Featured stories, N.C. State, UNC

ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin Thursday in Raleigh

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The 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships are set to begin Thursday, April 18, and will continue through Saturday, April 20. The three-day event will be held in Raleigh, N.C., on the NC State campus.

Fans can follow the action on all three days via live video streaming on theACC.com. Coverage is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, 5-8:30 p.m. on Friday, and 4-8 p.m. on Saturday. Viewers can access the webcasts directly at http://theacc.co/OTFWatchLive.

Live results will be available throughout the event on the championship website: http://theacc.co/OTFliveresults

Competition begins Thursday at 10 a.m. with the women’s javelin. Other highlights include the heptathlon and decathlon events, plus field events, including the women’s pole vault. The women’s 10,000-meter finals are set for 7:45 p.m., followed by the men’s 10,000 meters at 8:30 p.m.

NC State will host the ACC Championship for the ninth yea and the first time since 2003, when the Florida State men and North Carolina women won the title. The Virginia Tech men are the defending ACC champions, while the Clemson women will be seeking their fourth straight conference title.

North Carolina has won a conference-best 14 ACC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships, ahead of Virginia’s and Clemson’s five. On the men’s side, Maryland leads with 26 titles, followed by Clemson with 11.

Canes, Featured stories

Hurricanes release details of Fan Appreciation Week, April 20-25

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hurricanespuckThe Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday the details of Fan Appreciation Week, which will be held in conjunction with the team’s final three regular-season home games, April 20-25.

In addition to the events and contests below, fans may enjoy a 50 percent discount off all merchandise at The Eye team store from April 20-25. Season ticket holders may get a jump on the special sale by showing their Season Ticket Holder ID card on Friday, April 19.

On Saturday, April 20, the team will celebrate “Stormy’s Birthday,” as the Hurricanes host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. at PNC Arena. Beginning at 5 p.m., fans can enjoy a south plaza party featuring live music, an inflatable obstacle course, a Hurricanes moon bounce, street hockey, the slap shot booth, food and beverage and interactive sponsor booths.

All fans in attendance for the game will receive 2012-13 team posters, sponsored by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The Hurricanes will sell limited-edition, “Stormy’s Birthday” mystery pucks at the Kids ‘N Community Foundation kiosk, signed by a mystery player and benefiting the Kids ‘N Community Foundation. And following the game, selected fans will be invited onto the ice to receive an authentic jersey directly from a Hurricanes player.

Fans can attempt to win a Tim Gleason jersey and two tickets to the Flyers game by entering the team’s Instagram contest. For more information on the Instagram contest, please visit this page. One fan will win Kevin Westgarth’s jersey through the team’s Canes Rewards program, which is explained here. During the game, fans can bid on Tuomo Ruutu’s jersey at the Kids ‘N Community Foundation kiosk located outside of section 129, or visit the promotions and fan development kiosk outside of section 108 through the second intermission, to enter to win the sweaters from Jay Harrison or Jiri Tlusty. Following the jersey-off-the-back ceremony, all fans are invited down to the ice to have their pictures taken at center ice or in the penalty box as part of “Snap Shot Saturday.” Participants must bring their own cameras.

Several more Canes Rewards contests will allow fans to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences during the team’s home game on Tuesday, April 23, including a chance to sit on the team bench during pre-game warm-ups, to sound the “Hurricane Warning” siren or to watch one period from inside the television booth with Canes broadcasters John Forslund and Tripp Tracy.

Fans can enter to win four tickets and dinner to the game against the Islanders by entering the team’s “Family Fun Day” contest on Pinterest. Tuesday’s game will also mark the final College Night of the season, which allows college students to purchase discounted seats to games. Prior to Tuesday’s game, Hurricanes Alumnus and participant on CBS’s Amazing Race realty show Bates Battaglia will sign autographs and take photos outside of section 108 from 6-7 p.m.

The Hurricanes play their final home game of the 2012-13 season when they host the New York Rangers on Thursday, April 25. Fans can again enjoy a south plaza party prior to the game, beginning at 5 p.m. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Hurricanes hat, sponsored by Chevrolet. The Hurricanes will sell limited-edition, “Fan Appreciation” mystery pucks at the Kids ‘N Community Foundation kiosk, signed by a mystery player and benefiting the Kids ‘N Community Foundation.

hurricanespuckFollowing the game, fans 18 and older can take a shot on goal from center ice, and be entered to win pizza for a year, in the Adult Slap Shot event presented by Papa John’s. Thursday night’s game is also the final Family Night of the season, featuring discounted tickets in select seating areas, $1 hot dogs and $2 sodas.

– News release

Featured stories, UNC

With McAdoo, Hairston back (and Bullock gone) Tar Heels can still contend

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North Carolina can still be a national contender next year and an ACC favorite but make no mistake, it hurts to lose Reggie Bullock. If either James Michael McAdoo and P.J. Hairston had gone pro, all that would have changed.

Bullock, as Coach Roy Williams said, was Carolina’s most consistent player last year. His rebounding was nearly as impressive as his outside shooting. But Bullock isn’t ready for the NBA.

As former UNC center Eric Montross, who serves as a Tar Heel radio announcer, said at the conclusion of the basketball season, “I don’t think our players are good enough to jump to the league (NBA).” Amen.

Hairston’s mother said something I would have liked to have heard from Bullock’s mother. She said, “I am proud that he took the initiative to weigh the impact of short-term gratification versus long-term success to come to his decision to stay in school.”

On the decision to stay in school, McAdoo said, “I love this school and my teammates and I love being a North Carolina basketball player. There will certainly be a time when I want to play in the NBA, but right now I truly enjoy college life and I want to continue doing that for another season.”

In addition to getting the money as soon as possible, Bullock may not truly enjoy college life. Some players enjoy academics and/or do better than others.

Speaking of a lack of commitment to academics, 6-foot-7 Andrew Wiggins is considered the best prospect and his camp have left hints that he would go pro after one year in college. With the loss of Bullock, some think the stakes are even higher for Carolina to get Wiggins.

I, on the other hand, believe that one-and-done players can be harmful to the long-term success of a program and even disruptive during the one year he is in school. I’d rather have a player who is a 7 or 8 for three years than a player who is a 9 or 10 for one year. If the idea is to be a college team with true student-athletes, then it’s best to stay clear of one-and-done guys.

If Leslie McDonald and J.P. Tokoto can improve, Brice Johnson can put on some muscle and freshmen Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks can provide some good minutes, the Tar Heels will be fine. But, again, Bullock going pro is bad for Carolina and probably for Bullock as well.

Featured stories, UNC

UNC’s Moran wins national hitter of the week honors

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Colin Moran.
Colin Moran.
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA)­ released its National Player of the Week awards for the period ending April 14, today. North Carolina junior third baseman Colin Moran was named National Hitter of the Week, while Wichita State junior right-handed pitcher Cale Elam was named National Pitcher of the Week. The NCBWA Board reviews candidates from each Division I Conference each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.

Moran registered an RBI in all five of UNC’s games and three or more RBI in four of those contests. The Rye, N.Y., native batted an even .500 (12-for-24) at the plate with a pair of doubles and two home runs to add to his team lead of nine long balls. Moran became the first player in the country with 50 runs scored and 50 RBI and currently leads the nation with 51 runs scored after crossing the plate 11 times last week, including a career-high five times in Saturday’s 9-8 win at Virginia Tech.

The 16-RBI week for Moran gave him 56 for the season and moved him to within four of the national lead of 60. In addition to the 12 hits on the week, Moran drew four walks and did not strike out in 29 plate appearances. Moran currently leads the ACC in RBI in conference-only contests with 28 and ranks second with 22 runs scored behind freshman teammate Landon Lassiter’s 26.

– News release

Featured stories, UNC

Tar Heel women eliminated from NCAA Tournament

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The third-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels women blew an eight-point lead in the second half as the sixth-seeded Delaware Blue Hens came back to win their 27th straight game and eliminate the Heels from the NCAA Tournament.

Two of Carolina’s starters – Waltiea Rolle and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt – were in foul trouble much of the game. Rolle, playing her last game as a Tar Heel, scored 23 points but she picked up her fifth foul with more than four minutes left.

Ruffin-Pratt, the team’s point guard who was coming off an opening round career-high 30 points, played the final 12 minutes with four fouls and ended with only four points, hitting just 1-of-13 shots. North Carolina ends the season at 29-7.



Featured stories

Mixon to speak at annual sports banquet honoring local student athletes

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Mick Mixon, the play-by-play radio voice of the Carolina Panthers and former color commentator for the UNC Tar Heels, will be the keynote speaker at the annual banquet of the Raleigh Sports Club April 11.

Mixon, who is in his 33rd of announcing, is a fine story teller as well as a musician. He plays drums in two working bands, Franklin Street and Mick & The Ultras.

At the banquet, the Raleigh Sports Club (RSC) will celebrate the achievements of four student athletes and one legendary high school coach.

The RSC Scholarship & Distinguished Coaching Awards Committee selected Coach Todd Worley, who is the varsity boys and girls soccer coach at Sanderson High School, as the winner of the Distinguished Service Award ($1,000).

The winners of the Student Athlete Scholarships ($2,000 each) are football player Blake Williams of Wake Forest Rolesville, swimmer Devon Hathaway of Millbrook, swimmer/runner Emily Bedsole and basketball player Sarena Treish of Athens Drive.

To support excellence in Wake County high school athletics and academics, please attend the annual banquet at the North Ridge Country Club located at 6612 Falls of Neuse Rd. in Raleigh.

There will be a social time from 6-7 p.m. with a cash bar and complimentary iced tea with the dinner and program being held from 7-9:30 p.m.

The price for the three-course sit-down dinner and the night’s events is $25. Dress Code is business casual, meaning men wear jackets but a tie isn’t necessary.
Advanced registration is required by April 3. Mail check to The Raleigh Sports Club and mail to Katherine Lowman, 8214 Lake Allyn Dr., Raleigh, NC 27615. For more information, call her at 919-847-4166 or email her at jlowman@mindspring.com.

Duke, Featured stories

What they’re saying after Duke ends Creighton’s season

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“Just like old times for Duke. Rasheed Sulaimon scored 21 points, Seth Curry had 17 and the No. 2 seed Blue Devils beat seventh-seeded Creighton 66-50 on Sunday night to advance to the NCAA round of 16 for the fourth time in five years. A year after they lost their NCAA tournament opener, the Blue Devils (29-5) return to the regional semifinals for the 27th time. They’ll play No. 3 seed Michigan State (27-8) on Friday in Indianapolis.”
– Dan Gelston, Associated Press

“It seemed perfectly appropriate for Duke’s Tyler Thornton to bank in a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer. It was that kind of game Sunday night at Wells Fargo Center. Lots of inartistic shooting. Lots of fouls. Lots of floor burns and whistles. So many whistles.”
– Scott Cacciola, New York Times

“I thought it was the best we’ve played on defense … Both teams ramped it up on the defensive end.”
– Mike Krzyzewski, Duke coach

“I think the tournament benefits flexible teams. This game didn’t go the way anyone expected, but we were able to adjust.”
– Mason Plumlee, Duke All-America player

“The Blue Devils executed a brilliant game plan that can best be described as one rooted in the desire to make anybody other than Creighton’s Doug McDermott beat them. It worked. The CBSSports.com First Team All-American took 16 shots, missed 12 and finished with 21 points only because he sank all 12 of his free throw attempts. That was the result of Duke literally switching every screen to make things nearly impossible for McDermott.”
– Larry Parrish, CBS Sports

Featured stories, UNC

Cold Tar Heels blitzed as season ends

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North Carolina, despite leading favored Kansas by nine at the half, was blitzed in the second half as the Tar Heels could not seem to hit a basket and the season ended with a 70-58 loss to the Jayhawks.

Perhaps it was predictable for the season to end this way for a Carolina team that lived by the three and finally died by the three. But the Heels couldn’t hit two-point shots either as they finished the game shooting just 29 percent, the lowest of the season.

Meanwhile Kansas, who turned the ball over 12 times in the first half, scored 49 points in the second half after managing just 21 in the first half and shot 63 percent in the second half after shooting just 25 percent in the first half.

It was the third time in six years that Kansas has eliminated North Carolina from the NCAA Tournament. One joyous Jayhawks fan held up a sign which read “Can’t Beat Self” with a picture of UNC coach Roy Williams, who as everyone knows previously coached at Kansas.

North Carolina played hard in the first half and secured the ball, working the lead up to as much as 11 points even though shots weren’t falling in the first half either.

North Carolina’s season ends at 25-11 while Kansas moves to 31-5 and advance to play Michigan Thursday.

Boxscore

For more on the game, please click here.

Featured stories, UNC

Smaller Heels live by the three down the stretch to advance

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North Carolina blew a 20-point first-half lead to a more physical, bigger Villanova team, even falling behind in the second half, but the Tar Heels hit some key threes down the stretch to hold off the Wildcats 78-71. (3/22)

The win moves the Heels to the next round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday.

“We made some big shots with the game on the line,” UNC coach Roy Williams said. It was Williams’ 700th coaching victory.

Villanova took a 45-44 lead with just under 14 minutes to play but Carolina’s Reggie Bullock drained a three from the left corner to put the Heels up 47-45. While the game stayed close, that was actually the last lead change of the game.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Bullock and P.J. Hairston seemingly put the Heels in control of the game at 63-54 with just over five minutes left.

But, a 12-4 run, during which the Wildcats got numerous second chances on offense and a pair of three, cut the lead to just one at 67-66 with 2:14 left.

The Tar Heels were then able to break Villanova’s aggressive press and Marcus Paige found himself open for a three, which he took and swished with just over two minutes left to make it 70-66.

Hairston wrapped it up with 42 seconds left when he went in for a bucket on a fastbreak and was fouled hard. He hit the free throw to give the Heels an eight-point cushion, 76-68.

Carolina, now 25-10, hit 11 of 21 three-point shots while Villanova hit only 4 of 21. The Wildcats were able to stay in the game with a 35-23 rebounding edge including 14 offensive rebounds. As a result, Villanova took 12 more shots than Carolina.

In addition, the Heels turned the ball over 17 times whereas they only turned it over 23 times in their last three games combined.

“There were a few moments we were really ugly,” Williams said adding that Villanova was competing harder for a while. “I was proud of the way our team answered that.”

For more on the game, please click here.

Duke, Featured stories

What they’re saying after heavily-favored Duke slips by Albany

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“Seth Curry, as cool as he was hot, scored 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting, sky-hooking Mason Plumlee added 23 points, and Duke used its typically relentless man-to-man defense to push past gritty but outclassed Albany, 73-61, in its entertaining 2013 NCAA tournament debut at the Wells Fargo Center.”
– Frank Fitzpatrick, Philadelphia Inquirer

“Every game we play is a huge game. We almost always get an opponent’s best shot where people are not afraid to lose. They’re going to gain something if they win against us, but they’re also not going to lose anything if they lose to us. . . . Our guys have been in those situations really every game we play.”
– Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski

“Plumlee did the best Kareem Abdul-Jabbar imitation I’ve seen in a long time,” Brown said. “He hit three sky hooks. I haven’t seen somebody attempt that shot in my 12 years at Albany. . . . Curry is banking in threes. We made that team work.”
– Albany coach Will Brown

“Albany made it an eight-point game late in the second half, but this time, Seth Curry was there for the bailout. A year after a dismal game against Lehigh, Curry was the hero. He not only led the Blue Devils in scoring, he got the important bucket, too. Curry scooped up a slapped offensive rebound, drove the lane and scored, officially ending any Albany threat.”
– Dana O’Neil, ESPN.com

“If Duke is going to seriously challenge for Coach K’s 5th national title, two things have to happen. They must get better defending the ball being driven into the middle of their defense. Miami, Maryland and Albany all created problems driving to the basket and since the teams only get better from here on out, you’d have to think that issue isn’t going away. Duke also needs more than just two players filling up the score sheet.”
– Adam Gold, 99.9 The Fan