Odom analyzes UNC vs. Wake

Dave Odom was a two-sport athlete at Guilford College and a head basketball coach for 22 years at East Carolina, Wake Forest and South Carolina.

In 12 seasons at Wake, he guided the Deacons to two ACC Tournament titles and eight NCAA Tournaments. Among his most famous players there were Tim Duncan, Randolph Childress, Josh Howard and Rodney Rogers. Odom also produced four 20-win teams in seven years at South Carolina and posted an overall coaching record of 406-278 that included three NIT titles.

This look at tonight's game between Wake Forest and North Carolina is the first of his weekly conversations with The N&O:

"Wake Forest has proven by its wins over BYU and Baylor that it is a legitimate team. As for sheer talent, Wake is one of the few teams that has the size, speed and athletes to play with North Carolina.

"All that said, there is no team in the country that can focus on the road and win on the road better than North Carolina, particularly when they are coming off a [ACC loss to Boston College]. They don't get caught up in the crowd or in the venue. Some of their greatest, most inspired wins have been on the road.

"It's a very talented, young Wake Forest team, one that is still developing [and] done very well going against a North Carolina team that has proven its mettle over time. ... To beat North Carolina you have to have a great guard, like Boston College's Tyrese Rice. Are Wake Forest's guards good enough?

"As always the case when you play this North Carolina team, how the opponent chooses to handle Tyler Hansbrough is going to be a major factor in the outcome. His post-up game, his offensive rebounding, his ability to run the floor effectively, and his improved foul-line area jump shot.

"Also [how you handle] the fullcourt attacking style of Ty Lawson's playmaking ability [is a key]."