Matt Doherty has been to Cameron Indoor Stadium before. And in his previous visits, he accomplished something none of his current Tar Heel players have yet experienced. He won.
Doherty was an accomplished "role player" in the ACC, on some of the finest teams North Carolina has ever produced. But the label of being a role player doesn't do Doherty justice. He was a hell of a college basketball player -- one who was skilled, versatile and tough.
Back in the day, Doherty was one of the first players in the ACC to score over 1,000 points, grab 400 rebounds and dish out 400 assists over his career. When Doherty came to Cameron wearing sneakers instead of a suit and tie, he suited up in powder blue with the likes of James Worthy, Al
Wood, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, Brad Daugherty, Kenny Smith, Jimmy Black and Buzz Peterson.
During his four seasons from 1980-84, Doherty played on Tar Heel teams that set the gold standard in the ACC. Those Tar Heels were coached by a true legend in Dean Smith. When UNC would enter Cameron, it took on a Duke program that was just beginning its building process that would soon challenge the Tar Heels on the highest level under the guidance of a young, energetic, upstart coach still trying to earn his stripes. His name was Mike Krzyzewski.
Playing in Cameron, in front of the most boisterous fans in the ACC, was a challenge Doherty and his fellow Tar Heels met successfully three out of four times. Those Tar Heel teams knew who they were, and never got out of character.
Now, Doherty will reenter Cameron as the young, energetic, upstart coach, challenging a legend in his own building. Doherty brings a terrific team into Cameron, but the roles have reversed for the coach and his team.
The 2000-01 Tar Heels will be facing the present gold standard of the ACC over the past four seasons.
What will Doherty be thinking as he strolls into Cameron?
He will want his team to respect its opponent, to fully understand the explosive strength of the Blue Devils. He must stress this point, so as to combat it. He will also be thinking about winning. And to win, Doherty will stress the importance of his team aggressively fighting and challenging Duke in their own den.
As a coach, Doherty will also want to challenge Krzyzewski. He will demand a fair shake from the officials on the road. And, he will guide his team without regard to the crowd.
But, as Doherty takes his position on the sidelines in Cameron, he will no doubt sneak a peek down to the Duke bench. He'll see Krzyzewski, and it may for a moment cross his mind how things have changed since he was a player; how these two storied programs have all but switched places with each other in 2001. How it's now Carolina chasing Duke.
Then, Doherty will continue the process of bringing the rivalry full circle again. Starting, Thursday night.
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