Especially since our shocking win in Raleigh, I have asked some of my more rational Hole fan friends about some of Roy’s curious tendencies. No, nothing about banging farm animals, but his strange strategy. You know, playing Wes Miller and/or Bobby Frasor down the stretch of close games – sometimes ahead of arguably his best player (Ty Lawson). Or his stubborn insistence that he shouldn’t press during road games except at the end of the game or trailing by a huge margin.
They have no explanation, and also cite the train wreck nature of UNC’s half-court offense. That shouldn’t be with the unstoppable Brandon Wright eligible to play – but it often is. So…the question looms. Can lightning strike twice? Hell, if a mensch (hat tip to Noah) like Les Robinson can beat Dean twice in one season, why can’t Lowe win two against Roy, despite being heavily outgunned?
Then reality sets in, and I start to dread 9:00. Roy doesn’t have any rules against pressing at home. I can still remember what GT’s press did to us, and their athletes are nowhere near as skilled as UNC’s. One of Roy’s redeeming qualities is his hatred of NC State (ask someone with access to Rams’ Club events), which is vastly preferable to the more common condescending nonchalance. However, that works against us here. Roy couldn’t understand his team playing with less passion last time out. How can those whippersnappers not get up for NC State? I am certain Roy has pounded that lesson home all week.
What can we do? Somehow convince UNC’s players that we’re really Virginia Tech. Or convince our players that UNC is really Virginia Tech. Both, maybe? In all seriousness, we at least have that scintilla of hope. Thanks, Coach Lowe. I can’t really dread 9:00, no matter what my brain says. I want to watch, and I’ll be proud of where we’re headed regardless of the final score. I enjoy the thought of Brandon Wright going pro, and Hansbrough trying to deal with McCauley and Hickson pretty much by himself, while Costner pops 3s when the UNC defense sags to help out.
Update: Here’s a hilarious, non-photoshopped picture of weasel-in-chief Dick Baddour, for your viewing/mocking pleasure. Hat tip to 850 The Buzz’ Joe Ovies.
