Midnight Madness With The Tar Heels

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Midnight Madness With The Tar Heels By CARSON DAVIS, MOP Squad Sports Writer Oct 18, 2004 - 5:26:00 PM	Email this article Printer friendly page
When the clock struck midnight this past Saturday morning that could only mean one thing. The start of another College Basketball season for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels was underway. All throughout the day, beginning at 1:35pm Friday afternoon, people entered the Dean Smith Center in anticpiation for the 25 minute scrimmage that was to go down at midnight. I arrived shortly before 11:00pm to see thousands had filled seats in the lower level, and the upper level was beginning to fill. Stuart Scott was in town at the College in which he attended to host Midnight Madness; quoted "Late Night With Roy Williams". He was able to get the crowd excited, as he joked and played with the fans. The mens basketball team amused the crowd with dances to retro music by artist such as Michael Jackson, Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer, and others. The highlight of this came when Wes Miller impersonated Roy Williams. The fun and games were over. Midnight struck and the 2004-2005 mens basketball team took the court accompanied by Roy Williams. The team began warming up by shooting jumpers, to layups, and dunks that brought the crowd to their feet. There appeared to be some new faces on the court. Wes Miller, who had transferred last season and was red shirted took the court. Also 2004 class recruits Marvin Williams, and Quentin Thomas. The game began with Marvin Williams of the blue team introducing himself to the UNC fans with a windmill dunk that brought just about everyone to their feet, just 2 of his 15 points during the 25 minute game. White afterwards, jumped out to a quick 20-9 lead. Everytime was falling for the white team, from Raymond Felton's dish to Rahsad McCants for the jumper, to Jawad William's outside shots, and Sean May's 22-footer. The Blue team was just getting warmed up as it battled back within 3 before the game ended. The team seems to be right where it would be during it's first practice. There appears to be a good amount of chemistry. I was thrilled to see how well Jackie Manuel was playing defense, and Damion Grant contributing to his team by blocking a couple shots. Damion Grant appears to have gotten better during the offseason, maybe this season we will see a more healthier big man to help out Sean May in the paint. Along with Damion Grant, Reyshawn appears to have gotten better, he sparked the crowd often by going inside the paint and dunking the ball with no hesistation. Rookie Point Guard Quentin Thomas showed that he's able to step in and play backup role to Raymond Felton well. Wes Miller, the other Point Guard handled the ball well, but his timing on shots were off and he missed his first few baskets before finally connecting for two. From both sides there appeared to be alot less passing and more shooting, which was different from UNC's team last season who had players pass up open baskets more than they would take the shot. Jawad Williams appears to be ready to lead this team in his senior year with the Tar Heels, as he shot the ball well during the scrimmage, more so behind the arc. Rashad McCants was one of the many Heels who wasn't passing up shots, he connected with the basket many times on shots inside the paint. But there were guys that appeared to be the same as they were last season. Melvin Scott still continues to pass up the open jump shot, while Sean May is still quite weak in the paint when he has the ball. The Big man has to learn how to go up and dunk the ball. There's nothing that practice can't do to handle it. Until then, I'll see you in November for the first game. Copyright 2007 - MOP Squad Sports Top of Page