Ed Davis plays defense against N.C. Central University.

UNC runs to 51-20 lead against N.C. Central

By David Reynolds

It was close, but only for a couple of minutes.

After a Vincent Davis basket brought North Carolina Central to within two points of North Carolina, the Tar Heels decided they had enough.

UNC went on a 32-3 run to close the half, scoring in every which way - dunks, jumpers and old-fashioned lay-ups. UNC leads 51-20 at the half.

Men's basketball

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Deon Thompson (21) and North Carolina enter the season ranked in the top 10 despite losing four of five starters. DTH File Photo

Expectations still high for UNC

By Powell Latimer

In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2009-10 men’s basketball season, Roy Williams did a series of double takes.North Carolina’s head coach looked at three magazines that published preseason rankings, and in each one, there North Carolina sat: No. 4 in one, No. 4 again and No. 5 in another.Williams didn’t know what to think.“It’s unbelievable to me,” Williams said. “That was where I would expect us to be picked in our league, and that’s where we were picked in the nation.”

Will Graves needs to add outside scoring as he is the main candidate to fill in for the departed Wayne Ellington. DTH File Photo

Will Graves refocuses after his suspension

By Anna Kim

Will Graves keeps his national championship ring within arm’s reach of his pillow. It also reminds him of the opportunity he allowed to slip through his hands. “From a fan’s perspective, I’m in the best position ever because I don’t think any other fan in the world has a ring,” Graves said. “And then from a player perspective, it’s humbling. I would have loved to have been out there on the floor to earn it.”

Out of the shadows

By Mike Ehrlich

North Carolina’s 2009 team left behind an NCAA title trophy, a  retired jersey and an impressive legacy. The 2009-10 squad now gets to follow that act.

Senior Deon Thompson will help shoulder some of the scoring load left by departing forward Tyler Hansbrough. DTH File Photo

Tar Heels’ frontcourt is filled with height

By Mark Thompson

North Carolina may not be the best team in the nation this year, but it will be one of the tallest.The Tar Heels’ towering frontcourt has an average height of a little more than 6-foot-10.To accommodate the loss of forward Tyler Hansbrough and forward/guard Danny Green, UNC has brought in a trio of forwards to add to returning players Deon Thompson, Tyler Zeller and Ed Davis.

Marcus Ginyard is back for his fifth campaign in argyle and blue. DTH File Photo

Drew brings a revamped game to UNC

By Chris Hempson

Back in May, Larry Drew II returned to California for the off season. After only a week, his father, Larry Drew, took Drew II to dinner at a nearby T.G.I. Friday’s. During the meal, the elder Drew left and went to the car. When he returned, he wasn’t empty-handed.“He came back with a folder and dropped it on the table,” Drew II said. “It was like, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. It was like everything that I would do all day, he just had a schedule. He basically had it all planned before I even got there.”

M. Basketball: Henson stars in exhibition

By Mike Ehrlich

In between all of the dancing, acting and video montages, there was actually some basketball played Friday at Late Night with Roy. The annual event was the first official practice for North Carolina’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.And sure, it’s always a little sloppy. But it’s a first look at the upcoming year’s team, as well as a first glimpse at the incoming class of freshmen. One of those newcomers didn’t disappoint on Friday. John Henson, who is a long, ultra-athletic 6-foot-10, led the white team with 10 points.

“All over the world wherever you go it’s Michael Jordan, 23 and North Carolina.” Dick Baddour, UNC athletic director

Michael Jordan earns Hall of Fame honors

By Powell Latimer

His Airness. M.J. Air Jordan. Before Michael Jordan was any of these things, before he was the most recognizable athlete in the world, he was Mike Jordan, the freshman for North Carolina. Then he hit a game-winning shot in the 1982 national championship game, and Mike became Michael Jordan, who became all of the above.

Slideshow: Michael Jordan through the years

 

On Saturday, September 12, 2009 Michael Jordan will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. These photos, from the UNC and DTH archives, showcase his time at UNC.

Four Tar Heel alumni selected in NBA draft

By Chris Hempson Sports Editor

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.

Senior Tyler Hansbrough celebrates with his teammates after winning the NCAA championship game against MSU at Detroit?s Ford Field.

M. Basketball: UNC routs in championship game

 

APRIL 6 DETROIT — It started when they decided to come back. Four players declining the riches of the NBA motivated to make one more run at history. One more run at a national title.

Senior Danny Green was named a permanent captain at Thursday?s end-of-the-year awards ceremony for the men?s basketball team.

Heels celebrate '09 season say goodbye to senior class

 

Athletic Director Dick Baddour opened things up with the obvious at the 2008-09 North Carolina Tar Heel Basketball Awards Ceremony in the Smith Center on Thursday. ""It's a great day to be a Tar Heel"" Baddour said. For the national champion North Carolina Tar Heels and their fans, it certainly was.

Ed Davis to return for sophomore season

 

Ed Davis is looking forward to playing another year for the Tar Heels and will skip the NBA Draft this season he said in a statement released by UNC Athletics on Sunday.

M. Basketball: Detroit rallies behind MSU

 

DETROIT — The Michigan State Spartans have made an improbable run to Monday's national championship game but at this point even they know they're part of something a little bigger than basketball. Like it or not one of the unique things about sports is that they can sometimes become attached to much larger societal issues.