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Jay Williams has never been popular in Chapel Hill. Considering his role in so many Tar Heels' losses while wearing the rival Duke jersey, it’s understandable that UNC fans wouldn’t be precisely fond of the man.
And no matter how much he sucks up to them, like the time he wore a UNC shirt during an appearance on College GameDay in Cameron Indoor Stadium, his latest words might be the final straw for even the few Tar Heels’ diehards that have a soft spot for Williams.
Appearing on ESPN on Monday, the former Duke star and current college basketball analyst questioned UNC’s standing as a blue-blood program.
“If North Carolina didn't have that logo, I'm not sure we'd be talking about them as a blue blood over the last five years since COVID,” Williams said. “Relevancy is currency. And I can make a case that they're not a top-five current relevant team in college basketball right now, which is crazy when you think about this is a brand that some of the most elite, elite of the elite have worn from Michael Jordan to Vince Carter to Jerry Stackhouse.”
Fair point, considering the Tar Heels' latest crashout in the NCAA Tournament, blowing a massive lead to VCU in the first round, and the status of current head coach Hubert Davis, who seems to be on the brink of getting fired. But Williams might want to remember that it was Davis and the Tar Heels who ended Coach K’s career in the Final Four, reaching the NCAA Tournament title game in 2022. And, since he’s talking about relevancy, the Tar Heels also have a more recent national title than Duke.
But, as Williams explains, it’s not like UNC has been sending top players to the NBA recently.
“I mean, the last time they had a top-five pick was in 2005,” Williams said. “Now they'll have one this year with Caleb Wilson.”
These remarks came after Williams was asked which program, Kentucky or North Carolina, fans should be worried about. Williams wasted no time answering.
“There's no question it's North Carolina,” he said. “And I'm saying this growing up as a North Carolina fan.”
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jay Williams questions UNC's standing as a blue-blood program
Continue reading...
And no matter how much he sucks up to them, like the time he wore a UNC shirt during an appearance on College GameDay in Cameron Indoor Stadium, his latest words might be the final straw for even the few Tar Heels’ diehards that have a soft spot for Williams.
Appearing on ESPN on Monday, the former Duke star and current college basketball analyst questioned UNC’s standing as a blue-blood program.
“If North Carolina didn't have that logo, I'm not sure we'd be talking about them as a blue blood over the last five years since COVID,” Williams said. “Relevancy is currency. And I can make a case that they're not a top-five current relevant team in college basketball right now, which is crazy when you think about this is a brand that some of the most elite, elite of the elite have worn from Michael Jordan to Vince Carter to Jerry Stackhouse.”
Fair point, considering the Tar Heels' latest crashout in the NCAA Tournament, blowing a massive lead to VCU in the first round, and the status of current head coach Hubert Davis, who seems to be on the brink of getting fired. But Williams might want to remember that it was Davis and the Tar Heels who ended Coach K’s career in the Final Four, reaching the NCAA Tournament title game in 2022. And, since he’s talking about relevancy, the Tar Heels also have a more recent national title than Duke.
But, as Williams explains, it’s not like UNC has been sending top players to the NBA recently.
“I mean, the last time they had a top-five pick was in 2005,” Williams said. “Now they'll have one this year with Caleb Wilson.”
These remarks came after Williams was asked which program, Kentucky or North Carolina, fans should be worried about. Williams wasted no time answering.
“There's no question it's North Carolina,” he said. “And I'm saying this growing up as a North Carolina fan.”
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jay Williams questions UNC's standing as a blue-blood program
Continue reading...
