The Politics Of Dancing: Dook Is A One Seed

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

Fifth-ranked Duke ((depending on your poll)) has now added their 19th ACC tournament title to its mantle. Nolan Smith had 20 points and the Blue Devils ended 6th-ranked North Carolina's run of comebacks all week in Greensboro, beating the Tar Heels 75-58 in the championship game.

Dook led the entire way...

The Blue Devils won their third straight tournament and their 10th in the last 13 years. Smith was named tourney MVP...

Here's your postgame from the Blue Devils win...

Larry Drew II Leaves UNC

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

Larry Drew leaves the North Carolina basketball program with more questions than answers...
Could he deal with all the jawing about his ability...?
Is he going to transfer...?
How did he feel about being a back-up...?

Apparently, the answer was "not very well" to the first and third...
And, yes, to the one in the middle...

Drew only averaged 4.6 points per game this year. Following UNC’s 20-point loss at Georgia Tech on January 16th, head coach Roy Williams switched out Kendall Marshall and Drew at point.

The Tar Heels did not practice on Wednesday due to a late arrival back into Chapel Hill that morning. Practice resumed on Thursday afternoon, and by all accounts, everything seemed normal.

But that is far from what went down...

Here's Roy Williams talking about the departure...
He's not happy...

Clemson 0-55 In Chapel Hill, The Win Streak Continues For North Carolina

The Clemson Tigers gave it their best shot but for the 55th time the Tigers lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels 75-65.

The Clemson - North Carolina basketball series dates back to 1926 and the Tigers have yet to defeat the Tar Heels on their home floor. It's the longest such streak in college basketball history.

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell could care less about that streak.

"I think it has no bearing whatsoever," Brownell said after the game. "It's not like we're in the huddle and saying, 'We've got a chance to end the streak.' We could care less. We're just trying to figure out a way to get a basket, get a stop. I can't imagine in their huddle, their coaches are like, 'Fellas, we've really got to win this one because we've got to keep the streak going.'"

WRAL's Ken Medlin has the game story from the Smith Center. (Thanks WRAL-TV)



North Carolina head coach Roy Williams begged his Tar Heel team to come out with intensity after showing nothing of the sort Sunday against Georgia Tech. Williams felt his team wasn't playing with any sense of urgency the last three games.

Here's the post game sound with Roy Williams after the game. (Thanks WRAL-TV)



Photo Courtesy: Robert Willett/Raleigh News Observer

Roy Williams Got His Tail Kicked...

And then some...

This game was called by Robert Montgomery Knight that North Carolina was going to get their tail kicked by Duke at Cameron Indoor Saturday night.

There's a reason that he is who he is and Hubert Davis is the alumnus of the year calling a Carolina victory.

In a game that was only close at the opening tap, Duke scored its most lopsided home victory in the series winning 82-50- in a game that wasn't even THAT close. And that's really saying something...

Kyle Singler scored 25, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith each had 20. The Blue Devils won at home for the first time since 2005, and it was the Tarheels worst loss since a 40-point loss to Maryland in 2003

Here's Coach Williams in his postgame presser...
Thanks to our friends at WRAL-TV and WRALSportsfan.com

Ah, Those Witty Dukies... The Presbyterian Heckler Returns...

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

Remember when a fan was tossed at the Presbyterian/North Carolina game when a sling-armed Roy Williams didn't like what the guy was saying from behind his own bench...???

The Duke student section welcomed him with open arms for the Carolina game Saturday...

Oooh, the irony...

WRAL-TV caught up with him...

What Is Up With Carolina...? Duke Wins By 10...

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

The North Carolina Tar Heels are in a tailspin. They're circling the drain something fierce, and the 10-point loss to Duke Wednesday night didn't help matters much.

The team lacks confidence and experience on the floor as they lost 64-54. The Blue Devils are now 20-4 while the Heels are 13-11, and are serious need of a run somewhere - anywhere- to make the tournament. They're 2-7 in conference...

Man, Guthridge was the coach the last time we actually thought that, right...?

Neither team lighted it up on the score sheet as Duke shot 32-percent from the floor and UNC shot 35-percent.

"It just sucks losing to these guys," said Nolan Smith, who managed 10 points on 4 for 14 shooting. "To do it the amount of games we did in a row, and now to finally get this win, it feels great. We played a great game and hopefully we can start this stretch of us winning games against them."

Here's Roy Williams, who looks like he's tired of saying the same damn thing at every press conference over the last month...


Boy, Roy was pissed... and he should be...

Whose ACC IS This...???

It was a bad night in the Research Triangle as both North Carolina and Duke lost to Wake and NC State, respectively. It marks the first time that the Tarheels have lost three in a row under Roy Williams' tutelage...

82-69 we get... that happens in the ACC. But in Chapel Hill...? Losing by 13...?
What is your major malfunction...???

The Tarheels were without Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller due to injuries and it showed. Wake shot fifty percent form the floor while UNC shot just under 37-percent. Carolina was only 6-for-26 from three point. Ish Smith had 20 points and Al-Farouq Aminu had 13 for the winners.

Carolina is now 12-7. What's up with that...???

Williams was asked about his "confidence level":
“My confidence level is 'I want to go to work,'” Williams said. “I’m going to coach my rear end off tomorrow. And it’s up to them to come along with me.”

Here's Roy Williams who was still, understandably not-pleased...
((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))


The Wolfpack's Tracy Smith celebrated his 22nd birthday by scoring 23 points- going 10 of 12 from the field as State won 88-74 over the 7th-ranked Blue Devils. This was the same NC State team that couldn't hold leads against Florida and Virginia, but kept Duke to 39-percent from the floor.

Here's Coach K talking about how well his team didn't play, either...
((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

The Heels Are Hurtin'

What a difference a year makes Tar Heel fans. 9 months ago North Carolina was cutting the nets are Ford Field in Detroit celebrating NCAA Title number 5, the 2nd under Roy Williams' watch.

Now it's mid-January 2010 and the Heels are in a world of hurt. North Carolina has lost 3 in a row in the ACC, 4 of the last 5. Are Tar Heel fans having Matt Doherty flashbacks?

Who knew that a loss to College of Charleston would start a Carolina collapse. Wednesday night's 82-69 loss to Wake Forest at the Smith Center was a cold splash of reality, the Heels just aren't that good.

"We're extremely disappointed, and we're extremely frustrated." North Carolina head coach Roy Williams said after the game. "It's something we haven't been through, something we're not enjoying going through."

Last place is something Tar Heel fans don't like either but look at the ACC Standings. North Carolina is next to last a half game ahead of Miami.

Heading into the toughest road grind of the season at this low point is really bad timing for North Carolina. The Tar Heels take the short drive to Raleigh Saturday to battle NC State where the RBC Center will be rocking. Did you see the Wolfpack's upset of Duke the same night.

Then the biggest surprise in the ACC, Virginia, comes to the Smith Center and I wouldn't be shock if the Cavaliers won that one.

After that it's road trips to Virginia Tech (not looking good) and Maryland (looking even worse.)

Blue Heaven isn't such a wonderful place.

Photo Courtesy: Robert Willett/Raleigh News Observer

Roy Williams Does Not Like Presbyterians...

fans...

Here's video of him having Dean Dome security checking out the lone guy in the lower level wearing PC gear at the Blue Hose loss to the Tar Heels over the weekend...

You can hear Williams telling the guy to shut up and that "Yes, I'm talking to you" clearly before the basketball cops ask the guy about his ticket...

Or something like that... before he gets tossed...

Thanks to our friends at WRAL-TV and WRALSportsfan.com


Here's Coach Roy's version of events...

"Supposedly what had happened is they had asked him for his ticket, and he didn't have a ticket or wasn't supposed to be sitting in that seat..." said Williams. "And, they chose to take him out."

"...you know in our own building I don't think our parents ought to have to listen to somebody chastising their son. Whether that's right or wrong, that's the way I am. If it's wrong, it's wrong."

"I hate that it happened, I wish I hadn't gotten involved with it. But, don't be sitting behind our bench, yelling at our players, in my building. That's the way I feel about it. If I'm wrong, then that's good, but I ain't apologizing."

Dude, wait til you get to a neutral arena...or, better yet, Cameron Indoor...
You will not be living this down any time soon...

Shenanigans...

Two Tarheels Going Pro

((HT: WRAL-TV/Tim Hall))

Juniors Ty Lawson ((pictured, thanks WRAL)) and Wayne Ellington announced they will head to the NBA Thursday, tearing apart a backcourt combination that started for three years for North Carolina and lifted the Tar Heels to the 2009 national title.

Lawson emerged as the ACC player of the year and Ellington had a torrid NCAA run that led to him being named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four.

Lawson, a 5-foot-11 point guard, is widely expected to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft in June Ellington is likely a first-round pick but his exact status is harder to project.

Carolina still looks formidable next year, with Deon Thompson and Ed Davis returning inside and Marcus Ginyard back from injury for his senior year. Larry Drew, a freshman last season, would compete for the starting point guard position with contenders from a strong freshman class.

UNC coach Roy Williams said he talked to 13 different NBA teams for feedback.

“The indication from those people was this was a good time for these youngsters to do it,” Williams said.

Both Ellington and Lawson said winning the NCAA title was a factor in their decisions.

“Winning the championship had a lot to do with it,” Ellington said. “There was no better way to go out. It was something what was very hard to achieve and we worked for it.
“That had a big part,” Lawson said. “We won the national championship. I guess our draft stock did move up. So that played a big part in deciding to leave.”

Williams had an interesting answer when asked if the procession of players to the NBA, and the way players evaluate their stock, had changed how he recruits. He said it has been different for several years now but that he looks for a mix of players when recruiting.

“I want to recruit the best players that I’m going to enjoy coaching,” Williams said. “… It is more difficult, there’s no question about it. But what these two youngsters did is they made great decision along the way. I’m happy for them. They are realizing a dream.

“When we’re recruiting I want a good mix. I want guys who can shoot and guys who can defend and I want some giys who will be so good they will have thise question mark every year and some who will be with us the whole time.”

Here's the presser from our friends at WRAL-TV...

Bob Knight In His Boxers Playing Guitar Hero

On many levels this Guitar Hero commercial is a bit disturbing. I never thought i would see Roy Williams, Rick Pitino, Mike Krzyzewski & Bob Knight in the boxers in public but hey, anything for a few thousand dollars.

Lawson's Big Toe Still Hurting

[HT/AP]

North Carolina coach Roy Williams says there's a "huge probability" point guard Ty Lawson won't play in the Tar Heels' NCAA tournament opener Thursday.

Lawson was able to participate in some practice drills Tuesday and Wednesday, but Williams said he wants to see more from the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year before he returns to the lineup from a toe injury.

Lawson jammed his right big toe before the regular-season finale against Duke and missed the Tar Heels' two ACC tournament games in Atlanta last weekend. North Carolina begins its NCAA run Thursday against Radford in the South Regional.

Lawson says he's mainly battling stiffness in the toe that makes it difficult for him to cut in different directions.

This news isn't changing my bracket. Even without Lawson, Carolina's big toe (Remember Sargent Hulka from the movie Stripes), the Heels can handle Radford. After that it might get dicey.

For those who don't know what I'm talking about at about 4:19 you will get clued in.

Can't get enough of that.

Photo Courtesy: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Roy Williams Drops The "F" Bomb

Wednesday night North Carolina defeated their tobacco road neighbors NC State 89-80 at the Dean Dome to give the Tar Heels their 10th win in a row.

Even though the hot Heels got the win, it didn't make head coach Roy Williams happy. The Wolfpack got to many easy baskets off the North Carolina full court press. This ticked off Ol'Roy who let his feelings known including dropping the "F".

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/unc/video/4567500/

I'm willing to bet North Carolina's practices might be hell the next few days. How much time will be dedicated to the full court press? Looks like Ol'Roy wants the Heels to get tough.

Roy Williams dropping a "F" bomb brings back memories of this little shindig with then CBS' Bonnie Bernstein after Kansas lost the national title game in 2003.



Classic TV.