Notebook | North Carolina coach bends a bit on Bennett style

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The question came to Roy Williams like a chest pass from point-blank range: "You're not a big fan of the Bennett style, are you?"

Williams, the North Carolina coach who became the point man for criticism of Dick Bennett's approach at Wisconsin after a memorably grinding Final Four game in 2000, softened on that attack — but only a little.

"I wouldn't say I'm not a fan of that," said Williams, whose Tar Heels meet son Tony Bennett's WSU team tonight in the Sweet 16. "I'm a fan of basketball going up and down the court.

"I made the statement, and it got a great deal of play.

"Don't play games. It was 19-18 [actually 19-17] at halftime. The number of people that enjoy seeing 19-18 is not as many as the number of people that would like to see 61-60 [at halftime]. If I were to take a poll in here and you guys were to be honest, you'd say 61-60. So I made a truthful statement, and Dick understood it. He knows I love the way they play defense.

"I enjoy him [Dick Bennett]. He's a coach's coach. He's old-school. I think Tony would probably play faster. I don't think Tony slows the ball down right now."

Earlier this week, Dick Bennett's brother Jack acknowledged that Williams attempted to smooth over the 2000 rift, but added, "I don't know if it completely satisfied my brother."

Hang Loose

Washington State players didn't appear to be tightly wired as they went through a short public practice at Bobcats Arena and conducted 30 minutes of interviews.

In the locker room, where many reserves sit idly while key players conduct interviews, sub Chris Henry wrote on a dry-erase board above the head of freshman Abe Lodwick, "My name is Abe, Abe, Abe" and "I love cameramen," with arrows leading down to Lodwick's head.

Lowlight

Recognition isn't necessarily coming fast to WSU, even its best players. A quote sheet spelled guard Derrick Low's name "Lowe."

Heel, Carolina

Not that the Cougars didn't know they were in a tough spot tonight, but there's a lot of evidence of Carolina's tradition:

• It's 23-1 in NCAA games in the state, losing only to Penn in 1979.

• Its 22 Sweet 16 appearances (calculated since 1975, first year of a 32-team tournament) are tops.

• Its 12 occasions of being a No. 1 seed is unmatched. Duke is second at 10.

• When Carolina beat Mount St. Mary's in the opening round, it marked the 19th straight year Williams has won an NCAA game, another record.