Esse Quam Videri

Visit to UNC Basketball Museum

Even if Carolina had won by 30 and Barnes had scored 40, the highlight of Saturday’s game versus Boston College, at least for me, would have been being in the same room – ok, building – as Tyler Hansbrough. 

Evan, my nephew Paul and I were able to attend that game (thanks to StubHub), and the entire day was one big highlight, from lunch at my sister's, to the museum, to the game itself, to the visit to the campus Wellstone memorial, to dinner at Dip's.

But seeing Hansbrough was honestly the most exhilarating moment.  And as great as Hansbrough was in Chapel Hill, in retrospect it was his epitomizing Carolina that stands out.  At a time of incredible, and in most cases justifiable, cynicism in sports Carolina stands out. 

Prior to the game the three of us visited the outstanding Carolina basketball museum. I’m surprised about how emotional it got during the visit. 

Like most UNC grads, I never played basketball at UNC yet I feel so emotionally invested.  The reason has to be that the values set up by Dean Smith and carried out – usually faithfully - by his successors.

I had originally typed ‘program’ but it really is values. Those values are one reason many of us, but frankly not enough of my fellow alums, are mad at Butch Davis.  I imagine Davis has visited the museum, but I doubt he really gets Carolina if you ask me. 

You visit the Carolina basketball museum and you see a tribute to hard work, success, humility, and perspective. One could argue that humility and perspective are incongruous with a museum; only a school like Carolina could pull that off.

As much as Carolina basketball is about Dean Smith, his values and success may oddly stem from the state of North Carolina and it’s motto.

Hanging over the Dean Dome is one of the largest North Carolina state flags in the world. Every time I see that flag I’m reminded of the state’s motto: To Be Rather Than to Seem. 

I’m getting weepy just typing Esse Quam Videri, that eloquent line of Latin. 

That motto epitomizes both North Carolina and Carolina basketball. Dean knew that authenticity - being - camaraderie, intelligence, effort, hard work, humility and honesty are cornerstones of success. 

You can add democracy to the list, too, when you consider that all that happens at a public university, the nation’s first, dedicated to making an undereducated state more intelligent.

From a bench at the UNC Wellstone Memorial

A place that we love so because it is, as it always has been, the university of the people. All those values, and more, are on display at the museum.

[And the barbeque is pretty excellent, too]

Other schools are as successful as Carolina, and some came close to sustaining a set of authentic values – John Wooden’s UCLA teams being the obvious example.  But no school, let alone basketball team, has sustained a set a values and success as has Carolina.

And when one of Dean’s successors, Matt Doherty, violated some of those values he paid for it.  He earned that 8-20 blemish on his record.

So when Tyler Hansbrough stood up at the end of a video tribute, 21,000 Tar Heels leapt out of their seats to cheer one of their own, one who epitomizes both the University of North Carolina and the State of North Carolina: to be rather than to seem.

As I tweeted during my visit to the museum: God I love Carolina.

Again with the winning ugly!

As miserable as the win was, think how numbing Heels fans would feel if we had lost? Losing that kind of game can ruin a season, especially this late in the year.  It’s trite to say, but winning is better than losing, for a number of reasons.  One good one: winning allows you to just dust the ugly stuff off your shoulder and move on to your next game.

We were able to attend, and at least live it appeared that we got good looks but left tons of points on the rim, epitomized by Marshall’s in-and-out basket with less than a minute left and the Heels nursing a 2-point lead.

It also appeared that we were determined to go inside.  Much has been made of our bad three-point shooting of late.  But I was almost heartened by Roy’s determination (in a loss that’s called stubbornness) to keep feeding the post and NOT jack up lots of threes.  When we fed the post in the second half – in addition to getting it to Zeller we really ran better, too - we built a 15-point lead.

And as bad as our shooting was the biggest problem down the stretch was turnovers, turnovers from guys who usually – at least of late – don’t make them: Zeller, Barnes and Marshall.  Who else on Carolina’s team would you want handling the ball late than those three?


For me, the good news is there isn’t much of a pattern in our recent lackluster play.  Against Wake and Clemson we didn’t turn it over, against BC we did.  I’m confident that the weirdness of the BC game will not carry over versus the Wolfpack on Wednesday.

What hopefully will is the incredibly tough D the Heels played for most of the game. The Heels never let BC run their offense.  Again, the turnovers late let BC make some shots to get back into the game but overall the defensive effort was inspiring. 

As always, GO HEELS!

Another visit to the White House

I was fortunate to represent the Sierra Club this afternoon at the White House's unveiling of their 'America's Great Outdoors' report.  

Hard to objectively assess the event.  Though I'm a semi-cynical 48-year old it was still a genuine thrill to visit the White House and be in the same room as the President of the United States, especially this President.   

It wasn't as exciting as my last visit, when the President signed the omnibus lands bill into law and added more than 2 million acres of new public land to America's great - and protected - outdoors - but it was still a great time.

The ceremony itself was relatively short, probably 20 to 25 minutes.  But the President gave a great speech.  And for a lobbyist it was awesome; a chance to talk with senior Administration officials from all the federal land agencies, environmental grant makers, and coalition partners from conservation and environmental organizations (including my next door neighbor John Kostyack from NWF, which meant that wo residents of the 3800-block of Alton Place NW were in the White House today; that may not have been the first time that happened since many of our neighbors are reporters).

Anyway, it was a great day for a great event celebrating America's Great Outdoors, an initiative the Sierra Club has been very active in ever since it was announced in April 2010 (the link is to the report the Lands team delivered to the Obama Administration in August 2010).  

I liked the White House so much I almost left my coat in the coat check room - on purpose - so I'd have an excuse to go back tomorrow.  I tweeted that from the event and did not hear a thing from the Secret Service.  So much for the Patriot Act - "Mr. President, the tweet is coming from inside the White House!"

Carolina - Hellenic Tie In

The visit to White House is also part of a plan to win Carolina it's third national championship in seven seasons.  

As I mentioned above, the last time I visited the White House was in March 2009, one week before the Heels romped to their 5th national championship.  That summer we also went to Greece.  We also went to Greece in 2005, when Roy Williams won his first and Carolina's fourth championship.

I'm not taking any chances this year.  I went to the White House today, and Ariadne* and I are going to Greece for a 5-day visit during her spring break (and a conveniently-timed Congressional recess) in March.  So if the pattern holds and we win our 6th NCAA championship in a month don't thank Roy or Harrison Barnes or John Henson - thank this blog.

* To show Evan some love - and put a cherry on top of the Carolina-Hellenic sundae - I am taking him and his cousin Paul to the Carolina-BC game in Chapel Hill this weekend.

AmeriGO HEELS!

Oh well

Not the greatest game last night for the Heels, but a win is a win and Carolina is now 19 and 6, and 9 and 2 in the ACC.

 The bad news: 

• for the second straight game the Heels got good looks, good looks that they missed.  We jacked up 27 threes last night, making only 5 for a 19 percent clip;
• the 27 threes were a symptom of impatience on offense.  When we attacked Wake's zone we did well, making almost 48 percent of our 2-point shots.  

The good news:

• only 8 turnovers.  Part of that is Wake's do-nothing zone, part of it is improved play by Barnes, and Marshall's steady running of the offense.  Besides the low number, I was heartened by back up point guard Dexter Strickland's ZERO turnovers in 31 minutes (or the same number of jump shots he hit);
• the Heels played some pretty good defense last night, holding Wake to 38 percent shooting;
• when Harrison Barnes was aggressive, which he generally was in the second half, he looked great; he's clearly been working on his dunking/explosiveness.  Barnes also had 4 assists last night;
• despite missing some shots from outside Leslie McDonald had a nice overall game;
• and almost best of all, Jon Henson was fantastic on defense.  He left quite a few points on the rim in the second half last night, but defensively he was fantastic.

Go Heels!

Can't stop watching the Barnes dunk

Lots I could be doing - it's actually a nice day for once here in DC - but nothing beats watching this over and over again.

Better than it looked

It would be easy to characterize today's win over Clemson as an ugly one.  But that would be unfair to this year's squad.

Bouncing back - on the road - after a tough loss to your arch rival makes a powerful statement.  This team has more resolve than the previously thought.  

The talent started to emerge once Kendall Marshall was installed as the starting point guard.  The resolve started building shortly after that.   It rounded into full form today at Littlejohn Coliseum.  

The Heels got off to good start, and led at half despite playing some ugly ball.  But like it was at Duke, the Heels let the home team come back and take the lead late.   

But today, the Heels didn't back off and made plays.  The second-best one was Marshall's steal and lay up to essentially ice the game with less than two minutes left.

The best play was the out-of-nowhere dunk by Barnes. Late in games he really loses himself in the action, and he definitely did on that freak-nasty dunk!  If Marshall's steal iced it, Barnes' dunk was a frigid blast that started the process.  

The game may have looked ugly, but that dunk was not!

GO HEELS!

Quick random note:  I watched the first 30 minutes of this game on ESPN3; Maryland was playing at the same time so the Carolina game was not shown on TV in DC.  ESPN3 was okay but I had to deal with lots of buffering and delays, etc.  That may have more to do with Earthlink than ESPN3 but either way it harmed my viewing experience.  

But after a commercial reminded me that I can watch live games on my iPhone with the ACC Sports app.   I switched over, and it was great - no delays or buffering at all. 

The Barnes quote is from Jim Hawkins at www.insidecarolina.com

Man . . .

We had that game, but Nolan Smith and Seth Curry would not let the Heels keep it.  That stinks.

Carolina got a little tentative in the second half, a not uncommon occurrence for a young team, and lost some of our offensive confidence.  

Tyler Zeller was the loan exception; he was tough throughout the game.

But Bullock, McDonald and even Henson (10 scintillating points in the first; only 4 in the second) looked tentative in the final 20 minutes of the game, and Strickland's foul trouble hurt us offensively by taking away his aggressiveness, and defensively where he could not aggressively cover Smith. 

Marshall's first half was phenomenal, but he seemed to run out gas with 10 minutes left.

Barnes and Singler seemingly expended all their energy on covering each other defensively, as neither had much of a game. Barnes had trouble getting off a shot in the second half. 

The tentativeness was evident on the boards and on defense, too, and that let Duke score 50 points in the second half.

Obviously frustrating; the Heels played hard but we just missed shots.  The offense was generating good looks; we just could not hit them late - and Smith and Curry did.

We're past moral victories with this team.  They are rolling, despite the final score and the last 20 minutes, and have restored the luster to Carolina basketball.   Time to regroup, and hit shots in Littlejohn this weekend in our rematch with Clemson.

One final thought on tonight's loss - it kind of reminds me of the 2005 game in Cameron, the one that ended with Felton dribbling too long then having Noel lose his dribble as time expired. Different plays but the same feel; that we let Duke off the hook once but will not let it happen again, or let one loss stop the team from having a great season.

As always - GO HEELS!

Having trouble staying focused

My internal clock has started counting down to tomorrow night's Carolina-Duke game.  I'm anxiously looking forward to a resurgent Carolina squad winning for the 5th time in 6 years at Cameron.

 

Last week the Post's Mike Wise penned a silly article stating reasons why folks should stop hating Krzyzewski and by extension Duke.  But Wise failed to mention why most people hate on the Devils (besides the subliminally obvious one, that good people reflexively hate devils) - the Duke students.

 

I think most basketball fans and even most Carolina fans respect the Duke basketball program: they don't cheat; they win; their players graduate. And for me at least, I respect that though often not as athletic as some other teams Duke always plays an effective and aggressive man-to-man defense.  Unathletic teams often 'hide' behind a zone, but not Duke.

 

But their students, as well as the school itself, stir my strong anti-Duke feelings.  It's a private school full of kids with an overdeveloped sense of entitlement.  That's why winning in Cameron is so sweet; watching their Devils lose seems to rattle a Dookie's world view.  Luckily, Carolina students and alumni have a more balanced perspective.  

 

And of course, there is the politics and karma of each school.  Carolina is the public, liberal school that produces folks like Paul Wellstone, Terry Sanford, Walker Percy, John Shelby Spong, Michael Jordan, Charles Kuralt, Tom Wicker, Mia Hamm, and Superchunk.  Duke, on the other hand, is a private institution given to producing right-wing nuts like Richard Nixon, Elizabeth Dole, both Rand and Ron Paul, Ken Starr and other low lifes such as Christian Laettner. 

 

One last thing, the good guys lead the all-time series 130 to 99.  And the best guy, Dean Smith, had a lifetime  record of 59-35 versus Duke, and was 24-14 versus Krzyzewski. Krzyzewski even has a losing record versus Dean in Cameron.  

 

Krzyzewski has a lifetime losing record, 34-35, against the Tar Heels a record that I'm confident will get worse after our next visit to Rand Paul's house on Wednesday night.

GO HEELS!

Marshall Plan

As a Greek-American I've always liked the Marshall Plan. A magnanimous nation helping a poor country like Greece rebuild and retool after being devastated by 4 years of Nazi occupation.

Well, I love the Carolina-Hellenic Blue version we saw today as Carolina won it's third straight game by at least 20 points, 89-69,  against a pretty good FSU team.

Playing his first extended minutes of the season due to Larry Drew II's decision to leave school in the middle of the season, Marshall excelled.  His 16 assists are a Carolina record for an ACC game.  

Let that sink in for a while.  Marshall - not Phil Ford, Jimmy Black, Derrick Phelps, Ed Cota, Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, Quentin Thomas - has that record for assists.  At Carolina.

Marshall was the first among equals in tonight's win. The list of contributors was not as deep as it was versus Boston College, but most everyone played great today.  It looks like every Heels player - not just Harrison Barnes - is losing themselves in the game, and it has showed of late as Carolina has rolled to some very convincing wins.  And a 7-1 record halfway through the ACC season.

Against the Noles Carolina was never really challenged.  The Tar Heels had a nice working margin most of the game.  In the first half it was Marshall, but also an aggressive Dexter Strickland, Barnes, and some great contributions from Justin Knox leading the way.   Carolina had a 9-point lead at half without significant contributions from Zeller or Henson.

That changed in the second, as Zeller in particular got great position down low and Henson was much more aggressive and hit a variety of shots - including my new favorite, his sweeping left handed hook. He looks like Randy Johnson when he extends, and his arm looks even longer than usual. 

I also like Barnes' toughness, hitting 3 shots after hurting his left shoulder.  Best way to rehab an injury is to make shots!

That's what the Heels did all game, as they became the first ACC school to shoot more than 50 percent against the Seminoles this season.

A lot of the credit goes to the Marshall Plan.  Ever since Roy made him the starter the offense has really flowed, guys are generally making good decisions and taking good shots, and the Heels are looking very, very confident.   Oh yeah - they're also winning  ball games.

A few more Heels notes:

• Larry Drew II looked small for leaving Carolina the way he did; Marshall made him look even smaller today (if that's possible).
• Carolina didn't need a whole lot from Bullock or McDonald today, though each made a three-pointer.
• Knox made some tough shots, but also set a couple of nice screens and defended well especially in the first half.
• Some interesting numbers: Barnes finished with a double double, 17 and 10, and Marshall and Strickland each played more than 35 minutes. 
• Carolina enters Wednesday's big game versus Ran Paul's alma mater full of confidence.  It will be a big test for freshmen like Barnes and Marshall and Bullock, but I love our chances.  Duke is a little weak down low - though Mason Plumlee has played better of late - so if Marshall and Strickland can get it to Zeller, Hanson and Knox and open things for Strickland, McDonald, Bullock and Barnes watch out!  Go Heels!

Not II Classy

In one of the most boneheaded moves in the history of college basketball, Larry Drew II announced yesterday that he is leaving Carolina.  The list of reasons why this is a boneheaded move is long.  Consider:

• Every player who transfers has to sit out a season, but since this year is half way over Drew will have to sit out a year and half; he won't be back on the court until the 2012-2013 season;
• Who would want a guy like that on their team anyway? The resume reads 'led defending national champs to NIT as a sophomore starter; as a junior quit on team mid-way through the season.'  Oh yeah, schools are going to line up to sign a guy like that;
• Drew quit when he and the team were playing well; coming off the bench as really suited Drew II and the Heels; but I guess the prospect of coming off the bench next year was too much for him to take;
• Quitting midway through the season invites inevitable comparisons to Sarah Palin;
• Drew II had his dad, Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew Sr., call Roy and deliver the news; that's like a school in the summer - no class.

That last point is the most serious one.  Carolina will be fine - though thinner and it weakens a real strength of this team, having a deep and productive bench. 

Why have your dad make that call to Williams?  Do you have so little respect for the University and the team?  Drew II never spoke to Williams or to any of his teammates in person.  Not a very mature approach.

And if Drew II was that unhappy, the classy and conscientious path would have been to wait until the end of the season.  A good friend and a good teammate thinks of their friends and team first.  Drew II did not, opting to act like a spoiled baby.  

You can only make yourself happy if you make others happy first.  That's true in life, but especially for a point guard!

I meant 'giddy"

I admitted some anxiousness heading into last night's game at BC in Chestnut Hill.  But Reggie Bullock, Harrison Barnes, Jon Henson, Tyler Zeller, Justin Knox, Larry Drew II, Leslie McDonald, Dexter Strickland, Wanda, Kendell Marshall and Patrick Crouch did away with that silly notion as the Heels rolled - stampeded? - to a 106-74 win.

I had to list the entire team because it was kind of win, with contributions from everyone and everywhere.  Led by Bullock the Heels were on fire from outside.  Bullock's run in the first half pulled the Eagles out of their zone, and from that point on Marshall and Drew (9 assists to 1 turnover) fed Zeller, Henson and Knox consistently.   

In the meantime, Barnes was hitting shots from everywhere - 3s, drives, mid-range jumpers, running the floor - on his way to 26 points and offering more proof that 'he is THAT guy.'

Defensively the Heels overplayed the passing lanes and forced turnover after turnover, which of course fed our running game.  The team was running and flowing so well on offense that in his post-game comments Roy indicated that Carolina only ran 2 set plays all game.  

So when you hit 3s, turn turnovers into fast breaks, feed the post, contributions from every player on the roster, and NOT turn it over you get 106 points and a total beat down of a decent opponent on their home court.

It also turns anxiousness into giddiness.  GO HEELS!

A little nervous

I admit I'm a little nervous about tonight's road game versus Reggie Jackson and the BC Golden Eagles. I love the way the Heels have been playing lately, but worry that we may be tempting the fates with another road win. 

But getting that win would be huge.  Doing so would give the newly re-ranked Heels 6 wins, including 3 on the road (at UVA and at UM) and 16 for the season, both excellent numbers but especially outstanding when compared to last year's season.

In addition to gaining another road win, Heels everywhere will be watching to see if Harrison Barnes' upward trajectory continues, if we keep getting valuable contributions from Bullock, Drew, McDonald and Knox off the bench, and if Marshall continues to feed the post.  

More importantly, another win will feed the surging confidence of this year's squad.

I think I was right

After the Heels' win over Miami on the road I wondered if Carolina, the real Carolina, was back.  

Well, after yesterday's win, an almost 2009-style blowout over N.C. State, I think we are.  Granted, State is still one year away from being above average (or a year away from where Herb Sendak had them) but I loved the way the Heels played against the Wolfpack.

There were at least four things that had to make any Heels fan grin a Mama Dips-size smile.  

One, the Heels came out on fire and aggressive.  For whatever reason the Heels had come out flat in five straight games.  Though they were Trident-gum successful - winning four out of those five games - it was great to see the Heels impose their will on an opponent from the opening tip.  We're well known for great comebacks, but it's not a great habit to get into.  Good to see us throw the first punch.

Two, it was a punch mainly thrown by Harrison Barnes, who finally played a full game rather than putting together a few huge spurts and flourishes. Barnes looked electric against State, hitting shots from all over the floor, driving a few times, pulling down 6 boards, and hustling on defense. His confidence is starting to build, and Barnes is morphing into the player we expected - our best player, the new Hansbrough, the one who leads us deep into the NCAA tournament.

That brings me to point 3; to become our best player he will have to out play John Henson, who right now is the best Carolina player on the floor.  Henson had 16 points, an equal number of boards to go along with seven blocks. Like Barnes he is getting his points in a variety of ways, on dunks, hooks, short jumpers, put backs, even a few free throws!  It took him a while to figure out college basketball but he has, and Henson is thriving.  I love his skill, but am equally impressed by his patience, confidence and intelligence/decision making.  Otherwise known as being a Tar Heel.   

Finally, there is nothing that says Carolina basketball as much as "feeding the post," and against State we did that.  All three of our bigs, Henson, Zeller and Knox, finished in double figures as Marshall, Drew, Strickland, Barnes, Wanda, everyone, fed the post consistently on Saturday.

There were some lapses in the Heels' offense against State, and we probably let Brown get to the rack to easily in the second half.  But at the core of yesterday's win - Barnes' overall play, Henson's skill and savvy, feeding the post - was more proof that Carolina is back.

GO HEELS!

Few Random Notes:

• Heels are back, but some things have changed in North Carolina as the Old North State was America's winter sports capital this weekend.  How odd to think that Raleigh hosted the NHL All-star game the same weekend that Greensboro hosted the U.S. figure skating championships? When I was growing up there you couldn't buy a mixed drink let alone find ice.
• I wanted to root for Duke - and the ACC - against the Big East and St. John's today . . . but couldn't. I can't stand the Big East, but they are better than us this season.  Duke, on the other hand, looked bad, especially down low.  Hope we can exploit that and keep feeding the post against them in Cameron next week.  It appears to me that without Kyrie Irving at the point Duke is having trouble getting Singler enough shots, but I've only seen them play a few times.  Either way, without Irving they are not that scary.  

The Return of Carolina

Last night's scintillating win over Miami - in Coral Gables - could finally be the start of something big for the 2011 Tar Heels.

Not only did the Heels make some big, huge plays down late, Carolina-style plays like Henson's hook,  Barnes' two clutch shots, Marshall's pass, and Zeller's defense and key rebounds. 

But I'm talking about that confident, 'we're going to win this game' sensation that Heels from Dean to Barnes have felt, as have most Carolina fans. 

I felt that last night, even when the Heels fell behind 28 to 14 and even when our power went out with 8 minutes left.  [I followed the rest of the game via Twitter and ESPN game cast on my phone, but mainly via Joey 'Texting Like Woody' Pillow, who provided excellent play by play via text down the stretch. I finally watched the rest of the game this morning via ESPN3.]

That feeling is one of the things that define Carolina basketball.  And to say the least we didn't have it last year, and it's been fleeting this campaign.  For instance, I felt it at half time of the Georgia Tech game, and we know how THAT turned out.

But last night may be different. The Tar Heels had to make play after play to win, and they did. You need skill to make those plays, but you also need that Carolina confidence, that 'we're going to win' mentality.   And it may finally be here to stay.

A great win over a team that shot lights out at home, a win that gives us the same number of ACC road wins - two - as we had all of last year, and one that makes us 4-1 in the conference.  As perplexing as this team has been Carolina is on track to win 10 or 11 ACC games, and team that is getting that Carolina confidence back.

GO HEELS!

Some More Caro-Lines

• Harrison Barnes has certainly had his ups and downs but he saves his ups for key moments, that's for sure. Roy keeps urging him to lose himself in the game, and the shots he made last night are evidence when Barnes does that he excels.  The big shots last night were reactive, basketball plays that good hoopsters make. His biggest problem has been thinking too much, but when he doesn't do that Barnes looks like the big-time talent we expected.  The three was big, but that step-back two was breathtaking, and I jumped out of my seat when I finally watched it this morning.
• Roy also said that more amazing than Barnes' shot was Marshall's pass, and it's hard to argue.  It was another instinctive play, the kind made by talented and confident players.
• After a lackluster first half Zeller really impressed me late with his rebounding, his shot to tie it up late, and his great defense down low.  He's as guilty as Drew and others for some of the recent slow starts this team has had of late, but I'm glad he showed up.
• I can't believe I didn't mention Reggie Bullock until the fourth bullet! It was fantastic to see his confident play carry over from the Clemson game.  He didn't go off for 16 first half points like he did versus the Tigers but he made play after play last night, especially late in the first half when his scoring and rebounding helped the Heels make up a 14-point deficit to tie the score at half.
• Dexter Strickland was the other key player in Carolina's first half run. He was aggressive and smart with the ball on his way to 12 first-half points.  It was his first good ACC game of the season.  While he didn't score in the second half Strickland played some nice D.
• John Henson wasn't as active as in previous games, but he did have a few blocks and helped fuel the first half surge.  And like Barnes, his hook shot late was clutch and confident.   
• How great is it to get contributions from so many players, and I haven't even mentioned quality play from McDonald - who came back after missing a game to make 2 three pointers - Knox who also had some nice moments, and Larry Drew who looks great coming off the bench, finally going to the hoop and initiating the offense instead of dribbling dribbling dribbling . . .
• One negative note to last night's game: how in the wide, wide world of sports can the Hurricanes fail to have a sell out with Carolina in town? Some local celebs - Tim Hardaway, Desmond Howard, the Saints Jimmy Graham - realized that when Carolina comes to town you go to the game.  But the Canes couldn't even sell 8,000 tickets to their on-campus facility for one of the most - or THE most - storied college basketball program of all time?  
• Actually, forget it was Carolina - every ACC team should sell out their conference games.  Miami sports fans are lame: the Hurricanes football team rarely sell out their games unless FSU or Florida are in town; no one goes to Marlins games; the Heat draw now but even when Shaq was in town didn't sell out night after night; even the Dolphins play in front of a few empty seats every Sunday.  But how can you NOT sell a measly 8,000 tickets with Carolina in town?
• The lousy hoops attendance in Miami and Boston College is more proof that ACC expansion was a mistake.  The exception is Virginia Tech, a natural rival for Virginia that is geographically an ACC team AND boasts great (at least passionate) fans.  But the conference has not benefited from having BC and the U as members.

Dude Looks Like A Lady

Good news, bad news week on TV.

Good news is, I should have more free time this spring since I doubt I will spend much time watching American Idol this season.   As some of you know, the kids and I have watched the last three seasons.  But without Simon Cowell the show is not worth watching.

The bad news is as luminous as Jennifer Lopez looks, Steven Tyler is terrible to watch and even worse to listen to.  All he does is cackle and try to make double and triple entendres.  As Andy Richter said on Conan this week, "Was that Steven Tyler?  I thought that was a creepy old lady."

Lopez looks fantastic but has nothing to say; Randy Jackson looks weird and has even less to say.  Jackson was always the third-most interesting person on the panel, no matter the season.  

This year the entire panel mimics Jackson: third-rate judges on an equally tired show.

On the other hand, I am enjoying the new Conan show.  Some of the writing is not that great some nights, but no matter how weak the jokes are the bottom line is: Conan is just funny.  And he's funny no matter what.  

The show's secret weapon is Richter.  He never seems to miss - though he and Conan failed to follow up his 'creepy old lady' crack about Tyler by cackling 'dude look like a lady!"

Take 2 Clemsons and Call Me in the Morning

When it comes to Carolina basketball, there is nothing like Clemson.  Once upon a time, Carolina was a school of unbelievable streaks: 20-win seasons, top-3 finishes in the ACC regular season, sweet 16 trips. Our friend Matt Doherty ended most of our most vaunted streaks (with some help from Boston College's Bill Curley).

The one that endures is our winning streak against the ACC's original football school, the Clemson Tigers. Last night's win leaves Clemson 0-forever versus Carolina.  Perhaps the most inexplicable record in sports is Carolina's 54-0 lifetime record at home versus Clem(p)son. 

Almost as inexplicable was the way the Heels stunk up the joint versus Georgia Tech on Sunday night.  After displays of toughness and determination in their previous 2 conference games the Heels displayed neither in Atlanta. They also could not do little things like catch a pass, let alone make a shot. Inexplicable that any Division I athlete, let alone a Carolina recruit, could not catch a pass but that's what happened on Sunday night.

The good news is last night the Heels righted many off those wrongs.  Perhaps best of all Carolina did not trail by double figures in this game for the first time in four games.  The Heels came out much more focused, with much more energy.

That may have something to do with Kendall Marshall replacing Larry Drew II in the starting line up. That was certainly part of it; Marshall was no Ty Lawson but the Heels did score 46 points in the first half - and did not fall behind.

Marshall did his part, but the Heels were led in the first half by Jon Henson and Reggie Bullock.  Bullock got major minutes due to a pneumothorax issue with Leslie McDonald. Not only did Bullock score 16 points in the first half, he got them as a result of playing a complete floor game. Bullock did hit 3 three-pointers but he also played the passing lanes and created - scored off of - Clemson turnovers.

Playing the passing lanes was emblematic of a more aggressive defensive effort by the Heels. Particularly late, the Heels really ratcheted up their defense and as a result Clemson only scored 2 points in the final seven minutes.

Also on display late was the toughness the Heels demonstrated in their wins over Virginia and Virginia Tech.  For most of the game the Heels had a working lead of 4 to 8 points but the Tigers fought back time after time, tying the game at 63 with seven minutes left.   That's when the Heels started making plays. 

Down the stretch Barnes made another big three and had a important defensive board, Marshall made free throws, there was a key tip-in by Henson,  and Zeller had two monster offensive rebounds.  

So overall a pretty satisfying game, one that makes us 3-1 in the conference.  We didn't get behind early, Bullock and Henson made shots, and the Heels got tough late to win.  Thanks Clemson!

And GO HEELS!

Few more Heels notes:

• This is Henson's team now.   Used to be Zeller's.  Psycho Z is still playing well, but Henson is consistently making plays on offense and defense (everywhere but the free throw line).  We get much worse when he is not on the floor.
• Zeller needs to get more touches.  In the last two games he's only taken 11 shots.  Maybe teams are keying on him more, and Henson is benefiting as a result.  But I wish we could be more patient on offense and get Zeller more touches and shots.
• I was impressed by Larry Drew II.  Coming off the bench he was more Bobby Fraser 2006 than his usual Adam Boone.  He attacked the basket and played some good d, too.  And he didn't sulk.  Props to LDII.
• Bullock finally snapped out of his parliament-sized funk last night.  Like Barnes, he's had trouble losing himself in the game but last night he finally did - and scored 16 points in the first half.
• Barnes keeps tantalizing. He is clearly skilled but still seems to be thinking too much out there.  I like that he has been taking the ball to the rack more, and seems to have improved as a defender.
•  After 3 games in 6 days the Heels are now off until their January 26 visit to the U.