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UNC’s new soccer schedule is an efficient option to change the narrative.
You probably have been a Carolina soccer fan most of your life, you recognize the Tar Heels have by no means received a nationwide championship. And disappointments of the final two seasons make it appear to be that can most likely by no means occur.
So after 5 years with two NFL quarterbacks and by no means attending to that magical 10-win mark, Mack Brown can use the 2024 schedule to reset some unrealistic expectations. In any case, he received 10 video games twice in his first stint right here and he is aware of what it takes.
Whether or not too many gamers bypassed bowl video games or there was not sufficient depth to deal with inevitable late-season accidents, everyone knows the expectations are totally different than the 6-time NCAA champ basketball program.
I, for one, would like to win each soccer recreation on the schedule. Since that has by no means occurred right here within the trendy period, I might like to see a well-coached staff combat like hell in each recreation and – win or lose – proudly sing the Alma Mater and go away the sector to James Taylor’s Carolina in My Thoughts.
That’s the macro. The micro is thrashing Duke and N.C. State each season together with every other in-state opponents, end with a successful report and go to a consultant bowl recreation. This might make me a contented Tar Heel alum. Something extra within the NIL/switch portal period is pure gravy.
Final season, Brown warned in regards to the “hardest first 4 video games I’ve ever had as a head coach.” A terrific win over South Carolina in Charlotte allowed us to suppose huge earlier than the Gamecocks completed at 5-7 and no bowl recreation. App State, Minnesota and Pitt had a mixed 18-21 report.
So, it shouldn’t be shocking that the 2023 Tar Heels received their first six video games, contemplating Syracuse and Miami have been .500, however the dwelling stunner to a 3-9 Virginia staff and one other loss at Georgia Tech all sounded too acquainted.
UNC rallied for an exhilarating additional time win over Duke however losses at Clemson and at State, plus getting whacked by West Virginia within the bowl recreation made the ultimate 8-5 a letdown when, as Brown says, “8-5 round right here is fairly good.”
When Mack meets the press for the primary time this spring, he definitely will say opening at Minnesota with a brand new quarterback will likely be a problem however definitely UNC-Charlotte, NC Central and James Madison are groups we must always beat at dwelling. Of the eight ACC dates to observe, the 4 video games in a packed Kenan Stadium will likely be enjoyable and the highway video games are daunting.
Introduced like that, if Carolina posts one other successful report, alumni and followers will possible be extra proud than let down.
Featured picture by way of UNC
Artwork Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, together with best-sellers “Recreation Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s Record.” He has contributed to WCHL for many years, having made his first look as a scholar in 1971. His “Sports activities Pocket book” commentary airs each day on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Artwork’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.
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