North Carolina is off to one of the nation's hottest starts. The Tar Heels (7-0) are up to No. 3 in the latest AP Top 25 and is fresh off dominating the field to win the Maui Invitational. The Tar Heels' average margin of victory was 30 points in wins over Chaminade, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin in the title game.
With a big game at No. 13 Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge coming up Wednesday, don't tell Roy Williams his team is having ... the "S" word ... success.
When a reporter asked if Williams could explain the results despite key personnel losses, the coach was quick to shut it down.
"Let's not jump on the dad'gum victory celebration yet. We played a team last night, and a team tonight that I think will be ranked in the top 50 to 75. We haven't played murderers row yet. Talk to me when we play at Indiana, Kentucky, Monmouth and all those people. But I'm not going to go out and make reservations for the Final Four. I don't even know where the hell it is."
For a coach fresh off a national championship game appearance, it's crazy to think he didn't know where this season's Final Four is taking place (Phoenix, April 1/3, 2017). But Williams wants to keep his players' confidence in check.
"I've never seen a national championship won the day before Thanksgiving," Williams said. "It's usually won on that first Monday night in April."
