In only the second meeting
between the number one ranked Tarheels of North Carolina and the Valparaiso
Crusaders, a lopsided score only showed the positives. Last year in Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
Valpo let UNC go on a 29 and two run to close out the game. This year, that was not the case. Despite losing by twenty two points to the
top team in the nation, Valparaiso did not let that faze them. In an 85-63
loss, the Crusaders led in the first ten minutes before pulling within ten
points at the half with the score being 41-31 Tarheels.
In the second half, Valpo
managed let UNC go on a 44-32 run to close out the game. Considering the fact that UNC beat Michigan
State by 35 points in Detroit earlier this season, a 22 point loss is proof
that a mid-major team like Valparaiso can take on a perennial powerhouse and
keep the score close.
One would think that playing
the game at the United Center in Chicago would give the Crusaders an advantage. Unfortunately, UNC found a way to take apart
the Crusaders bit by bit. Also the
return of Brandon McPherson should have given that extra boost that has been
missing since the season began.
Field-goal and three-point
shots led to the demise of Valparaiso.
One cannot expect to win a game making 46% of your shots and 33% from
beyond the arc. Hopefully the Crusaders
will learn from this as they prepare for conference play in January. It’s these games that really count.
Next up is the Knights of Central
Florida in Orlando whom Valpo beat earlier this season.
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