NCAA Basketball FanHouse

North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas Earn No. 1 Seeds in NCAA Tournament

Michael David Smith — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Kansas Basketball, UCLA Basketball, Memphis Basketball, North Carolina

The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee has chosen North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA and Kansas as the four No. 1 seeds for this year's Big Dance.

North Carolina was named the No. 1 overall seed. The Tar Heels will play the winner of the play-in game in the first round of the Tournament.

There's not much controversy in any of those four selections, as these were the four teams that most people figured would be the four No. 1 seeds. If there are any complaints, they're likely to come from Tennessee, where some fans thought the Volunteers had done enough to earn a No. 1 seed. Gary Parrish of CBS picked Tennessee as a No. 1, and in RPI Tennessee was No. 2 in the nation.

Instead, the Volunteers are the No. 2 seed in the same region as North Carolina, setting up the possibility for a huge regional final. Tennessee plays No. 15 seed American in this week's first-round game.

By picking North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA and Kansas, the Selection Committee showed that conference tournaments are meaningful: Tennessee didn't make the SEC Tournament title game, and that's why the Selection Committee knocked the Vols out of the top four.

Read FanHouse previews for all teams in the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas Earn No. 1 Seeds in NCAA Tournament originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tyler Hansbrough's Odd Ping Pong Ritual

Michael David Smith — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Video, North Carolina

North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough and his friends have an interesting way of passing the time around the ping pong table:

"A game me and my friends came up with in Poplar Bluff, Missouri: It's the first person to score two points in a row, the loser has to take their shirt and lift it over their head while the winner gets to take a ping pong ball and hit him in the chest, and it's pretty painful. You don't want to lose, just because once that ping pong hits you, it's going to leave a welt for about a day or so and it's embarrassing when you take your shirt off. Also, it kinda hurts."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what they like to do for fun in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Tyler Hansbrough's Odd Ping Pong Ritual originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UNC's Student Body President Murdered; School in Mourning Before Game with Duke

Shiloh Carder — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:11:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Duke Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Campus, North Carolina, Carolina

Above is a video of Eve Carson, Student Body President of the University of North Carolina.

Ms. Carson was found murdered in the middle of an intersection just outside downtown Chapel Hill on Wednesday. Her body ... which had two gunshot wounds, including one to the head ... laid just a mile away from her SUV, which was left abandoned. There are no suspects at this time (watch more of the story here).

The entire school is in mourning. There have been candlelight vigils held at the school's iconic Old Well as well as news conferences, memorials and speeches.

One thing there wasn't was a news conference from UNC basketball coach Roy Williams.

"In light of the news and out of respect for Ms. Carson, we feel it is inappropriate for us to hold a basketball-related news conference at this time," the school said in a prepared statement.

As you know, North Carolina goes eight miles up the street to face Duke on Saturday night. Because of the proximity between the two schools, Ms. Carson's death (and the search for a suspect) most certainly will be a topic of discussion through the weekend.

It also will bring back the horrifying memories of last March's death of Jason Ray, the UNC mascot who was hit by an SUV while walking along the side of a road in East Rutherford, NJ. North Carolina was set to play USC in the Sweet 16 the day that Ray was hit. He died a few days later.

Ms. Carson was a pre-med majoring in biology and political science. She was 22 years old.

UPDATE: The Lady Tar Heels basketball team have blue ribbons affixed to their shoes to honor Eve Carson. They are currently playing in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro.

UNC's Student Body President Murdered; School in Mourning Before Game with Duke originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Random YouTube Magic: Maryland's Len Bias vs. North Carolina's Michael Jordan

Michael David Smith — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 06:49:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Maryland Basketball, ACC Basketball, Maryland, North Carolina

Hoopsvibe has uncovered this sweet video of a Michael Jordan-led North Carolina team beating a Len Bias-led Maryland team:

If you watch the whole video, you'll see that Jordan ends the game with one of the best dunks in college basketball history.

Almost as interesting as the video is the game story Hoopsvibe found. Note the byline:

By Michael Wilbon Washington Post Staff Writer

Those who argue that two great players can't make a team No. 1 in the nation obviously haven't seen enough of North Carolina all-Americans Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins.

Jordan had the presence of three players at times last night, shooting, stealing and rebounding in surreal sequences. His 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Perkins' 26 points and 12 rebounds, enabled Carolina to remain undefeated with a 74-62 victory over Maryland in packed Cole Field House.

The Tar Heels, all-Americas or not, held no big edge until the final minute. The Terrapins, for the most part, played like a team ranked fifth in the country. Sophomore forward Len Bias, with a career-high 24 points, and Adrian Branch, with 19, at times matched the splendor of Perkins and Jordan.

I wasn't aware that anyone ever argued that two great players can't make a team No. 1, but overall, you can see the promise in Wilbon just as you can see the promise in Jordan, and the unfulfilled promise in Bias.

Random YouTube Magic: Maryland's Len Bias vs. North Carolina's Michael Jordan originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 06:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Davidson Falls Short But Gives North Carolina All It Can Handle

Michael David Smith — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:47:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Mid-Majors Basketball, North Carolina

In case you didn't get the memo, Stephen Curry is good. Curry, the son of former NBA player Dell Curry, was the Southern Conference preseason player of the year, and he showed tonight that a whole lot of bigger schools than Davidson erred when they let him slip away.

Curry scored 24 points tonight against No. 1 North Carolina, and although Davidson fell just short in a 72-68 loss, he made clear that he's a player we all need to watch. Yes, he tries to do too much at times (2-of-13 from beyond the arc), but he's got talent. And Davidson, which went 27-4 last year and returns all its key players, made clear that it's a team we'll all watch in March.

Having said that, North Carolina has tons of talent and can win even when it's playing a so-so game against scrappy team that comes to play. North Carolina is a legitimate No. 1 team, but by playing the Tar Heels tough for 40 minutes, Davidson became the story tonight.

Davidson Falls Short But Gives North Carolina All It Can Handle originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Premature Preseason ACC 2007-2008 Hoops Rankings

Shiloh Carder — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:15:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Georgia Tech Basketball, Duke Basketball, Boston College Basketball, Maryland Basketball, NC State Basketball, Wake Forest Basketball, ACC Basketball, Clemson Basketball, Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Washington, DC, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Carolina, Clemson, Florida State

This will be a transition year for most of the ACC. Pretty much everyone took a hit this offseason, with only four teams really looking like locks for the NCAA tournament. There is little doubt that North Carolina will be the favorite ... but remember that this was the case last year ... and UNC was nearly the #5 seed in the ACC tournament. NC State, Duke and Clemson have the best shot at giving the Heels trouble for the title

1-North Carolina: Sometimes subtraction isn't a bad thing. The Heels lose Brandan Wright and Reyshawn Terry, but the rotation should be tighter and everyone more understanding of their roles. If UNC is going to make its title run, they better do it now before Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough bolt.

2-NC State: Brandon Costner is my pick for ACC Player of the Year. With JJ Hickson running alongside him in the paint, Costner is free to show his entire game [similar to how Wright helped Hansbrough last year in Chapel Hill]. This team is ready to break out and get back into the ACC's elite. At issue is finding Engin Atsur's replacement ... since he was so key in the success of the Pack last year.

3-Duke: With Kyle Singler and Taylor King coming in, expect Duke to go back to its gun-slinging ways. Last year's team wasn't normal Duke: they struggled to find their offense and were very inconsistent shooting. The big issue this year is ... well, what happens if they keep missing those threes? Josh McRoberts is gone and there really isn't anyone reliable in the paint to score or rebound.

4-Clemson: Can the Tigers get back that team that was scorching the early part of the season? Well, they have four returning starters and has one of the better frontcourts in the conference. They just need to get their minds right. This team has the talent ... they just need to tighten the bolts and clean the sawdust.

5-Virginia: Dave Leitao better thank God that Sean Singletary came back. The ACC player of the year candidate will be asked to do even more with JR Reynolds and Jason Cain gone.

6-Maryland: Gotta love those Terps! The head-scratchers are gone, with their understudies ready to take their place. The team will rely on James Gist and Greivis Vasquez to become leaders on and off the floor. However, this streaky team must find someone who can hit a shot.

7-Georgia Tech: Tech was ready to take its place back on the national stage. Then the NBA snagged freshmen Thad Young and Javaris Crittenden. Now Tech is a team full of big men and no one around to take the heat off them. One good note: the Jackets get UNC, Duke and NC State only once apiece this year.

8-Boston College: Losing ACC Player of the Year Jared Dudley and Sean Marshall will be tough. Especially for a team that relied on those two [plus Tyrese Rice] for most of their offense last year. Rice is back and may be asked to do everything for the Eagles this year.

9-Miami: Frank Haith did an admirable job fighting during a season that saw his Canes kicked around. There is some talent on this team and a huge chip on their shoulders. They could sneak into the NCAAs.

10-Florida State: With ACC's leading scorer Al Thornton, the Noles underachieved yet again. Now he's gone. Jason Rich and Isaiah Swann could form a decent backcourt, but FSU lacks any kind of inside presence.

11-Wake Forest: This may be the calm before the storm. The Deacs were awful for most of last season before winning four down the stretch. Kyle Visser is gone and the big recruiting class is a year away. This is the year the other guys get their chance to show what they've got.

12-Virginia Tech: Ugh. Only four scholarship players are coming back from a team that nearly won the ACC last year.

Premature Preseason ACC 2007-2008 Hoops Rankings originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Luke Winn's Preseason #1: North Carolina

Michael David Smith — Wed, 02 May 2007 13:12:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, North Carolina

This seems to be the week in which every expert is giving his very, very early predictions for the 2007-08 college basketball season, and Luke Winn is checking in with his prediction that the team cutting down the nets in April of 2008 will be ... North Carolina.

Winn says the Tar Heels can overcome the loss of Brandan Wright, noting that they were just fine without him against Arizona. He adds:

UNC will still have a nine-deep rotation, and guards Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington should emerge as more complete players (read: guys who also play D) as sophomores.

UCLA, Memphis, Louisville and Kansas round out Winn's Top 5. That Kansas pick is even assuming that Brandan Rush and Julian Wright both stay in the NBA draft, so he's very high on the talent Bill Self has accumulated. Tennessee, Washington State, USC, Indiana and Michigan State are in the 6-10 spots.

Previously at FanHouse:
Andy Katz's Preseason #1: Memphis

Luke Winn's Preseason #1: North Carolina originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 02 May 2007 13:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wright's Gone, So What Does That Mean for UNC?

Shiloh Carder — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:00:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NBA Prospects, Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina

Now that Brandan Wright has announced he's heading to the NBA, fans of the Tar Heels can move on with their lives. While it would've been great to see Wright stick around for another year, North Carolina was prepared for this happening. So what does this mean to the Tar Heels that will be around next year?

TYLER HANSBROUGH: This will be a very interesting year for Psycho T. Without Wright, Hansbrough won't get the same amount of rest he did last year. And when he's on the court, he won't have that other great post man to take some of the pressure off him. Well, maybe not.
DEON THOMPSON: Thompson will most likely step into the starting role next to Hansbrough. Thompson showed flashes of a player who could have a nice career in Chapel Hill. Now he'll get starter's minutes and a platform to vault himself into the national spotlight.
ALEX STEPHENSON: Thompson was an offensive force off the bench last year. Stephenson was the defensive guy. Stephenson was known in high school as a premiere rebounder which should get him some good minutes this year. He will most likely be on the bench, but will rotate with Hansbrough and Stephenson in a frontcourt rotation. While he will be asked to be a defensive stopper and rebounder, his offense must improve. He's pretty handy around the basket but didn't show that he make his own play to get a shot off.
TYWON LAWSON: With no Wright or the graduating Reyshawn Terry, Lawson will be asked to score a bit more.
WILLIAM GRAVES: People forget that Graves was part of that outstanding freshman recruiting class. However, Graves elected to redshirt last year despite being a guy that could've been in the rotation. UNC brings no one in this year, so Graves will be able to fill in down low.
SENIOR CLASS OF 2008: With Wright officially gone, the Tar Heels know that they have a front line opening in the 2008-2009 season [especially if Hansbrough leaves next year]. Just as Wright came in for a one and done, so could kids like Greg Monroe, Ed Davis, Al-Farouq Aminu, Samardo Samuels or Drew Gordon who'd love to come in and play right away in Chapel Hill.
ROY WILLIAMS: A lot of these big time recruits just watched Williams look out for Wright today. The fact that Williams told Wright to go pro even though it appeared Wright may have stayed if Williams recommended that to him spoke volumes about the coach. Now a lot of these one-and-done kids may consider the Heels moreso than some other teams when they can really see that the coach has their family's best interests at heart.

Wright's Gone, So What Does That Mean for UNC? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brandan Wright Should Go Pro, Even If He's Not Ready

Shiloh Carder — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 07:06:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NBA Prospects, Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina

When the NBA passed their rule of essentially not allowing high schoolers to enter the NBA draft, all they did was push back the inevitable. While I love the decision to make these kids take their game to an intermediate level of basketball [hey, even LeBron James and Kobe Bryant would've benefitted from at least a year of college basketball], it doesn't completely solve the issue. Just delays it.

The rule works a bit. Some of the guys who would've lept from high school into the NBA draft learned where their games really were at in college. Some are sticking it out for at least another year. Others, like Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, took a lot from their college experience ... even though it lasted just one year. Durant struggled with his decision [he's going]; Oden's still struggling [he's undecided].

So is UNC freshman Brandan Wright. In many draft sites, Wright would be the first guy taken after Oden and Durant. If there was no rule, Wright would have entered last year's draft along with Oden and Durant and been a high pick. He has a ton of talent, a ton of size and a ton of promise. But he's not ready for the NBA yet.

That's the funny nature of the NBA draft. If Wright was a senior with his current skill set ... he'd be a late first round pick. But he's 19, so you can attach the word "potential" on him and he's instantly a franchise player. I mean, he can dunk, rebound, block some shots and has a nice little leaning floater. It looks pretty good alongside Tyler Hansbrough. But Wright also has no jump shot, can't hit free throws, gets in foul trouble, gets lost in games and weighs less than the ball boys. He's capable of dominating the ACC tournament ... or disappearing against Michigan State.

If he's the #3 pick, the team that picks him will need him to be a franchise guy very soon. He's not that right now. Another year in school could polish up his game a bit. Get in the weight room, work constantly on your free throws and really get focused. Not to mention he could be part of a magical team next season that, if he returns, will bring back most of a team that was a late breakdown from getting to the Final Four. Classmates Tywon Lawson and Wayne Ellington have already announced they are coming back. So is All American Tyler Hansbrough, who has taken to heart the fact that he knows he still needs to improve to be an NBA player.

Still, he's holding a lottery ticket right now. If someone told you that you could leave college early and get a job making $10M over the next three years ... you'd jump at that opportunity. Why shouldn't Wright? I mean, he can still work out in a weight room and practice free throws for an NBA team, right? Just ask Big Baby Davis about passing up a golden opportunity and coming back to school. Or ask former Tar Heel Marvin Williams what it is like to leave college early for the uncaring world of NBA riches.

As a Tar Heel fan, I want Wright to stay. For his basketball sake, he needs a little bit more of college. But for his family's sake and his wallet's sake ... go pro.

Brandan Wright Should Go Pro, Even If He's Not Ready originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 07:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SI.com Rates Roy Williams #2; Coach K #4

Shiloh Carder — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:21:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Duke Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, North Carolina

In the ongoing battle between North Carolina and Duke, and interesting development has transpired. Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated put out his list of top 10 coaches in college basketball. On this list, UNC's Roy Williams is #2 [Florida's Billy Donovan is #1] and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is #4.

Very interesting. Of course, Mandel has some explaining for why his rankings may throw some people off:

The following list is an attempt to rank the sport's top 10 coaches right now. It is not a career-achievement list, so while a coach's track record obviously plays a huge part in his reputation, more weight was placed on his most recent performances (sorry, Lute Olson). Similarly, only those who have been head coaches for at least three seasons were considered (sorry, Anthony Grant).

As for the criteria, winning championships and getting to Final Fours is the benchmark by which all college coaches are judged. But I also placed added value on coaches who get more out of less, have recently rebuilt programs or whose imprint is clearly visible in the way their teams play.

Even as a Tar Heel fan, I will admit that Coach K has had one of the greatest coaching careers in the history of sports and his accomplishments outweigh Roy Williams' quite a bit. Even by using Mr. Mandel's criteria, it's hard to place Ol Roy above Coach K. Krzyzewski has more win, Final Fours and titles than Williams has ... even though Williams has a higher winning percentage and has helmed over two of the most prestigious programs in college sports. Mandel gives his reasons for why Coach K dropped a bit:

Coach K was the no-brainer No. 1 for nearly 20 years, but his most recent teams have been plagued by a lack of depth, several high-profile washouts and a tendency to underachieve in the NCAAs (J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams made it out of the Sweet 16 just once despite having a No. 1 seed three times).

Wow. Going by that assessment, Mr. Mandel is implying that Coach K isn't getting it done. Some of his top recruits have busted and his best teams flame out during the postseason. Strong words that haven't been heard in Durham since around 1991. Again, as a Carolina fan ... while it is fun to see Williams rated over K ... it's hard for me to place Krzyzewski down on this list. I've been through to "Dean Smith v Coach K" wars long enough to know the impact he's had on the Duke program and the ACC. Roy Williams' body of work is nothing to sneeze at ... and what he's doing in Chapel Hill is amazing. But I just think I need to see another title in his pocket before I start thinking about rating him higher.

However, Roy Williams has beaten Coach K three straight times [and four of five] ... is the defending ACC regular season and tournament champion ... has won the latest national title ... and helms the program that has a better look at getting another title soon. He's also been an outstanding recruiter [what happened to the arguement between who got the better recruit: UNC's Hansbrough or Duke's McRoberts???].

SI.com Rates Roy Williams #2; Coach K #4 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hansbrough and Lawson To Return to UNC

Shiloh Carder — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:24:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NBA Prospects, Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina

The two main cogs of the North Carolina Tar Heels will return for the 2007-2008 season. All American center Tyler Hansbrough and freshman sensation point guard Tywon Lawson announced their intention of staying for another year during the UNC basketball team awards ceremony. Both made their announcements in a rather unique way.

Hansbrough [via Charlotte.com]:

"I cut a deal with coach Williams that I'd be back for my junior year ... only if he fired coach Holladay."

Coach Holladay is a longtime Roy Williams assistant. After everyone laughed off the joke, Hansbrough reiterated his decision to stay at UNC for his junior season. ""I've definitely decided that I will be back [for] my junior year. Personally, I'm not ready for the next step of the NBA. Playing [another] year with coach [Roy] Williams will help me improve my game individually. There's also some team things that I want to accomplish. College is a great experience for me, and I'd like to be here another year."

Lawson pulled the same joke on the room when making his announcement.

"After thinking about things, talking to my parents, I think it would be best if I took my skills to the NBA. I'm sorry," Lawson said.

Dead silence.

"I'm just playing -- I'll be back next year," Lawson quipped, drawing cheers from the crowd of about 1,000.

Lawson became the most important Tar Heel as the season went along. He got the team into the offense quickly, was able to break his defender down, keep the team running and rarely turned the ball over. And every Carolina fan needs to have Hansbrough at that little UNC-Duke function in Chapel Hill next February as Gerald Henderson and the Dookies return.Brandan Wright, who was the ACC's Freshman of the Year, still hasn't announced his intentions yet ... and none will come until at least April 20th. In several mock drafts, Wright is slated to be the #3 pick in the draft, just after fellow freshmen Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.

Hansbrough and Lawson To Return to UNC originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UNC Fan Is 'Gonna Give It To Ya'

Shiloh Carder — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:16:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Fans, NCAA Basketball Video, North Carolina

Look. We all have done embarrassing things in our life ... some that even involved a video camera. Now, I have no Paris Hilton moment, but I apparantly made a little viddie with some action figures when I was, like, 14 that my wife discovered in a bunch of tapes we found when moving. Now, I can never live that down [I also have one where I was at a pool tournament and used Axel F as an intro] but at least I never posted it on YouTube. All those dances and MCing I did in front a mirror exist only in my memory.

This dude has made a horrible home video using one of the better songs of the past several years - DMX's "X Gonna Give It To Ya." Enjoy.

UNC Fan Is 'Gonna Give It To Ya' originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roy Williams Elected to Hall of Fame

Shiloh Carder — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, North Carolina

North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame at a ceremony on September 7th. Williams joins seven other Tar Heel coaches or players in the Hall. Former UNC coaches Dean Smith and Frank McGuire have also been inducted ... while Larry Brown and Ben Carnevale have also been elected as coaches, but the former Heels coached elsewhere. James Worthy, Billy Cunningham and Bob McAdoo are in as players. Michael Jordan should gain acceptance in 2009.

Here are some interesting notes about Williams:

He reached 500 wins faster than any coach ... ever.
He's the winningest active coach with at least 10 years experience.
He's only the 3rd coach to lead two schools to the NCAA Championship game [Larry Brown and Frank McGuire].
He's 5th all time in NCAA tournament wins, trailing just Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith, Lute Olson and John Wooden. He's just one win behind Olson and two behind Wooden.
Only John Wooden, Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Adolph Rupp and Denny Crum have taken their teams to more Final Fours.
He's had six different teams win at least 30 games [including this year's]. That's 2nd all time to Mike Krzyzewski.

What a fantastic honor for Williams, joining names like Bobby Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, Jim Calhoun and Lute Olson as active coaches to enter into the Hall. He will join Lakers/Bulls coach Phil Jackson, the 1966 Texas Western University team, Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, referee Mendy Rudolph, Spain coach Fedro Fernandez and Yugoslavia coach Mirko Novosel in the Class of 2007.

Roy Williams Elected to Hall of Fame originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Duke Hits Tyler Hansbrough's Face ... Back In 2006!

Shiloh Carder — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 05:38:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Duke Basketball, ACC Basketball, NCAA Basketball Injuries, NCAA Basketball Video, North Carolina, Carolina

Remember senior day 2006 in Durham? Well, a young UNC squad went into Durham and beat Duke on J.J. Redick's and Sheldon Williams' last game in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Well, at the end of that game, Tyler Hansbrough was smacked in the face with a late hit from Sean Dockery. It wasn't as brutal as the hit Gerald Henderson put on him one month ago ... but does it show a trend of Duke animosity towards Tyler? Or is just a big kwinky-dink?

Duke Hits Tyler Hansbrough's Face ... Back In 2006! originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 05:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UNC Women Choked As Badly As Men Did

Shiloh Carder — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:24:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, March Madness, Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina

How about this? Just exactly one week after the North Carolina men's basketball team choked away a shot at making the Final Four, the women's team choked away a shot at the national championship game. The Lady Heels held a 48-36 lead over Tennessee with over 8:00 left in the game after a furious run put some distance between the two teams. However, the Vols went on a 20-2 run to end the game, leaving the Heels losers in the Final Four for the second straight year.

And what a beautiful mess it was! The Heels turned the ball over repeatedly to the Vols' pressure defense [Tennessee recorded a Final Four record 20 steals]. Carolina missed their final eight shots ... and the only two points scored by UNC was a couple of Ivory Latta free throws. Stars LaToya Pringle and Camille Little fouled out trying to deal with All-Everything Candice Parker.

Exactly one week ago, the UNC men's team choked away a game against Georgetown. In that contest, UNC was outscored 31-9 to end the game. Both games were "revenge games" of sorts, as G'town spent the weekend reliving the 1982 national championship loss to Carolina ... while Tennessee avenged a loss to UNC in last year's Elite 8, which occured on this same Cleveland floor.

UNC Women Choked As Badly As Men Did originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UNC Mascot Jason Ray Dies From Injuries in SUV Accident

Shiloh Carder — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Fans, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, North Carolina

In a time where UNC fans are mourning the loss of their team to Georgetown yesterday, tragedy really struck. Word is that Jason Ray, one of the UNC students who wears the Rameses mascot uniform, has died this morning. He was struck by an SUV while walking along the shoulder of a road outside his hotel last Friday afternoon. He was 21 years old.

Ray was walking to a convenience story to pick up a snack a few hours before UNC's Sweet 16 game with USC in East Rutherford, NJ when he was struck by an SUV. The driver of the car tried to help Ray and called 911. So far, no charges have been filed in the accident.

He was to graduate this may with a major in Business Administration and a minor in religion. All of Tar Heel nation sends their condolances to Jason's family. If you AOLers would like to send your own condolances, please go to this AOL Message Board. Donations can be sent here:

Jason Kendall Ray Memorial Fund
Concord Christian Church
3101 Davidson Highway
Concord, NC 28027

UPDATE: The NCAA is looking to do something during the Final Four this weekend to honor the memory of Jason Ray. It hasn't been decided yet, but keep checking here for more info.

Previously at the Fanhouse

Doctors Have Little Hope For Recovery
UNC Mascot in Critical Condition

UNC Mascot Jason Ray Dies From Injuries in SUV Accident originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Next for North Carolina Freshman Brandan Wright?

Michael David Smith — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:43:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, NBA Prospects, North Carolina

After yesterday's loss to Georgetown, North Carolina freshman Brandan Wright made an off-hand comment about what kind of team the Tar Heels would have next season, using the word "we" in the process. But when pressed on whether he'd still be there next year, Wright was noncommittal.

"I haven't really gave any thought at all (to any decision)," Wright said. "I didn't want to take away from my teammates and for us making a quest to the Final Four. Me and Coach (Roy Williams) will be having a few meetings in the near future and then I'll make my decision."

There's a good chance Wright would be the third pick in the NBA draft, behind only Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. But as you can tell from the picture, Wright will struggle in the NBA if he can't put a little more meat on his bones. My FanHouse colleague Nate Jones says Wright needs to get a bit more range on his jump shot, and while I agree, I also think he's the kind of unique talent that pro scouts would kill for, and I think he'd be wise to cash in on that talent now.

NBA Next for North Carolina Freshman Brandan Wright? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reyshawn Terry to Billy Packer: "I Would Bust His A**"

Shiloh Carder — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:21:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, North Carolina

CBS's Billy Packer has yet again peeved off some of the Carolina nation. In an interview with New York radio station, WFAN's Mike and the Mad Dog, Packer attacks the Tar Heels' Reyshawn Terry, who hasn't been able to practice due to strep throat, losing 10 pounds in a week since he hasn't been able to eat, yet did score 9 points in 5 minutes of action against USC.

Billy Packer:

"Terry, in my estimation, has always played soft"
"There are some guys that know how to play hurt and there are some guys that don't."

And here is Terry's rebuttal, via CBS Sportsline:

"Anyone who thinks I'm soft doesn't know s--- about basketball."

"He has his opinion," Terry said of Packer. "Billy Packer has been around the game long enough to know better. Soft? That's foolish. It's offensive to be called that. I try not to let that sort of stuff bother me but I will say that if Billy Packer played in my day, I would bust his ass. It would be a massacre."

In the same interview, Packer briefly discusses the Hansbrough nose-breaking. In that, Packer steps back on his original call. He said it was "no question a flagarant foul", but didn't like that the officials didn't call it that way originally but went to the monitor to upgrade a personal foul to a fighting foul. You can listen to Packer's entire interview here.

Previously at the Fanhouse:

Even Jay Bilas Thinks Billy Packer Is Wrong
Dick Vitale Thinks Billy Packer is Wrong
Billy Packer Swears That He Doesn't Molest Jim Nantz
Billy Packer Loves Those Dookies
Found: Billy Packer's MySpace

Reyshawn Terry to Billy Packer: "I Would Bust His A**" originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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North Carolina Choked Away a Final Four Slot

Shiloh Carder — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC Basketball, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Fans, Charlotte, North Carolina, Carolina

As a UNC fan, let me just say that I write this will thoughts of putting a gun in my mouth. It is one thing to lose because you were beaten; it is another to lose when what you worked all game for was taken from you because you decided to give it away. Make no mistake about it, Georgetown is a worthy champion of the East Regional, beating the Heels 96-84. However, UNC butchered this one.

Down 75-65, Georgetown scored 31 of the final 40 points of this one. The Heels missed pretty much everything ... including 22 of 23 shots at the end of regulation and into overtime. The same team that had 50 points at halftime scored just 11 points in the final 14 minutes of game play. The same team that strolled to the line at will for most of the game, decided it was better to fire up three-pointers instead of challenging a foul prone interior ... especially with Roy Hibbert having 4 fouls called on him [when he probably fouled 20 times tonight].

The same Heels team that ran over everyone all season was being run on by Georgetown. The Heels' mad rotations seem to work at wearing the Hoyas out until, for some reason, it didn't. The Hoyas looked fresh. They were getting lose balls. They were grabbing every rebound. They were blocking shots, getting steals and looking like a fresh team. UNC's legs had seemed to fail them.

As I sat in my recliner when the score was 81-78, I thought about all the times this season that UNC couldn't handle the pressure of a close game. In reality, the only nip and tuck game they won all year was a win at Boston College earlier this season. All other nip and tuckers ended up with UNC going home losers, as they are doing right now.

The one hopeful nugget in here is the fact this team is so young. Tyler Hansbrough has said he will be back next year. Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington probably will, too. Reyshawn Terry and Wes Miller graduate, but their replacements of Danny Green and Marcus Ginyard will be back ... as will freshmen big men Deon Thompson and Alex Stephenson. The one big question will be if Brandan Wright will come back or not. He is slated to be a high lottery draft pick next year and may have one foot out the door. Maybe Hansbrough and his classmates can talk to him about staying put another year, just as the trio of Sean May, Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants did a couple of years ago.

If this team stays largely intact, they will once again be one of the favorites to win the title next year. Maybe Hansbrough, like centers Sean May and Eric Montross before him, can win a title for Carolina in his junior season.

North Carolina Choked Away a Final Four Slot originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hoya Paranoia Heads Back to the Final Four

Charles Rich — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:50:00 EST

Filed under: UNC Basketball, Georgetown Basketball, ACC Basketball, Big East Basketball, March Madness, North Carolina

It's been 22 years since Georgetown was last in the Final Four. That and the son following the father's footsteps to take the Hoyas back will be the big overplayed storylines for Georgetown this week.

Georgetown made an incredible second half run into overtime. Georgetown never seemed to panic even down 10 with 7 minutes left. They kept running their game, and executing on offense with their incredible patience and efficiency.

The Hoyas were aided with North Carolina having a dry spell of unbelievable proportions. UNC missed 16-17 shots in the final minutes and into the OT. Georgetown completely dominated the boards as the game got later. UNC began to look frustrated and tired of battling under the boards. North Carolina never shot particularly well in the game, but kept getting rebounds, second chance points and lots and lots of free throws. When the second chances began drying up, so did the Tarheels scoring.

Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert locked in their lottery status for the 2007 NBA Draft. DaJuan Summers, though, the freshman forward made a name for himself with 70% shooting to get 20 points and 6 rebounds.

Georgetown will get to play Ohio State on Saturday. Expect lots of drooling over the match-up with Hibbert and Oden. Vanderbilt and SEC fans still remain pissed.

Hoya Paranoia Heads Back to the Final Four originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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