Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190061
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: CINCINNATI LENGTH: Medium
When guard Hubert Davis - coach Dean Smith's only contributing senior - tried to do to much or couldn't do enough, Carolina turned blue.
George Lynch, as the Heels' most productive underclassman,thought it time to display some additional maturity. As he showed in the ACC Tournament, it's easier to lead with the ball in hand.
If UNC is to advance to the NCAA's Sweet 16 for the 12th straight year, Lynch must put up more than the consistent numbers that have marked the career of the junior from Roanoke.
"In the NCAA, you've already played so many games teams have been able to see what a team does with its offense," Lynch said Wednesday, the eve of UNC's 18th-consecutive NCAA Tournament opener. "When you get to the peak of the year, some players stand out as individuals because they go outside the offense and do some special things."
Although Davis clearly rules the Tar Heels' attack, Lynch has displayed he's a tournament player. In making the five-man All-ACC Tournament team last weekend, Lynch had 56 points - including 22-of-39 shooting - and 26 rebounds in Carolina's runner-up finish.
In pushing UNC into the title game against Duke, Lynch had 41 points and 21 rebounds in wins over Wake Forest and Florida State. With the Heels opening in the NCAA Southeast Region against Miami of Ohio today, it should be remembered that the Roanoker averaged 11 points and 7.2 rebounds in Carolina's five-game run to the Final Four a year ago.
Is this Lynch's personal March madness in a system that once made Michael Jordan seem like any other guy in short pants?
"I think the other players on the team respect me and my abilities," Lynch said. "I think I'm the kind of player who could lead, because I've worked hard and I know what it takes to win.
"I've been a player who hasn't always looked to score. It's important to keep your teammates happy, especially when you're putting together on the college level a bunch of guys out of high school who had to score.
"In the [ACC] tournament, it was a conscious thing, me looking for the shot. I get on the post a lot of times, and I don't really look to score. But a lot of times in the tournament, I had to make something happen.
"If I can make myself more of a threat on the floor, then the defense has to think about me."
Lynch's point was proven in a Cincinnati newspaper Tuesday. In a story on the preparation of Miami's scouting report on the Tar Heels, the Redskins raved about Davis, mentioned other starters Eric Montross, Derrick Phelps and Brian Reese and even backup big men Kevin Salvadori and Matt Wenstrom.
Lynch was inkless.
The 6-foot-7 forward knows that another way to enhance his averages of 14.4 points and a team-leading 8.9 rebounds is to spend more minutes on the floor. Smith's substitution flurries aren't the sole factor in Lynch's court time being limited, however. He has fouled out six times in 30 games and finished nine other games with four personals.
It certainly would be wrong, however, to label Lynch as a hack of a player.
"Our offense isn't set to go to one player," Lynch said. "Whether I take eight shots or 15 shots, they're going to be good shots.
"Coming in to North Carolina, I expected to play the wing a lot. I haven't had that chance to play the wing. Once I get that chance, maybe next year, my game will go to another level.
"I think I'm doing a great job playing power forward for Carolina. I think when I get to my natural position, I'll be a better player."
by CNB