Carolina missed its final 14 field goal attempts and went without a field goal over the final 11:10 of the game, including overtime. In fact, UNC’s starters didn’t hit from the field over the game’s final 16:31.
Here is what Doherty had to say to the media.
Opening remarks
I sit before you disappointed. I’m disappointed we lost a game here to a good Miami team. It would have been nice to come away with a win today and I felt like our guys deserved it although we didn’t shoot the ball very well I think that’s a credit to their defense. I think our zone really caused some problems for them in the second half and got us the lead, and we just weren’t able to sustain it.
On the 11:10 drought without a field goal
Part of that (is) we didn’t shoot well. Part of that is we were stagnant. Part of that is my fault. That happens. You gotta give them credit. They’re a pretty good defensive team.
On the late no-calls that went against Carolina, especially Jawad Williams’ last 3-point shot in overtime
Disappointed. I will look at the film. Human error is part of it. I believe that Jawad did get hit. Jawad doesn’t shoot a 3-pointer and the ball goes ten feet, and I don’t think it was tipped. I thought it was pretty obvious, but that’s a good officiating crew. It’s disappointing. It’s disappointing. But that’s part of the game, and I think people here at Miami realize that after last night’s (Fiesta Bowl) football game.
On if UNC got comfortable after the 18-0 run that built a 52-41 lead
No, no, no way. We didn’t get comfortable at all. I think that maybe we, myself included, wanted the clock to burn quicker than it did. And as a result we weren’t as aggressive offensively. And again, you have to credit their defense. They’re a good defensive team – they had 14 blocks. It’s tough to get shots around the basket because they are so long.
On if the atmosphere in the arena’s first game had any effect on UNC
I’m sure it does. I’ve coached here before several times against Miami and they deserve better than 1,000 to 2,000 fans. And this is an intimate environment that will only get better. This will only help them in recruiting.
On the explanation he got from the officials on the tie up and arrow pointing to UNC but the shot clock having expired (UNC ultimately got the ball with one second left on the shot clock)
That the whistle blew before the horn went off, which I agree. And, I thought it was fair. I thought the one second was fair.
On if the team is still trying to figure out its go-to man
Not really. I think we understand that Rashad (McCants) can get big buckets, Raymond (Felton) can get big buckets, Jawad (Williams) can get big buckets. Jackie’s (Manuel) not afraid to shoot the ball. Melvin (Scott) hit a big shot. I think I made a couple of mistakes down the stretch in calling certain plays. And you know, without Sean (May), all of a sudden you are forced to put some guys in positions that they’re not used to, and simple, simple things that you do in a set play that you can’t explain in a 30-second timeout end up being critical, like that play where David Noel got the jump shot. There were some subtle things in that play that Sean would execute that I put Jawad in his spot and that wasn’t fair to Jawad and that was my fault. I need to either practice that play with Jawad at the five-spot or not run it.
On if the last two shots were designed for Williams
The .7 yes, the other one no, that was not.
Senior writer Andrew Jones is in his seventh year with Inside Carolina. He hosts a late afternoon radio show on ESPN Radio, WMFD AM630 in Wilmington and can be reached via e-mail at: AndrewJones@AM630.net.