Duke, this team will always have a special place in the hearts of Tar Heel nation. RJ Davis, Caleb Love, Leaky Black, Brady Manek, and Armand Bacot- the Iron Five. The team that erased all doubt that Hubert Davis could be “that guy.” And the five who will play against Coach K and Duke in the tournament for the first time in history.
As a college basketball fan, could you ask for anything better than Duke vs. UNC in the Final Four? If you’re a Duke fan, could you think of anything better than advancing to the National Championship and avenging the stinging loss suffered at the hands of UNC on Coach K’s final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium? As a Tar Heel fan, could you want anything more than to be the team that eliminates Duke, and ends coach K’s historic career?
The stakes are always high when UNC and Duke meet up. The rivalry is like nothing else in sports. Not college sports, all sports. There’s disdain, hatred and at times a lack of sportsmanship (see Duke’s coach Carrawell refusing to shake Hubert’s hand after the loss on March 5th.) However, for the most part, there is silent respect from each side. The championships, the wins, the coaches that have been through this storied rivalry. There’s nothing like UNC vs. Duke, and next Saturday, they will meet up with the winner advancing to the National Championship Game. Grab your popcorn, folks. Saturday will be an absolute blood bath and will be great for college basketball.
Coach K has had an illustrious career. Last year we said goodbye to Roy Williams. Hubert Davis has taken over and exceeded expectations for this UNC team. There has never been a bigger game for either of these programs, with the exception of National Championship games. This storied rivalry will clash again. I’m going to need some medication to get through it, but I’m ecstatic to see round three.
If you would’ve told ANY Tar Heel fan at the beginning of this year that this team would advance to the Final Four, nobody would’ve believed it. That being said, win or lose against Duke, this has been an extremely successful first year for Hubert Davis and UNC basketball. It’s always a Good Day To Be A Tar Heel. See ya next week, Duke! [pickup_prop id=”22442″]
