CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Zabian Dowdell handed North Carolina one sour Valentine.
Winning on the road in the ACC is tough enough, but that challenge is increased ten fold when you walk into the hallowed Dean Smith Center. Your chances of winning fall almost to zero. But, the only Z in the house tonight was the senior point guard from Pahokee, Florida. His 33 points propelled No. 25 Virginia Tech to beat No. 4 North Carolina 81-80.
Dowdell was on a mission. After getting in early foul trouble against Virginia last Saturday, he wanted to prove that he can be a candidate for player of the year in the ACC.
"Man, it was very hard to watch the game from the sideline, because I'm not really used to doing that," Dowdell said. "I just wanted to come out and give my team a chance to win, and that's what I tried to do, leaving everything on the floor."
A chance. That's all the Hokies needed. All of the national and conference championship banners along with the countless retired jerseys screamed out to Tech during the game. This place is legendary, something Tech knew going in.
When the team first walked into the hallowed grounds for shoot-around on Monday night, every player couldn't help from looking at the banners and jerseys hanging high above.
Dowdell may have solidified his jersey to be hung in the rafters at Cassell, after leading this team to big win after big win.
This game was no picnic. It certainly helps when Carolina coach Roy Williams comes out and gives credit to every player on Tech's team. He straight up said that last night was the, "Worst coaching job I've ever done."
It may take a bad coaching job from a great coach, but 33 points from your senior leader stands out more, especially when a 'W' goes on the board.
The game appeared as a blur to me with 2:50 left in OT. Free throws and quick shots slowed down to a creeping pace.
This team seems to amaze me. The atmosphere at Carolina was stifling at times, but every chance they could get, the Hokies quieted the crowd. When it came down to brass tax, Tech played with heart and strength when Carolina struggled.
Make or break time is up, and barring a major collapse, the Hokies are in the NCAA tournament. Seth Greenberg continues to preach how the season is a journey, not a destination.
This team just seems to be destined. Wins over Duke, Virginia and a sweep of the best team in the conference in North Carolina have all but solidified the destination of this team.
It's hard to believe that the Hokies are winning close games. That shot from Sean Dockery last season still haunts this team, but Tech is proving critics wrong. Close wins are what this team is made of. And it all starts with the senior leadership.
Zabian Dowdell and Jamon Gordon are the rocks of this squad. Tech lives and dies (except for UVA) by the performance of the two Floridian seniors. The rest of the season is merely a revenge factor for them.
The next two games are teams that beat the Hokies just over a week ago. N.C. State is next on the docket, followed in short order by Boston College. Both of these games are crucial to standings and seeding, but most of all, it's revenge.
It's revenge for the other games too. Miami after that is revenge enough because they didn't take Dowdell or Gordon. Virginia is still the team that beat Tech three times last year. Clemson left the sourest taste in the Hokies' mouth for eight months until this season.
This season is one heck of a roller coaster. One week is riding up the hill, down and then back up. Add a few upside-down loops and a dash of fun and you have the 2006-07 Hokies.
It's still February and the Hokies are riding high. What a Valentine's Day celebration. Oh how I love to watch these Hokies.
