THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412090775
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina coach Dean Smith virtually refuses to acknowledge that his Tar Heels occupy the top ranking in college basketball.
But even he had to admit the Tar Heels played the way a No. 1 team is supposed to play in crunch time Thursday night to defeat No. 24 Villanova, 75-66.
For one night, at least, the Tar Heels handled the No. 1 ranking better than last season, when they went to the top of the polls four times, only to lose each time.
North Carolina (5-0) took over No. 1 in this week's poll, following Arkansas and Massachusetts, who were beaten when they held the top spot.
The Heels avoided the upset bullet by shaking loose from a 61-61 tie with 3:50 remaining.
``We don't look at being ranked No. 1 as being a burden,'' said forward Jerry Stackhouse, who had 17 points.
``Other teams may test us a little more because of it, but we get tested every game because we have North Carolina on our jerseys.''
The Heels made nine of 10 free throws and got a big 3-point goal from Dante Calabria to put away the Wildcats and pass the latest test.
``What I like the most about the win is the way we won,'' Smith said. ``I thought the way we won was crucial.
``We handled the late-game situation well and executed down the stretch.''
Still, Smith insisted North Carolina is undeserving of the top spot.
``We aren't the No. 1 team in the country,'' he contended, ``unless Villanova is No. 2.''
The Wildcats (4-2) showed some grit despite a slow start.
After trailing, 21-8, they zipped for 10 straight points and were down, 34-29, at intermission.
Villanova took its first lead midway through the second half, but never led by more than two before the Tar Heels dominated the final three minutes.
The victory might have come easier had sophomore center Rasheed Wallace not suffered through one of his more disappointing performances in a Tar Heel uniform.
He got into early foul trouble and made only 2 of 7 field goal attempts for 4 points, 16 below his average.
The 6-foot-11 Wallace is a native of Philadelphia and considered going to Villanova before deciding on North Carolina.
``I think he was just trying too hard, but I still wouldn't trade him,'' Smith said.
Wallace said he didn't feel pressure playing against his hometown college.
``I looked at it as just another game,'' he contended. ``We have a lot of good players on this team. I am not the only one.''
Despite a rare shortage of bench strength, the Tar Heels did have others who provided big plays.
Donald Williams, who was reprimanded by Smith for forcing a shot in the first half, scored four of his seven field goals and made four free throws in the final 9:30 to finish with 18 points.
``Their zone defense gave Donald good looks at the basket, but he has to be patient and let it come to him,'' Smith said.
Dante Calabria, a 6-foot-4 junior forced into the small forward position by Pat Sullivan's injury, had 16 points.
His 3-pointer with 2:56 left provided UNC a 67-61 advantage.
Calabria learned earlier Thursday that he probably will have to remain at the small forward spot the remainder of the season.
Sullivan, a senior, underwent back surgery Thursday afternoon and doctors say it is unlikely he will play again this season.
North Carolina will take a break for exams next week and doesn't play again until Dec. 17 against VMI. by CNB