The Tarheels have shown a knack for being able to win the close ones this year and Game One of the ACC Tournament against Miami was no exception. You also have to be able to win the games in which you do not play your best and, once again, this game was no exception.
This was the worst game the 'Heels had played in quite a while. They were so careless with the ball in the first half, Roy Williams put 5 walk-ons into the game only down 13-8 so he could reem out the 5 that were on the court. I don't know if it was because of a "Duke hangover" or what but that was a very bad stretch of basketball. As a consequence they were down 31-22 at the half after allowing Miami to outscore them 11-2 down the stretch in the first half.
The second half didn't start out much better as Miami built up a 53-34 lead with a little under 8 minutes to play. Its no secret that Roy Willaims is not a big fan of the ACC Tournament and it looked like his team was going to get plenty of rest going into the NCAA's. Leslie McDonald provided a huge spark off the bench, hitting three 3's down the stretch and Kendall Marshall hit a couple of 3's as well and Miami turned ice cold from the field.
UNC got the ball back with 18.6 seconds left, Kendall marshall drove the lane and dished it to Tyler Zeller under the basket and he banged a left-handed layup off the glass right as time expired to win it 61-59. The ball left his hand with 0.2 seconds to go. Game Over.
It was not a pretty win and a game they probably did not deserve to win, but it still counts and Clemson is up next. The 'Heels had 20 turnovers in that game and they had better not have a repeat performance tomorrow or they probably will not win.
Friday, March 11, 2011
The ACC Tournament
The ACC tournament will always hold a special place for me because it brings back great memories from my childhood and my teenage years. The first day of the tournament (back then the first day was always on Friday) was the only day of the year that my mother would allow me to skip school. That was a huge deal for me because I could be throwing up all night and my Mom would send my ass to school the next day. That's how fanatical she was about my school attendance.
The Tarheels were usually the #1 seed back then and at the worst, they were a #2, so they always played at Noon. The first game was usually a butt kicking against the lowest seeded team in the ACC but I was always right there glued to my TV set. I had the house to myself and it was my little piece of heaven. During halftime, I would go outside and shoot baskets to really get into the spirit of things.
My father and I were completely different people but the love of Tarheel basketball was always one connection that we had. I must admit that I lost alot of passion for Tarheel basketball when he passed away in January 2007 because it just doesn't seem as important now as it used to. I am hoping that watching the ACC Tournament today and posting these memories of my father will rekindle some of that lost passion for Tarheel basketball. I may even go outside and shoot a few baskets at halftime.
The Tarheels were usually the #1 seed back then and at the worst, they were a #2, so they always played at Noon. The first game was usually a butt kicking against the lowest seeded team in the ACC but I was always right there glued to my TV set. I had the house to myself and it was my little piece of heaven. During halftime, I would go outside and shoot baskets to really get into the spirit of things.
My father and I were completely different people but the love of Tarheel basketball was always one connection that we had. I must admit that I lost alot of passion for Tarheel basketball when he passed away in January 2007 because it just doesn't seem as important now as it used to. I am hoping that watching the ACC Tournament today and posting these memories of my father will rekindle some of that lost passion for Tarheel basketball. I may even go outside and shoot a few baskets at halftime.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The NCAA needs to go Part I
The NCAA needs to cease to exist as an organization and as a governing body. They shouldn't even be allowed to oversee intramural teams on college campuses. After dropping the ball on the Cam Newton situation they decided to go all the way with the Ohio State situation which is still continuing to produce allegations, confessions, and "self imposed" sanctions.
Ohio State players were caught selling memorabilia to a Columbus, OH tattoo parlor. They were disciplined with multi-game suspensions for the 2011 season but were allowed to play in the bowl game vs. Arkansas. This included star QB Terrelle Pryor. There was a chance he may have turned pro and not be punished at all. I thought a bowl game was a reward for a good season and yet these players were rewarded for displaying bad judgement and violating NCAA rules.
The head coach Jim Tressel, knew about it well in advance of the allegations against the players coming out in the media and yet didn't say a word to anyone about it for "confidentiality" reasons. He was confident he wouldn't be caught. He talked all of his players into coming back for another season so they could "face the music." What a hippocrite. He didn't say anything about it when he first learned of it well before the season started for fear it may sabotage a potential National Championship season.
Ohio State, in their zest to prove to the NCAA that they can punish their own, suspended him for two games and fined him $250,000. He will miss two chump games that they were going to win anyway and the money is pocket change. He will make that up by doing a few more ads for car dealerships in Columbus.
This is the NCAA's opportunity to prove themselves a strong governing body by at least suspending him as long as they do the players if not for the whole season. Tressel should have immediately reported the situation to the NCAA and took his lumps. He was aware of what was going on and chose to do or say nothing. Now it is time for him to "face the music."
Ohio State players were caught selling memorabilia to a Columbus, OH tattoo parlor. They were disciplined with multi-game suspensions for the 2011 season but were allowed to play in the bowl game vs. Arkansas. This included star QB Terrelle Pryor. There was a chance he may have turned pro and not be punished at all. I thought a bowl game was a reward for a good season and yet these players were rewarded for displaying bad judgement and violating NCAA rules.
The head coach Jim Tressel, knew about it well in advance of the allegations against the players coming out in the media and yet didn't say a word to anyone about it for "confidentiality" reasons. He was confident he wouldn't be caught. He talked all of his players into coming back for another season so they could "face the music." What a hippocrite. He didn't say anything about it when he first learned of it well before the season started for fear it may sabotage a potential National Championship season.
Ohio State, in their zest to prove to the NCAA that they can punish their own, suspended him for two games and fined him $250,000. He will miss two chump games that they were going to win anyway and the money is pocket change. He will make that up by doing a few more ads for car dealerships in Columbus.
This is the NCAA's opportunity to prove themselves a strong governing body by at least suspending him as long as they do the players if not for the whole season. Tressel should have immediately reported the situation to the NCAA and took his lumps. He was aware of what was going on and chose to do or say nothing. Now it is time for him to "face the music."
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Home Opening Series
The UNC baseball team opened up the home portion of their schedule against Seton Hall this weekend with two straight wins, 10-5 and 7-1. This is the first time the Tarheels have opened up their season 6-0 since 2007 I read off of tarheelblue.com. I don't know how good Seton Hall is but two wins is two wins.
Levi Michael is still tearing it up, batting over .500 in the first six games and leading the team with 8 RBI's and 4 stolen bases. Freshman 3B Colin Moran is right behind him batting over .400 with 7 RBI's and he hit his first collegiate homerun in the home opener against Seton Hall. Senior Outfielder Ben Bunting is in a little bit of a slump, batting below .200 but has been figuring out a way to get on base as he leads the team with 10 runs scored.
The starting pitching has been solid as both Patrick Johnson and Chris Munnelly picked up their first wins of the season against Seton Hall and the relief pitching has been lights out all season. They didn't give up any runs against Seton Hall in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
I hope to be able to make it down for a game or two this season and see the new Boshamer Stadium and take in the green grass and feel the warmth of the sun from the bleachers. I love baseball!
Levi Michael is still tearing it up, batting over .500 in the first six games and leading the team with 8 RBI's and 4 stolen bases. Freshman 3B Colin Moran is right behind him batting over .400 with 7 RBI's and he hit his first collegiate homerun in the home opener against Seton Hall. Senior Outfielder Ben Bunting is in a little bit of a slump, batting below .200 but has been figuring out a way to get on base as he leads the team with 10 runs scored.
The starting pitching has been solid as both Patrick Johnson and Chris Munnelly picked up their first wins of the season against Seton Hall and the relief pitching has been lights out all season. They didn't give up any runs against Seton Hall in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
I hope to be able to make it down for a game or two this season and see the new Boshamer Stadium and take in the green grass and feel the warmth of the sun from the bleachers. I love baseball!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Diamond Tarheels
The college baseball season has started and I don't believe coach Mike Fox and the North Carolina Tarheels baseball team receive enough credit for bringing attention to the University of North Carolina. They have made several College World Series appearances and came within a game of winning the title a few years ago.
Coach Fox recruits very well nationally and very often this works against him. Many of his recruits are top draft picks in the Major League draft every year and sign professional contracts rather than spend a minimum of three years in college. Many recent players such as Andrew Miller, Alex White, Matt Harvey, and Dustin Ackley have played their college careers out and have been very high draft picks in the Major League draft and the latter three are on the verge of making their major league debuts.
The 'Heels had their opening series last weekend in a tournament in southern California against some solid competition and came away with a 4-0 sweep, including a 4-3 victory against #8 Cal State-Fullerton. Right now, pitching seems to be the 'Heels strong suit this early in the season. They don't seem to have the big bats they have had in years past and they may have to play more situational baseball, some hit-and-run, take more cances on the basepaths. A little bit of old school baseball.
Junior Levi Michael had a great first series leading the team with a .500 batting average and 4 stolen bases. Junior Jacob Stallings led the team with a homer and 5 RBI's and chipped in with a .412 average. Senior Greg Holt got 2 of the 4 wins in relief as he didn't give up a run in 4 2/3 innings and starting pitchers Chirs Munnelly, Patrick Johnson, and Kent Emanuel were equally impressive only giving up a combined total of 4 runs in 17 innings.
4-0 is not a bad way to start for a team that was only picked to be in the middle of the pack in a very strong ACC.
Coach Fox recruits very well nationally and very often this works against him. Many of his recruits are top draft picks in the Major League draft every year and sign professional contracts rather than spend a minimum of three years in college. Many recent players such as Andrew Miller, Alex White, Matt Harvey, and Dustin Ackley have played their college careers out and have been very high draft picks in the Major League draft and the latter three are on the verge of making their major league debuts.
The 'Heels had their opening series last weekend in a tournament in southern California against some solid competition and came away with a 4-0 sweep, including a 4-3 victory against #8 Cal State-Fullerton. Right now, pitching seems to be the 'Heels strong suit this early in the season. They don't seem to have the big bats they have had in years past and they may have to play more situational baseball, some hit-and-run, take more cances on the basepaths. A little bit of old school baseball.
Junior Levi Michael had a great first series leading the team with a .500 batting average and 4 stolen bases. Junior Jacob Stallings led the team with a homer and 5 RBI's and chipped in with a .412 average. Senior Greg Holt got 2 of the 4 wins in relief as he didn't give up a run in 4 2/3 innings and starting pitchers Chirs Munnelly, Patrick Johnson, and Kent Emanuel were equally impressive only giving up a combined total of 4 runs in 17 innings.
4-0 is not a bad way to start for a team that was only picked to be in the middle of the pack in a very strong ACC.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tarheels on a Roll
The Tarheels vanquished rival NC State last night for the tenth straight time. I would love to say it was easy but nothing is easy this season for the Tarheels. This is easily the worst shooting team in Tarheels basketball history at least since I have been an ardent fan since the Phil Ford years of the mid-1970's. It used to be news if the 'Heels shot under 50 percent for a game, now it is a major part of the story if they shoot over 50 percent. One reason for this is they are not getting as many fast break points as they have in past seasons and and are not pushing the ball up the court as hard.
They are 21-6 on the season and should be a lock for the NCAA's this season and are slowly working their way back up the polls. The last I checked they were #19 in one poll with a game against Duke on the horizon. I really can't explain how the 'Heels have been winning but they just have is the bottom line. Some credit their defense, others point out the weak ACC this season, and I am beginning to believe smoke and mirrors.
They still have a few weaknesses and the two most obvious are three point shooting and inside depth. The Tarheels bench has all but disappeared over the course of the past 5 or 6 games, Justin Knox is the only big man coming off the bench and no one is providing any points. Other ACC teams are finally figuring out to beat the 'Heels or at least to stay with them, you have to play zone and the 'Heels are incapable of shooting them out of it. The ACC tournament should be very interesting this year and I am hoping the 'Heels will snap out of their team wide shooting slump and get really hot for the tournament.
On a very positive note, center Tyler Zeller was named Academic All-American just a few days ago. That is the first Academic All-American the Tarheels have had since Eric Montross in 1994. Most fans forget that the players are student athletes and that the student part is more important than the basketball or football part.
They are 21-6 on the season and should be a lock for the NCAA's this season and are slowly working their way back up the polls. The last I checked they were #19 in one poll with a game against Duke on the horizon. I really can't explain how the 'Heels have been winning but they just have is the bottom line. Some credit their defense, others point out the weak ACC this season, and I am beginning to believe smoke and mirrors.
They still have a few weaknesses and the two most obvious are three point shooting and inside depth. The Tarheels bench has all but disappeared over the course of the past 5 or 6 games, Justin Knox is the only big man coming off the bench and no one is providing any points. Other ACC teams are finally figuring out to beat the 'Heels or at least to stay with them, you have to play zone and the 'Heels are incapable of shooting them out of it. The ACC tournament should be very interesting this year and I am hoping the 'Heels will snap out of their team wide shooting slump and get really hot for the tournament.
On a very positive note, center Tyler Zeller was named Academic All-American just a few days ago. That is the first Academic All-American the Tarheels have had since Eric Montross in 1994. Most fans forget that the players are student athletes and that the student part is more important than the basketball or football part.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
A Quality Win
Let me begin this post by saying I do not like John Calipari. I think he runs dirty programs as evidenced by the fact that as soon as he leaves a school, they get into trouble for some kind of recruiting violations and yet, he gets off scot free. I think the recruiting violations should follow him to his next school.
The UNC Tarheels finally played basketball today. They displayed the athleticism and playmaking that has been missing this season and pulled out a last minute win against a top ten ranked University of Kentucky team. The 'Heels made their share of mistakes but they are still a young team.
Tyler Zeller had a career game with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. He took the game over in the last four minutes and that might have been the most important thing he did today. John Henson played another solid game and displayed the athleticism that he needs to use to be successful. You can tell that he has put in work on his free throw shooting but the two consecutive airballs he shot today didn't look too good. That might be the first time I have ever seen two consecutive airballs. For a five minute stretch in the first half, Harrison Barnes looked like the player that everyone thought was the #1 high school player in the nation last year. The rest of the game he disappeared and was a non-factor. In the last four minutes of the game, he had a turnover and forced two shots that could have been critical. Nobody wants him to succeed more than I do but he needs to let the game come to him rather than forcing most everything.
The bench made minimal contributions as the time was well distributed among the five players coming off the bench. There were definitely some serious signs of hope and maybe they can put it all together by ACC tournament time. I do not think they will conted for the regular season title.
The UNC Tarheels finally played basketball today. They displayed the athleticism and playmaking that has been missing this season and pulled out a last minute win against a top ten ranked University of Kentucky team. The 'Heels made their share of mistakes but they are still a young team.
Tyler Zeller had a career game with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. He took the game over in the last four minutes and that might have been the most important thing he did today. John Henson played another solid game and displayed the athleticism that he needs to use to be successful. You can tell that he has put in work on his free throw shooting but the two consecutive airballs he shot today didn't look too good. That might be the first time I have ever seen two consecutive airballs. For a five minute stretch in the first half, Harrison Barnes looked like the player that everyone thought was the #1 high school player in the nation last year. The rest of the game he disappeared and was a non-factor. In the last four minutes of the game, he had a turnover and forced two shots that could have been critical. Nobody wants him to succeed more than I do but he needs to let the game come to him rather than forcing most everything.
The bench made minimal contributions as the time was well distributed among the five players coming off the bench. There were definitely some serious signs of hope and maybe they can put it all together by ACC tournament time. I do not think they will conted for the regular season title.
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