LAHAINA, Hawaii
North Carolina began its long trip to Hawaii on island time, perhaps, fatigued either by the travel or the rush of games early in the season, or maybe both. The Tar Heels' sloppy victory at Hawaii last Friday night left coach Roy Williams fuming.
And so their goal on Monday night against Chaminade in the opening round of the Maui Invitational might have been, simply, to just be better, sharper, more energized. From the start, the result was never in question against the Silverswords, a Division II team that serves as the tournament host.
For Williams and his players, though, Monday was about how victory would come – and the Tar Heels' 104-61 victory, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of UNC supporters at the Lahaina Civic Center, only provided Williams with a few moments of fury.