DANIEL MALLOY

Sports

My one regret as a sports reporter

By DANIEL MALLOY | April 19

A few weeks ago a friend of mine introduced me to her boyfriend, mentioning that I worked for The Daily Tar Heel sports desk. Naturally, my new acquaintance had a few gripes to share about the paper - who doesn't? - including a pointed criticism of the sports section. "I hate those columns you guys write, like the ones the seniors do," said the young man, who shall remain anonymous. "They are always like, 'I got to hang out with Roy Williams and the basketball team, blah blah blah. Aren't I cool?'"

Sports

UNC's time is over

By DANIEL MALLOY | March 26

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - A season characterized by ups and downs, runs and lapses unraveled quickly Sunday night after it looked almost certain to continue for another weekend. The North Carolina basketball team led by 10 with seven minutes to play when its nearly flawless offensive execution failed, it couldn't keep Georgetown off the glass and it ended up falling to the second-seeded Hoyas in overtime, 96-84, in a rematch of the 1982 NCAA championship game.

Sports

Tar Heels less reliant on reserves

By DANIEL MALLOY | March 22

For 36 minutes Saturday night, Ty Lawson pushed the tempo of the game, flying around the court with breathtaking speed. The point guard's performance was crucial in lifting North Carolina to a victory against Michigan State and a Sweet 16 berth. And it wouldn't have been possible without his backups.

Sports

Coach Davis having chemo

By DANIEL MALLOY | March 21

North Carolina football coach Butch Davis is undergoing chemotherapy this spring after a small growth removed from his gum was found to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Tar Heels began spring practice Monday, and Davis, 55, has no plans to stop coaching the team, he said in an informal gathering with a small group of reporters Tuesday afternoon. "I feel as healthy as I've ever been, as active," Davis said. "My plan is to put 100 percent total focus into this football team."

Sports

Davis to undergo chemotherapy

By DANIEL MALLOY | March 20

North Carolina football coach Butch Davis is undergoing chemotherapy this spring after a small growth removed from his gum was found to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Sports

Heels stomp 'Pack, get revenge

By DANIEL MALLOY | February 22

View video from last night's game For 20 minutes Wednesday night, the ghosts of North Carolina's last two losses reared their heads. N.C. State kept the Tar Heels off the glass in the first half, mirroring the Wolfpack's rebounding prowess in its upset win in Raleigh. And Wolfpack point guard Engin Ats

Sports

Ellington's stroke a game-changer

By DANIEL MALLOY | February 21

North Carolina loves to play at a blistering pace, and when easy transition buckets come in bunches it's tough to compete with the Tar Heels. Yet when forced to play a halfcourt game, the UNC offense often sputters as opponents collapse on superstars Tyler Hansbrough and Brandan Wright in the paint. So it's not hard to find a common theme in the Tar Heels' losses: When Wayne Ellington isn't stretching out defenses by hitting from the outside, the No. 5 Tar Heels are beatable.

Sports

A psychotic routine

By DANIEL MALLOY | February 16

For his fifth set of pull-ups, Tyler Hansbrough has decided to tack on some extra weight. Though North Carolina strength and conditioning coordinator Jonas Sahratian told him to chain 20 kilograms of weight to his waist, Hansbrough is putting on 25 kilos - about 55 pounds added to his 245-pound frame. Hansbrough is nearing the end of his 35-minute workout in the modestly sized Smith Center weight room as he grasps a firm hold and begins to hoist his chin above the bar.

Sports

Tar Heels fall short as Hokies sweep

By DANIEL MALLOY | February 14

Twice, North Carolina freshman Ty Lawson had the ball in his hands with the chance to win the game Tuesday night. Both times Lawson failed to execute, and the rowdy Smith Center fans went home shaking their heads at a wild 81-80 overtime loss to Virginia Tech, completing the Hokies' improbable season sweep of the No. 4 Tar Heels. Lawson's first opportunity came at the end of regulation with the score tied at 73. UNC coach Roy Williams called a timeout to set up a play where the lane would clear out for the freshman.

Sports

Heels dominate Deacons

By DANIEL MALLOY | February 12

Reyshawn Terry couldn't help looking. The North Carolina senior's eyes - along with every other pair in the sold-out Smith Center - were fixed on a certain 6-foot-6 fan making his way to section 117, row I. Michael Jordan had just entered the building, but Terry's moment of awe was interrupted when his name was introduced in the starting lineup. There was, after all, a game to play. And Terry didn't disappoint His Airness, posting game-highs of 23 points - on 7-of-8 shooting - and eight rebounds, leading the No. 5 Tar Heels to a 104-67 dismantling of Wake Forest.