North Carolina is for Real

I have always made it apparent that I do not have a love for the ACC, but I have to say it - #1 North Carolina is really good. I do not expect UNC to lose more than one or two games in their ACC conference season. If they were in the Big East, they'd likely have a few more losses, but they still would be the best or second best in the conference.A big test will occur when they play #5 Michigan State in front of a packed Ford Field (a warmup for the facility as they will have the National Championship this year).

What I've been most impressed with is not Ty Lawson's speed, Wayne Ellington's threes, or Tyler Hansborough's domination (including jumpers going as far back as the 3-point line), but it is the team defense. The D has far improved from last year, when they were put in a HUGE hole in the National Semifinal against eventual National Champion Kansas last year. Even though they gave up ten threes to Notre Dame guard Kyle McAlarney, the game was never in doubt. For a team to beat UNC, they will need to play good defense, be able to drive inside, get easy fast break baskets against a speedy UNC team, and force Hansborough into foul trouble. This is a tough task to ask of any team.