UNC Basketball: No Dexter Strickland, No Problem for Tar Heels in Rout

In UNC’s first game back without starting shooting guard Dexter Strickland, the Tar Heels could not have looked more polished.

One week from losing their best perimeter defender and primary reserve to starting point guard Kendall Marshall to a torn ACL in his right knee, Roy Williams had his team equipped to dominate.

This game featured two offenses whose entire game plan is based around running the floor and scoring easy buckets.  Unfortunately for North Carolina State, the Tar Heels capitalized on those opportunities at a much greater rate.

Reggie Bullock was granted the start for the first time in his career.  The 6’7” sophomore showed great athleticism and agility in route to scoring 11 points and making his presence known on the defensive end of the floor.

North Carolina State came into the game with a 4-1 ACC record and riding the coattail of their All-ACC freshman star C.J. Leslie.

In a frontcourt loaded with size and speed featuring John Henson and Tyler Zeller, there was just nothing to be done in the paint for the Wolfpack.

North Carolina is still recouping from a drumming at the hands of Miami down in Coral Gables.  A 90-57 lopsided and embarrassing performance by the Tar Heels.

A performance that led to Roy Williams practicing the laziness out of his squad.  A much-needed humbling experience for a team that seems to get way too comfortable when establishing an early lead.

With the flow seemingly back in stride for the preseason NCAA champions, I believe there are many exciting games ahead.

When North Carolina plays with devout passion and focus, there is a not a team in the country that can keep up with it. The Heels are a squad that dons eight McDonald All-Americans, so losing should come nowhere close to a proven hypothesis in this galactic experiment of a basketball team.