COLUMBUS, Ohio — When North Carolina coach Roy Williams hears the name of the school in New Rochelle, it reminds him of an old story the late Jim Valvano used to share about the first time someone told him about Iona College.
“You own a college?” Valvano asked.
The memory of Valvano, who coached at Iona before winning the 1983 national championship at North Carolina State, brought a smile to Williams’ face at Nationwide Arena on Thursday.
“You have to be old to remember that,” he chuckled.
Jokes aside, the thought of the No.1-seeded Tar Heels playing the 16th-seeded Gaels in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday is no laughing matter to Williams, who has seen enough of Iona on film to make him plenty nervous.
“We to have understand they’ve got five guys outside the 3-point line a lot and all five guys can shoot the 3-point shot,” Williams said.
“Early in the year, 40-something percent of the shots they took were 3-pointers. The last four or five games, it’s over 50 percent. So we realize we’ve got to get out on the floor and cover the 3-point line. The easiest way for you to get beat is to give them free shots at the foul line or free shots from the 3-point line.”
North Carolina (27-6) earned the top seed in the Midwest Region despite losing the ACC Tournament championship to Duke, and remains a heavy favorite to reach the Final Four in Minneapolis. But the Tar Heels insist they’re not taking anything for granted, especially after UMBC upset Virginia last year to become the first 16th-seed to beat a No.1 seed.
“We watched that game in a meeting room of our hotel last year,” senior guard Kenny Williams said. “It’s just something that you don’t really expect, especially with a team like Virginia. We told each other let’s not let that be us.”
Dating back to his days in Kansas, Roy Williams is 28-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It’s an unblemished record he hopes isn’t soiled Friday.
“Coach is all about respecting everyone, but fearing no one,” Williams said. “When you step between those lines, especially in March, you’re going to get everybody’s best shot. Everybody is playing for their life. Everybody is playing for their season. So we have to take the same mindset.”
Senior guard Cameron Johnson is healthy and ready to play after sitting out practices on Monday and Tuesday with soreness in his shin.
“It’s March,” Johnson said. “Everybody is feeling something. I’m all right. My shin is a little sore coming off the ACC Tournament, but I’m feeling pretty good now.”
Three keys to an Iona victory
Play faster
North Carolina and the Gaels both like an up-tempo offense, fueled by the 3-point shot. Iona isn’t afraid of the challenge. “They like to get up and down, but we like to get up and down,” junior forward Tajuan Agee said. “So it’s going to be a challenge that we want. It’s a big game. We know it’s a big game. We are ready for the challenge, though.”
Repeat history
UMBC became the first 16th-seed to beat a No.1 seed last year when it upset Virginia, 74-54, in the opening round. The Cavaliers made just 4 of 22 3-point attempts in the game, while UMBC shot 54.1 percent from the field, making 12 of 24 from 3-point range. “A 16 beating a 1, it happened before and it can happen again,” Agee said. We’re going to come out and we’re going to play our hearts out and we’re going to give it our all. Hopefully we can get it done.”
Don’t be intimidated
North Carolina brings with it all its tradition and championships. Iona can’t blink. After four straight appearances in the NCAA, the Gaels have bigger goals than to be one and done. “We not going out there just to be here,” junior guard Asante Gist said. “We want to get a win. That’s what we all tell each other on a consistent basis.”