I know I'm sick of hearing about Ty Lawson and his toe. I imagine most people are. We would be better served with a Facebook page to provide the status updates. Or perhaps just a continual Twitter giving reports. Breathless reports on ESPN and CBS on the latest smacked of overkill. Yet today when LSU came out in the second half on fire, it was Ty Lawson that responded. He played almost all of the second half, and made sure the Tar Heels came away with the win.
Lawson played only limited minutes in the first half and was only 1-of-5. He was on the sidelines with his shoe off, looking frustrated and pained. He was back on the court in the second half, and when LSU surged to the lead behind a 15-3 run, it was Lawson that started making plays. He went off for 21 points in the half. Going 6-of-8 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 at the free throw line.
As much as this has been a media circus that has overshadowed the entire UNC team and anything regarding their opponents, Lawson's performance ultimately underscored why there was so much attention on his toe.
Latest Tourney Cheerleader Photos
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 21: The North Carolina Tar Heels cheerleaders perform during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament against the Louisiana State University Tigers at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 21, 2009 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 21: A cheerleader for the Louisiana State University Tigers cheers against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 21, 2009 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: A Washington Huskies cheerleader performs during a break in the action against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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North Carolina cheerleaders get in the spirit as their team face LSU in the first half of their NCAA Tournament game on Saturday, March 21, 2009, in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)
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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 21: A UCLA Bruins cheerleader performs during the game against the Villanova Wildcats during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Wachovia Center on March 21, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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BOISE, ID - MARCH 20: Cheerleaders for the Florida State Seminoles dance during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Taco Bell Arena on March 20, 2009 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
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BOISE, ID - MARCH 20: Cheerleaders for the Wisconsin Badgers perform during the game against the Florida State Seminoles in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Taco Bell Arena on March 20, 2009 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
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BOISE, ID - MARCH 20: Cheerleaders for the Florida State Seminoles dance during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Taco Bell Arena on March 20, 2009 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
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BOISE, ID - MARCH 20: Cheerleaders for the Florida State Seminoles dance during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Taco Bell Arena on March 20, 2009 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
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BOISE, ID - MARCH 20: Cheerleaders for the Florida State Seminoles dance during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Taco Bell Arena on March 20, 2009 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
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