Brown, Tar Heels Look To End Shooting Woes

And though the Tar Heels were without their leading scorer and attempted a season-low 66 field goals in the 65-64 loss to Wake Forest, Hatchell said she was comfortable counting on Brown to lead by example and pick up the slack.

"She's been very consistent and she's a player that really gets us going," Hatchell said of Brown. "Coretta is the kind of person and player that the other ones have tremendous respect for."

But against Wake, Brown made just 4 of 14 shots for 13 points, and her recent lack of shooting consistency is a big reason why North Carolina has lost three of its last four.

In losses to N.C. State, Georgia Tech and Wake, Brown shot a combined 30.5 percent from the field while UNC shot 30.3 percent.

Quite a turn-around from a player who shot better than 48 percent in the team's 14 wins and a team that shot nearly 47 percent in the same stretch.

"I definitely take some of the blame," Brown said of the recent skid. "If I'm open, I've got to hit shots."

While Brown's shooting has dropped off lately, part of UNC's offensive problems ride on the ankle of center Candace Sutton.

Sutton, still recovering from a nagging ankle sprain, is a big factor in the Tar Heels' inside-outside game.

And while Sutton recovers, UNC's other primary post players - Chrystal Baptist, Kenya McBee and Jennifer Thomas - are adjusting to bigger roles in the offense.

"We just have to have confidence that our other post players can score," Brown said of the three. "All those guys can score and we just have to get them the ball."

But maybe the biggest problem right now for the offense is a lack of hustle. In its recent losses, UNC consistently was beat to loose balls and in transition.

"We're a great team, but we have to come out every night and prove it," Brown said. "Hustle's nothing but heart, and it definitely could've won a couple of those games for us."

And again it will be Brown that some of UNC's players look to for motivation as the team tries to get back on track.

"She gives all she has, in practice and in games, so I can't help but want to follow her," said freshman Nikita Bell. "I'm going to try my best to give it just as hard as she does."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.