When does 2012 start?

As some of you know, Evan has a blog called Waiting for 2012.  It's mainly devoted to Nationals fans as we wait for Steven Strasburg and Bryce Harper to play a full season for our hometown team.

But that notion will have to take a back seat to the 2011-2012 college basketball season.  With today's news that Harrison Barnes is staying in Chapel Hill the Heels look more than stacked for the 2012 season.  

The inevitable comparisons to 2009 have already started for the Tar Heels. That team had to wait until Lawson, Green and Ellington decided to stay in school, then after a few speed bumps proceeded to dominate college basketball on their way to Carolina's 5th NCAA championship.

For me, the real comparison with 2009 is that ol' Roy will have to coach up to expectations - and deal with the pressure of being a heavy favorite. With all five starters returning from an Elite Eight squad, that will certainly be the case in 2012.

But it's a good problem to have. GO HEELS!

A few more notes:

• Great weekend of NBA playoff games. Of course, the only two I watched in their entirety were the ones that featured Tyler Hansbrough and the 'Three-headed Carolina Point Guard Monster" in Denver (aka George Karl, Raymond Felton, and Ty Lawson).
• Tough to see the Pacers lose, but great to see Psycho T running the floor, making buckets, dunking a few times and abusing Duke's Carlos Boozer in the process.  Ironically, Boozer is probably the player that Hansbrough should most emulate in the NBA.  Both played the five spot in the ACC but Boozer has thrived as a power forward thanks to a variety of shots and skills.  However, Hansbrough should NOT emulate Boozer's listless defensive efforts.
• All Heels fans know about the speed of Ty Lawson, but the NBA game also allows him to showcase his strength.  He made a number of tough shots in the paint against the Thunder last night.  And it's fun to watch Lawson and Felton play in the same back court.  Both played more than 30 minutes last night, and each scored in double figures - though Felton missed all four of his three-point shots including a big one with a minute left. 
• Danny Green played 29 . . . seconds in the Spurs' loss to Memphis, and Brendan Haywood had 2 points, 6 boards and 1 blocked shot in the Mavericks' win over Portland.  His dunk ignited a 12 - 4 run that gave the Mavericks the lead at half time. 

Nationals Note

Opened on a Nats note, so will close on a Nats note.  Evan and I had tickets to Saturday's rained out game versus the Brewers.  And just like a rainbow that follows a storm, the rainout turned out great for us.  

We were able to trade-in our Saturday tickets for tickets to Sunday's double header. We had good seats for game one, in Section 221, Row D, then moved down to Section 128 for the second game.  Both were on the first base side (our normal season tickets are near third base).  I don't know if it was the change of scenery, or the spontaneity of our post Palm Sunday-lunch decision, the two free hot dogs someone gave us, or the fact that the Nats swept the Brew Crew, but we had a fantastic time! 

Most it had to do with the Nationals' play - though I did like sitting on the first base side.  Led by Danny Espinosa, who hit a three-run homer in game one and a three-run triple in the night cap, the Nats finally came up with some big hits. 

But more importantly, both starting pitchers - Jason Marquis and Livan Hernandez - pitched well, and Marquis was the first Nationals starter to throw a pitch in the 8th inning this year.

The Nats are 8-7, above ,500 and on a pace for 86 wins.  So maybe we only have to wait for the Tar Heels in 2012?