Gonzaga Loss In The Sweet Sixteen

Tar Heels close to their best in win over Gonzaga

By Howie Stalwick

Special to The Seattle Times

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It came as small consolation to Gonzaga, but North Carolina coaches and players said Friday night's performance was special even by their high standards.

"We played really, really well," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said after the 98-77 romp in the South Regional semifinal game. "I thought we beat a fantastic basketball team in Gonzaga that did not have their best day."

Asked if the Tar Heels' performance was a perfect 10, senior wing Danny Green said, "It was close, but I wouldn't say it was a 10. I'd say it was an eight.

"We still have some things we have to work on. We've got to play better because it is going to get tougher and tougher as we go on."

The 98 points allowed and 21-point margin of defeat were the worst for Gonzaga since a 108-87 loss at Virginia on Jan. 3, 2007. The Bulldogs rank among the national leaders in field-goal-percentage defense, but the Tar Heels shot 53 percent, including 58 percent on three-pointers.

"It's tough to stop a team of that caliber when they're shooting the ball like that," Gonzaga forward Austin Daye said.

"Their entire team just played great," Gonzaga star Josh Heytvelt said.

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