Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 10, 1994 TAG: 9404100085
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
This letter is in response to all of the disgusted, downtrodden, angry UNC fans who have blasted you for your March 21 column.
It seems that whenever a North Carolina team loaded with high school (and) eventual college All-Americans suffers a setback in the NCAA Tournament, there has to be an excuse. This year it's the nasty, physical play of the other team. I seriously doubt that Danya Abrams was thinking, "If I foul him hard enough, maybe he'll get a concussion and have to leave the game." And we all know Carolina is short on talent and probably couldn't find a suitable replacement.
Just like in any playoffs, the play becomes more tense and physical. Teams have to adjust in order to win and the bottom line is, UNC didn't, although it seems to me that during the regular season it did just fine, while shooting twice as many free throws as the opposition. Dean Smith is a great coach, but I think his whining was more out of frustration with his team's play than the officials or the opposition. UNC has the most talent and best team in the country hands down, but once again couldn't get the job done.
For you Tar Heel fans who don't care for Virginia schools or a Virginia newspaper, I'm sure there's plenty of room in North Carolina for you to live and when you speak of accomplishments and superior programs, please don't forget the most successful North Carolina program in the last 10 years - Duke.
DARREN YEATTS
ROANOKE
by CNB