Like father, like son for Heels’ next foe

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In 2000, North Carolina coach Roy Williams, then coaching Kansas, apologized to former Wisconsin coach Dick Bennett for coming off as critical of the Badgers’ slow, defensive style of play.

Now Bennett’s son, Tony, and that same defensive approach stand between Williams and a trip to the Elite Eight.

It will be a matchup of contrasting styles when up-and-down North Carolina and defensive-oriented Washington State meet in the Sweet 16 at 6:27 tonight at Bobcats Arena.

Williams made his original comments referring to the 2000 Final Four matchup between Michigan State and Wisconsin, which was 19-17 at halftime.

In the first game of the following season, Kansas beat UCLA 99-98 and Williams was quoted as saying: “Are you going to tell me you didn’t like this more than 19-17 at halftime? We’re trying to make it a game of basketball skills, not a weight-room contest.”

While Williams apologized to Bennett if it came off as a personal attack, he also stands by his statement.

“The number of people that like to see [19-17] is not as many as the number of people that like to see 61-60,” Williams said on Wednesday. “So I made a truthful statement, and Dick understood it. He knows I love the way they play defense. I will still say I like [19-17] OK, but I like 61-60 better.”

Tony Bennett has a similar style to his father, and his team gave up 56.1 points a game this season.

North Carolina averaged 89.9 points a game this season.

Lofton should play

Despite not practicing with Tennessee on Tuesday because of an injured ankle, leading scorer Chris Lofton is expected to play against Louisville tonight.

“According to our trainers, if Chris had to play in a game on Tuesday, he would have played,” Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said.

“Instead, we chose to keep him in a boot at practice. I think he should be fine.”

Lofton, who averaged 15.5 points a game this season, also said the ankle was fine.

Leaving Louisville

Sophomore forward Derrick Caracter said this will be his last season at Louisville, regardless of how things go in the tournament.

Caracter was suspended earlier this season for five days for twice violating his personal curfew in the same night. Caracter said he still has a good relationship with Louisville coach Rick Pitino.

“Sometimes it’s just best you take your game another way,” Caracter said. “I don’t want to bring a distraction to the team.”

“I’m just going to try to finish the season off as strong as I can.”

For the season, he averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.