Nov. 23, 2008

Photo Gallery

By Adam Lucas

MAUI--Only in Maui has the media ever seemed so delighted to assemble for an 8 a.m. press conference.

Normally, early interviews are despised. In Maui, they're relished. Sunday morning's press conference was held early for several reasons: it helps with East Coast newspaper deadlines (Maui is five hours behind Eastern time), it's one of the few time slots all day that all the coaches are free because of limited practice availability, and most importantly, it leaves the rest of the day free.

Sunday's affair was a lovefest, with all eight coaches together on a table with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop. When the group took their seats, one thing became obvious: there are some big-time coaches at this event. The right side of the podium included Phil Martelli of St. Joseph's, Rick Barnes of Texas, Tom Crean of Indiana, and Mike Brey of Notre Dame--a group that easily could have been a Final Four contingent.

Of course, with all the coaches gathered together, none of them wanted to say anything remotely negative about their opposition. Martelli called Texas a "Final Four team." Barnes apparently hadn't read his St. Joseph's scouting report yet, so he decided to compliment the Hawks' mascot. Crean discussed how much he loves Mike Brey, and then Brey returned the favor about Crean.

It seems the friendly vibe in Maui even extends to one of the most competitive professions in the world, college coaching.

Hansbrough update: The Tar Heels are set to practice later today, and the coaching and medical staff will decide after that session what Hansbrough's plans for the tournament might be. Williams said Friday he hesitated to play his big man in three straight games, which led to some speculation that perhaps Hansbrough could be held out against Chaminade and then play on Tuesday and Wednesday. While that might be the best scenario for the Tar Heels--with their national player of the year playing in what are likely to be the two more competitive games--it might not be best for Hansbrough.

"Nobody has come up with a good plan yet," Williams said. "One of our coaches brought up (not playing him Monday), but if we save him for the next two, first of all you don't know what's going to happen in the first game. And second that would mean playing him two days in a row...I'm more concerned about playing him three straight days than I was about playing him Friday night."

Off-court activities: The Maui Invitational is about basketball, of course. But it's also about what happens off the hardwood. "It's a great experience for the team to get on the road and spend time together," Williams said. "It's wonderful for that so-called chemistry."

The Tar Heels began their off-court slate almost immediately upon arrival, as Saturday night brought a players' video game tournament. Ty Lawson and Mike Copeland dispatched three players each from other teams to face off in the finals, with Copeland prevailing 35-30. Could it be an omen? Maybe, because Rashad McCants won it in 2004.

"Mike Copeland should have won," Williams said. "With his ACL surgery, he hasn't practiced one day. It sort of bothers me that he beat Ty Lawson, because he's one who is supposed to be practicing basketball."

The players are also planning a snorkeling exhibition--at the 2004 event, that was the day when the vicious guppies chased David Noel, leading to some hilarious video of the "attack"--and Williams expects several of his squad to partake in the annual jump off the cliff near the team hotel, the Westin.

Williams said he would not be participating in the jump.

"We'd rather see you in a Speedo than jumping off a cliff," Barnes cracked.

"No, you wouldn't," Williams replied.

Free throws: Carolina's head coach missed his first two free throw attempts during the charity free throw exhibition following the press conference. Suitably miffed, he then drained his next three.

Williams almost never shoots around during practice--unless he's tossing up the shots that began a full-court rebounding and fast break drill--so it was a rare opportunity to see his form.

Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly. He is also the author or co-author of four books on Carolina basketball.