Carolina Has Top Graduation Rate Among #1 Seeds; Woman Also Earn #1 Seed

According to a new study by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, Carolina was the only school among the four number one seeds with a graduation rate above 50 percent.   Carolina's rate was 86 percent, compared to 45 percent for Kansas and 40 percent for both UCLA and Memphis. 

The Carolina women's basketball team is also a number one seed, but in the New Orleans NOT the Greensboro bracket.  The problem with the New Orleans bracket is they may have to play 2 seed LSU in their home state of Louisiana.

The women are shooting for their third straight Final Four, and second national championship.  Sylvia Hatchell won Carolina's first women's championship the year after Dean won his second (in a year where the men were favored to repeat) in 1994.  The men coincidentally lost here in Landover in my first March as an inside the beltway resident.

Who can name the disgraced Olympian who was Carolina's point guard in '94?

Media Notes

Some decent articles today in the post-selection show press.  

• In his USA Today column today, Vitale picks Carolina to win it all.
• Good piece by Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes about Wayne Ellington being the key guy on this year's team.  
  

Brackets are out; Hokies are not in

My first impression of Carolina's bracket is that it's a tough one, with a potential second-round game against either a fading but talented Indiana team or a team on the upswing in Arkansas. Not sure that is a great reward for the overall number 1 seed.

Carolina did get a very weak 4 seed in Washington State. On paper the 3 and 2 seeds look tough in Louisville and Tennessee, respectively. But I like my chances against both teams. Louisville is okay, I doubt they can stop both Hansbrough and Ellington, and Tennessee did not impress me the few times I watched them play, even in games they won. Ginyard can lock up Lofton, and again I think Hansbrough is unstoppable against a team like the Volunteers.

So while it will be a challenging regional, I bet the Heels will make it to San Antonio.

I just looked at the other brackets, and can't believe that Virginia Tech did not make it. How can you take Oklahoma, South Alabama or Villanova? Oklahoma played terrible down the stretch, much worse than Tech. Villanova lost to the ACC's last place team - NC State - on a neutral court. Neither one of those team deserve to make it, and there is no way the Big East deserves 8 teams. There are 3 good teams in that conference and 4 average teams, and one that shouldn't be in the tournament.

While I'm on the subject, how did Baylor, Arizona, Oregon and Texas A&M get in? Arizona lost to Virginia - like NC State an ACC bottom feeder this year - at HOME. On top of that, they lost twice to Arizona State, coached by ACC outcast Herb Sendek. If you take Arizona, with a losing conference record, why not Wake Forest or Florida State? Wake beat Duke; does Arizona have a win as impressive? No.

The ACC was better than the Big 12 and the Pac 10; I think the east coast press overdid it all year in praising west coast hoops. The conference should have gotten five teams in on it's own merits, and Virginia Tech was better than most if not all of those seven teams.

Boy, I'm surprised by my Hokieness!

Quick NCAA Thoughts:

• Clemson will beat Villanova, then beat Vanderbilt in a tough second round game. That would set up an interesting game with Kansas in the sweet 16.
• As a reward for it's first NCAA appearance in more than 10 years, Miami gets to play Texas in the second round. A seven seed seems about right for the Canes, but that is a tough match up. The regional final of that bracket is in Houston, so I have Texas beating Memphis - if they get that far - to win that regional and go to the Final Four, in San Antonio.
• As much as the Carolina will benefit from playing in Raleigh and Charlotte, Texas may be the biggest winner of all the teams in the tournament in terms of geography. Then again, Rick Barnes usually finds a way to screw things up.
• Duke's draw is pretty tough. West Virginia is peaking at the right time, but I'll be rooting for Duke against a squad from an overrated conference. But Xavier is also in their bracket, a team that has historically risen to the occasion in the tournament.
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Back to Back ACC Championships

What a great win today for Carolina's second straight ACC championship. Winning this tournament is more proof that the post-Dean malaise that afflicted Tar Heel Nation is officially over. As much as winning the national championship in 2005 did, these back-to-back championships signal that the Roy era will mimic the Dean era for glory and success.

Today's game was a great college game. Other than the turnovers, which were a result of boneheadedness by the Heels and aggressive defense by the Tigers, Carolina played a pretty good game against a very determined and talented team. Put Clemson in your final 8 in your brackets tonight. That team in playing with a head of steam and should string together at least 4 wins in the NCAAs.

Clemson's high level of play makes today's championship win that much more impressive. Carolina's last three wins - at Duke, and on a neutral floor over Virginia Tech and Clemson - were gut check games. This team is talented, but it's also tough, determined and smart. In short, this team is starting to emulate Hansbrough and Ginyard, the two leaders who make this team such a dangerous one.

I also want to give a tip of the hat (how lame is that phrase, but I'm posting a first draft; without an editor your going to get crap like that) to Quentin Thomas. Nice to see him hold the trophy, but better to know that he earned that honor with his play this season and in this game.

This game really showcased how much the Heels grew in Lawson's absence. Q did a great job running the offense today, and that little 8 footer than rimmed out with around 4 minutes should have fallen. Despite that miss and a few bad turnovers he had a great half.

But the most important player on the floor in the second half was Ty Lawson. He finally started to assert himself and had a great half. Coincidentally enough, like Q he too had a shot rim out - at the end of the first half - that would have given Carolina momentum. Lawson finished with 12, 8 assists and 5 boards, and more importantly had at least 3 patented blow-bys to the hoop when the Heels needed them most.

Besides shots that rimmed out, these guys are now linked by great point guard play (as well as by a few weirdly sloppy turnovers). The TyQ (CueTy? help me out here) combo makes the Heels very tough.

But this is still Hansbrough's team, and it was great to see him get shots in the second half. Psycho T had a great all around game - 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting, 2 steals and 11 boards. As good as his offense was, Hansbrough was money on the boards. He seemed to get every rebound down the stretch, again displaying determination that can be admired but not duplicated by any other basketball player on the planet. I polled folks on who Hansbrough will emulate in the pros, and games like this make me think he's the next Dennis Rodman.

As important as both Lawson and Hansbrough were, Carolina does not win this game without the stellar play of Wayne Ellington. Clemson brings out the best in Ellington, and today he was fantastic. He scored 24 points on only 13 shots (making 10), and only took 4 three-point shots (hitting 2). Ellington has a complete game, and scored bunches of points in transition. One more time, this team will only go as far as Ellington can take them. He was fantastic all weekend.

Have to mention my man Danny Green, who finished with 12 points and made some nifty and pivotal plays - including a big three and offensive board/put back before fouling out. And I can't leave out Marcus Ginyard, who finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds. He and Hansbrough were dominant on the boards.

Again, with TyQ at point, Hansbrough being Hansbrough, Ginyard successfully playing the role of Lynch/Ademola and Ellington and Green peaking at the right time, this team will be hard to stop in the next 6 games.

Two final thoughts on this team.

1. Carolina played smart Carolina basketball today, focusing on transition baskets or on getting the ball down low to Hansbrough and company. The most telling stat of the game is that Carolina only took 10 three pointers. As tough as Clemson's defense was, the Heels - led by Lawson and Q - did not settle for long jump shots. They did not take what Clemson gave them, but imposed their will on the Tigers. When they weren't running they were getting the ball to Hansbrough down low, or Ty, Ginyard, Green and Ellington were taking it to the rack. Great basketball, winning basketball, Carolina basketball.
2. And for the third game in their last four the Heels played great defense. Their effort today was as good as it was at Cameron last weekend. This team has really grown down the stretch, and can play lock down defense and control the boards when they really need to. A great omen for the next month.

What a great weekend - and great week - of basketball. On to the NCAA tournament!

GO HEELS!

Network Coordinators

In case folks didn't watch the credits after the game Jim Love, an old friend from Carolina who now lives in K-polis, was credited as one of two Network Coordinators for Raycom's coverage of the ACC tournament.   Jim has worked for Raycom for almost 10 years now and played the palace this weekend.

Heels up five with less than four to go

Nice comeback by Clemson, aided by a few bad passes by the Heels.  Interesting to note that Clemson has been to the line more than Carolina has, so Hansbrough and company are not getting the calls.

Was not happy to see Danny the Deity foul out, but Thompson stepped up and hit two big FTs.  

Here we go.

Lawson back in the game

Great take by Ty followed by my man Danny Green hitting a big shot, sandwiched around a nice defensive play by Ginyard.  In short, everyone is contributing and the Heels are now up 72-59 with 8 minutes left. 

Turnovers keeping us from building the lead

That said, we're still up 6 with 10:27.  Ellington continuing to excel, which is huge for the Heels.  

Great board by Danny Green

And Hansbrough is back in the flow.  Let's get a few stops and build our lead a bit.  Mark it 55-49 with 13:48 to go.

2nd half starts like the first

Was heartened to see Lawson on a blow by and Hansbrough's three point play.  But Clemson keeps making shots and we keep giving them extra possessions.

Line of the game - "Hansbrough leads the league in lost contact lenses" by Mike Gminski

Great Half

Pretty easy to explain this half. 

1. Clemson is making tough shots, especially KC Rivers.  Not sure that can hold up for another 20
2. Carolina is scoring in transition.  The last stat had us with 20 fast break points.  If that holds up, we'll win this game
3. That is, if we can do a better job against Clemson's press.   The Tigers have really bothered the Heels.  Hopefully Roy and Ty will crack the code at half; it took Carolina almost 30 minutes to solve Clemson's press in Chapel Hill
4. Clemson is really crowding Hansbrough; I imagine he's going to start looking for his midrange shots early in the second half to keep Clemson's defense honest
5. I hope Lawson gets going in the second half.  The Heels need him as a scorer.

This is going to be a tight game for 40 minutes

High level of play by both teams.  Clemson has made some tough shots.   Cliff Hammonds could play on my team any time.  

Can't understand our problems with Clemson's press, though I guess the Tigers have a lot to say about that.

Love Wayne Ellington

Very happy that Ellington is off to a great start, not crazy about Q's second foul.  Nice board and put back by Stephenson, too.

Interesting how early Roy went to the bench.  I wonder if the players are getting tired cause of the pace - and taking themselves out of the game - or if Roy is actively coaching to keep guys fresh.

Frenetic start

Good to see the Heels off to a good start on offense, running and passing over and through Clemson's trap.    After two turnovers to start the game the Heels started taking care of the ball.

Love the steal and take by Hansbrough; anyone who says that guy is not athletic enough to play at the next level is an idiot.

The Heels have been a bit slow on defensive rotations.  Hopefully Roy will get that straightened out.

Tip Off

I'm nervous.   Though it has lost it's luster a bit, I still get geeked up for the ACC tournament championship.

Interesting to note that Clemson has two starters from North Carolina - one from Garner and one Charlotte - while Carolina has none.  And Clemson is wearing their purple unis for the third game in a row.

An Exhausting and Exhilarating Day of Hoops and Hansbrough

Pretty phenomenal day of basketball at the ACC tournament today - to say the least.  Twenty-five years after Jim Valvano coined the term, for the Heels against the Hokies it was survive and advance in Charlotte on Saturday.

What more can you say about Tyler Hansbrough? When you need one player to make one play to win one game, that player is Tyler Hansbrough.   

But against Virginia Tech tonight he made more than one play; his rebound with 30 seconds left was just as big.  That flurry left me exhausted, and I'm just a fan!  How do coaches and players do it?

One more thing about Hansbrough's shot.  He's quoted all over the place saying "I just caught it and let it fly."  But that's not what he did.  Check out the photo (courtesy of the N&O): his form is perfect.  He grabbed the rebound , squared his shoulders, and shot a text-book jumper.  Some say good luck is the residue of hard work.   Well, you saw it on that play.   

Hansbrough finished with 26 and 9 for the game, and the Heels needed every point and rebound to defeat a very game Virginia Tech squad.

The Hokies played a great game today.  They ran - successfully - with the Heels in the first half, and then slowed it down - successfully - in the second. Kudos to ACC coach of the year Seth Greenberg.   The Hokies didn't shoot that well, but led for most of the game - actually controlled the game - behind their defensive pressure and rebounding.

Carolina never got any rhythm going as a result of that rugged Hokies defense. Lawson was especially tentative, Green had a nice stretch in the first half then disappeared, and both Thompson and Stevenson were practically swallowed whole by the Virginia Tech defense. 

Hansbrough was the obvious hero for the Heels, and played a great game in each half.  In the first, he took what the defense gave him and hit a number of perimeter shots.  Ginyard was the other hero of the first 20 minutes, and was the only Heel taking the ball to the rack with authority.

Three Heels distinguished themselves with aggressive play against the Hokies, but who would have thought the third player would be Will Graves?  His strong take late in the first half helped the Heels go into the locker room tied with Tech. With Stephenson and Thompson non-factors Roy gave Graves some good minutes, and was rewarded with some fine play from the freshman.

In the last 20, Hansbrough started having success inside but the Heels still fell behind.  It wasn't until Ellington got hot late in the half that the offense showed any kind of flow or spark. I've said this before, I'll say it now - this team only goes as far as Ellington will take them.

The unsung part of this game - and Ellington's - was the defense he played against Vassallo.  The senior from Puerto Rico had a great first half, but cooled down considerably in the second thanks in part to Ellington's defense. Wayne also finished with 8 rebounds.   As big as his two threes were down the stretch, his defense of Vassallo was just a key to this win.

The defense in general was pretty good for the Heels; they got stops down the stretch when Carolina needed stops.  Besides Hansbrough's performance from start to finish and Ellington's late game heroics, the Heels' defense was the best part of this game for Tar Heel fans. 

So on to a date with Clemson for the ACC championship.  As I blogged about the FSU game, it is hard to beat a team three times in one season.  Carolina barely defeated the Tigers in Clemson and in Chapel Hill, so maybe those close games don't count as 'real' wins?

Go Heels!

A few more ACC tournament thoughts

• Impressive win by Clemson over Duke, for two reasons - one ridiculous, one sublime.  One, Clemson made their free throws.  One would assume kids on scholarship to an ACC school could routinely make an unguarded 15 footer; but that hasn't been the case with Clemson this year.  Today they made their free throws and won. Two, Clemson did not panic after Duke retook the lead with 9 minutes left.  Instead the purple clad Tigers looked like Carolina and methodically ran their offense.   They made plays down the stretch and won a huge game.
• Duke lives by the sword and dies by the sword, and today they died as a result of too many missed three pointers.  Though talented, the Blue Devils often times become too enamored with the three point shot and devolve into a one-dimensional team.  That makes them easy to guard.  The odd thing is in Nelson, Henderson and Singler - even Scheyer - they have some slashers who can finish at the rim.  I wonder why they don't utilize that kind of attack more?  Anyway, they are another cold shooting night away from elimination, which I predict will be in the sweet 16 game.   
• I'm going to watch tomorrow's game live (as opposed to TiVOing it, which I did today and started watching around 3:15 pm), so may try some live blogging during the game if folks are interested.  Feel free to join the conversation during the TV timeouts.