SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Roy Williams was a solitary figure near the end of a hallway outside of North Carolina's locker room, engulfed in his own thoughts.
A few minutes earlier Williams shared those thoughts and repeatedly explained that last year's struggles should not negatively impact this year's Tar Heels.
Williams further explained he doesn't think about last year, period, instead focusing on what this year's team can do, what it needs to do – and what it didn't do in Friday's 72-67 defeat to Minnesota in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament.
UNC's performance at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, while disappointing, also expects to be an early test for a coach and team that failed to handle adversity last season en route to 17 defeats. The No. 8 Tar Heels showed the Gophers they are a work in progress, a team with talent but one with deficiencies, too.
"We just lost our composure from the first moment of the game," Williams said.
"They whacked us a couple of times – I am not saying they did anything dirty, it's the game of basketball – they were the more aggressive team right from the start. We did all the backpedaling. We didn't react. Just trying to get guys to do their job, that's what it boils down to."
"We just lost our composure from the first moment of the game."
-- North Carolina Coach Roy Williams Williams' disappointment and frustration only increased the longer he critiqued his team's performance.
He said it was simple things, too, like failing to box out on defense, finding the open player on offense and fighting through and over screens. He pointed to his team's youth, and apologized for doing so, saying it wasn't meant to be an excuse. He also complained about the intense focus on herald freshman Harrison Barnes, saying Barnes, who was held scoreless from the field, was just a basketball player and a human being, too. Williams, finally taking the quick route, added that his team simply stunk and he takes full responsibility.
"It will be interesting to see how we bounce back from this one," Williams added.
Ditto, from UNC fans everywhere.
The Gophers combined brawn with brains, controlled the action from the opening tip and never looked rattled. When the score was tied at 41 in the second half, Blake Hoffarber made a trey and Trevor Mbakwe followed with a thunderous dunk, take that. It was if the Tar Heels countered with love taps against a bigger, stronger – and superior? – team.
"I don't like admitting it but it is what it is. We definitely took a step back tonight," said UNC point guard Larry Drew III, whose continued struggles – he's 1-of-8 from the field in the tourney – is one of many concerns in blue and white.
"We just let them attack us, I don't think we gave it everything we had tonight. Why? I can't tell you why. It has to be there as a team. We can do it, (these) guys all have it. We need to learn how to play the game even when one thing isn't working. There's multiple ways (to win)."
While the Tar Heels set or tied eight tournament records in their 107-63 opening victory over Hofstra on Thursday, the game against Minnesota figured to be blue collar. It was. In that regard, it didn't disappoint. Both teams struggled mightily at times with offensive continuity, though the grinding style better suited Minnesota's personality.
"I don't like admitting it but it is what it is. We definitely took a step back tonight"
-- North Carolina Point Guard Larry Drew Junior forward Tyler Zeller, the lone UNC player in double digits with 16 points, credited the Gophers' inside presence. He said it made it difficult for the Tar Heels to find open space in the paint and for their guards to penetrate and dish. While Zeller also didn't want to think about last year's nightmare, he admitted this year's team needs to prove it won't fall back into its bad habits.
"We have to change something, obviously whatever we did didn't work," Zeller said. "We have to be able to come back (Saturday) and have a great practice. We have to be able to bounce back and turn it around."
While subdued, the Tar Heels said all the right things. Forward John Henson promised to learn from Minnesota's toughness. Barnes promised to find his shooting stroke with extra repetitions in the gymnasium.
Minnesota coach Tubby Smith was all smiles, saying he loved his team's toughness and its courage. Williams, meanwhile, voiced his displeasure before he walked away, alone down a hallway, possibly not even sure where it led.
Much like the state of his team.
"Right now I don't feel good about any position," Williams said.
"You can't have that kind of play and be a very good team. They were more aggressive team. I keep going back to that but I think the was the key point to the game. We are standing dribbling, going side to side, and they are attacking the basket. And they are good defensively. Every time we set a screen , they got over it; every time they set a screen and we hit the screen and acted like it was Velcro. All the credit goes to Tubby and Minnesota."
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