I can hear the screams, upset city, baby! Shock city, what a wacky weekend. That's the beauty of the game, the emotion and passion.
It is incredible what kids can do when they put up the right mindset. What about Maryland, a team that lost to Ohio University, American University, and beat the No. 1 team in America, the Tar Heels of North Carolina. The Terps did it down at Chapel Hill. My friends, if you know Gary Williams, he has had a great history of getting his kids to focus for the big moment.
Maryland did a phenomenal job defensively, especially making sure Tyler Hansbrough didn't beat them. The Terps made the All-American earn every bucket, getting as much help as possible and often double-teaming him. That was crucial.
Offensively, Eric Hayes made some big shots on the perimeter and James Gist had a super game, posing a double-double. He was a major, major factor inside.
Roy Williams knows his team must defend for a long period of time. Everybody gives the Tar Heels their best hit; when they see that North Carolina jersey, opponents go to another level.
The Tar Heels must be intense on the defensive side. They can't give too many open looks.
Look at USC vs. UCLA. I said that Tim Floyd was going to bring excitement and make that rivalry something special. Davon Jefferson had a special game, scoring 25 big points for the Trojans.
It was the defensive effort by USC that took them to the winner's circle. Football coach Pete Carroll would have been proud of that performance!
It is all about kids playing at another level, competing with an incredible energy, enthusiasm and excitement. That's what happens and the great ones like UCLA and North Carolina find out that teams go at it with so much intensity knowing what it at stake.
I really believe Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams will use this loss as a great teaching method. He will get them to respond from this as they learn that they can't let teams stay with them. It all comes from executing as a team on the defensive end. Knowing the mind of Williams, he will find a way to get them to respond.
This team is too talented and they will get in high gear. There were scares against Clemson and Georgia Tech, and now that the first L has happened, North Carolina can go back to the drawing board and make some minor adjustments. I still feel this is the team that will cut down the nets in San Antonio.
Just another exciting weekend of college hoops my friends … you never know what to expect!
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
