Friday, June 27, 2008

The Daily Roundup: FreeThrowFriday

The BEST ACC sports coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:

The Weekend Smoke - Stogie Reviews by the StogieGuys.com: La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurados Flechas Especiales Maduro

Fresh Faces at the Top: "After a stellar freshman year at Memphis, Derrick Rose is selected first overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft. The Miami Heat choose Michael Beasley out of Kansas State with the second pick."

Mike Wise of the Washington Post: Lives Are Transformed When Players Stay on the Ball- Good read...not what you expect.

Indiana AD to resign amid NCAA basketball probe : "Indiana athletic director Rick Greenspan will resign at the end of December amid new NCAA allegations that the school failed to monitor the men's basketball team."

Bobcats pick Augustin: "Charlotte takes guard, then 7-foot center Ajinca. On a busy day that culminated an exhausting week, the Charlotte Bobcats added a point guard and a center Thursday." That could spell trouble for former Tar Heel Raymond Felton.

The conference headlines:

Cav, Hokie go in 2nd -"Deron Washington and Sean Singletary will be in camps."


NC State
Hickson 'honored' by NBA pick
: "J.J. Hickson, who has often said his dream was to play in the NBA, now has his chance — with the Cleveland Cavaliers and superstar LeBron James."

NCSU's Harris fined for speeding
: "A misdemeanor charge of resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer was tossed out of court Wednesday when N.C. State assistant basketball coach Larry Harris paid a $15 fine for his speeding ticket, according to court documents."


Georgia Tech
RICHT TALKS TECH : "After beating Chan Gailey six straight years, UGA coach Mark Richt had to be sorry to see him go. Now, the Bulldogs' coach is concerned about being caught off guard by Johnson's offense."



North Carolina


Duke
Duke to host Dukes on TV
: "Duquesne University will play a nationally televised basketball game at powerhouse Duke on Nov. 28, believed to be the Dukes' first such TV game in at least a dozen years."


Virginia

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Sports coverage!!!
PHOTO: The NBA Draft is tonight. All signs point to a second round finish for scorer extraordinaire Sean Singletary.

Getting your mind right:
Big 4 in the NBA: An interactive database from the Raleigh News and Observer that shows which of the Big 4 (Carolina, Duke, NC State, Wake) produce the best NBA players. Pretty cool...


Cold, hard draft facts: "A study of five years' worth of first-round picks from 2001-05 shows that pro football and basketball have had more success at identifying first-round talent than have the NHL and Major League Baseball." Interesting.....

Case in point....local kid "done" good: Hunter is keeping his fingers crossed : "Othello Hunter is projected to be taken somewhere in the middle of the second round of tonight's draft, after climbing ..."

Breezing Into the Draft: "Michael Beasley's talent and ability is not in question, but his apparent indifference and attitude gives some executives pause before the draft."

Mediate makes the most of his brush with Tiger :"Rocco Mediate was told a story about how a father and his 3-year-old daughter were riveted to the U.S. Open, walking from "Dora the Explorer" to watch the 72nd hole when Tiger Woods made a putt to force a playoff."

John Feinstein of the Washington Post: Woods Will Come Back Strong



The conference headlines:

Sammy Batten of the Fayetteville Observer: Cutcliffe lands prominent prospects

Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer: Coaches try to slow early commitments


NC State
Hickson tops ACC draft list
: "J.J. Hickson, a 6-foot-9 post player who elected to leave N.C. State after his freshman year, is expected to be chosen in the first round. Where, exactly, in the first round? Good question." At NC State, is this addition by subtraction.


North Carolina
Former Carolina Panther charged in shooting
:"Jimmy Davis Hitchcock, 37, who played with the Panthers in 2000 and 2001, posted $60,000 bond and was released from Union County Jail on Monday."



Virginia
Waiting game: "Experts believe ex-UVa star Sean Singletary could be a second-round pick."


Wake Forest


Duke
Nelson awaiting the next step:"DeMarcus Nelson believes he's an NBA player. The NBA will chime in with its all-important opinion tonight. The NBA draft tips off tonight at 7:30 (ESPN) with Nelson unsure whether he'll hear his name called but confident that he'll end up in the league regardless of whether he's drafted." I would agree with that.....I think he's an NBA athlete who will land with a team if for no other reason than he looks and thinks the part. Might pull a David Noel and last 2 seasons early, go to Europe and hone his game, and be back.....

Duke adds California QB:"Duke coach David Cutcliffe has added another quarterback to what will eventually be his first full recruiting class. The Blue Devils have received a verbal commitment from Sean Schroeder, giving them five commitments for the class that can sign national letters of intent come February."


Clemson
Clemson forward Mays must wait, wonder: "Pro fate of Clemson forward hinges upon defying some draft expectations. After pulling out of last year’s NBA draft, Clemson forward James Mays stayed in New York and attended a post-draft party for first-rounders Kevin Durant and Julian Wright."

Clemson golfer finds winning swing: "The situation is one Phillip Mollica has thought about, wondered about. It bothers him, he says, in a “what’s-the-deal-with-THAT?” sort of way.

Tigers pick up commitment from running back: "Clemson received a commitment from running back Ben Axon (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) of Bradenton, Fla., on Tuesday."

McElrathbey transfers to start new at Howard: "Ray Ray McElrathbey just wants to play football. The Clemson running back who earned awards for raising his younger brother said Monday he plans to resume his injury-halted football career at Howard. Alongside, as always, will be McElrathbey’s 13-year-old brother, Fahmarr."


Georgia Tech


Boston College
Probation for Cherilus, Tribble: "Two former Boston College football players yesterday were ordered to serve one year of pretrial probation for their roles in a bar brawl near North Station in which a patron was seriously injured."


Virginia Tech



Florida State
Coley off to fast start at FSU: "There was plenty for James Coley to embrace as he talked about his first five months as Florida State's football recruiting coordinator on Wednesday."



More Hooping Below the Fold!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
U.S. Olympic team has no surprises
: "New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul and Utah Jazz big man Carlos Boozer have done well for themselves in the NBA, well enough to earn the former ACC standouts a shot at a gold medal playing for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski at the Beijing Olympics in August."


Michael Wilbon: Most Favored Nation: "The U.S. Olympic basketball team boasts 10 current or former NBA all-stars, but handing them the gold medal based on talent is foolhardy."

An Announced Arrival: "Roy Hibbert will not have a chair in the coveted green room during the NBA draft, but simply hearing his name called will be reward enough for the former Georgetown center."

NFLPA denies issue with shredded documents
: "The National Football League Players Association, under intense scrutiny for its treatment of retired players, spent more than $12,000 on document shredding last fiscal year, according to recent federal disclosures."

UNCC gets apology over football proposal
: "The new chairwoman of UNC's Board of Governors apologized Monday for expressing public skepticism about students paying for a new UNC-Charlotte football program."


The conference headlines:
Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: Wake grad delights in UNC's failed bid :"He's 73 years old and is a lot more likely to grab a tomato from his flourishing garden than a baseball, but Billy Ray Barnes felt like a Wake Forest University sophomore again Monday.""


North Carolina

Fox: 'It just wasn't our turn' to win NCAA title: "Ten years ago, during Mike Fox's first year coaching at North Carolina, everyone wanted to know when he would take the Tar Heels to their first College World Series since 1989."


Duke
Hillside QB Gattis signs with Duke : "Duke football has received a verbal commitment from a prospect right around the corner and from a prospect whose brother will be playing right around the corner. "


Duke wins suit against Louisville : "Duke's unfortunate record on the football field over recent years may have helped the school save a fortune in the courtroom."


Boston College
Three Hockey Players Selected In 2008 NHL Draft: "Boston College hockey players Jimmy Hayes, Cam Atkinson and Ben Smith were selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday."

Four Rowers Earn National Scholar-Athlete Honors: "Four Boston College rowers - Jane Greeno, Elisabeth Lobkowicz, Tracy Maciolek and Heather Schofield - were named National Scholar-Athletes by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Monday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY FOR HOOPS over at the ACC Now Blog: "Basketball season is months away, but ACC Now is previewing the season now. Expect big things from UNC and Duke. Part I II III IV "

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: Title no sure thing for UNC basketball

Dascenzo: Rivers tries to take 'proper steps' during rehab:"At least a few times while he was throwing for an N.C. State-record 95 career touchdowns, Philip Rivers paused and said: "You always want to credit your blockers."

Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer: Lowe ruminates on last season’s disaster

Heights get stretched for NBA Draft
: "How many times have you heard or read that a basketball player is listed at, say, 6 feet 8 inches but that he is really closer to 6-6? Do you ever wonder how something as objective as height can be in doubt, especially for elite players?

Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post: Woods Is an Impatient Patient




The conference headlines
North Carolina
Tar Heels' season ends
: "There was no late comeback for UNC on Sunday as Fresno State advances to face Georgia in College World Series."



Clemson
Basketball: Adversity in college helped shaped new assistant: "If a health condition had not prematurely ended his college basketball playing career, Josh Postorino imagines he would hold a stale sales job."

RNE's Bonds takes a look at the Vols: "RICHLAND NORTHEAST defensive end Chris Bonds (6-foot-4, 283 pounds) is making an unofficial visit to Tennessee today and Tuesday."

Waters' life full of twists: "For a few minutes that day in 1970, Charlie Waters envisioned himself catching passes from legendary quarterback Bart Starr, donning Green Bay’s classic green-and-gold uniform."

Clemson recruit wins title: "Incoming Clemson two-sport standout Spencer Adams added to his weekend credentials by winning the national championship in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the Nike Outdoor Nationals."


Georgia Tech
Jackets injected with youth: "Coach Johnson says young players will play sooner this fall than they might in a few years."


Miami
It's hard to rationalize Canes' failure: "Miami Hurricanes baseball players and coaches trudged wordlessly off their charter bus and crunched across gravel toward their home dugout late Thursday afternoon, their feelings just like the stadium they walked into."


Virginia Tech


Virginia


More Hooping Below the Fold!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!
PHOTO: Home, James!!! Hurricanes blasted by Stanford.

Getting your mind right:
Woods Shuts It Down: "After wincing in pain almost every time he pulled out his driver at the U.S. Open, Tiger Woods announces he will miss the rest of the season, including the AT&T National, because his left knee requires more surgery."

Woods' loss puts golf in the rough: "It's no secret that Tiger Woods is bigger than professional golf."


GREG COTE of the Miami Herald: "Taking great pains: With the news that Tiger Woods will have season-ending surgery, his dramatic victory Monday at the U.S. Open just got even more amazing."

Bob Ryan's all-time top 10 Greatest of the green: "Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan outlines his list of the best Celtics teams over the years. The 1985-86 squad (above) ranked No. 1, but the 2007-08 men in green were not too far behind."

Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe: Boston enjoys spoils: "Full moon last night. Championship parade today. Seems we get one of each every month."
Brown gets look at big targets in workouts: "LSU's Randolph says he wouldn't mind playing in the middle with Charlotte's Okafor. The Charlotte Bobcats' predraft workouts Wednesday belonged to the big guys."

Fresno State lawsuit settled
: "The former women's basketball coach who sued Fresno State in a sex discrimination claim has reached a $9 million settlement."


The conference headlines:

Miami
Stanford sends 'Canes packing : "The University of Miami baseball team figured it would end the season in elite company."

Ousted at Omaha: "The Hurricanes' bid for a fifth national championship came to a bitter end Wednesday night at the College World Series when it lost 8-3 to Stanford."


Duke


Georgia Tech
Jackets lose commitment : "Lineman Drew of Columbus reportedly uncomfortable in big city like Atlanta."

LOOKING AT STATE HARD : "Seven of the nine players who have committed to play football at Tech are from the state of Georgia. Coach Paul Johnson talks about recruiting and other subjects with Tech beat writer Matt Winkeljohn. "


North Carolina
Heels turn to Harvey
:"UNC right-hander Matt Harvey (7-2), who hasn't pitched since May 30 against Mount St. Mary's, will make his CWS debut in the elimination rematch with LSU at 7 p.m. The winner advances to play Fresno State."

Tar Heels put ball in hands of freshman starter: "OMAHA, Neb. -- North Carolina is one of the most experienced teams at the College World Series this week after being the national runners-up the past two seasons."

Fox: 'We better play better' vs. LSU : "North Carolina coach Mike Fox made no secret of what he thought of his team's performance against Fresno State in Tuesday's 5-3 loss at Rosenblatt Stadium."



NC State
Avent, Wolfpack agree to new deal
: "N.C. State baseball coach Elliott Avent, contacted this week by Auburn about its open coaching position, says he has worked out a new deal to remain with the Wolfpack. "

Maryland


Clemson
Clemson golfers rule early action: "Clemson’s Ben Martin shot a 2-under 68 to take a one stroke lead after one round at the Palmetto Amatuer at Palmetto Golf Course on Wednesday."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
Ring it up! Celtics crushLakers for 17th NBA title: "After a 22-year wait that included the retirement of Larry Bird, lots of lean years, and the death of Red Auerbach, the Celtics have new legends named Pierce, Allen, and Garnett, who now can tell their stories about touching the trophy, spraying champagne, and wishing Red were here to witness it."

Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe - Unbelievable? No, believable: "131-92. Embrace it. Ogle it. Relish it. But, above all, believe it. The Celtics did not just win franchise championship No. 17 last night. They snatched it. They swallowed it. They demanded it."


JOHN DELONG of the Winston-Salem Journal: Lakers' trade for Bryant has been misconstrued



The conference headlines:
Marc Bradley of the AJC - Tobacco (bumpy) Road :"Mark Bradley says that Tech faces a tough test against UNC with return of three players."


North Carolina
Heels fall to Fresno: "It's deja vu for the North Carolina baseball team. The No. 2 seeded Tar Heels lost their second game of the College World Series to unseeded Fresno State 5-3 on Tuesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium and now must go through the losers' bracket to the get the finals -- the same situation they faced last year."

UNC recruit McAdoo charged
: "Defensive lineman Jared McAdoo, 17, a North Carolina football recruit from Chapel Hill High School, faces a criminal charge for allegedly selling the prescription painkiller Percocet."

Heels choose lacrosse coach
: "Joe Breschi has resigned at Ohio State to take over at UNC, his alma mater. Breschi sent an e-mail to the Ohio State lacrosse family and friends informing them of his decision, according to the report."


Duke
Blue Devils look for balance coming off postseason slump : "Come Monday, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will announce to the world the 12 players that will represent the United States in the Olympics later this summer."

Coach K will let Duke choose
: "Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski says he will not name his successor when he retires. Krzyzewski hasn't addressed the topic of his successor with any specificity in recent years."


NC State
Bobcats evaluate Grant
: "The Charlotte Bobcats' practice court is just off the first-floor concourse of the team's downtown arena. That put Gavin Grant just a row of stairs away from the nightmarish finale to his college career at N.C. State. "


Georgia Tech


Johnson focused on state
Tech coach's latest recruits show that his primary focus is for in-state athletes.


Florida State


Clemson
Pollock steps down amid controversy: "Tigers’ men’s track coach retires months after embezzling allegations. Clemson announced the retirement of longtime men’s track coach Bob Pollock, two months after details about an investigation into his alleged misuse of university funds became public."

Clemson's Harper on Unitas list: "Clemson's Cullen Harper is a preseason candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award."


Miami
Hurricanes' Gutierrez knows not to dwell on early struggles
His teammates waited for one moment to know University of Miami pitcher Carlos Gutierrez had returned to normal. After making perhaps his worst two relief appearances of the season on the biggest stage, Gutierrez was anything but himself the last couple of days. Then it happened. The old Gutierrez was back.

Will Zach ever be a `Cane? : "I didn't expect to write about football this week, but I'll make it quick...."

Jim Morris vs. Mike Martin? [UPDATED]: "Once again, folks are talking about what happened after a Miami-..."


Florida State

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Daily Rounbup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!
PHOTO: Happy days in Chapel Hill as the NBA bound Trio, instead, returns for the 2008-2009 season.

Getting your mind right:
Woods Is Champion: "After a birdie on the 18th hole to force a sudden-death playoff with Rocco Mediate, a par on the very next hole is enough to deliver Tiger Woods his third U.S. Open title."

Javon Walker Found Unconscious After Las Vegas Robbery

Throwing It Out There Blog: Best NBA No. 2 Pick?

Bobcats fighting the snubs :"This isn't new. You can go back 10 years and find NBA Draft prospects who did or didn't work out for a particular team, looking to manipulate the process."

Bobcats' Brown bemused by NBA draft posturing : "Larry Brown has a message for the agents who tell their players to decline pre-draft workout invitations from his Charlotte Bobcats: His team might draft their client anyway."

Big names withdraw from NBA draft

NASCAR facing issues
: "Complaints, economy among woes."


The conference headlines:
Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: Tar Heels loaded for '09 title bid : "It's an old story in the sense that one party's despair can be another's delight."

John Wiederer ofthe Fayetteville Observer:Combo guard follows gut feeling to UNC


North Carolina
Ellington, Green, Lawson returning to UNC : "After all that, North Carolina's back to where it started. Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green are all Tar Heels."

Return of trio a boost for UNC: "With North Carolina’s Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green all officially declaring Monday that they will be back in Chapel Hill for next season, the Tar Heels have instantly become the heavy favorite to win college basketball’s 2009 national championship."

Dreams of title back with UNC trio:" For North Carolina basketball fans on Monday, the delightful idea of a national championship chase was brought squarely into focus when Tar Heels veterans Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green had to postpone for at least one season their hopes of landing berths on NBA rosters."

UNC's best hitter at top of the order
: "Sophomore Dustin Ackley is North Carolina's best pure hitter, most patient batter and quickest base runner. And the bad news for unseeded Fresno State: It has to face him first."

UNC scoring runs without the long ball : "The Tar Heels had 17 hits in their 8-4 win over LSU on Sunday, and two of those hits were doubles and the rest were singles -- no home runs. UNC was the only team not to record a homer in the opening weekend of the CWS where 15 where belted. It was the most home runs in the opening weekend of the CWS since 2001 when 19 were hit. Even though the Tar Heels haven't relied on power to win games all season, UNC coach Mike Fox said that doesn't mean his team isn't able to blast one out of the park. Sophomore Tim Fedroff leads the Tar Heels with 12 home runs."

Bates painting CWS picture

Fresno State vs. No. 2 UNC


Miami
Miami sends FSU packing : "The University of Miami players kept their celebration to a minimum."

Canes stay alive: "Jemile Weeks and Blake Tekotte hit home runs and UM survived a shaky ninth inning. The Canes will play Stanford at 7 p.m. Wednesday in another elimination game."

UM coach Jim Morris confident in Carlos Gutierrez


Florida State
Magic missing from FSU shirts: "If there ever was magic in Florida State's nameless batting practice jerseys, the Seminoles must have used it all up on the way here."

Key switch pans out for Hurricanes: "University of Miami coach Jim Morris made what turned out to be a key switch in the lineup midway through Monday's victory against Florida State when he brought in sophomore catcher Jason Hagerty to pinch-hit for struggling Dave DiNatale in the fifth inning."


NC State
Hickson is ready for draft
: "N.C. State's J.J. Hickson has decided to keep his name in the NBA Draft and not return for his sophomore season in college. The only questions now are where he'll be picked in the draft, and by which team."

Hicks wins wrestling award
: "Former N.C. State wrestler Greg Hicks won ACC championships in the 160- and 167-pound weight classes, then claimed several national titles after graduating from State with a degree in chemical engineering."


Clemson
Clemson basketball officially promotes Postorino: "Clemson promoted Josh Postorino to assistant basketball coach, Tigers coach Oliver Purnell announced Monday. Postorino, a former player and assistant under Purnell at Dayton, served as Clemson’s director of basketball operations in 2007-08."

Trahan proves his Open mettle: "D.J. Trahan said he always believed he had what it took to compete in the U.S. Open. Even those years when he failed to qualify. Even when he missed the cut in 2006, his only previous Open appearance."

Leggett says Tigers should improve: "Moments after Clemson coach Jack Leggett absorbed the disappointment of the Tigers' season after watching the NCAA tournament selection show last month, he made sure everyone in the room knew things had to improve."


Georgia Tech
Tech coach commited to recruiting in-state

Dewberry moving into luxury hotel market

Hewitt, others review academics for student athletes


Virginia
Illinois lineman commits to Virginia


Virginia Tech
Notebook Plus: Recruit wanted to be noticed, got a lot more from VT visit


Duke
Dawkins hires Cardinal assistants
: "Former Duke staffer joins new coach."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Monday, June 16, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Finally.......

.....Lawson, Ellington, and Green have come back to Chapel Hill. There's gonna' be some slow singing and flower bringing in the ACC this year. More to come later.

More Hooping Below the Fold!

The Daily Roundup: Monday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!
PHOTO: Miami and FSU go at it again today. Loser goes home!!!


Getting your mind right:
Woods Forces Playoff: "Tiger Woods sinks a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole at the U.S. Open to pull into a tie with Rocco Mediate, setting up an 18-hole playoff Monday at Torrey Pines."

Wilbon: Bryant Gets Another Chance

Dale Jr. finally ends drought: "Fumes, caution flags prove to be the winning formula for Earnhardt team. While his fans and pretty much the entire stock car racing world fretted over a winless streak that had stretched for more than two years, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was having a little trouble getting all worked up about it."

MIKE MULHERN of the Winston-Salem Journal-GRUMBLING: NASCAR getting tired of complaints

Okafor talks require patience


The conference headlines:
Color blind: "The rivalry takes a back seat as Miami and Florida State meet again today, with each team needing a win to keep its title hopes alive."

Frank Dascenzo of the Durham Herald Sun: Dascenzo: JMU no pushover for Devils: " It might not be a bad idea if Duke football coach David Cutcliffe called former Virginia coach George Welsh sometime this summer."

Super Southern 100 Football Recruits

Facing each other, it's win or go home for UM, FSU at CWS : "University of Miami first baseman Yonder Alonso made sure to say all the right things. When asked about playing an elimination game in the College World Series, he spoke of the significance of the opponent."


NC State
State loses Hickson; UNC still waiting
: "N.C. State's J.J. Hickson will be a one-and-done college basketball player, but three North Carolina regulars on Sunday continued to mull their options for the June 26 NBA Draft."


North Carolina
UNC tops LSU 8-4 in series opener
: "North Carolina never looked nervous. Not after LSU belted two early home runs Sunday at Rosenblatt Stadium. Not after a late Tigers rally."

Lawson will make his decision on NBA today

Green still undecided on return to Tar Heels: "Danny Green will meet with Roy Williams today to discuss whether to return to North Carolina for his senior season or to remain in the NBA draft."


Miami
'Canes blow 9th-inning lead, drop CWS opener

Miami coach No. 1 at every stop of career

College World Series: "Just wanted to check in before the start of the first game of the CWS. I know I'"

Bowl-game atmosphere? : "I was talking with a UM official earlier today and he said playing in..."

Florida State
Monumental collapse buries Florida State

Fla. St., Dix can't be caught: "Appropriately, Walter Dix left Florida State a winner. Dix won his third consecutive 200-meter title and led the Seminoles to their third straight men's team crown yesterday at the NCAA track and field championships in Des Moines."

FSU assistant Ken Trickett: We'll have best line in the country

From Andrew Carter's Chopping Block: Trickett: We'll have the best line in the country (but be patient)


Georgia Tech
Two more joining Jackets: "Offensive lineman Finch, defensive end Crenshaw commit following camp on Tech campus."

Flowery Branch star Drummond commits too

'08 Tech signees

Keeping it in the family: "Ramblin' On blogger looks at how to pass on his love of the Jackets to his kids."


Maryland
Ex-Terp G. Gilchrist chooses to play at South Florida


Clemson
Tigers sophomore pitcher to transfer: "Clemson has lost its fourth baseball player to transfer."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Friday, June 13, 2008

The Daily Rounupup: FreeThrowFriday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
The Weekend Smoke from the StogieGuys: Stogie Reviews: Padilla Miami 8 & 11 Lancero
Roaring back: "Staging perhaps the greatest comeback in their storied history, the Celtics recovered from a 24-point deficit on the road last night to beat the Lakers, 97-91, and take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the 62d NBA Finals."
Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe: Seeing this was believing-"Now I've seen it all. All season long this Celtics team has done improbable things, but this was the absolute showstopper. Did I really just see the Boston Celtics come from 24 points down?"

Ex-Duke star shares U.S. Open lead
: "Former Duke golfer Kevin Streelman shoots a 3-under 68 that earned him a share of the first-round lead at Torrey Pines with former Tarheel Tour player Justin Hicks." Talk to us after Saturday....

Woods Recovers: "Tiger Woods makes a double bogey on the opening hole of the U.S. Open, but manages a 1-over 72 and sits four shots behind leaders Kevin Streelman and Justin Hicks."

The conference roundup:
ACC recruits get all-star shot
: "Hoops standouts set for East-West game."
Raiders receiver and former UNC QB Curry returns:"Ex-UNC standout feeling healthy again following offseason surgery. "
Lennox Rawlings of the Winston-Salem Journal: Lawson has questions to answer about his maturity
Ethan J. Skolnick of the Sun Sentinel: This 'Canes team looks 'good enough' : "Born in Cuba and raised in Coral Gables, Yonder Alonso had just turned teenager when he got turned on to college baseball. His first vivid Hurricanes memory: a home run by a previous slugging first baseman, Kevin Brown."


Duke
Cutcliffe out to recruit new fans, too
: "Don't laugh. First-year Duke football coach David Cutcliffe is signing up football season-ticket holders in Knoxville, Tenn. He recruited 22 fans to buy season tickets during a May 22 visit to his old hometown."

NC State
Pack tennis great taking swing at golf
: "John Sadri hasn't played golf as long as some in the N.C. Amateur field, and he didn't play it as well as some in Thursday's opening round."

North Carolina
Tar Heel posts top time
: "Felnagle reaches 1,500-meter final."

UNC heading for CWS with a long stay on its mind: "For the past week, the North Carolina baseball team could not stop talking about how excited they were to return to the College World Series for a third straight year."

Miami
Maintaining order: "UM first baseman Yonder Alonso likes for everything to be just right, and he has carried that trait into his hitting this season."

This fan deserves a title of her own: "Lois Kerr is in a silver Chrysler Town & Country minivan barreling across the American Heartland toward Omaha, Neb. A tam o'shanter-style knit cap rests on her head. It is orange and green, as anybody who knows her might have guessed."

Virginia
Going strong at helm of Cavs : "A HOF induction is just another step in the journey for Debbie Ryan."

Clemson
Clemson recruit signs with Royals: "Clemson recruit signs with Royals Clemson baseball recruit Allen Caldwell signed with the Kansas City Royals. A 12th-round pick out of Spartanburg Methodist College, Caldwell had been expected to turn pro before last week’s draft because of academic issues."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
Long and short of it: Open to test players: "Each round will see course changes at 7,643-yard Torrey Pines. For decades, the U.S. Open has been as flexible as a 2-by-4. That has been, for lack of a better word, part of its charm."

ARMANDO SALGUERO of the Miami Herald - The Air Apparent?: "Kobe Bryant deserves to be in the conversation about the NBA's all-time best player but is not close to being that conversation's subject: Michael Jordan."

Rondo expects to play: "On a team with three Hall of Famers-to-be, Kendrick Perkins's pick for Most Valuable Player is Rajon Rondo. And Rondo, who suffered an ankle injury in Game 3, all but guaranteed he'd play tonight."


Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe:This calls for a Stern response: "David Stern had hoped once former NBA ref Tim Donaghy was sentenced, the incident would fade from public memory. But Donaghy is not slinking off to prison quietly."

Equity firm takes over Petty Enterprises:"One of NASCAR's most storied race teams gave up majority control Wednesday when a private equity firm took over Petty Enterprises."

King abdicates throne : "Boston Ventures buys control of the Petty family's racing team."

NASCAR chairman: Ex-official didn't report claims: "NASCAR chairman Brian France denied Wednesday that a former official complained to her supervisors about racial and sexual discrimination, claims she alleged led to her eventual firing."



The conference headlines:




North Carolina
Can Fox win the big one? : "The fact sheet says North Carolina's vaunted baseball team, 51-12, is familiar with Omaha, Neb. As a matter of fact, the Tar Heels are making their seventh trip to the Cornhusker state, third straight too. If you study more into this, you will see UNC is 10-13 all-time at the College World Series but eight of those wins have come in the last two years."

Trio powers Heels : "Dustin Ackley, Tim Fedroff and Kyle Seager came to North Carolina in 2006 from different towns and with different swings but with similar skill hitting a baseball."

UNC wants to win for seniors"There is no denying that part of the reason North Carolina is headed back to Omaha, Neb. for the College World Series for a third straight year is because of the six seniors on the roster."




Maryland




Virginia Tech



Clemson
Recruiting: Clemson picks up linebacker commitment: "Clemson picks up linebacker commitment Lake View’s Quandron Christian (6-4, 210 pounds) committed to Clemson on Wednesday night after being offered by Dabo Swinney and David Blackwell following a camp session."


Florida State
FSU's Walter Dix glides into 100 finals : "Walter Dix cruised into the finals Wednesday night in his bid for a third and final NCAA 100-meter title."

Seminoles would welcome rematch with Canes at CWS: "There is no guarantee that Florida State and Miami will face each other in the College World Series. But the fact that the in-state rivals are in the same bracket is enough to get the players' competitive juices flowing."


More Hooping Below the Fold!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!
PHOTO: Roy Williams is on a roll...signs another star from the class of 2009 to join his Heels.

Getting your mind right:
There's No Place Like Home: "League MVP Kobe Bryant scores 36 points while playing all but two minutes and sidekick Sasha Vujacic adds 20 as the Lakers remain unbeaten at home in the 2008 postseason with a pivotal 87-81 victory over the Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals."

Big Brown trainer Dutrow pins blame on jockey : "Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. still blames Kent Desormeaux for Big Brown's stunning last-place finish in the Belmont Stakes, but he wouldn't object to the jockey riding the horse in his next race." That's terrible....

Leak's next stop will be in Canada

Former official sues NASCAR over harassment claims : "As an aspiring racing official, Mauricia Grant had grown used to working in a man's world. When she finally made it into NASCAR, Grant was appalled at the way she says she was treated beginning from her first day on the job until her firing last October."

U.S. basketball team to be set without tryouts
: "There are more than 30 players in the national team program, but managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski are down to about their top 14."

Wilbon: Official Misconduct?


The conference headlines:
ACC Teams to Compete at 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Four Track and Field Athletes and Four Coaches Earn USTFCCCA Regional Honors: "Four ACC track and field student-athletes along with four coaches earned USTFCCCA regional honors for the 2008 outdoor track season. Clemson's Travis Padgett (Southeast; track), Florida State's Hannah England (South; track), Virginia Tech's Queen Harrison (Southeast; track) and Miami's Khadija Talley (Southeast; field) earned Performer of the Year honors for their respective regions and events."

John Delong of the Winston-Salem Journal: Hard Decision for High School All Star: The irony of it all....No one is screaming one bit about the “need” for this kid to go to school....to not take the “fast money”.

Football recruiting battles heating up: "In private chats, Florida's Urban Meyer and Florida State's Bobby Bowden admitted last month that with Randy Shannon coaching the Canes, it has become increasingly difficult for them to lure top players from South Florida. But after recent lulls here, both are making a big push for top Dade and Broward 2009 prospects."


North Carolina
Briarcrest's McDonald spurns Memphis and Duke, commits to North Carolina: "Another high-profile Memphis-area prep basketball product is off to the Atlantic Coast Conference to play college ball. Leslie McDonald, a 6-4, 195-pound combo guard and the 2007-08 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, has committed to North Carolina."

McDonald's decision leaves Heels lovin' it: "North Carolina’s 2009 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of its best in recent memory. The Tar Heels received a verbal commitment from Memphis prospect Leslie McDonald on Monday night, beating Duke, Memphis and Tennessee, among others, for the combo guard."

UNC's class of 2009 called one of best: "While fans wait to learn whether underclassmen Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green are staying in the NBA draft, coach Roy Williams is cementing North Carolina's future with a top-rated recruiting class."

Coach tries to ease pressure on Tar Heels
: "UNC baseball coach Mike Fox wants his players to concentrate -- and appreciate -- the opportunity at hand in the College World Series. The No. 2 Tar Heels will play No. 7 LSU on Sunday."

History may not be on Tar Heels' side in Omaha
: "The Buffalo Bills of the early 1990s set the standard for repeatedly falling just short of championship glory."

The value of UNC's CWS experience: "North Carolina’s past two trips to the College World Series have left a bad taste in senior Seth Williams’ mouth. For the past two seasons, the Tar Heels got to the finals only to lose to Oregon State in both championship series."


Miami
Last trip to Omaha taught UM baseball team lesson : "They admit the last time they reached this point they were simply caught up in the atmosphere. For this trip to the College World Series, the Hurricanes say they are prepared for what to expect and think it could lead them to the school's fifth national title."

UM pitcher Garcia hopes to leave in style

Hurricanes get ready for Bulldogs: "With the bumpy road out of Coral Gables and those pesky Arizona Wildcats finally behind them, the top-ranked University of Miami baseball team began preparing for its 23rd College World Series appearance on Monday with only one thought in mind: completing the drive for five."


Florida State
Dix is looking to give 'Noles a dynasty in another sport


Virginia Tech
Notebook Plus: Will Hokies' camp yield new commitments?

Pulaski's Peak will play for Hokies

Virginia Tech gets Journell, two others


Clemson
A different approach: "Whether it is on the track or off, pole vaulter Mitch Greeley enjoys a lifestyle that raises a few eyebrows. In one sense, becoming the most decorated pole vaulter in Clemson history did not come naturally for senior Mitch Greeley."


Duke
Lee, Blumenherst lead Blue Devils into U.S. Women's Open : "Eight golfers with Duke ties have earned spots in the U.S. Women's Open, including a pair of current players and two future players."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

The Daily Roundup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
Michael Wilbon - Shaping Up the Lakers: "Tex Winter's insults may be exactly what the Lakers need as they face a must win when the series against the Celtics resumes in Los Angeles."



The conference headlines:
Recruits scarce for Terps : "Maryland coach Gary Williams says he is not finished recruiting for next season, but analysts say there is not much top talent left from which to choose and it will be tough to replace Gus Gilchrist and Tyree Evans, who were released from their scholarship commitments."

Former NC State star Del Negro to coach Bulls


A Back on Track: "Former Hurricane Clinton Portis is taking a more mature and healthy approach to the preparation for his seventh NFL season and the Redskins provide an apparent impetus in the form of a lucrative new contract."


North Carolina
Troubles keep piling up for UNC's Lawson: "Missed workout, twisted ankle come days after the UNC player was charged with driving after consuming alcohol. North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson has rescheduled a workout he missed with the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, and twisted his ankle near the end of a workout Monday with the Washington Wizards."

Lawson remains focused:"Ty Lawson doesn't think his arrest last week in Chapel Hill will have any bearing on whether he returns to North Carolina for his junior season or keeps his name in the NBA draft."

Tar Heels familiar with the road to Omaha
: "For the third straight season, North Carolina is going to the College World Series. And after losing in the championship series for two straight years, the Tar Heels are determined to take care of "unfinished business," senior reliever Rob Wooten said."


Maryland


Virginia Tech
Notebook Plus: Will Hokies' camp yield new commitments?

Giles kicker finds his place at Tech : "Cody Journell makes an oral commitment to play football at Virginia Tech."


Virginia


Clemson
USC, Clemson start summer camps: "SUMMER CAMPS ARE open at USC and Clemson. Both staffs will have hundreds of players to work with over the next several weeks including some major prospects they would like to add to their programs."

Basketball: Postorino to replace Smart as assistant coach: "A week in Jamaica did not change Clemson basketball coach Oliver Purnell’s mind on his next hire."


Georgia Tech
Tech in scrum for OT: "Lovejoy junior Harris has scholarship offers from 27 college programs."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Monday, June 09, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Monday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

PHOTO: Congrats to the three ACC Schools (Miami, Carolina, and Florida State) who are back on the road to Omaha and the College World Series!!

Getting your mind right:
Celtics Survive Lakers: "The Lakers rally from a 24-point deficit with less than eight minutes left in the game, but clutch free throws from Paul Pierce give the Celtics a 108-102 win as Kevin Garnett, above, and Boston take a 2-0 series lead.":

Big Brown left alone after stunning Belmont loss : "The morning after the Belmont Stakes, Big Brown stopped to pose for photographers as if he had won the Triple Crown. Everyone except the horse knew otherwise."

With Dutrow silent, horsemen theorize why 'Brown' flopped

The conference headlines:
Sixteen ACC Players Taken on Opening Day of MLB Draft

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer- Heels beat the heat -- and Chanticleers


North Carolina
Tar Heels head west to Omaha again
: "UNC heads to the College World Series for the third year in a row. And after two successive runner-up finishes, the Heels are wondering if the third time can be charmed."

UNC hitters keep pounding away

'It never gets old': UNC advances to CWS: "North Carolina senior pitcher Tyler Trice raised both arms in triumph as he watched teammate Tim Fedroff catch a pop fly for the last out of Sunday’s Super Regional win over Coastal Carolina. Moments later he was tackled by senior third baseman Chad Flack and soon they were joined by the rest of the Tar Heels, who jumped on top of them to form a massive powder blue dog pile."


Miami
Hurricanes beat Arizona to clinch spot in College World Series : "The University of Miami is one step closer to staking its claim as the best baseball team in school history."

Three UM players go in first round of MLB draft


Florida State
Florida State tops Wichita State to earn College World Series berth


Georgia Tech
Q&A with Tech shortstop Derek Dietrich

8 more Dogs, Jackets taken in draft

Tech's Blackmon, Duncan drafted

UGA, Tech football ticket problems very different

Harpring joins Georgia Tech hall


NC State
Wolfpack season ends with tough loss
: "One victory from its first College World Series appearance in 40 years, the Wolfpack was rocked 17-8 by Georgia on Sunday in the third and deciding game of the Athens Super Regional."

Dawgs show grit to win: "Georgia faced two NCAA baseball tournament elimination games in a span of seven days at Foley Field in Athens, Ga., and responded by scoring 35 runs to win both contests."

Former Pack star wins
: "Cullen Jones, a former N.C. State standout who won a gold medal with the U.S. team in the men's 400-meter freestyle relay at the 2007 World Championships, bettered the meet record in winning the 100 freestyle in Charlotte UltraSwim."


Clemson
USC, Clemson start summer camps: "SUMMER CAMPS ARE open at USC and Clemson. Both staffs will have hundreds of players to work with over the next several weeks including some major prospects they would like to add to their programs."

Tigers wait to see draft’s impact on rotation: "From a self-serving perspective, the good news for Clemson was that its draftees went lower than the players expected."

No Tigers picked on Day 1: "Clemson is not out of the woods, but it is on the right path."

Three Clemson reserves plan to transfer: "Three Clemson baseball reserves, including Blythewood High graduate Alex Lee, have left the team and plan to transfer."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Friday, June 06, 2008

The Daily Roundup: FreeThrowFriday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
UNC's Lawson charged with driving after drinking
: "North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson was arrested today and charged with driving after consuming alcohol, violating a local noise ordinance and driving with a suspended or revoked license." Ty Lawson.....you are now the recipiant of the Basketblog's Fred G. Sanford award. First JJ, now Ty. What is with these guards from the Triangle.....

The weekend smoke for the StogieGuys.com: Stogie Reviews: Montecristo No. 2 (Cuban). Get over there!

Big Brown appears ready to go

Abandoning 49ers football is too costly

76ers helped Bryant polish his game early on


The conference headlines:
Five ACC Players Taken In Opening Round of MLB Draft


NC State
Pack believes it's worthy
: "N.C. State's road to the College World Series goes through Super Regional-savvy Georgia."


North Carolina
Tar Heels' goal: Error-free defense: "Over the past few days, North Carolina coach Mike Fox has "painfully" been watching tape from the last meeting between his team and Coastal Carolina."


Duke
Updates to Duke stadium begin with temporary 'facilities' : "Duke appears to have big things in mind for its football program and for its football field, but this upcoming season at Wallace Wade Stadium will be about the little things."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Thursday, June 05, 2008

We're off today.......

...but we'll leave you with a little something (as always)

Michael Wilbon - A Perceptible Change: "Discussions of race and basketball often lead to the Celtics, historically the NBA's whitest team that has evolved into a majority black team."

Bobcats' coach praises Duke guard Nelson: "Former Blue Devil DeMarcus Nelson is projected to be a second-round pick despite being an All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team selection last season." Good for DeMarcus. Apparently, he was truly the do it all player last weekend at the camp.

ACC's Bernadette V. McGlade Named Atlantic 10 Commissioner: "Bernadette V. McGlade, whose experience in collegiate athletics as a student-athlete, coach and administrator spans nearly thirty years, has been named the commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The fifth full-time commissioner in Conference history was introduced at a press conference at The Philadelphia DoubleTree Hotel today.Courtesy of Atlantic10.com."

Detroit Stops Penguins To Claim Stanley Cup: "The Red Wings capture the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in 11 years Wednesday with a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6."

Redick's patience tested
: "Ex-Duke star just wants a shot......." We thought he got his shot....

Williams sees potential in his move to Kings, and Dunleavy may be omen of good things to come: "Former Duke great Shelden Williams isn't one to smile all that often, and during most of his time with the Atlanta Hawks, Williams managed to smile even less than that."

For the Tar Heels, running has been the key: "For North Carolina senior Chad Flack there is only one way to describe how much fun stealing a base can be."

More Hooping Below the Fold!

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!
PHOTO: ACC, landing the top basketball recruits once again!

Getting your mind right:
Turn on the football
: "On Tuesday, ESPN announced it would televise Appalachian State's long-scheduled trip to Louisiana State, a meeting of the national champions from last year in the two top tiers of college football." I'd like to see that game every year. It would be a great way to kick off the season. Tough to schedule, but a nice thought.

Michael Wilbon - Broken Records: "Drug use has tainted so much and cast suspicion over so many, the title of "Fastest Man in the World" doesn't mean what it used to mean."

Mark Washburn of the Charlotte Observer: Football at UNCC a w-a-s-t-e!

Funding complicates Charlotte football plan
: "Concerns over funding are coloring the tone of a report on a proposed football program at Charlotte."

MIKE MULHERN of the Winston-Salem Journal - Hendrick operation searching for a cure


The conference headlines:
More from Andrew Jones - Butch Year Two: What To Expect

ACC lands top-rate recruits - Expert: League No. 1 in nation in commitments. North Carolina still is loading up on elite basketball talent, and other ACC schools are getting into the act as well. As summer camps for prospects get into full swing in June, ACC basketball fans have good recruiting news on the heels of three consecutive largely forgettable NCAA tournaments.

ACC announces first 3 weeks of football on TV :"N.C. State and North Carolina will enjoy primetime television slots early in the upcoming football season, while Duke will give primetime a shot, minus the television coverage."


North Carolina

Reversal of Fortune :"Just two weeks ago, No. 2 North Carolina was entering the ACC Tournament with questions surrounding its starting pitching staff, not its bullpen. But as the Tar Heels prepare for this weekend’s Super Regional, those concerns have reversed course in dramatic fashion."

Graepel leaves bench, steadies UNC
:"Shortstop Ryan Graepel solidified the infield, stabilized the defense -- and proved that perseverance does pay off."

Fedroff's intense approach leads UNC in CWS march: "North Carolina sophomore Tim Fedroff keeps the secret to his success as one of the top Tar Heel hitters in his back pocket -- literally."


Maryland
Talented recruit Gilchrist granted release from UM: "Forward's decision latest blow to men's basketball program." Wow....Gary may be in some trouble in College Park.


NC State
Relievers pitch in to help Pack advance
: "When its star closer was lost, N.C. State appeared to have a serious problem, but the rest of the bullpen stepped up, and the Wolfpack will play this week for a spot in the College World Series."


Clemson
Sources: Purnell is leaning toward promoting Postorino: "Oliver Purnell may not look far for his next Clemson assistant coach. Josh Postorino, who just completed his first year as the team’s director of basketball operations, is believed to be the front-runner, multiple sources said."

Top prospect weighs future: "Nearly every day this week has featured a landmark moment for Clemson baseball signee Scott Weismann. Weismann’s high school team lost its quarterfinal playoff game Monday, ending his standout prep career. Consequently, he will now attend tonight’s prom instead of perhaps pitching in the semifinals."


Miami
More surgery on the defensive line: "Defensive end Courtney Harris suffered a torn Achilles during an offseason..."

Hernandez to start Friday :"Just made my way to the air-conditioned press box at Mark Light Field after..."

`Canes open Super Regional Friday:"UM will begin its best-of-three series against Arizona on Friday at 7 p.m. on..."


Georgia Tech

More Hooping Below the Fold!