Michael Buckland won’t give a specific number when quizzed about how many University of North Carolina T-shirts he owns.
“I have more Lipscomb shirts than North Carolina shirts now,” the sophomore guard for the Bisons said.
With apologies to James Taylor, Buckland is going back home to Carolina but not just in his mind. The High Point, North Carolina native will be in Charlotte Friday when the No. 15-seeded Bisons take on North Carolina, the No. 2 seed, Friday at 1:45 p.m. CT.
“It is more of a dream,” Michael said. “As a basketball player you dream of playing in an NCAA Tournament. But as a kid growing up as a North Carolina fan, you dream of getting to knock off a big dog, much less your dream school.
“It will be an awesome experience. I am a big homebody. For me to be able to go and play an hour away from home will be incredible. I will have my support base there. I look forward to it.”
ALL IN THE FAMILY?
Michael’s sister, Megan, played basketball at North Carolina for four seasons and is an assistant coach at Presbyterian College. The two often had shooting contests on at the goal in the driveway or in the gym.
“Megan was a guard there,” Michael said. “Most of the time, when we played, they were just rounds of H-O-R-S-E.”
When it came to those shooting contests Megan remembers she was the better of the two at the time, but admits Michael would beat her now.
“We grew up playing against each other,” Megan said. “Especially, when I would come home from college we would spend a lot of time together in the gym.”
She texted a picture of her wearing a North Carolina sweatshirt to her brother following the selection show Sunday night. She admitted she would have to change for the game.
“Megan said, `I guess I will have to take this off now’, “ Michael said. “She will be wearing purple at the game.”
Michael’s mother, Tammy, was not an athlete at North Carolina, but she is a graduate. Megan says all of them will be wearing purple and she will not be hiding a North Carolina shirt under her Lipscomb attire.
“It is an easy draw for who we are going to choose,” Megan said. “We are going to go for Lipscomb all day. It will be an easy decision.
“That is who Michael is playing for and we couldn’t be more proud of him. It is awesome he is coming back home and playing in Charlotte.”
GREW UP A TAR HEELS FAN
Growing up he attended games at the Dean E. Smith Center, known as the “Dean Dome” to watch the Tar Heels wearing their trademarked “Carolina Blue”. His favorite player was power forward/center Tyler Hansbrough who he admired for the passion in which he played the game.
“The Dean Dome was like a second home,” Michael said. “I grew up with the dream of playing there. It would be cool to play there, but it will be an even better experience getting to play North Carolina in Charlotte in the NCAA Tournament.”
DOING THE BACKCOURT SHUFFLE
The season has been a satisfying, but challenging one for Buckland. When point guard Nathan Moran went down with a season-ending injury that left Kenny Cooper, a true point guard, and Buckland, a shooting guard, as the only experienced options.
“It was really difficult shifting to point guard,” Michael said. “I never really had done it before in my life, much less having to start two weeks before preseason practice began.
“I had to embrace it. There wasn’t a choice to be had.”
Both Cooper and Buckland knew what was ahead.
“We looked around and said one of us can’t get hurt,” Michael said. “We joked around about it. But it was a serious thing.”
Michael has continued to find comfort in the dual role as the season has progressed.
“It was definitely a big adjustment,” Michael said. “I had to learn all of the plays from a different point of view.
“Bringing the ball up the floor and getting the offense initiated is the biggest challenge. But it has also been beneficial to me to know the No. 1 spot as well as the No. 2 spot.”
LEARNING TO LOVE THE POINT
Making the adjustment even more crucial is the fact the point guard is the pivotal piece to Lipscomb’s offense.
“It is much more of a facilitating job at the point,” Michael said. “There is a lot of pressure with that. At the same time I am just out there trying to get the job done.
“There is something to be said about a point guard who can play with pace and not just getting the ball up the floor. As a shooting guard I appreciate a good point guard who can get me the ball in the spots where I can score.”
Michael spends most of his time in the shooting guard spot. When he does switch to the point he brings an understanding of the importance of putting his teammates in the right place to be successful shooters.
“I want to get the ball to the guys where their strengths are rather than just getting the ball up the court,” Michael said. “It is natural for me to be at the No. 2 position, but when I go to the No. 1 position it is an opportunity for me to show my versatility.”
Lipscomb coach Casey Alexander agrees there was no choice but to add to Michael’s basketball skills with the move. Alexander admits it was unfair on his part to ask Michael to make the move.
“He had to play in 30 games this season doing something he wasn’t brought here to do,” Alexander said. “He is a smart player. His I.Q. for the game is at the top of the list when it comes to our team. We knew he would easily get over the hump of making the change.
“We just trusted Buck. We had to have somebody who could get the job done and he has done that all year long.”
