HOUSTON — Before taking the court on Saturday at NRG Stadium, Kennedy Meeks received a familiar message from his favorite player.
“Be confident in yourself.”
The seemingly simple piece of advice represents the last thing Sean May, the Most Outstanding of the 2005 NCAA Tournament, has said to Meeks before the past four or five games.
But given Meeks’ struggles this season, North Carolina’s director of player personnel has used the expression to prevent the junior from criticizing himself.
“He’s good enough, and he knows he’s good enough,” May said. “I think sometimes when you don’t play as well, you have a tendency to get down on yourself.