Nov. 29
North Carolina basketball is a lot like Notre Dame football. There is a lot of great tradition, and people will take their shots when the program is down.

The Tar Heels are 0-3 for the first time since 1928 following the loss to Indiana in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Let me tell you, the talent at North Carolina right now is not reminiscent of the talent enjoyed in the past. Matt Doherty's team is limited, and while the effort is there, this could be a season where a number of streaks come to an end.

Think about it: 31 straight seasons with 20 or more wins, 37 seasons finishing in the top three in the ACC, 27 straight NCAA tournament berths.

	For those teasing North Carolina now, watch out. This is a program that has a lot to offer young people: great fan support, facilities, tradition. It all equals good recruiting success.

Even with limited talent, it is hard to believe the Tar Heels lost to Hampton and Davidson, and that is not meant as a knock to those programs.

The Carolina uniform brings so much respect. When you walk into the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, it is like going into a basketball museum. Unfortunately, right now, the Tar Heels lack confidence.

North Carolina is missing that certain strut it had when Julius Peppers and Ronald Curry were on the team. The two football players are currently sitting out the basketball season. I think Curry may join the basketball squad after football ends; Peppers, a potential first-round pick, will likely concentrate on football, though the door is still open.

It is sad to see the basketball program hoping for football players to return because those guys are needed to give a boost.

I feel a lot of fans forget that these are still kids. North Carolina has to be patient, and shot selection is so important. It is vital when you don't have good outside shooters.

Wednesday night against Indiana, the Tar Heels played with great emotion and put forth a solid effort. North Carolina lost to a good Indiana basketball team.

Think about how quickly things can turn around. Last season, Doherty's team was 18-0 and No. 1 in America. Then things began to sink, ending on a sour note with a second-round loss to Penn State in the NCAA tournament. The start of this season has obviously been rough.

Carolina showed pride after being embarrassed and humiliated in the first two games. It was not enough.

In the first half against the Hoosiers, the 2-3 zone had to identify Indiana's shooters and get in their faces. Mike Davis' team was able to shoot over the zone.

Unless you get aggressive in playing the zone, you have a problem. North Carolina appeared passive in it, and the Hoosiers took advantage.

Jason Capel was a great role player last year. This season, he is being called on to be a star. Last year Capel was surrounded by stars like Brendan Haywood and Joseph Forte. With their absence, there is added pressure on Capel.

As an experienced player, Capel has to assert himself. Capel and Kris Lang have to be the leaders on this team. Lang had a great game against Indiana.

The Tar Heels have to cut down on turnovers and improve the outside shooting.

Matt Doherty has a great passion and love for what he does. You can see the emotion he showed against Indiana. He has a staff that works hard and he puts forth a tremendous effort, studying tape, scouting, etc.

The bottom line is, the personnel is not there. Next year, the Tar Heels have a great recruiting class coming in with Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants and Sean May.

For those teasing North Carolina now, watch out. This is a program that has a lot to offer young people: great fan support, facilities, tradition. It all equals good recruiting success.

Trust me, the North Carolina program will bounce back.