Friday’s top-10 matchup between North Carolina and Kansas proved that we need more blue-blood programs competing against each other more often on college campuses. It was a good battle between the #1 Jayhawks and the #9 Tar Heels, providing a fun environment.
While Kansas got the better of North Carolina, this game is a learning moment for the Tar Heels and should only make them better moving forward. UNC was able to rally from 20 down to tie the game and even take the lead late before the game. The Jayhawks went on a 5-0 run to close out the game.
After the game, Kansas coach Bill Self met with the media to talk about UNC and his team’s victory.
On the atmosphere of this game
“Yeah, the first half was great. I could be wrong on that, so the North Carolina people tell me differently if I’m wrong, total class on both ends. It was all about cheering your team but not to pick on the other team I think there’s a mutual respect, because North Carolina and Kansas don’t exist without each other. I mean, Dean Smith. came from here, Larry Brown came from Carolina, Roy Williams came from Carolina and Kansas.
And then, for the first time in a long time, there is no emotion if Hubert and I play. It was emotional for Ry, it was emotional for Coach Smith, it was emotional for Larry. There was too much emotion for it to be a good match. Now it’s a good match and I think largely because those emotional connections no longer exist. But there is at least respect for each other. I guess that’s how they feel too. The mood was, it was a 10. I don’t know if we can go much higher than what it was for 40 minutes tonight.”
via The Phog
On the Kansas defense
“Well let’s call it what it is, we won’t be able to guard them coming down from a ball screen, I mean, these guys are good. We can do a lot better. What if we guarded him again, I think I would change the way we did some coverages But we’re not worried about North Carolina’s defense, we’re worried about what’s going to work against 90% of the people we’re playing. And so obviously, a big one. part of that is up to me, but. we have to do a better job with that. There were times when we were really good, but in the second half, when they were playing downhill, they were down. ‘advanced on us for the entire half.
via The Phog
On the game
“Well, they were great and we were horrible for a while (in the second half). We missed some easy shots, our poor shot selection led to transitions. We didn’t keep the screen on the ball, and what’s more, they played lights out These guards are as fast as we’ll ever face So you can make it the theme, first half versus second half, where you can say: first. half great, second half lousy. They were great, but somehow we found a way to win. or whatever. So we’ve been lucky, but I also think our guys have done some good things, and we’ve had a few guys whose pieces aren’t adjusting yet. And I hope that’s changed. , you know, Zeke in the first half, AJ, in the first half, Juan kind of kept us in the second half, was great in the first half, and then Hunter at the end of the game. the stretch was good, but it was a hell of a basketball. the team we played against tonight.”
via The Phog
On Hunter Dickinson and floor spacing
“I think it’s going to help. That remains to be seen. Guys, we’re 6-21. So it’s not like we shot the ball well. But you know, just the threat of shooting the ball is going to open some of the stuff for him.”
via The Phog
On how its parts fit
“I think guys are thinking instead of playing. It’s natural, though, it’s different for some of these guys. Rylan was so good the other night, but it’s a different type of pressure playing this tonight and they want to do so bad But we’ll be better One thing we saw tonight, when AJ Storr plays downhill, so that was a big positive because he hasn’t really done that yet. that we haven’t really seen it yet, so that was positive.
via The Phog
This article was originally published on Tar Heels Wire: What Bill Self said after Kansas’ win over UNC
