It should have been a let-down game.  After a heartbreaking one-point loss at archrival Duke, the Tar Heels had every reason to play lazily and lackadasically in a non-conference game at "neutral" Hartford Civic Center against #19 Connecticut.

Nope.  On February 13th, The Tar Heels showed renewed focus, winning 77-70.  Raymond and Rashad had 16 and 15, respectively, and the three-headed post attack of Jawad, Marvin and Sean helped combat UConn's frontcourt power.  I can't count the number of times Digger Phelps mentioned UConn's blocked shots.  18 was the CBS 'Stat of the Game,' yet everyone seemed to forget the Heels won.

The Tar Heels turned the corner on the ACC season and began the second half by getting a great road win against a great non-conference opponent.  They would go on to win out in the regular season, and the turn started in Hartford.

Press Conference Transcript

You knew this already; just for completion's sake, there's the link.  Rashad McCants was a huge part of the team that delivered a fourth NCAA Championship to Chapel Hill.  He will be missed, but we wish him the best.  We will watch his professional career with great interest.  There was a great article in the News & Observer a few months ago about getting to know Rashad - I'll link it if I come across it.  It's a fascinating read.  A misunderstood man who gave his all on the court, especially as he matured as a player and a person.

Edited to add link: To Understand Rashad... Fabulous story by Robbi Pickeral.  Thanks HBG!

Sorry for the delay - I went to the awards banquet last night and didn't get home in time to post before going to sleep.  More on the banquet later.

By now, you know my stance on women's basketball; I love it.  I love having another Tar Heel basketball team to cheer for.  Especially one that plays so much like the men's team.  I love any Carolina team that goes 30-4, in any sport.

The Tar Heels won for the first time in 12 games against then-#1 Duke in front of nearly 7,000 in the Dean E. Smith Center on January 24th. They allowed Monique Currie and Duke to score just 13 points in the first half, then held off a late rally for the win, taking it 56-51.

It was an emotional win for the Tar Heels, who were slowly climbing up on the national radar.  Ranked 12th at the time, the Heels would eventually grab a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

They beat a bruising team that, like the Tar Heels, is reminiscent of its male counterparts.  Gail Goestenkors is a delightful lady, if I may be sarcastic for a moment.  She and Sylvia both work the refs as well as they coach their teams.

By all accounts, Duke should have run away with the second meeting in Cameron Indoor Stadium.  Nope.  The Heels rallied with 5 minutes to go and didn't look back, winning 77-68 in front of the delightful Cameron Crazies.  Duke was ranked #2 at the time, Carolina #8.

Sylvia Hatchell's Tar Heels began to turn the balance of power in ACC Women's Basketball this season.  Her quick, talented team earned the #1 seed in the ACC Tournament by virtue of sweeping the Blue Devils.  They were a fun team to watch this year, and the future looks bright.