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Heels continue to improve

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Staff

Eddy Landreth
By Eddy Landreth
Staff Writer
Sophomore Harrison Barnes is once again emerging as the central offensive force on UNC’s roster.

A year ago, Barnes became the player the Tar Heels looked to with the game on the line. He produced time and again, sinking last-second shots against Miami and Florida State. Then at the 2011 ACC Tournament he scored 40 points against Clemson.

This season, he started somewhat sluggishly as he appeared to be changing the basic structure of his offensive game. Now his momentum is hurdling forward at an ever-increasing pace.

He’s played his finest basketball ever since third-ranked UNC defeated Texas on Dec. 21, 2011.

Barnes no longer appears hesitant when he drives, and he takes the 3-point shots he gets with confidence.

Junior forward John Henson threw a perfect skip pass across the court to the waiting hands of Barnes in the Tar Heels’ 83-60 win against Boston College on Jan. 7.

Barnes calmly drilled the shot for three of his eventual 25 points.

Barnes played his finest game this season against Boston College because of his overall balance offensively and his smooth approach to scoring on drives.

“We have talked about becoming a more efficient player, and he’s doing that,” coach Roy Williams said. “He’s more explosive. He gets up there quicker, and he stays up there longer because he goes higher. We want him to get to the free-throw line more.

“Right now he’s shooting over 50 percent from the 3-point line and 50 percent from the floor,” Williams said. “I said, ‘Why don’t you take the open shot?’

“If there is a path there, I want you to take it,” Williams said. “You can’t be Moses and create one if there is not one there.”

Early this year, Barnes forced the issue by attacking the basket even when a crowd blocked his way. Now he’s weaving through the defense and making difficult drives appear easy.

“There is such a difference [in Barnes],” Boston College coach Steve Donahue said. “Just watch his body language out there. It is so different. First of all, his body is a lot different. He looks a lot better. He has such a purpose to his game now.

“Everything is sharper. He has a sense of where his teammates are. He understands he can slow down when he needs to slow down. That is a good thing for [BC’s players] to see. They will not realize until next year how hard it was the first year.

“Harrison Barnes is as talented a player as there is in the country,” Donahue said. “I think he gets it, too. He has a nice head on his shoulders. He has a sense of not just playing well but helping his team win.”

Donahue said the Tar Heels impressed him with their all-around improvement.

“You have to give Carolina credit,” Donahue said. “They are a lot better basketball team than they were last year. In particular, the three kids [Tyler Zeller, Henson and Barnes] who decided to stay around, I think they are playing with a purpose. All three frontline guys have gotten substantially better in my opinion.”

Boston College freshman Ryan Anderson said the Tar Heels taught him a valuable lesson.

“Their poise, all playing together for two years, most of them as starters,” Anderson said, “I think they are poised in everything they do. Their execution was precise on every play.”

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