Joe McLean

Sports

Tar Heels take down UNC-G Spartans in road game

By Joe McLean | March 25

GREENSBORO — Let no one say that the No. 17 North Carolina baseball team doesn’t have a flair for the dramatic.The Tar Heels had hits in every inning, but it wasn’t until well after night had fallen in Greensboro that UNC (16-6) made its move. After trailing the entire game to UNC-Greensboro, the Tar Heels jumped out to take the lead in the eighth and hung on for a 4-3 win.

Deon Thompson slams one of his four field goals Saturday in North Carolina’s win against Mississippi State. DTH/Jordan Lawrence

Sports

Men's basketball gets win over Missississippi State on last-second score

By Joe McLean | March 22

STARKVILLE, Miss. — On Jan. 16 against Georgia Tech, after Larry Drew II’s layup rolled harmlessly off the rim with seconds to play, coach Roy Williams told him not to sweat it. He’d get another chance to hit a game-winner.

Sports

Tar Heels cruise past Tigers

By Joe McLean | March 18

No. 17 North Carolina didn’t quite match the dominant pitching or hitting Wednesday that it delivered in a 25-1 spanking of Princeton the day before.With a bit of St. Patrick’s Day luck, though, the Tar Heels (14-4) still had plenty to put away the Tigers for a 12-5 win.

UNC junior pitcher Colin Bates left the mound with a 3-2 lead against Duke, but UNC couldn’t hold it.

Sports

Tar Heels fall flat in late innings to lose baseball tournament to Duke

By Joe McLean | March 14

DURHAM — No. 11 North Carolina and Duke combined for 56 runs while splitting the first two games of their annual series, so a pitching duel wasn’t exactly what they expected in the deciding game on Sunday.But that’s what they got, as UNC starter Colin Bates and Duke starter Dennis O’Grady prevented either side from jumping out to a big lead like in the two previous games.

Sports

Henson seizes challenges of a rocky season and overcomes own adversity

By Joe McLean | March 4

In a season that’s been big on expectations and short on experience, John Henson exemplifies both sides of the Tar Heels.

Senior Deon Thompson goes up for two of his 14 points against the Hurricanes. DTH Will Cooper

Sports

Ginyard leads Heels in ?nal home game

By Joe McLean | March 3

Tuesday night might have been all about North Carolina’s past, but nothing came easy for the Tar Heels of the present.After Miami battled back from an 18-point deficit early in the second half to cut the lead to one, it took inspirational play from UNC’s seniors to put the Hurricanes away.

Sports

Tar Heels' 13-0 run secures halftime lead against Miami

By Joe McLean | March 2

North Carolina leads Miami 36-26 at halftime after a late run gave the Tar Heels the edge on senior night.

Sports

Three-guard lineup, McDonald shine in Saturday's game

By Joe McLean | March 1

WINSTON-SALEM — Roy Williams did something Saturday he has rarely tried all season. He went small.Right around the time Wake Forest took its only lead of the second half, Williams moved swingman Will Graves to power forward and put in a three-guard lineup of Leslie McDonald, Dexter Strickland and Larry Drew II.

Sports

NCAAs becoming out of UNC's sight

By Joe McLean | February 21

CHESTNUT HILL, Ma. — Coach Roy Williams looked at a road game against Boston College and was more than confident about North Carolina’s chances of making a run into the postseason.“In my own opinion, I thought we were going to win today and get on a great run and we’d be in the NCAA Tournament,” Williams said on Saturday.

Sports

UNC falls again, this time to Boston College

By Joe McLean | February 20

CHESTNUT HILL, Ma. – North Carolina made a game of it, but another conference game turned into another conference loss for the Tar Heels (14-13, 3-9).UNC went on a 10-2 run to take the lead after halftime, but Boston College (13-13, 4-8) answered with runs of its own to take it back. A late goaltend by John Henson helped the Eagles maintain their edge, winning 71-67.