Post-Game Blackboard: Nevada Wolf Pack

Positives

• Wayne Ellington's new year's resolution of converting more shots came through as the junior shot 2-5 from three pointers and shot 5-11 overall, totaling 15 points. Every time I glanced at the game over my champagne flute Ellington was slashing to the basket on the break. The Heel will need more aggressive play out of Ellington if they hope to make it to Detroit.
  
• Somehow, someway Tyler Hansbrough managed to score 22 points despite seeming absent in this game. It's impressive how poorly he seems to play, yet he still inches closer and closer to the ACC scoring mark.
  
• Finally, an excellent defensive game. The true measure of defense in my opinion is shooting percentage, which the Heels held Nevada to 35 percent while they still managed to shoot nearly 51 percent from the field. Carolina didn't force too many turnovers as a savvy Wolf Pack squad only turned it over 15 times against Carolina's 13, yet UNC held Nevada to 1-10 three point shooting -- nice work considering teams like Duke will be a challenge to defend from beyond the arc.
  

Negatives

• Nevada actually out rebounded the Heels by one, which might have been due to their focus on Hansbrough. He managed only three rebounds in this game -- well below his season average of 7.5 rebounds per game.
  
• Danny Green's three turnovers brought back images of his decision making from last season -- an improvement I praised in the Rutgers' post-game thoughts.
  
• Marcus Ginyard's return might not be as smooth as Carolina fans hoped. Ginyard missed both of his shots and made one of his two free throws and was called for an offensive foul -- not a good start for the senior who is known for his excellent decision making.
  

Improvements for Boston College

• Fifteen three point shots is three or four too many in a game. Nevada packed it in defensively, and UNC lazily tossed up three pointers, including Bobby Frasor who shot poorly again and is shooting 25 percent from beyond the arc this season. Carolina needs to improve upon the team three point shooting percentage.
  
• This is a bit picky, but the point guard is supposed to make his free throws. Ty Lawson seems to have regressed this season, shooting 3 of 7 and falling to just 78 percent on the season -- down from 84 percent last year. In late game situations come March and April, Lawson will need to make clutch field goals.