CHARLOTTE — Ask North Carolina’s John Henson what the method behind his free throw shooting improvement is, and he won’t tell you.
Seriously.
“Just little secrets that I’m not going to let out. It’s just things that will work for me,” Henson said, guarding the intricacies of his pre-shot ritual.
Whatever they are, they’ve allowed the Tar Heel forward to become more of a presence as the postseason moves along.
Henson’s free throw struggles this season have been well-publicized. The low point came against Kentucky in December when back-to-back attempts failed to hit anything.
That led to the sophomore being on the bench in crucial stretches late in game when free throw shooting looms large.
But much of those issues are memories now. In the Tar Heels’ second-round victory against Long Island, Henson went 8-of-10 from the line, moving him to a 16-for-23 mark in the postseason.
“Something is just clicking and, you know, I finally got a routine down,” Henson said.
MUCH RESPECT: North Carolina appears well aware of the challenge presented Washington point guard Isaiah Thomas.
The 5-foot-9 junior averages 16.8 points and six assists per game and provided the signature moment of the Huskies’ season, nailing a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in the final of last week’s Pac-10 Tournament.
“He’s a great player, a great talent,” said North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall, who along with Dexter Strickland will draw the assignment of slowing Thomas. “He can finish around the rim and has a knack for hitting big shots. … He’s a head on that team. Basically if we can slow him down, our defense will be more effective.”
EASTERN TIME: According to North Carolina coach Roy Williams, don’t expect Washington to have much trouble adjusting to the three-hour time difference between Charlotte and the Huskies’ hometown of Seattle.
“We would have an advantage the first night they got here,” Williams said. “I don’t think we’ve got an advantage now. Young kids, you know, they sleep in the middle of the day and play in the middle of the night. It doesn’t make a difference to them.”
That said, the Huskies sport a 1-8 record all-time in games played in North Carolina.
FAMILY TIES: Washington coach Lorenzo Romar should be plenty familiar with the Tar Heels’ shade of blue. His oldest daughter, Terra Romar, is a graduate of North Carolina.
“There’s only one really smart person in his family,” Williams joked.
SLICK KICKS: Watch North Carolina practice and one thing quickly becomes clear. Tar Heel freshman Harrison Barnes doesn’t mind breaking with the team when it comes to footwear.
Recently the swingman has taken to wearing purple Nike basketball shoes on off days.
Barnes said they are the same model — the Kobe Bryant signature line — he wears during games. But those are the white and silver versions. He said on practice days he prefers to wear the purple and black ones.
COKE AND A SMILE: Williams’ beverage battle with the powers that be continues to roll on.
After Friday night’s victory against Long Island, Williams arrived at the podium for his postgame comments with a drink in a red-and-white Coca-Cola cup. When he was instructed to change into the NCAA-mandated Powerade cup, he did so with an eye-roll and an exasperated expression, tossing his old cup over his shoulder.
For Saturday’s availability, Williams arrived drinkless.
“I’ve been told I can’t have any fun today guys,” Williams told reporters. “It will be tough on me.”
Moments later, he began his first answer by saying: “It’s hard to talk when your mouth is so dry.”
The situation stems from sponsorship deal the NCAA has struck with beverage manufacturers. As a result, no player, coach or media member can appear in the arena or interview room without an approved cup bearing the sponsor’s logo.
For years, Williams has bristled at this and similar arrangements.
“I’ve been told so many bad things,” Williams said of the talking-to he said he received after his shenanigans on Friday night. “…(One time) they wouldn’t let me bring a barbeque sandwich in the arena. God almighty.”
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