Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
From basketball to NFL?: "Greg Paulus hasn't played a down of college football, but the Duke basketball player worked out for the NFL's Green Bay Packers last week." This should be interesting.....


The conference headlines:
John Wall may be eligible for NBA draft: "NBA spokesman Tim Frank told Tom Ziller of fanhouse.com that if Wall applies for 2009 draft eligibility, the NBA will do its "due diligence to determine his eligibility.""

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: NFL should give a look to ACC backs in 2010 "After a long wait that's likely to continue later this month, ACC running backs are on the verge of regaining significant popularity with NFL scouts."

Wake Forest
Curry invites Alabama youth recovering from cancer to come to New York with him for NFL Draft: "When linebacker Aaron Curry of Wake Forest realized that he would be one of nine players invited to the NFL." He better do something after that stunt he pulled in SI last week listing "North Carolina Basketball" as his favorite team. Class act....way to rub your fans and school's faces in it, Aaron



Georgia Tech
Jackets wrap up practiceTech will strap on pads on Wednesday for last time before Saturday's T-Day game.

Aminu boosts NBA chances: "Hartstein: Former Jackets big man impressive during last weekend's Portsmouth Invitational."


Miami
UM's Santana shuts down FAU, again: "Florida Atlantic University's frustration with playing the University of Miami in baseball continued Tuesday night. The Hurricanes used a strong pitching performance from Jason Santana to shut down the Owls 3-1 in front of 1,603 at Alex Rodriguez Park."

University of Miami tennis star follows family tradition: "UM's Julia Cohen, one of the top collegiate tennis players, is following a family tradition of champions."

UM splits doubleheader against Clemson: "The fifth-ranked University of Miami baseball team hit three home runs, and it held on to defeat Clemson 12-8 on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader in Clemson, S.C."

Matt Sanders' bat lifts Clemson past Miami Hurricanes: "Matt Sanders went 3 for 4 with a homer and four RBI to lead No. 20 Clemson to a 9-6 victory over No. 5 Miami on Sunday in Clemson, S.C."

Intruders breaching UM's local recruiting wall : "Cover your eyes Canes fans, or just turn away. What you are about to read might burn your eyes and cause your blood pressure to rise. Consider this your final warning. ..."

FSU series has evolved into real dislike : "Florida State and Miami are rivals when it comes to every sport. But there may not be more real hate involved in any of them moreso than in baseball. At least that's ..."

A chat with Kirby Hocutt & more : "Two weeks ago when the University of Miami was on the road in the NIT at Providence, I got a chance to catchup with athletic director Kirby Hocutt and pick his mind on a ..."


Florida State
Florida State offense torches Andrews' defense: "Florida State Seminoles football notebook: Offense torches Mickey Andrews' defense Twenty minutes after Florida State's final spring practice, defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews trudged off the practice fields Wednesday afternoon and met reporters."

Ranking the state's top NFL draft prospects: "Though UM's streak of 14 consecutive NFL Drafts with at least one first-round pick will end, at least a half-dozen in-state players likely will be selected April 25-26. Sporting News draft analyst Russ Lande, an ex-Browns scout, ranked for us the top 10 in-state prospects and projected round:"

FSU's receiver Rod Owens suspended after DUI charge: "Florida State's already-depleted receiving corps took two more hits Monday, as senior Rod Owens was suspended indefinitely and the NCAA denied an extra year of eligibility for senior Corey Surrency."


North Carolina
Scouts: Hansbrough is still 1st-rounder - "North Carolina senior Tyler Hansbrough shouldn't worry too much about what pro scouts think of him."




Virginia Tech
Professional wrestling helped change Hokie LB Jake Johnson: "Virginia Tech linebacker Jake Johnson shows off the large tattoos on his arms. The sophomore-to-be saw action in 11 games last season as a true freshman."



Virginia



Clemson
Tigers' big bats rip the Catamounts :"Jeff Schaus, Ben Paulsen, and Kyle Parker combined for nine hits and seven runs to lead Clemson to an 11-1 victory against Western Carolina in front of 1,249 fans at Hennon Stadium on Tuesday."

Clemson football: 5 issues to solve : "Dabo Swinney jokes he was so flustered with Clemson’s place-kickers early in spring practice that he nearly set up a table at the local grocery store to recruit more kickers." Gallery: Clemson spring game 2009

Check back on QB situation in 3 months :"It is premature to project Kyle Parker as the team’s starting quarterback come August, much less lock him into the spot. That’s not a vote for Willy Korn, either."

Baseball pregame: Clemson vs. Western Carolina : "Clemson (23-12) vs. Western Carolina (20-12) WHEN: 7 p.m. today, Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, N.C.; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Clemson"

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posted by Ed at Wednesday, April 15, 2009 |

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

The Daily Roundup: Tar Heel Tuesday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Photo: Congratulations to the North Carolina Tar Heels, National Champions for the 5th Time.

Getting your mind right:
Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe: Tar Heels' hallmark is staying power: "In the last four years, Carolina quietly has separated itself from the rest of the ACC, Duke included. And it didn't take the Heels long to put some distance between themselves and Michigan State, not to mention its hordes, last night."




Goal reached in emphatic fashion: "After North Carolina dashed past Michigan State and everyone else to the national basketball championship, the best description of the 2008-09 Tar Heels' superiority remained the words spoken by Brad Greenberg way back on March 18."


The Conference Headlines
North Carolina
Not even close: UNC rolls to title : "No matter the outcome of Monday's game, Tyler Hansbrough -- one of the most decorated players in school history -- would have left UNC a winner. But by helping shellac Michigan State 89-72 at Ford Field, he finished his career with the pride of being a national champion."

Return engagement ends perfectly : "Bobby Frasor remembers hearing it from the moment Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green announced on June 16 they were returning for the 2008-09 season instead of leaving for the NBA."

Heels fulfill their destiny : "At North Carolina, basketball has long been about winning championships, clipping nets, hoisting trophies and hanging banners."

Full Throttle: UNC wins fifth title, and second under Williams: "North Carolina's battle-scarred veterans won the one significant game missing from their resumes, defeating Michigan State 89-72 last night in....."

Tar Heels Roll to Fifth Title (Washington Post): "North Carolina completely dominates Michigan State on a near home court for the Spartans, cruising to an uneventful 89-72 win for its fifth national title in school history."


High Heels (Boston Globe): "It was party time for Tyler Hansbrough and his North Carolina teammates after they romped past Michigan State for the NCAA championship."

Lawson steals show: "Throughout Ty Lawson's career, coach Roy Williams has said the North Carolina point guard was only scratching the surface of his ability to be disruptive as a defender."
Jordan speaks on title: "Since he didn't do it when North Carolina won the 2005 national championship in St. Louis, Michael Jordan did not plan to speak to the Tar Heels before they played Michigan State on Monday night for the NCAA title at Ford Field."

Lawson grabs his award: "All eyes were on point guard Ty Lawson's grasp on the Cousy trophy Monday morning when he accepted the award for the nation's best point guard."

UNC seniors end their careers with a flurry: "Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green and Bobby Frasor were entrusted as stewards of the North Carolina program back in 2005, baby-faced freshmen coming to a school that had just won its fourth NCAA championship."

Tar Heels all contribute in NCAA championship win: "As is tradition, every North Carolina player got the pleasure of climbing the ladder and snipping a section of the net after the Tar Heels claimed the NCAA championship Monday night."

NCAA Champs: "Tar Heels dominate Spartans to win title."

It was a game to remember: "It was there in Danny Green's head-bob and smile during pregame introductions. It was there in Tyler Hansbrough's clenched-teeth chase of the game's opening tap."







Other Conference News

Clemson
USC, Clemson rivalry offers no rest : "If Clemson and South Carolina were looking for a respite from their weekend series against two of the toughest college baseball conferences in the country, they will not find it this week."

Steele tries to mix, match LBs : "Before spring practice kicked off last month, new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele planned to mix and match Clemson’s returning linebackers at the three linebacker spots in his scheme."

Golf: Clemson men leads U.S. Collegiate : "At Alpharetta, David May fired a five under par 67 on Sunday to lead Clemson to a five under par team score of 283 and a one shot team lead after the first round of the United States Collegiate at the Golf Club of Georgia."

Tennis: Tiger women blank Boston : "At Clemson, senior Alexandra Luc won in straight sets in her final regular season match at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center, and Clemson posted a 7-0 victory against Boston College. ..."


Georgia Tech
Want to return punts at GT?: "Hartstein: Auditions for punt returner continuing as Jackets look to improve at key position."


More Hooping Below the Fold!

posted by Ed at Tuesday, April 07, 2009 |

Monday, April 06, 2009

The Daily Roundup: Championship Monday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!
PHOTO: The winner of the Lawson v. Lucas matchup will determine the outcome.

Getting your mind right:
Hansbrough can cement place in Tar Heel history: "Tyler Hansbrough's career will be defined by 40 minutes. For better or worse. Like it or not."

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: Running final lap to title: "It's all simple in North Carolina's camp. Unlike opponent Michigan State, the Tar Heels aren't on a profound socio-economic mission tonight to make folks back home forget slumps."



Rochelle Riley of the Detroit Free Press: Thanks, Spartans! We really needed this: "Thank you, Spartans, for more than you know. Saturday's victory tasted sweeter because we've been counting them on one hand lately. This was the second stimulus package that we needed."

John Feinstein of the Washington Post: Final Has an Epic Feel: "Monday night's championship game has all the makings of a David and Goliath classic."

MITCH ALBOM of the Detroit Free Press Pride not pity should be legacy: "It will not save us. No basketball game can do that. No matter who wins tonight, Tuesday morning the jobs still will be gone, the factories still silent and empty, the houses still for sale or abandoned altogether."

MICHAEL ROSENBERG of the Detroit Free Press: The Spartans are underdogs, but does that mean they don't have a chance? :"I have a theory about upsets: They usually aren't as big as we think they are. One team gets overhyped. (Typical headline: "These guys make Superman jealous.") The other team, the underdog, is outstanding, but people don't realize it yet."

It could be another Magical moment for Michigan St.: "All of the following scenarios would work for Michigan State tonight when it plays for college basketball's national championship against North Carolina at Ford Field."

Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe: Hansbrough spurs bull sessions: "He is the most recognizable player on the most recognizable team. All college basketball fans have their feelings about North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, and they're not always favorable. He has taken the baton from J.J. Reddick as the Man You Love To Hate."

Lucas and Lawson drive their teams with dazzling quickness : "Ask North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson the first word that comes to mind when he thinks of Kalin Lucas and he doesn't hesitate. "Speed," Lawson said."

Tudor's Take: Title game thoughts


The Conference Headlines:

Falling short in NCAA: "Even if North Carolina gives the ACC its second national championship in five years tonight, the NCAA Tournament continues to produce evidence that the conference isn't as good as it was before it added a 12th team in 2006."


Who's worth their salary?: "ACC coaches continue to make big money. Who's earning their pay? Who isn't?"



North Carolina
For Heels, the dream is now : "The Tar Heels face a Spartans team they beat by 35 points here in December. But Michigan State has since been lifted by the return of injured players and the hopes of an economically depressed city."



UNC goes after fifth NCAA title :"The Tar Heels (33-4), who are gunning for their fifth NCAA championship (and second in five seasons) always expected to be here. That was a motivating factor as to why seniors Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green, as well as juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, chose to put off the NBA for another year." Well....6th if you count the Helms Cup....



Lawson UNC's Brightest Star


'Embarrassing' Loss Solidified Spartans

Roy working hard to keep his Heels humble: "North Carolina can play dumb, ignore what December seemed to have illustrated in painstaking detail and pretend there isn't a gulf between the Tar Heels and Michigan State."

Reality Check: Lawson living out his dream: "There are players, and then there is North Carolina's Ty Lawson. There are dreamers, and then there is Ty Lawson."

End Is Near: UNC seniors seek fantastic finish

Hansbrough, Heels trying to go out on top: "You could see it in Tyler Hansbrough’s eyes late Saturday night. You know, those always intense, always focused, wider-than-the-Detroit River eyes? Only now, after North Carolina’s 83-69 Final Four beatdown of Villanova, Hansbrough’s trademarked stare had a new glint to it."

Roe nearly was a Tar Heel : "Two years ago, Delvon Roe found himself "a pen and paper" away from signing to play basketball for North Carolina, but earlier this season, he got an ink job in the form of a Michigan State tattoo just below his left shoulder."

A year building to this: "Tyler came back ... Ty came back ... Wayne came back ... Danny came back ... For this -- another shot at an NCAA men's basketball championship."

You can see it in their eyes: "You could see it in Tyler Hansbrough's eyes late Saturday night. You know, those always intense, always focused, wider-than-the-Detroit River eyes?"

Heels' haven't seen a close one yet this tourney: "Ty Lawson hates close games. "I don't like close games -- close games are a little more scary than blowouts and things like that," North Carolina's point guard said Sunday ahead of tonight's NCAA Championship game between the top-seeded Tar Heels (33-4) and second-seeded Michigan State (31-6) at Ford Field (WRAL, 9:21 p.m.)."

Taking Center Stage: Heels, Spartans are focusing on just one thing: title


Clemson

Golf: Clemson men leads U.S. Collegiate
At Alpharetta, David May fired a five under par 67 on Sunday to lead Clemson to a five under par team score of 283 and a one shot team lead after the first round of the United States Collegiate at the Golf Club of Georgia.

Tennis: Tiger women blank Boston : "At Clemson, senior Alexandra Luc won in straight sets in her final regular season match at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center, and Clemson posted a 7-0 victory against Boston College. ... "

Recruiting: Rivals battle for defensive back recruit : "THE OFFERS ARE piling up for defensive back Bashuad Breeland (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) of Allendale-Fairfax, but this still looks like a Clemson-USC battle. He attended junior days at both and found something to like at each place."
Baseball: Leggett notches 700th win : "Deeming a four-run inning to be an offensive onslaught summarizes Clemson’s prolonged labors in the scoring department."




Georgia Tech

Favors committed to Tech: "Nation's top high school basketball player not considering UGA or Calipari, Kentucky."

More Travel with the Jackets: "Here's a guide to help fans plan for the Tech's 2009 football season and games away from the Flats."

Former Tech star has record-setting quarter

Safety Taylor tackles new role in defense

Defense misses shots during Tech scrimmage

Yellow Jackets O-line hit by injuries

More Hooping Below the Fold!

posted by Ed at Monday, April 06, 2009 |

Thursday, April 02, 2009

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
Wall will consider UK, but he's still evaluating : "Coach John Calipari's move to the University of Kentucky doesn't necessarily mean that highly sought basketball recruit John Wall of Raleigh Word of God is bound for the Wildcats."

McDonalds Game - Favors comes up big: "Georgia Tech recruit Derrick Favors scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the East past the West 113-110 in the boys McDonald's All-American game Wednesday night."

A City Turns to Basketball: "Organizers hope this weekend's Final Four gives Detroit a boost that will serve as a prototype for cities hosting similar lucrative events."

Aaron McFarling of the Roanoke News: Now is the time for relevance to return to UVa basketball

Sammy Batten of the FayObserver: Duke pulls in top recruit for 2010

Wildcats in right place: "A week ago, they squared off against Duke in an East Regional semifinal. No problem for coach Jay Wright's Villanova Wildcats, as they blew past the Blue Devils, 77-54, earning a date with top-seeded Pittsburgh."

Peterson is asked to return: "Mountaineers offer their former coach a chance to succeed Fancher."


The conference headlines:
North Carolina
Heels have to be on guard :"The script has played out the same in all four North Carolina losses this season. Villanova has ultra-quick guards who excel at getting into the lane for easy baskets off the dribble. Their strengths mirror those of the four guards who shredded UNC." Yes, but the Heels no longer seem to be going under ball screens and getting burned for jumpers and quick dumps to the basket....they are fighting through those screens now.

Davis wins playing time with Heels, if not arguments:" Ed Davis and Bobby Frasor went back and forth at a team breakfast during North Carolina's East Regional in Memphis, arguing about what they'd do if they were in Jason Capel's shoes and their alma mater faced a school coached by a family member."

Less demand for Hansbrough at this Final Four: "North Carolina senior Tyler Hansbrough admits he felt a bit of relief Sunday evening when the Tar Heels finally captured the South Regional championship and booked a return trip to the Final Four."

Twice as Nice: Copeland, former Reynolds star, will be making his second trip to Final Four: "Mike Copeland is a career reserve at North Carolina, but he's one of the most fortunate players in all of ..."


Ginyard sits, watches, contributes : "Senior Marcus Ginyard sat amid the celebration in the North Carolina locker room on Sunday, a smile pasted on his face as he posed with his team's NCAA Tournament South Regional trophy."


NC State
Wolfpack progressing: "Near the halfway point of N.C. State's spring drills, with seven workouts completed, the improved play at defensive tackle might be the most unexpected development."


Virginia Tech


Clemson
Jamie Harper is slim, trim and ready :" Two side straps held the bottom of Clemson running back Jamie Harper’s practice jersey to rib level Wednesday, exposing his abdominal muscles and flat stomach."

Late pitching dogs Tigers : "Senior closer Matt Vaughn sat alone on the Clemson dugout bench before walking out for a hug from family members."

Tigers increase pay for Purnell, football assistants : "Football season-ticket renewals are in the process of being mailed, and Clemson athletic department officials have their fingers crossed the recession won’t make a major dent in revenue. That hasn’t stopped the Tigers from forking over more money to basketball coach Oliver Purnell and football assistant coaches.


Georgia Tech


Miami
Florida Sports Buzz: A peek in the UM huddle: "UM spring football and basketball postscripts: Though there were encouraging signs, questions linger about a defense that ranked 75th against the run and last (119th) with just four interceptions."

Prep basketball all-stars kept with their sport: "He has looked up to Kobe Bryant since he was 8, and dreamed of having his name on his own basketball shoe one day. Yet even Kenny Boynton Jr. had to go through what seems like a South Florida athlete's right of passage -- giving football a chance first."


Florida State
Future Seminole Snaer showcased on big stage: "With a national television audience watching this was a matchup Michael Snaer embraced."

FSU's Hamilton named nation's best coach »: Yes, because you would choose him over K, Williams, Calhoun, or Mr. CalWILDCAT. Whatever....




More Hooping Below the Fold!

posted by Ed at Thursday, April 02, 2009 |

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!


PHOTO: Heels bringing the "D"!!

Getting your mind right:
From Kentucky.com: It's official: Kentucky hires Calipari : "John Calipari has accepted the University of Kentucky’s offer to become its basketball coach, UK confirmed Tuesday night. College basketball’s leader in overall victories gained the coaching star power its fan base has craved for more than a decade." Wow....Kentucky is going to be working people again as soon as next season. Great, great hire by the Wildcats.


From the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
John Calipari won, recruited stars, graduated players and packed the house
Geoff Calkins: Calipari is just the operator he always was
Cal-culus: Some of John Calipari's accomplishments
Timeline of John Calipari in Memphis





College-Basketball Notebook: Another Florida coach gets top job at VCU

Looking Sharp: Wright, known for his fashion sense, shows he can coach: "For a guy who knows his labels, here's one that Jay Wright, Villanova's 47-year-old dapper dandy, might enjoy more than ..."


The conference headlines:

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: Three issues at Final Four: "Three things to anticipate during this Final Four: Jim Calhoun dodging recruiting questions, ticket-scalping gone wild and an unlikely star emerging."


North Carolina

Heels find defense makes a difference : "After uneven efforts throughout the regular season, UNC has turned up its defensive intensity during the NCAA Tournament. One of coach Roy Williams' mantras has been that he's never seen a bad defensive team make it to the Final Four."

Tar Heels finally applying pressure: "Defense was supposed to be North Carolina's lone bugaboo this season, the one reason the Tar Heels might not reach the Final Four."

Heels to be on familiar ground

Heels head to Detroit tonight

Green's shooting stroke returns, as he knew it would

Queasy memory for Williams

Color a Heels win anything but blue: "Planning to paint your living room Carolina blue this weekend? Maybe you should hold off because you might not be able to buy the paint -- at least not in Chapel Hill."

Green's shooting stroke returns, just as he knew it would: "Sometimes it seems a lid is on the basket. Sometimes it seems an invisible hand is swatting your shots off the rim."


NC State

N.C. State's spring drills show improved defensive play: "With seven workouts completed, the improved play at defensive tackle might be the most unexpected development at N.C. State's spring drills."


Virginia
Virginia gets a gem: "Tony Bennett isn't Rick Barnes, Tubby Smith or Jeff Capel, but he is an excellent basketball coach and a great hire by Virginia." He'll have to show us...just not sure how that style of play is going to attract the type talent UVa should be getting.


Duke

Blue Devils focus on future: "One game over the course of a 37-game schedule shouldn't dominate the way an entire season is viewed, but for a while, the last image of Duke basketball will be a lasting image."


Georgia Tech

Tech coach could be good fit for Ga. Southern opening

Tech's Dietrich juggles success on, off field

Wide receiver Melton making strides

DE Peters making case to start at tackle

More Hooping Below the Fold!

posted by Ed at Wednesday, April 01, 2009 |