If you’ve listened to much sports radio or spent much time near a water cooler since Carolina’s win over Clemson on Sunday, you’ve almost undoubtedly heard someone complain that Coach Williams and the Heels did not seem excited enough in their celebration of UNC’s record 17th ACC Tournament Championship. As someone who grew up watching the ACC Tournament and, if given a choice between the two, would have to think hard about whether to pick ACC Tournament tickets or Final Four tickets, let me be clear: Those remarks are completely ridiculous. Coach Williams offered a great explanation in his opening remarks during his radio show last night of why the Heels were happy they won, but didn’t come unhinged after Sunday’s game. For long-time Carolina fans, it probably calls to mind a man known as “Big Game James” and his actions after Carolina won the ’82 ACC Tournament. James Worthy, who earned that nickname in part through his performance as MVP of that ’82 ACC Tournament, told his teammates they should leave the nets hanging in Greensboro after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers because the nets he wanted were in New Orleans. Worthy and his teammates got the nets he wanted 3 weeks later, after a young freshman named Michael Jordan drained a jump shot with 16 seconds to go to win the ’82 National Championship. If there’s a similar outcome in San Antonio on April 7th, do you think anyone will complain about the Tar Heels focusing on goals beyond winning the ACC Tournament?
