"Feeling (Carolina) Blue"

An almost forgotten team, maybe to some; A forgotten program, –NEVER.


While sometimes I would like to trade in Dexter Strickland’s out of control ball handling while trying to dribble through 3 people, or Marcus Ginyard’s inconsistent jumper, or Larry Drew’s inability to pass the ball to someone in a blue or white jersey on a fast break that’s not there, or Ed Davis’ reluctance to use the backboard, or DeonThompson’s fade away lay-up, or Will Graves inability to player longer than 2 ½ minutes without getting tired, the truth of the matter is outside of all them being very gifted (better than me) in basketball, I'm not giving up on them because... WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM.

So who am I to write these things about them? Right? Sort of, because I’m sure everything that I’ve mentioned, they’ve been told over and over again. I write it because I care…

…from every turnover to every steal, from every blocked shot to every point, from every loss to each win…it doesn't change the fact that WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM.

Let’s be honest, the #4 ranking to start the season was very generous. And now to think we are 3, maybe 4 losses away from being one of three teams to win a National Championship and not make it back to the NCAA tournament the following year is… very humbling!

I have a feeling UNC’s young basketball team’s struggles will not end after the Wednesday night game (win or loss) versus Duke.  Another loss would mean we inch one step closer to what I mentioned above.  One win against Puke would make all the other losses an after thought.

To all my Puke friends (Scotty et all), my one family member (shout out to Aunt Felecia) and the rest of the Carolina Basketball naysayers …ENJOY, because it won’t last very LONG!

I AM a UNC TARHEEL…and so are they. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME!

Ni-Eric
Class of 2004