The March Through The Madness: UNC Survives

((HT: CBSSports/NCAA))

Almost in spite of themselves, North Carolina held on to advance to their 3,427th Round of 16 in the tourney...

They had a big lead, almost lost all of it, and still gave Michigan a chance for the tie at the end before a missed two-pointer that the Wolverines wanted to be a three and/or a foul call...

Neither of which happened...

Here's your highlights...

DEVELOPING: NCAA Denies UNC Appeal

The NCAA has denied an appeal to shorten suspensions for North Carolina CB Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams.

Burney was originally suspended six games and Williams for four games for receiving improper benefits connected to several trips, including to California to visit a former North Carolina player.

Burney also went on trips to Atlanta and Las Vegas linked to former college player Chris Hawkins, whom the NCAA has said qualifies as an agent.

The school made its appeal Friday- and lost it.

More when we know more...

6 Ineligible, 6 Withheld By UNC For LSU Game

More than a dozen players from the University of North Carolina football team did not board the bus Friday morning as the team was getting ready for their game against LSU in the cow-based kickoff classic in Atlanta.

The university declared six players ineligible for Saturday's game: defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn.

An additional six players won't play while their eligibility is in question: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da’Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.

InsideCarolina's Greg Barnes said there are three players still in eligibility limbo-linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter and safety Deunta Williams.

Here's the latest from our friends at WRAL-TV and Wralsportsfan.com
Bill Leslie takes the lead...


Brother Wilkie says to take the under and to make sure that QB TJ Yates is paid up on his insurance...

What's Wrong With This Picture...?

And we're not talking about the idea of who's holding up the trophy...

Obviously, the guys at Spike TV for their contest are season ticket holders at Cameron or something...

They can't be just funnin'...
Can they...?
And what happens if they win...???
Do the "Tar Hells" show up...???

Just axin...




And, by the way, the also screwed up "Outstanding Literary Achievement" while they were at it... "Dennis Leary...?"

Well done... what's a contest for guys if there's no misspellings...
((And, yes, that's spelled correctly))

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...