In a game of superstars I don't think it will come down to a superstar. I think there will be 1 player that will be the x-factor, and give UNC the win:
Jawad Williams
Probably not the answer people expected. Rewind back to last year when he suffered a concussion. He had been playing very well up to that point, scoring and rebounding like a possessed man. But after that concussion, he was extremely timid when he returned. He just wasn't the same player.
Fast forward to this season. If you have a second, go look at Jawads game by game scoring and you'll notice something. From November 19 to January 29, he was averaging about 16+ pts and about 5 rebs per game. He looked like the "old jawad". I really felt like his improved play was as big a part of the tar heels success early on. Feb 3rd against NC State he suffered a hip pointer. I'm not sure if anyone here has ever experienced one, but it's the type of nagging injury that is always there and one bump away from resurfacing. He rebounded, but again reaggravated it march 2nd. It's no coincidence. If you seriously take a look at his numbers it's painfully obvious. Fortunately, Jawad is one of the few selfless players on this teams roster. Nobody heard about this because he didn't want it all over the press.
Rewind to this past Friday prior to the MSU. I read in two places that Jawad said his hip was 98%. I was suprised because he really never talked about it much. It was always hush-hush, but really for the 1st time he referenced being injured. I thought to myself that I hope that is true. I don't think it was a coincidence what you saw against MSU from him. All who watched that 1st half surely must agree that without him UNC goes into halftime down 14+. He was the only guy there. 20pts, 8 rebounds.
Sure, maybe some of you wonder what this whole post about Jawad is for. I really think that Illinois and UNC are both so good, so deep...how can anyone really truly say who will win. If both teams show up and play to their potential, no one in this forum can confidently say who will win. The good players on both teams will get their pts, their assists, etc. It's the x-factor, and I think Jawad has a good chance to be that tonight.
My key to the game is turnovers. Carolina has been turning the ball over way too much, especially early in games. Illinois on the other hand has really be taking care of the ball well. In a game like this extra posessions will be extremely important.
Good luck to everyone tonight. I hope we all get the game we are envisioning. I can honestly say that although I will be very depressed, i will not be angry should the heels fall. I am grateful for the chance to cheer for "my" team in the national championship.
So there you have it folks, UNC -2 for me. From the 2nd biggest homer on this forum (I'd like to think scott4usc is a bigger homer than myself), I hope you all have a great night watching the game. And for myself, I hope I'm running buck naked down franklin st spraypainting everything in sight Carolina Blue.
Jawad Williams
Probably not the answer people expected. Rewind back to last year when he suffered a concussion. He had been playing very well up to that point, scoring and rebounding like a possessed man. But after that concussion, he was extremely timid when he returned. He just wasn't the same player.
Fast forward to this season. If you have a second, go look at Jawads game by game scoring and you'll notice something. From November 19 to January 29, he was averaging about 16+ pts and about 5 rebs per game. He looked like the "old jawad". I really felt like his improved play was as big a part of the tar heels success early on. Feb 3rd against NC State he suffered a hip pointer. I'm not sure if anyone here has ever experienced one, but it's the type of nagging injury that is always there and one bump away from resurfacing. He rebounded, but again reaggravated it march 2nd. It's no coincidence. If you seriously take a look at his numbers it's painfully obvious. Fortunately, Jawad is one of the few selfless players on this teams roster. Nobody heard about this because he didn't want it all over the press.
Rewind to this past Friday prior to the MSU. I read in two places that Jawad said his hip was 98%. I was suprised because he really never talked about it much. It was always hush-hush, but really for the 1st time he referenced being injured. I thought to myself that I hope that is true. I don't think it was a coincidence what you saw against MSU from him. All who watched that 1st half surely must agree that without him UNC goes into halftime down 14+. He was the only guy there. 20pts, 8 rebounds.
Sure, maybe some of you wonder what this whole post about Jawad is for. I really think that Illinois and UNC are both so good, so deep...how can anyone really truly say who will win. If both teams show up and play to their potential, no one in this forum can confidently say who will win. The good players on both teams will get their pts, their assists, etc. It's the x-factor, and I think Jawad has a good chance to be that tonight.
My key to the game is turnovers. Carolina has been turning the ball over way too much, especially early in games. Illinois on the other hand has really be taking care of the ball well. In a game like this extra posessions will be extremely important.
Good luck to everyone tonight. I hope we all get the game we are envisioning. I can honestly say that although I will be very depressed, i will not be angry should the heels fall. I am grateful for the chance to cheer for "my" team in the national championship.
So there you have it folks, UNC -2 for me. From the 2nd biggest homer on this forum (I'd like to think scott4usc is a bigger homer than myself), I hope you all have a great night watching the game. And for myself, I hope I'm running buck naked down franklin st spraypainting everything in sight Carolina Blue.
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