Nice Try, Little Brother

The NC State Wolpfack (click here if you don't get the joke) made their way into Chapel Hill on Saturday, and like usual, left with their tails tucked between their legs.  Now, I expected a Carolina win, but I didn't expect a 20-point blowout, especially with State's talented freshman class, Scott Wood's 3-point shooting, and the return of Tracy Smith from an offseason ACL injry.  State was without freshman PG Ryan Harrow due to flu-like symptoms, but I still figured State would put up a good fight and at least make a game of it.  


But, if you watched, that wasn't the case.  CJ Leslie met John Henson, and the country finally met Harrison Barnes.  Leslie, arguably State's most talented player, was kept in check by John Henson's length.  Leslie had a good game, scoring 14 points on 6-12 shooting, but that was cancelled out by Henson's 16 point, 16 rebound, 7 block performance.  


Harrison Barnes also came to play, scoring a season-high 25 on 10-16 shooting.  Barnes, who has struggled mightily this season with his ballhandling, only turned the ball over once, played under control and showed the reasons why he was rated as the #1 overall recruit in the class of 2010.  


Now, to the point of this post.  Sure, we need some facts and all that jazz, but the real point is to laugh at NC State.  State, who has gone 22-49 in the ACC since hiring Sidney Lowe in 2006, hasn't made the NCAA tourney field since firing Herb Sendek after the '05-'06 season.  You would assume that Sendek must have been awful to get fired for someone with Lowe's record, but think again.  After all, this is NC State.  


Sendek was fired after making the NCAA tourney five consecutive seasons, going 46-34 in the ACC during that time.  Sendek also took State to the Sweet 16 in 2005.  But, State would rather have a native son (Lowe won an NCAA Title in 1983 at State) than a proven coach that gets them to the tournament on a regular basis.  But, what did you expect.  


We'll see how long Lowe stays around, but with this advice from Roy Williams, maybe he'll figure it out.

Daily Duke Sucks

Everybody already knows the flopping that's taught in Durham, but even this is a little extreme.  It's incredible that a team with a proud tradition and past successes has to resort to these tactics.  

But, I guess that's what you do when you're getting your ass handed to you by an 11-8 team.  Miles Plumlee, you're a pansy for this.

Daily Duke Sucks

It has come to my attention that the world needs to know that there is some black magic associated with Coach
Kryzyualagllhnasglahglohski and the dookies.  A poster on Inside Carolina, going by the handle of HeelGod, has photographic evidence of this evil.  


Now I'm warning you, what you see, can't be unseen.  This girl has apparently become possessed with all that is evil in this world, similar to the situation in the new Anthony Hopkins film, The Rite.  I hope everyone takes notice of this, especially Shabazz Muhammad, and understands that this is a serious disorder that cannot simply be remedied by using Epsom salt.  Epsom salt is also terrible for toe injuries (See: Lawson, Tywon), but I digress.


And thanks, DHG, for the proof that we've all known for quite some time.  

Daily Duke Sucks

It came to my attention that I missed yesterday, but I'm having some car issues, so work with me here.  I found a nice little article from NBA Fan House ranking the NBA's worst players.  The list is designed to go from 1-20, but like any good satire posting, the authors make a few exceptions. 

I must say, focus mainly on players 3 and 6, and just take a guess where they played college ball.  

And, Gerald Henderson, you're still a punk, and you'll never be as good as Wayne Ellington, or make a Final Four, or win an NCAA Title.  Tyler's Hansbrough's nose says, "Hello".

Have a look, here.

Daily Duke Sucks

Today's clip comes from a 1997 game between Kansas and Maryland. Surely, Duke can't be a part of this, right?  


But wait.  Dick Vitale has the call, and well, you figure out why he's often referred to as Dookie V.

Recruiting Trail

There have been a few developments in Carolina football and basketball recruiting over the past week, so I figured I'd chronicle them here.

Basketball:  

Marcus Paige, the #5 rated PG in class of 2012 committed to North Carolina.  Paige was deciding between Carolina, Kansas, and Iowa, and chose the Tar Heels a few weeks after being offered by Roy Williams.  Paige is a good friend of JP Tokoto, another Carolina recruit out of Wisconsin, and it looks like Paige's decision may speed up Tokoto's decision process.  

Desmond Hubert, a center out of New Egypt, NJ, has received a scholarship offer for the 2011 season.  Hubert, at 6'9 and 200 lbs, is the 13th rated center in the '11 class.  Hubert would add some depth to the Carolina frontcourt next season, especially if John Henson decides to move on to the NBA.  He would be a good get, as he also has offers from Maryland and Villanova.  He recently stated that he's narrowed his list to Maryland and Carolina, and let's hope he choses Chapel Hill

Football:

With less than two week until National Signing Day, Carolina is looking to add to it's 15th rated recruiting class.  The big fish still floating around for Carolina are Savon Huggins, and running back out of New Jersey, and Curtis Grant, a linebacker out of Virginia.

Huggins is the 4th rated RB in the 2011class, and is rated as the #23 overall prospect.  It basically comes down to Rutgers and Carolina, with many experts picking Huggins to apply his trade in Chapel Hill.  Butch Davis also just had an in-home visit with Huggins, and he and his father stated that the visit went well.  Savon would be a huge pick up, and would probably move Carolina into a top-10 spot of overall recruiting classes.  He would also become the feature back that Carolina hasn't had since the days of Jonathan Linton and Leon Johnson.  Keep in mind, Carolina hasn't had a 1,000 yard rusher since Linton accomplished the feat in 1997.

Grant is the #1 outside linebacker in his class, and the #19 overall recruit.  Grant is an incredible prospect at 6'3 and 210 lbs, and is deciding between Carolina, Ohio State, and Florida.  The experts believe that it's between OSU and UF, but rumors circling have mentioned Carolina as the darkhorse in the race for his signature.  If Grant decides to pick Carolina, he'll be joining a great corps of freshman linebackers, with Travis Hughes (5-star), Norkeithus Otis (4-star), and Christian Russell (3-star) already committed.  

Having Grant and Huggins commit, which I would be happy with either, will certainly move Carolina up the overall recruiting rankings.  Nabbing both would certainly move Carolina into the top 10, and possibly closer to top five.

Psycho T on the prowl

Two years after leaving Carolina, Tyler Hansbrough is still killing the dookies.  You'll remember, he left Carolina with a 4-0 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and was 6-2 overall v. Duke.  


Check out this facial, even though Mike Dunleavy is actually on Tyler's team.  


Hansbrough is currently averaging 7 pts and 4 rebs, though he's only getting 16 minutes a contest.  Meanwhile, Josh McRoberts, another dookie, is starting and averaging 6 pts and 5 rebs in 21 minutes. Come on, coach!

Daily Duke Sucks

Today, I'm taking it back to 2008, when Duke was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by Eric Maynor, and VCU.  As if everybody wasn't convinced that Duke players are flopping pansies, Greg Paulus absolutely confirmed it with this beauty.


What a kook.

The New Bobby Knight?

During Kentucky's loss in Tuscaloosa last night, John Calipari's inner Bobby Knight made an appearance during an altercation with Terrance Jones.  Over the past couple of weeks, Calipari was criticized Jones' effort and has said he's been shooting too much.  I guess Calipari snapped last night, and had enough.  


Have a look, and though you can't actually hear what Calipari is saying, you can certainly read his lips.  





Oh, and if that wasn't enough, Cal apologized via twitter.  Twitter.  Come on, man.

Daily Duke Sucks

Today's little ditty comes from Kyle Sunglare.  Listen, these shots are pretty incredible, I have to admit that.  But, the fact that Singulair practices these shots reminds me of a kid that practices his dance moves in the mirror.  The reference to Coach Kryzyzlalgoaikataoistski is sickening, and then the Vitale reference nearly made my head explode.

Plus, he ruined my favorite song of 2010. 

Report Cards: Clemson

Kendall Marshall:

Stat Line: 5 pts, 5 ast, 3 TO, 1-3 FG, 3-4 FT

Grade: B.  Kendall had a productive first start, and he clearly makes his teammates better.  He's also shown over the past few games that he's reliable from the FT line, and this is huge since he's the guy with the ball in his hands late in games.  He also has seemingly put the idea that he can't defend to bed.  But, Kendall still makes some silly mistakes, but he's a smart kid, and will imporve. 

Dexter Strickland: 

Stat Line: 4 pts, 2 rebs, 2-7 FG

Grade: C.  In transition, Dexter is dynamite.  But, in a traditional half court setting, his lack of confidence in his shot really hurts the offense, especially the front court.  Dexter has to find a niche in the half court offense, or I'm afraid you'll see his minutes diminish.  I see him falling into the Marcus Ginyard role, where he has the mythical defensive stopper tag, and provides literally nothing on the offensive end.

Harrison Barnes:

Stat Line: 13 pts, 6 rebs, 6 TO, 4-9 FG

Grade: B-.  The only reason Harrison doesn't get a C is the big three he hit with five minutes left.  Harrison is a scorer in the traditional sense.  His jumper isn't quite falling at the rate everybody hoped it would, but he has shown that he can hit a big time shot when he needs to.  But, his ballhandling is ugly.  Six turnovers tonight, and he hasn't been able to translate his movement to the basketball from the high school level.  I think the length of the college game causes him some issues, and he needs to rectify that before he becomes the elite talent he can be.

John Henson:

Stat Line: 14 pts, 8 rebs, 5 blocks, 2 ast, 7-12 FG

Grade: A.  John was a monster tonight, especially on the defensive end.  Not only did he have five blocks, he also held Jerai Grant, a guy that's been averaging 13 ppg, to two points, on 1-12 from the field.  Henson's length is his biggest asset, and he used it to great effect tonight.  

Tyler Zeller:

Stat Line: 11 pts, 7 rebs, 3 blocks, 3-5 FG, 5-6 FT

Grade: B.  I want Tyler to be dominant, I really do.  I think he can be, but his hands are made of cinder blocks.  His inability to cleanly catch the basketball really hampers his ability to get good shots off, and he's shown that the double down really flusters him.  Tonight, Zeller mishandled a great pass that would have led to a dunk or layup, and the ball rolled off his foot for a TO.  Then, a Clemson double team lead to a 60 yard Hail Mary into the 15th row.  But, Zeller did play well on the defensive end, recording three blocks.  He also made good from the free throw line and rebounded well, and that's why he's not in the C range.  

Reggie Bullock:

State Line: 18 pts, 5 rebs, 2 ast, 6-10 FG, 3-7 3pt, 3-4 FT

Grade: A.  Welcome to the show, big fella!  Reggie showed up tonight, scoring 16 first half points, knocking down three from beyond the arc.  Defensively, Reggie also showed that his knee issue can be overcome by his length at the SG position, grabbing three rebounds, and using that length to bother the Clemson perimeter players.  I hope the isn't an aberration, and we keep seeing this Reggie.  

Larry Drew:

Stat Line: 8 pts, 4 rebs, 1 ast, 2 TO, 4-8 FG

Grade: B+.  I thought Larry showed heart and class tonight.  The kid had his starting spot taken by a freshman, after weeks of being hounding by the fans, and he came out and played very well.  It would have been easy for Larry to mail it in, and sulk.  But, he stepped up, and I caught a glimpse of what he's capable of.  During the second half, Larry penetrated hard from the top of the key, slammed on the brakes, went behind his back, and buried a 16-ft jumper.  Larry still struggles to get the offense started, but I think if he gets more minutes as the SG, we'll see him start to put up better numbers.  I personally don't think Larry is a PG, I think he's better suited to play the off-guard.  We'll see how that's used down the road.

Justin Knox:

Stat Line: 1 pt, 4 rebs, 0-3 FG

Grade: C.  Knox didn't have a great game tonight, though he doesn't necessarily need to.  He was fairly inconspicuous tonight, and I honestly don't have much to say about him.  He wasn't good, he wasn't terrible. 

The Morning After: Clemson

My how different a team can look just 48 hours after getting absolutely destroyed. But, nobody can deny the voodoo hex that Chapel Hill seems to have over Clemson. Clemson has made the trip to Chapel Hill 55 times, and they have left the Tin Can, Wollen Gym, Carmichael Arena, and the Smith Center with a loss. If you watched the game tonight, you noticed Tim Brant mentioned the streak about 6,000 times, mainly because he has nothing else to talk about. But, that's neither here, nor there.


The big story lines tonight centered around Roy Williams' use of his team. Thus far, we've seen an anemic starting five, a second team that consistently has to save the day, and hockey line changes every four to five minutes. But, with Leslie McDonald out with a collapsed lung, the bench was narrowed to nine players minus walkons, and was further shortened when Justin Watts left the game in the first half with a sprained ankle. Both players will be fine, and will probably get minutes in a week, when Carolina takes the floor again. That absence of Watts and McDonald left Roy with an eight man rotation, something that he used to great effect in the 2005 and 2009 seasons, and look what happened there. I think the shortened bench was the biggest key to Carolina's turnaround.


The second shake up was Kendall Marshall's first start of the season. People have been clamoring for the switch, myself included, since Carolina hit the skids in Puerto Rico. Kendall played well, scoring 5 points, dishing out 5 assists, and turning the ball over 3 times. But even though Marshall got the start, Larry Drew finished with more minutes, 23 to Marshall's 22. Drew had rebounded very well, scoring 8 points. Williams even used Drew and Marshall together, which I actually became a fan of. It makes sense, especially late in games since both are good ballhandlers.


Overall, I thought it was a great bounce back game for Carolina. I figured Zeller and Henson would struggle with Jerai Grant and Devin Booker, but you can't teach length, and those guys have it. Henson had five blocks, and Zeller three, and held Booker and Grant to a combined 13 points. Big win, and the boys get a little rest before taking on Miami on January 26th.

"Tongue to the Flagpole" Moment of the Week

This comes from Roy's weekly call-in show, and I cannot believe he said this.


"I’ve got half of the guys on my team that their mom and dad and their friends and everything think that they’re going to make $88 million. They could give a flip whether we win a game or not. They want their guy to get 37 shots and play 50 minutes in a 40-minute game"


To understand this quote, I think understanding of Roy Williams' use of hyperbole is in order.  Williams has been known to overexaggerate from time to time, and I think this falls into the category.  It's common knowledge that the father of the Wear twins was all over Roy about more playing time for his sons.  Ed Davis' father also took some issue with Ed's playing time, and now Sharon Drew has voiced concerns over Larry's time on the court.  I think the comment is referring to the increasing amount of pressure parents are putting on coaches about their son being on the court.


Roy having these thoughts isn't the issue.  But, airing the dirty laundry over the airwaves is something I wish he would have kept behind closed doors.  It was clear that last season's team had a lack of chemistry, whether it be between players and coaches, one player and another player, or both.  Comments like this do nothing to help, especially since the players will know exactly who Roy is speaking of with comments like these.  


Roy, report to the flagpole!

Daily Duke Sucks Post

This is long overdue.

Today's clip, Austin Rivers getting absolutely posterized in a loss to Mater Dei.

It's been along time, I shouldn't have left you....

.....but, I've finally made it back into the blog realm, and I promise I'm here to stay. So, I guess I should comment a bit on the season thus far, and what I'm feeling about the team and the team's results thus far.

Overall, I guess this season has been a bit of a disappointment based on pre-season expectations, though that isn't uncommon. Last year's team was rated the #4 team in the nation coming into the 09-10 season, and well, that was an utter disaster. But, with this year's team, there was another influx of talent, and another year of development for the '09 recruiting class. So, duped by the media again, I figured with juniors Larry Drew and Tyler Zeller, sophs Dexter Strickland and John Henson, and a freshman Harrison Barnes, Carolina would rightfully take its place back atop the basketball landscape. Barnes was even named a pre-season First Team AP All-American. Oh, did I mention how deep this team is? Marshall, Bullock, Knox, MacDonald, off the bench? Come on, this team is destined for a top 2 ACC finish, and a 3-4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Right?

Maybe. Early season losses to Vanderbilt and Minnesota, as well as a flat performance v. Illinois left Tar Heel Nation reeling and thinking back to last year. But then, a marquee victory against Kentucky in Chapel Hill raised those expectations once again. The toughness that wasn't shown in those early season losses was finally evident. The major difference, I believe, was playing at home. All three of those losses were either on a neutral court (Vandy and Minnesota), or on the road (Illinois). The UK game was at the Smith Center, and the team looked energized and that energy paid off in a big time win. These results showed that this team is still very young, gifted, but young. It's tough to win away from home, especially when you have a lot of freshmen/sophs on the roster. But, it was clear in the UK win, the talent is there.

Then Texas came to town, well to Greesnboro. Texas, also a very young team, fielding two freshmen and a sophomore in their starting line-up. It was a fantastic game, and if it wasn't for that damn Corey Joseph and his game winner, Carolina would have two resume building victories, especially with the good basketball UT has been playing lately, with their only recent loss coming to UCONN and the Kemba Walker Show.

But everybody in ACC country knows that the season really starts the first week of January. ACC play starts, and whatever has happened up to that point is a distant memory. Carolina started ACC play against the two schools from our northern neighbor, in Virginia and Virginia Tech. Virginia beat Carolina like a drum last season in Chapel Hill, and Carolina split with VT last year, both teams winning at home. Just as a side note, I've recently moved to Wisconsin, and I don't get Raycom, so I have to watch the Raycom broadcasts on the computer, which is much less fun that catching them on a 50" HDTV.

But, I digress. Both the Virginia and VT games were eerily similar. Carolina found itself in huge first half and early second half holes, but somehow managed to claw back and eek out a victory. Carolina was down 43-32 to UVa with 14:25 left in the second half, but managed to win 62-56. Against VT, Malcolm Delaney played out of his mind, hitting five first half threes, and had Carolina down 31-15 in the first half, and down 40-31 with 15:25 left in the second half. But, with a freshman point guard in the game, Carolina mounted a great comeback, and took the game 64-61.

2-0 in the ACC, the emergence of a dynamite backup point guard, and a freshman wing forward finally starting to show his promise, and Carolina was flying. Onto Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech, and a team that was beaten by Kennesaw State, yes Kennesaw State, by 17 points. The same Kennesaw State that is currently 5-12, and 3-4 in the Atlantic Sun. No problem, right? Carolina is 2-0 in the ACC, and Georgia Tech is absolute garbage. Wrong. Carolina's nemesis, Iman Shumpert, dropped 30, while Glen Rice Jr. put up 24. Tech won the game by 20, but after leading by one at the break, the second half looked like a completely different game. Carolina had no fight, no desire, and Georgia Tech was feeding of that and outscored Carolina 45-26 in the second half. Carolina was outrebounded 37-35, and turned the ball over 18 times. Not to mention shooting 28% from the field, and 17% from three. It was a perfect storm, and Tech took complete advantage of it.

So that brings us to today. If you've seen Carolina play, you've no doubt seen the hockey line changes that Roy Williams has employed. You've no no doubt seen the futile attempt to put together a starting backcourt that can get anything done, other than dig giant holes that the second team has to pull them out of. You've no doubt wondered why Kendall Marshall isn't getting more playing time, if not starting, and why Harrison Barnes hasn't lived up to the hype. You may have even questioned why in the hell Tyler Zeller refuses to dunk the ball. Everybody knows Roy Williams is stubborn, but it seems like it's too a fault this season. It's clear that something needs to change, but he has refused to do anything different to this point, other than let Kendall Marshall bring it home v. UVa. But, his hand may have been forced after the debacle in Atlanta. Rumors are flying that some changes will be made to the starting line up tonight v. Clemson, and I'm interested to see what they might be. Keep in mind, Carolina is 54-0 v. Clemson in Chapel Hill, and that streak even survived the 01-02 season, in which Carolina finished 8-20. Let's hope the team comes out with some passion and desire, and don't find themselves down double digits in the first half.

More on the starters in a bit.....