Tarheel Basketball Report 2007: Game 6

With their starting point guard sidelined with an ankle injury, Tarheel fans had to be a little worried as their team traveled to Columbus to play Ohio State. The heels didn't have their great fast break, but they did have enough to get passed Ohio State 66-55. Here are some of the key points from the game:

Wayne Ellington led the heels with 23 points including 4-7 from behind the three point line.

Deon Thompson had a season high 14 points.

Tyler Hansbrough added 13 points and 11 points.

Winning this game is a good sign for North Carolina. We know that Ty Lawson is one of the best point guards in the country. He may very well be the fastest man in college hoops and his speed and ball handling is key to the Tarheel fast break. Give Junior Bobby Frasor and Senior Quentin Thomas some credit. The two took care of the basketball, and while they are not incredibly fast were able to help run the UNC offense. The two didn't score a lot of points but overall they got the job done.

Wayne Ellington continues to emerge as a leader on this team. On a night where Tyler Hansbrough had a tough time scoring, Ellington really step his game up. His is shooting the ball very well from the outside. He also is showing opponents he can take the ball and put it on the floor making him that much more of a threat. Along with Ellington, sophomore Deon Thompson continues to show improvement. His mid range shot looks very good. He had a season high 14 points and really should be capable of doing even more. Deon still needs to improve his rebounding to help his team.

The absence of point guard Ty Lawson proves this team is not the same without their starting point guard. Without Lawson this teams chances of winning a championship are very slim. That being said this is still a very talented team. The leaders are clearly Hansbrough, Lawson and Ellington. For this team to go all the way however, it's the other guys like Thompson,Frasor and Ginyard who have to step up.

Now at number two in the polls, the heels travel to Lexington to play the beat up Wildcats on Saturday. This should be a game the heels will win,but crazier things have happened. Another big non-conference game on the road should be a good test for UNC.