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(07/23/09 4:00am)
The nagging questions persist like Brett Favre's career. How will UNC recover from the loss of its three top wideouts? What will the Tar Heels do without the man who wears 4XL size gloves? Who on the team will be able to catch a pass?If TNT knows drama certain media outlets know doomsday because that's apparently where Butch Davis and his offense are going without Hakeem Nicks Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster. Many journalists throughout the Southeast have proclaimed that the Tar Heels pass offense will be average at best and horrific at worst. One ESPN.com writer went so far as to rank the North Carolina wide receivers as the second-worst unit in the ACC — only one better than Virginia. And with Greg Little the only returner with any starting experience — granted a mere two games — it's feasible to see why. Still don't expect such a dramatic dropout.For starters that certainly begins with Little. After a largely disappointing go-around at running back to begin the 2008 season Davis shifted the tailback back to Little's original collegiate position of wideout before the Virginia game. Though Little has yet to materialize into the star some projected when he entered UNC he did end this past year in a fairly promising fashion.Against Duke in the team's regular season finale Little caught four passes for 67 yards. Nearly a month later in North Carolina's bowl game against West Virginia he added two catches for 36 yards. Although these stats are not overly impressive one has to remember that Nicks was lining up alongside Little — clearly inhibiting his chances. Still it's hard to believe that Little will continue to be denied in this manner. Many recruiting services characterized the wideout as the most versatile player in the country upon entering college though at this point it's been mere glimpses with Little. Another cause for optimism rests on the shoulders of 6-foot 5-inch sophomore Dwight Jones. Although it appeared he would be redshirted this past season Jones was inserted into three games. Jones didn't tally a reception but based off his spring game stats — three catches for 61 yards — he could be penciled in for a starting role.Most people tend to forget that Jones graduated high school as the nation's No. 22 player according to Rivals a sports information Web site. In fact he was considered the No. 1 prospect in North Carolina.Freshman Jheranie Boyd isn't nearly as tall but he comes to Chapel Hill with much the same acclaim. Rivals had him as the No. 48 prospect in the 2009 class.Though doubters of these Tar Heels will point to in-game experience as a notion for concern — and rightfully so — such talent is still hard to ignore.Thus look for a fairly strong year out of the North Carolina wideouts. They certainly can't be much less.Contact Chris Hempson at chempson@unc.edu.
(07/01/09 4:00am)
I've accepted the fact that soccer might never catch on in the U.S. I've accepted that by screaming at Jozy Altidore to do something other than jogging he will henceforth begin walking. I've even accepted that the only time I will see Freddy Adu on camera is during a quick pan of the bench.But I cannot accept that the U.S. national team lost the Confederations Cup final to Brazil 3-2. I know that seems hard to fathom. For starters you'll cite Brazil as one of the most talented teams in the world. A team filled with the likes of Kaka Robinho and Maicon. Heck the team crushed the Yanks basically a week before 3-0. But here's where you'd be wrong: Brazil has changed and definitely not for the better.For 90 minutes Sunday I watched a Brazilian team look nothing like its predecessors. For one the squad no longer plays the game in Joga Bonito style. Yes they still do some clever tricks and jukes but have you seen any Nike commercials lately advertising such play? Exactly. It's generally stopped as the Brazilians have begun to incorporate a more disciplined European style of soccer.Secondly Dunga the team's coach doesn't actually move or yell instructions during matches. I've honestly begun to wonder if the Brazilian soccer team warms up with a game of freeze tag and that a running joke is to use the last tag on Dunga. But in all seriousness journalists throughout the globe have been commenting about how little the Brazilian people like Dunga and the new soccer being played by the boys in yellow. I mean really could Dunga literally be getting less out of a team stockpiled with talent? Brazil soccer has essentially become Lamar Odom's career in a nutshell.ESPN commentator Alexi Lalas can spew about how giddy he is about American soccer all he wants but the fact is that the U.S. should never have been close in that game. Several Americans play in Europe — which is widely considered the mecca of club soccer — but only a select few make any noticeable contributions at the highest-tier clubs.The team's star Landon Donovan failed to catch on in Germany three times. Adu got traded — from a Major League Soccer team. Altidore made no appearances for a second division Spanish club.Yes the Brazilians rallied admirably in the second half but if anything the win can be attributed to the lack of a U.S. bench and to the team's endurance. Even with a shaky squad the win was America's for the taking.Although there's still plenty of time until next summer's World Cup Sunday's result has to leave even the most dedicated Brazilian fans on shaky ground. They just barely beat the U.S. and that in itself must be hard to accept.Contact Chris Hempson at hempson@email.unc.edu.
(07/01/09 4:00am)
It's not every day that an NBA legend compares himself to a league rookie. But that's exactly what happened with Tyler Hansbrough. After being selected as the 13th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft last Thursday Hansbrough found himself face to face with Indiana Pacers president and now his boss Larry Bird at an introductory conference for the team's fans.Although Hansbrough will not be known for his 3-point prowess or his constant ability to score in the clutch at least not yet anyway" Bird still made the dramatic statement.""(Hansbrough's draft situation) reminds me of when I came out" Bird said Friday to fans. There was always this skepticism that I wouldn't be able to play in this league against these players. Tyler's got some of that going right now" but he'll be fine.""If the similarities between the pair continue" he most certainly will. Both are from small towns. Both could have left college early but returned to play for national titles. Both were known as tireless competitors. And both had their athleticism questioned time and again.But when Bird came to the NBA the doubts didn't matter. He became one of the most dynamic shooters in the league's history while registering 12 all-star appearances.Though it's unlikely for Hansbrough to duplicate such successes as a low-post scorer it's not entirely unfathomable to think that he can be an NBA starter. With his selection by Indiana Hansbrough finds himself playing once again in an up-tempo type offense. Having excelled in such a previous situation while at UNC the Pacers could have found a key contributor with their lottery selection.Three more Tar Heels found themselves being chosen though none as high as Hansbrough. Five picks after the former UNC forward's selection North Carolina's speedy point guard Ty Lawson saw his name surprisingly come off the board.The shock wasn't that Lawson was picked so high but rather that the Minnesota Timberwolves were the ones doing so having already picked two point guards with the No. 5 and No. 6 choices. UNC coach Roy Williams evidently felt the same way as he was caught by ESPN cameras looking puzzled while holding three fingers in the air. Shortly thereafter" the Timberwolves cleared up any confusion and traded Lawson away to the Denver Nuggets. ""Ty Lawson" going to Denver playing behind a guy like Chauncey Billups I think he's going to be a heck of a backup and a solid player" basketball analyst Dick Vitale said in an ESPN interview after Lawson's trade to Denver was announced.Unfortunately for Lawson, the trade meant that he wouldn't get a chance to continue playing with Wayne Ellington — who was also picked by Minnesota at pick No. 28.With a logjam at point guard in Minnesota, Lawson appears to be in a better situation with the Nuggets. He'll get to learn from Billups and excel off the bench with his speed. Ellington, on the other hand, figures to do just fine with his new team. The Timberwolves management has suggested that the team will play with a smaller, faster type squad. If that holds true, Ellington should crack the rotation with his excellent spot-up shot.(The Timberwolves) are going to get a guy who can score and a guy who can shoot who's getting better at putting it on the floor" Williams said in an interview with ESPN after Ellington's selection. Rebounding" he's doing better. He's doing better defensively. But the bottom line is he can score."" The final Tar Heel choice of the night came when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Danny Green in the second round. Although Green will find cracking the Cavs' rotation a predicament early on" he at least figures to be a prominent member of the team's pregame theatrics.With LeBron James widely known for his comedic skits along with newcomer Shaquille O'Neal" Cleveland figures to be loaded with laughs. And with Green having already achieved legendary status in Chapel Hill for his ""Jump Around"" routine" it doesn't appear too farfetched for another NBA great in James to try comparing himself — albeit his dance moves — to another Tar Heel.Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(06/20/09 4:00am)
It ended as it seemingly always had.
(06/10/09 4:00am)
It wasn't supposed to be this easy. Hyped as one of the top Super Regionals in the country the North Carolina-East Carolina series seemed bound to bring the drama.Instead the only thing many fans saw Sunday were curtain calls in a 9-3 UNC victory. There was one for ACC Player of the Year Dustin Ackley. Another for third baseman Kyle Seager. Two more for seniors Adam Warren and Garrett Gore.Heck even coach Mike Fox got into the act — as he admitted to letting himself act more loosely than he ever had during his team's three previous Super Regional titles.He didn't join the post-game pileup but he did raise his arms to pump up the crowd after the game's conclusion. When Gore blasted a gargantuan homer in his last-ever at-bat at Boshamer Stadium Fox appeared to put his hands on his head in disbelief.He even threw in a joke during the post-game press conference" though that's not too unusual.""I always like coming to these things with my shoes and socks wet. That's a good thing"" said Fox, referring to the bucket of water thrown on him after the series-clinching win. They're soaked right now.""They sure are. And with good reason.The Tar Heels clinched their fourth consecutive Super Regional series and now advance to the College World Series. They even etched the program into the history of the ACC — becoming the conference's first team to advance to the CWS in four consecutive seasons.After a scintillating performance Saturday by pitcher Alex White in a 10-1 win" Warren took the mound. In 7 1/3 innings of work he delivered.Although the box score will show him allowing three runs on eight hits the righty retired 15 of 17 batters at one point and only really started to struggle in the seventh. And by then" the game was once again out of reach.""Today" I just tried to go out there and throw strikes" Warren said. I tried not to let it get in my head that this was my last start in this stadium.""For several North Carolina players" it likely was. And each made sure to go out in a memorable fashion.There was White a likely top-ten pick in the MLB Draft working through injuries to beat his hometown program Saturday.There was Warren escaping jams in the latter innings while striking out eight.There was Gore going 4 for 5 Sunday — including the home run off a pitch he guessed was coming.And there was Ackley — the team's best player and arguably the top collegiate talent in the nation. Although he batted a modest .250 for the weekend the first baseman came through when it mattered most.With UNC ahead 4-0 Sunday" the junior provided the game's dagger as he reached across the plate and hit a line-drive three-run homer.""It was a 3-2 slider" which Seth Simmons has the best pitch on our team Pirates coach Billy Godwin said. (Ackley) got out on his front foot" stayed back. There's a reason he's one of the best hitters in college baseball. It was just a great job against a very good pitch.""The same could be said for UNC on the day" as once again" the Tar Heels are off to Omaha.""The journey we have been on is pretty amazing" Fox said. We'll go out there and we'll do everything we can to soak it all in and play as hard as we can. That's going to be our mindset. It was the first year" and it's going to be this one.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu
(06/03/09 4:00am)
The top of the third inning on Saturday started as uneventfully as it gets.With UNC holding a 2-0 lead against Coastal Carolina all-ACC pitcher Alex White toed the rubber.The first batter he faced grounded out to third. And although he allowed a single right after the junior produced a flyout for out No. 2. But from there things got dicey.He hit CCU's Tyler Bortnick. Then he threw a wild pitch. Then another. And to top it off he walked a batter.All told he allowed three runs that frame. And though such a performance is rarely a cause for alarm" the fact that White was battling a blister on his finger and a tweaked hamstring surely is.""We got to get Alex healthy"" coach Mike Fox said. We'll monitor that situation.""Such a statement doesn't exactly scream out ""panic"" but if the Tar Heels are to make their fourth straight trip to Omaha and the College World Series, a dominant — or at least effective — White is probably going to be a must.Senior Adam Warren went for 6 2/3 innings in the regional final and will probably be counted upon for one start during this weekend's super regional against East Carolina. But that appearance won't come until game two of the series — as Fox tries to give Warren enough rest.We got Adam out as soon as we could — pitch-count wise — because we don't know when we're going to play"" Fox said Sunday. Two days later, that changed. The NCAA assigned UNC's super regional a Saturday start date. And in reaction, Fox named White his opening starter.After strong pitching performances ensued during the team's two previous meetings, the choice of the Greenville-native seems logical. The teams combined for eight runs, though the likelihood of such an occurrence happening again is quite unlikely.ECU boasts a team average of .341 at the plate – good for 14th in the nation. Six of its hitters have gone yard 11 or more times. The squad ranks fifth in hits in the NCAA.And after UNC scored 31 runs during its regional, such signs point to an offensive struggle — making White's appearance all the more key. We have similar teams" and I think we're playing our best baseball right now" Warren said. Hopefully that carries over to next weekend.""Contact the sports editor at sports@unc.edu.
(06/03/09 4:00am)
Rewind past the stunning win against Maryland in the Final Four. Skip over the two March victories against top-five opponents.Look past the unlucky weather that quite possibly cost UNC an early-season win against No.1 Northwestern.And stop at the preseason camping trip to Lutherock near Boone.It was there that the women's lacrosse team enjoyed a weekend together that would help set the tone for a season filled with exceeded expectations. Along with team chats to learn about each other off the field and a fiery display of the basketball game Knockout by freshman Laura Zimmerman" the Tar Heel squad also partook in a team-building exercise.""We did an obstacle course-like thing"" junior Jenn Russell said. We had to climb up this wall. ""A lot of people — including myself — we're terrified and did not want to do it. But we just decided that the whole team was going to do it" and everyone was going to help each other out" she said.From there, well, the lacrosse part seemed relatively easy.After entering the season ranked No. 9 in the country, the North Carolina team went on a tear never before seen in school history. Yes, they suffered early-season losses against NU and Penn, but they followed with eight straight victories. We kind of took each game one at a time" but by the end of the season we were like ‘Oh my god. I can't believe this is happening"'"" Russell said.Still" in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament the team got a wakeup call — losing 14-4 to Duke.It seemed that their magical season might end early in the NCAAs after such a dreary performance. But then North Carolina won. Then again — advancing to the Final Four after losing in the quarterfinals the four previous times.Problem was the undefeated Maryland Terrapins stood in the way of the program's first-ever trip to the national championship game.There was no way North Carolina would win again right?Especially after a first half that saw the Terps run their offensive plays effortlessly and efficiently — scoring four goals.But so too had the Tar Heels and when the second half began" UNC eventually slid ahead and won.""It's not always pretty" Russell said. But we have really talented hardworking people" and it just worked out.""North Carolina had finally made the national championship for the first time in the program's history.""I will always have a special bond with my teammates because we accomplished something together"" Russell said. It was special. It was great.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(05/27/09 4:00am)
TOWSON Md. — They didn't know what to say.Coach Jenny Levy knelt on the sideline. Goalkeeper Logan Ripley turned and faced away from the field. Senior Amber Falcone walked back to the midfield circle.None of them could ever have fathomed that this would occur. That in the pinnacle of women's lacrosse the NCAA Championship they would match the worst loss in UNC history — a margin of 14.It was unimaginable. It was incomprehensible. But the way Northwestern was playing quite frankly the 21-7 defeat was unavoidable.So even in the first half there they were blank-faced and emotionless" most seemingly unaware of their surroundings.Each was in the midst of being thoroughly blitzed by a 10-0 Wildcat run. A run that would leave no doubt as to who is the best team in the nation. A run that left many scrambling to put this Northwestern team in a historical light but left UNC struggling for respectability.""It kind of got to the point where we just wanted to keep our heads up and keep going at it" Falcone said. Give them everything we had until the end. Unfortunately it wasn't going our way. There wasn't much to say. We knew what was going on" and we knew what we had to fix.""Moments after Kristen Carr lost the opening draw" there was Northwestern's Hilary Bowen charging at the goal. But with UNC defender Meredith Newton in her way she had no opening. Yet somehow the Tar Heel sophomore slipped and there was the first tally. The first of several to put it lightly.Newton slowly rose to her feet as Falcone called the defensive group together — apparently searching for answers for something that might reassure a team unknowingly on the edge of disaster. Ripley banged the post with her stick once an action that would become habitual by day's end.Three minutes in and there was Northwestern's second. Six minutes later" another. Fifteen seconds more — boom — another.""It was 4-2" and the thing I was noticing was we were having quick possessions on offense and we were turning the ball over on unforced errors said Levy of her team's eight first-half giveaways. If you play Northwestern" you can't do that.""The North Carolina coaching staff tried any and everything to adjust" but to no avail.They paced. They panted. They told the team to not try and save the world. Nothing worked.Northwestern scored their first 15 goals on 17 shots. They had scored 10 straight without a UNC response.Such was the Tar Heels' misfortune that after a Wildcat goal made it 11-2 a yellow card issued to freshman Laura Zimmerman gave Northwestern possession again — a possession that quickly led to another subsequent score.Ripley could do nothing to prevent the onslaught. Even with Levy talking and encouraging her during media timeouts the shots were just too high" time after time.""Unfortunately" we weren't getting saves in the cage that we've gotten this year" Levy said. Logan's been great all year. At times we've made mistakes this year on defense that we've been able to recover from. ""The looks they were getting on cage were high percentage"" so we weren't giving Logan a lot of opportunities to save the ball.""When it mattered most" even in the most successful season in the program's history" victory was thoroughly taken from the team's grasp.""I think emotionally it's hard on anyone to end your season in a game like this" junior Jenn Russell said. But we've done a great job this year" and I'm proud to be a part of this team.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu
(05/20/09 4:00am)
Amber Falcone wanted — heck expected — to be playing in Maryland again. After a second-half collapse in April against Maryland the All-American defender — along with the rest of the North Carolina team — was looking for redemption. They thought they'd make amends by fulfilling their season-long goal: qualifying for the women's lacrosse Final Four. And as this year's site is the University of Towson — located in Maryland — they knew they could be making a return trip north.What they didn't know was that they'd be playing the Terrapins again. Yes Falcone knew it was a possibility. As the No. 3 seed UNC would be expected to play No. 2 Maryland once more. But that would only occur if the tournament played out according to plan — which rarely if ever occurs.Well" it did. ""We didn't really care who we played" but it's great (to play them) Falcone said. Once we knew (after beating Notre Dame)" we were really excited and lucky to have the option of playing Maryland again.""Friday night" the Tar Heels will get another chance. But based off the previous result it certainly won't be easy.In that matchup" North Carolina entered on an eight-game winning streak. UNC played the Terps to an even first half — 5-5. Then the next half got under way.""In the second" we got a little impatient and didn't do a good job taking care of the ball coach Jenny Levy said. If you do that against Maryland" they'll make you pay.""In the last go around" the Tar Heels turned the ball over 18 times. Eight occurred in the second half — leading in part to the Terrapins stretching their margin to 11-6.With Maryland sporting prolific scorers in Caitlyn McFadden and Karri Ellen Johnson the Tar Heels have to keep possession to minimize the pair's chances. Johnson a freshman ranks third in the nation in goals with 70. McFadden on the other hand shows up in spot 25.And last game" each made sure their ranking wasn't perceived as a fluke. Johnson dominated with four goals while McFadden added two. ""I think overall" we played a lot of defense in that last game" Levy said. I wish we had done a better job with our possessions.""Still" there is certainly room for optimism at UNC's chances.For starters North Carolina sported one of the nation's hardest schedules. Secondly many people have already plugged in a Maryland-Northwestern championship game. Both teams are undefeated and known nationally. The Tar Heels meanwhile have slid under the radar and naturally are underdogs. So now just comes Friday. UNC got its wish. They're back in Maryland. Heck" they're even playing the Terps.""There's not much you need to say to the kids" Levy said. They've prepared" they've worked hard and they deserve to be there.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(05/13/09 4:00am)
CHARLOTTE — So it was only the third inning. And granted it is the regular season. But the three outs seen in the bottom of the frame were about as dramatic as they come.Here's the situation: North Carolina misses a double-play opportunity — leaving UNC-Charlotte with men on first and second. Tar Heel starter Patrick Johnson walks the next batter" so now the bases are loaded.Enter North Carolina reliever Brian Moran.""When you get in that situation" you're just hoping to limit the damage" coach Mike Fox said. Don't get a three- or four-run inning. One run would have been great.""Well" how about zero? For that's just what occurred. The junior delivered No. 5 UNC from a jam" and the Tar Heels escaped with a 4-1 victory against the 49ers (30-19).""I've got a little bit of experience in those situations"" Moran said. I was able to stay calm and make some good pitches.""That's saying it lightly. Here's saying it literally.In the bottom of the third" Moran starts off against Charlotte outfielder Alan Parks. A couple sliders later Parks is sitting on the bench.UNC-C shortstop Grant Bomann is up next. Same result.By now a packed Hayes Stadium is in an uproar. And with good reason. The 49ers will eventually squander 13 runners on the day – including the three runners currently on base.Junior Mike Perkins follows and though he stretches the count to three balls and no strikes" he meets the same fate as his predecessors.""Brian's been incredible for us all year long"" Fox said. He has the ability to stay with his rhythm and stay with his mechanics. We needed that tonight.""Three men up with no outs. Three men down with the scoreboard still showing goose eggs.""It was a great performance"" junior Dustin Ackley said. He's one of those guys that goes out there and gets the job done.""Still" not all the game's storylines were that unique. The always-dependable Ackley theme arose.As usual the first baseman stuffed the box score and reached base in nearly every at-bat. And for good measure" he even provided the dramatics with a game-winning two-run single.""He is the most incredible player I have ever watched over three years"" Fox said. He just has that knack for moving the ball. He finds holes. He's just got that natural swing.""Although the play helped UNC's (39-13) final tally" his first at-bat was just as impressive.In the top of the first the All-America came up with two outs. Though the inning proved meaningless in the Tar Heel scorecard Ackley worked a nine-pitch at-bat en route to a single.Before his smash up the middle" the junior fouled off four consecutive pitches – basically refusing to take a seat in the North Carolina dugout. ""He just shows up every day to play" Fox said. He never takes a day off. He is an amazing" amazing player.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.