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Friday, October 30, 2009

Game 2: Yankees 3, Phillies 1

Pitching continues to define this series. Just like I said.

Yankees starter A.J. Burnett had it all working last night, while Mark Teixiera and Hideki Matsui came up big-time solo home runs as the Yankees beat Pedro Martinez (again) in Yankee Stadium in the playoffs. And while Pedro didn't have to bend over and call the Yankees "Daddy" like he did while he was with the Red Sox, he still gets the loss as the series shifts to Philadelphia tied at 1-1.

The most interesting thing to watch on Sunday night will be whether Cole Hamels can regain the dominant form he displayed last year in the playoffs for the Phillies. He has been average at best this postseason, and he's definitely going to have to step up if the Phillies are going to take control of this series. Otherwise, you can chalk up another win for Andy Pettite's postseason career and a 2-1 advantage for the boys in pinstripes.

Recap: UNC 20, VT 17

What a great win for the Tar Heel program. The team showed a lot of courage and heart, bounced back from a little adversity in a way that I haven't seen in this program since the early part of this decade, and went into one of the toughest environments in college football in front of a national audience and defeated a Virginia Tech team who Carolina had never beaten before since the Hokies' inception into the ACC.

However, there are a few things I picked up on that I am hopeful that the team will get fixed in time for their Homecoming contest against arch-rival Dook. First and foremost, last night proved to me once again that T.J. Yates is simply not the kind of quarterback who can win you the game. He's a nice player who can come up with some good throws, but overall he is too inconsistent to be considered an above-average quarterback at the collegiate level. Secondly, the defense - despite playing very well all game - gave up too many yards through the air. I understand that was the gameplan (load the box and force VT QB Tyrod Taylor to beat you with his arm) but the soft zone that had become defensive coordinator Everett Withers' calling card during his first year in Chapel Hill made a reappearance last night, and proved to be just as soft and lax as ever. Against a good QB like Dook's Thad Lewis, this team simply cannot allow that to happen.

Overall however this team was exceptional last night. I would count this among the programs five biggest wins this decade without question, and proved to me that this team is ready to be among the ACC's better teams. Though they are fighting for bowl eligibility (the Heels need to win 2 of their next 4 games to become eligible for postseason play), UNC showed that they can win the big game, despite a little adversity, and that they are ready to take the next step as a football program.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Preseason CBB Poll

No surprises here.

Kansas tops the preseason AP poll to begin the college basketball season, and honestly they have to be the runaway favorite right now to win their second title in three years. They return the must underrated guard in the country in Sherron Collins and the imposing big man Cole Aldrich, both of whom are on the short list for the Naismith POY Award. Add in the coaching of Bill Self and the addition of super freshman Xavier Henry, and you've got the recipe for a very dangerous team.

Michigan State, Texas, North Carolina, and Kentucky round out the top 5. The Tar Heels and Spartans met in last year's national title game, and both received first-place votes in the first poll of the season.

This is going to be a very interesting college basketball season for a number of reasons. Will Kentucky regain their championship glory under new coach John Calipari? Will the Tar Heels be as good as they were last season after losing all-everything Tyler Hansbrough and the dynamic Ty Lawson? Will Michigan State get back to the national title game after being crushed last season? Will Purdue (7th) and West Virginia (9th) live up to the lofty expectations? Will teams like Clemson (24th) and Georgetown (21st) take the next step? Who will come out of nowhere to surprise the nation?

Stay tuned, America. It's going to be a great season.

Game 1: Phillies 6, Yankees 1

I knew Cliff Lee was good, but that was ridiculous.

You could see that it wasn't going to be a good night for the Yankees from the outset. Starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia walked Chase Utley his first time out, then later in the game gave up two homers to Utley. Couple that with Lee's masterful performance where he allowed only one unearned run - on a throwing error by shortstop Jimmy Rollins in the 9th inning - and the Phillies came away with the huge victory in Yankee Stadium.

But Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it best: "He can't pitch every night."

Game 2 pits former Yankee public enemy #1 Pedro Martinez against the enigmatic A.J. Burnett. Burnett was the key in the Angels series; he pitched well, and the Yankees won. If he pitches well tonight, the Yankees could avoid going down 0-2 going to Philadelphia. If not, Pedro gets another victory at the expense of the Bombers and the Phillies take one more step towards back-to-back World Series titles.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Suggestions?

Just putting this out there: if any of you guys who read this have suggestions about what I should write about, don't hesitate to comment on this entry or email suggestions at the new H2TheBSofA inbox:

hailtothebrighteststarofall@gmail.com

Help me make this blog more enjoyable for you!

NBA Season Preview (1 Day Late)

Sue me, I'm a little late in getting my NBA preview on here (for all you NHL fans, don't hold your breath; I'm good, but I'm not that good).

I don't think there are going to be any seismic changes in the NBA this year. The teams that were there at the end last year will be there again this year (Lakers, Celtics, Cavaliers, Magic, Spurs), teams will continue to improve (Hawks, Warriors, Blazers, Nuggets, Heat), and other teams will continue to be terrible (Knicks, Kings, Bobcats, Bucks, Grizzlies).

However, here are my three teams that will surprise (almost) everyone this season.

1. Golden State Warriors. I'm not much of a Steph Curry guy, but I am a huge fan of Anthony Randolph, Anthony Morrow, Monta Ellis, and even Stephen Jackson (yeah, even Stephen Jackson). I love this team to really get up and down the court this year, and I'd look for them to make the playoffs in the tough Western Conference. They're that good.

2. Toronto Raptors. This could be the best team that Chris Bosh has had around him since he's been in the Great White North. Unfortunately for the Raptors, it will be Bosh's last year with the team, so it's good that they have more talent around him now. In a weak Eastern Conference, a trio of Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jose Calderon, along with former #1 overall Andrea Bargnani could be enough to make the playoffs.

3. Chicago Bulls. Before everyone jumps on me for choosing the Bulls as a surprise team after they had a great run in the playoffs last year, consider this: the Bulls did that without Luol Deng (arguably their best player) and they got even better in the off-season, adding players like Jannero Pargo and rookies Taj Gibson and James Johnson. This team may be better than the current 4th best East team (the Atlanta Hawks) and could be a huge factor in the East if any of the Big Three (Cleveland, Boston, Orlando) slips up.

So who do I like in the Finals this year? I love predictions like this because they're so up in the air and ridiculously impossible to justify. But I'll do it just for fun.

Eastern Conference: Cleveland Cavaliers over Boston Celtics
Western Conference: Los Angeles Lakers over San Antonio Spurs

NBA Finals: Cavaliers over Lakers in 7

Enjoy the season, everyone!

Facebook Friend?

So I just realized after posting on Facebook this morning and including a picture from my profile that some of you might want to friend me on Facebook. I'm perfectly fine with that, but if I don't add you, don't be offended; I like to keep that stuff private, and everything you need to know about me is pretty much in that picture if you care to look.

So please...don't get upset if I don't add you as a Facebook friend. It's not you. It's me.

Happy Birthday Facebook (Sort Of)

So on October 28th, 2003, a Harvard sophomore created a web site called Facemash, illegally lifting pictures from the Harvard directory database and placing them on a web site while intoxicated. It eventually was shut down less than a week later and the student faced expulsion from the most prestigious school in the country.

Today, he is one of their most popular alumni. Mark Zuckerberg is the creator of Facebook, THE social networking site on the Internet. I remember when I first got onto Facebook in 2004 (yes, I've been on it THAT long) and it looked similar to this:



Now, of course after the much debated transition, it looks like this:



While Facebook is just 6 years old, it is estimated to be worth $10 billion dollars by the New York Times (here's the May 27 2009 article if you don't believe me). Not bad for almost getting kicked out of Harvard.

Monday, October 26, 2009

2009 World Series Preview

This is the matchup everyone wanted to see.

Philadelphia. New York. Phillies. Yankees. Howard. A-Rod. Rollins. Jeter. Hamels/Lee. Sabathia/Burnett. Does it GET any better than this?

It's the defending world champions against the team that defined the term "world champion". It's the team with the most chemistry against the team with the most talent. This is the matchup that MLB dreamed of, and they got it after the Yankees defeated the Angels and the Phillies throttled the Dodgers.

So who is the favorite? The Yankees' offense looks unstoppable, and 3B Alex Rodriguez has (finally) looked like the player the Yankees thought they were getting when they added him to the roster years ago. The Phillies are the first NL team to return to the World Series to defend their title since the 1970s Cincinnati Reds and "The Big Red Machine", and have enjoyed the continued emergence of players like OFs Jason Werth and Shane Victorino.

This series is going to come down to pitching; the Yankees have struggled in their bullpen of late, but no one has been more dominant than C.C. Sabathia the last two years. Add him to A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, and that is a formidable trio. I just don't think that Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Pedro Martinez are better than those three, which is why I think the Yankees will win.

Prediction: Yankees in 6.

BCS Reaction: Week 2

I'm a little shocked over the BCS rankings this week. Quick points:

- Florida is still ripe for the picking at that #1 spot. Sure, the Gators won this week against Mississippi State in a more convincing fashion that Alabama's high-drama blocked field goal finish against Tennessee, but something about the Gators just isn't right. Tim Tebow hasn't been Tim Tebow, and having MLB Brandon Spikes out seems to really hurt this defense.

- Why Cincinnati is not getting more love baffles me. I know they play in the Big East and that it's not perceived as strong a conference as the Big 10 or the Big XII, but they are the best team in Ohio and have been going through their schedule without missing a beat, including last week when their backup QB still tore apart South Florida.

- Texas continues to be the favorite to go to the national championship game against the winner of the Alabama-Florida matchup. QB Colt McCoy bounced back in a big way after struggling against Oklahoma and put up a great game against Missouri. This team looks ready to prove that they belonged in the game last year, and they will have every opportunity to get into this year's game if they can run the table.

- Iowa has a legitimate shot at sneaking into the BCS Championship Game if they can win the rest of their games on the schedule. Fortunately for them, three of the four at at home, but their toughest test by far is away at Ohio State. If they win that game, they will undoubtedly win the Big 10 and be poised to participate in the national championship game.

- Don't look now, but as I said last week USC is climbing up closer to national championship contention. They are 5th in this week's BCS rankings (up from 7th last week) and if they run the table they could be the 1-loss team that makes it into the BCS championship game.

- As painful as that Miami loss to Clemson was, there is no way they should have fallen from 10th all the way to 19th. That team has some quality wins (Oklahoma, a ranked FSU team, Georgia Tech) and should undoubtedly be no lower than 15th. If I'm a Canes fan, I am furious at this week's rankings.

Week 8 ACC Rankings

Lots of crazy games in the ACC this week, and as a result the rankings have been shaken up.

1. Georgia Tech (7-1, 5-1). Is there any doubt that Paul Johnson's offense can work in the BCS? It may not be pretty according to some college football fans, but the Yellow Jackets are now the favorite to go to the Orange Bowl. Last Week: 1

2. Virginia Tech (5-2, 3-1). The Hokies got a week to stew over their loss to Georgia Tech that very well may cost them a chance at a third consecutive ACC championship and a BCS berth. Expect them to take their anger out on the reeling Tar Heels this week on Thursday night. Last Week: 3

3. Clemson (4-3, 3-2). In arguably the most important win of their season thus far, Clemson showed up and proved that they can take the ACC Atlantic division title away from Boston College. RB C.J. Spiller has been my pick for ACC Player of the Year since Week 3, and he keeps proving me right every single week. Last Week: 5

4. Miami (5-2, 2-2). The loss to Clemson ruined any shot the Canes had at a BCS berth, and their loss to Virginia Tech looms large now in the ACC Coastal division race. Unless Georgia Tech slips up somewhere on their schedule, Miami looks to be the third-best team in the division this year, an improvement from last year's campaign. Last Week: 2

5. Boston College (5-3, 3-2). The loss to Notre Dame doesn't look as bad on the scoreboard as it did when you actually watched the game. The Eagles made a valiant effort, but simply couldn't get past a very talented Irish team. This week should prove a little easier as they go against Central Michigan at home. Last Week: 4

6. Dook (4-3, 2-1). The Blue Devils won back-to-back ACC games for the first time since 1994, and are three wins away from becoming bowl-eligible. Wow. If there is a hotter coach at a non-powerhouse school than David Cutcliffe, let me know; there is no doubt that the Dook head man should be the ACC Coach of the Year. Last Week: 9

7. Virginia (3-4, 2-1). It's a slight step back to reality for the Wahoos with their lopsided loss against Georgia Tech, but let's be honest here: Virginia had been playing with house money the last four weeks. They still control their own destiny with games against Dook, Miami, and Virginia Tech. Last Week: 6

8. Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2). Humbling loss to Navy last week for the Deacs. They simply could not stop the triple option and couldn't get anything done on offense until it was too late. This is an average team (as demonstrated by their .500 record), and they need to find a way to win close games if they are going to go to a bowl game this year. Last Week: 7

9. Florida State (3-4, 1-3). The Seminoles finally got their first ACC win last week on a huge stage by posting a 24-3 comeback and stealing a win in Chapel Hill. Florida State has NC State this week, and I would look for Bobby Bowden to further silence his critics by getting his 2nd ACC win and getting back to .500. Last Week: 11

10. Maryland (2-6, 1-3). This team looks completely lost. Losing to Dook in football is no easy task, despite the momentum that the Blue Devil program has right now, and the Terps are easily one of the worst teams in the ACC. This bye week is crucial for this team to find some way to be competitive the rest of the season. Last Week: 10

11. North Carolina (4-3, 0-3). Perhaps this is dropping the Heels a little too low, but let's be honest: this team had the game in the bag on Thursday night and choked it away. Unless there is some grand recovery plan in the offing for this team, it is very conceivable that they could go winless the rest of the season. Last Week: 8

12. NC State (3-4, 0-3). The Wolfpack didn't play this week, but they still have lost two games by more than 20 points in back-to-back contests. With the way FSU QB Christian Ponder played last week, NC State should have a lot to worry about as they travel to Tallahassee. Last Week: 12

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Crazy Day Today

Alabama almost loses to Tennessee? Clemson over Miami? Mississippi State leads Florida (though it's early)? Crazy Saturday today. I love all these upsets and last-minute finishes. I hope you guys are enjoying your weekend. I'll be MIA for the rest of the weekend after taking a trip on Sunday to go the Panthers-Bills game, but I'll be back first thing Monday to break down this weekend in college football, continue looking ahead to college basketball, and maybe add some MLB and NBA conjecture as well (if the Yankees clinch tomorrow night against the Angels).

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Instant Recap: UNC 27, FSU 30

...

What can you say? UNC had the game won; 24-6 in the 3rd quarter, only to let the Seminoles go on a 24-3 run to close the game. FSU QB Christian Ponder channeled his inner Johnny Unitas, going 33-40 for a career-high 395 yards and 3 TDs, and the lauded UNC defense could not stop FSU from scoring again...and again...and again.

As much as I hate knee-jerk analyses (it usually ends up in hasty remarks that you would later come to regret), I'm going to go against my better judgment and make a bold prediction here: the season is over for Carolina football.

Yes, I said it. You can all start looking forward to basketball season.

Though there are some positives to take away from this game - UNC RB Shaun Draughn had 120 yards on the ground, and the Heels had over 300 yards of total offense - there is simply no way this team can come back from an effort like this. To lose on the first-ever Thursday night game in Chapel Hill by squandering an 18-point 3rd-quarter lead accompanied by the amount of injuries on this football team is simply a killer; UNC will struggle to finish at .500 this season, and I highly doubt that this team will return to any form of postseason play this year.

Looking ahead it doesn't look any better. Virginia Tech will crush this team. Dook has a legitimate chance to beat Carolina for the second time this decade. Miami should win handily against UNC. Boston College is a better team than Carolina is at this point in time. NC State will look to continue their recent streak of dominance against the Heels, and they'll have momentum on their side playing at home. Frankly, it wouldn't be completely out of the question for UNC to go 0-5 to close out the season. Granted, I don't think it will happen, but the fact that it's not outside the realm of possibility is enough for me to declare this season a wash.

Move on, UNC football fans; it's time to look to next year for this program to once again try to live up to their "potential" or any expectations placed on them prior to the season.

And I'll leave with a thought that hadn't crossed my mind until tonight: what if what happened against FSU is as good as it ever gets in Chapel Hill?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The State of UNC Basketball

Coming off their second national championship in five years, the Tar Heels are clearly the cream of the crop in college basketball. With Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams at the helm and a storied history including the likes of Phil Ford, James Worthy, Michael Jordan, and now Tyler Hansbrough, it doesn't look like Carolina is slowing down anytime soon.

However, doubts remain about the current incarnation of the boys in Carolina blue. Gone are Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, Bobby Frasor, and Mike Copeland. Of those six, four of them have NBA futures. So how does UNC recover?

It all starts with the two seniors this year: Deon Thompson and Marcus Ginyard. For Thompson's entire career he has played in the shadow of the greatest collegiate player of the last 10 years; this year, he needs to capitalize on being the main option offensively in the post. Ginyard is coming back from a debilitating injury last season that forced him to miss all but a handful of games, but his noteworthy leadership and stellar perimeter defense will need to be complimented by some offensive output as well if this team wants to return to the Final Four.

Two other key contributors on this team are going to be Ed Davis and Larry Drew II. Davis could have gone pro after last season, but chose to stay in Chapel Hill another year to work on his offensive production. He will need to be a force in the paint opposite Thompson to be effective, and he proved that he's more than capable last season. Drew II will probably be the most scrutinized player on the floor this year; he replaces a player in Lawson who had an assist-to-turnover ration of just north of 4:1, and has little to no experience as the starter at Carolina. His development is key to this team's chances at success.

Keep an eye on the freshmen this year. The last time a class was slated to have this big of an impact was in 2006, with Hansbrough/Green/Frasor/Ginyard coming to Chapel Hill. John Henson was a consensus top-10 recruit, and his 6'10 length will be tested on the perimeter to start the season. Dexter Strickland will see key minutes at both guard positions. Leslie McDonald has a chance to be the Heels' most complete player as a freshman, and the Wear twins David and Travis will both earn playing time along the frontcourt.

The Heels also keep on reloading as well. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program, and Williams is one of the best in locating elite talent and selling the strong points of UNC. Guards Kendall Marshall and Reggie Bullock are set to join the team after this season (both are consensus top-50 players), and UNC remains in the hunt to add the services of Harrison Barnes, the #1 player in the 2010 class. The 2011 group looks strong as well with the Heels already holding commitments from in-state superstar P.J. Hairston and top-5 talent James McAdoo.

So where is the UNC basketball program headed? Well, it's hard to say, really; after winning a national championship critics think that there isn't anywhere to go but down, however the Heels seem to have great teams lined up for the foreseeable future. The answer might not be either up or down, but rather where will this program end up in terms of all-time runs? Will it rival what UCLA accomplished under John Wooden? Will it surpass Indiana and Kentucky in terms of national titles and all-time wins?

There are still a lot of variables out there that dictate how this year's team does; a perceived lack of outside shooting, proven point guard play, and potential lapses in overall offensive production could severely retard this team's goals. However, when you're playing for national championships every year, it's easy to expect excellence. This year and beyond, the Tar Heel basketball program looks to be the best in the country, and it's not hard to think that this could be the beginning of the next great college basketball dynasty.

First BCS Rankings: Reaction

So the first BCS rankings were released last Sunday. You can see them here. A few notes:

- Was there any doubt that an undefeated Florida team was going to be 1st? I mean seriously; the team throttled Oklahoma in the national championship last year, hasn't lost a game this year (albeit they have looked somewhat ho-hum in doing so), and their quarterback Tim Tebow is a god amongst men. Hell, I want to be like Tim Tebow. No surprise here.

- I will say this about Alabama - if they keep playing like they have been all year, they will win the national championship this year. Florida, despite being #1, has looked unimpressive in doing so, and Alabama has just looked unbelievably good in defeating sound opponents. If quarterback Greg McElroy can become an effective weapon in the passing game, I predict an Alabama-Texas BCS Championship game.

- Boise State is high for me. I know, I know, they have some great wins, including against an Oregon team that looks very dangerous, but a WAC team at 4th in the BCS when other teams like Cincinnati and Iowa are there just doesn't make sense to me.

- Don't sleep on the Trojans. USC plays in an underrated Pac-10 and has an outside chance of shocking everyone and making it to the BCS championship game. They're sitting pretty at 7th in the first BCS rankings.

- Since I'm admittedly an ACC homer, I'll say this about Miami: if they can win the rest of their games (completely likely given the soft schedule ahead) they will be in a BCS bowl. If Georgia Tech clinches the Coastal Division (like I think they will), then the ACC could have two BCS teams this year. How's that for surprising?

Tar Heel Football: What's To Come

Getting an early morning to talk about what is yet to come for the gridiron Tar Heels this year, and give a sneak peak of what's yet to come.

I'm going to be honest (perhaps brutally so) with you guys: this season has essentially 3 must-win games left: FSU tomorrow night, Dook at home for Homecoming, and at NC State to finish out the season. If Carolina wins those games, they will go to a bowl game. The only other game that might be considered "winnable" for the Heels on the remaining schedule is at BC, but in Boston in late November it is going to be tough to win a football game against the home team. I think 7-5 is a good estimate of where this team will finish this season given certain injuries and possible returns (most notably TE Zach Pianalto and possibly C Lowell Dyer), and Carolina becomes bowl-eligible for back-to-back seasons for the first time since Mack Brown was the head coach.

Past this season, I think Tar Heel fans still have a lot to look forward to. I know a lot of people were expecting big things from this team THIS year, but (in continuing with the honesty theme) when injuries decimate a team like they have Carolina this season, it is so hard to come back from something like that. Critics will view this as an excuse, but to be honest there is no way this team could have been as competitive as they wanted to be without a healthy offense; even if the offense was healthy enough to be in the top 50 nationally this team might still be undefeated with the defense that has been assembled on the opposite side.

Next year (and no, it's not too early to start talking next year with this team) looks very bright. UNC recently picked up their 5th offensive line commitment for this class (obviously a huge need given the attrition over the last 3 months at that position), and are in the hunt nationally for some other big-name recruits, most notably South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore and Pennsylvania defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. If either of those players commit to the Tar Heels, this recruiting class will be considered a sure-fire success. Add that to the majority of players returning healthy next season with added experience from this year, and I'm not sure that the Tar Heels don't have a legitimate shot to make some real noise in the ACC next year...and possibly win the league.

Final note about this season and next season: if the offense can find any way to consistently produce, I fully believe that team will be successful given what is on the other side of the ball. That is truly the bottom line for this UNC program; if Carolina can run the ball consistently and complete good passes down the field, even if they are 4- and 5-yard completions, I don't see any reason why this team cannot be an elite ACC football team.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Week 7 ACC Rankings

Now that every ACC team has played at least 6 games, these rankings reflect the true halfway point of the ACC footbal season. However, we can already start to see a few trends for this year: some teams (North Carolina, NC State, Florida State) were overrated at the beginning of the season, while some teams (Boston College, Miami, Virginia) might have been underrated a little bit. One thing is for certain: it's going to be very interesting to see how everyone does the second half of the season.

1. Georgia Tech (6-1, 4-1). Say what you want about Paul Johnson and his "gimmick" offense, but make no mistake about it: more than halfway through their ACC schedule, the Yellow Jackets are sitting pretty in the conference standings at 4-1. Beating VT last week is a huge boost for their BCS stock as well. Last Week: 3

2. Miami (5-1, 2-1). This team continues to be a bright spot for the league. If they can run the table (which seems likely given that the hardest part of their schedule is behind them), they could give the ACC (gasp!) a second BCS team. Last Week: 2

3. Virginia Tech (5-2, 3-1). So there's no reason why this team cannot still be a fantastic two-loss team. In fact, I would expect this team to have a legitimate shot to finish the season at 10-2 (remaining schedule: UNC, @ECU, @UMD, NCSU, and @UVA) and possibly play their way into the Chick-fil-A Bowl provided Miami does not slip up. Last Week: 1

4. Boston College (5-2, 3-2). You never know what you're going to get with BC, but one thing is for sure - Montel Harris is a legitimate star at RB. It looks as though it could be down to the Eagles and Clemson to take the ACC Atlantic Division crown - if either of them really wants it. Last Week: 5

5. Clemson (3-3, 2-2). This team has been hovering in the middle of the pack in the ACC all year, but last week they looked impressive against a surprising Wake Forest team. If the Tigers can get a big win in Miami this week, they control their destiny for Tampa Bay and the ACC Championship Game with a win over BC already. Last Week: 6

6. Virginia (3-3, 2-0). After starting the season 0-3, the Cavs have come back to actually be in position to control their own destiny in the ACC. Problem: they haven't played Georgia Tech, Miami, or Virginia Tech yet, and all of those teams are better than the Maryland team UVA saw last week. Last Week: 8

7. Wake Forest (4-3, 2-2). Big loss to Clemson last week, and it definitely puts the Deacs in a hole for any chance at an ACC title with losses to both BC and now the Tigers. However, don't sleep on coach Jim Grobe; this team still has Miami and Georgia Tech on its schedule and they could be a huge spoiler going forward this season. Last Week: 4

8. North Carolina (4-2, 0-2). Even though the Heels didn't play a game last week, they still lost two more players for the season in RBs A.J. Blue and Jamal Womble. The Heels' game against FSU this week on Thursday night is an absolute must-win for both teams. If Carolina wins they are still in the hunt for a bowl game; if not, this season is essentially over with a brutal schedule remaining. Last Week: 9

9. Dook (3-3, 1-1). Suddenly, the win over NC State doesn't look as large for the Blue Devils, who enjoyed a bye week last week. This team has some talent, and if they can put it together on both sides of the ball, they could actually become bowl eligible. Last Week: 7

10. Maryland (2-5, 1-2). Though this team lost to UVA last week, they were in a position to win until a costly late 3rd-quarter interception return for a TD. It seems as though the Terrapins are always just a little bit short in close games, and in the end that simply doesn't get the job done. Last Week: 11

11. Florida State (2-4, 0-3). With a bye week to prepare for Thursday night's game against UNC in Chapel Hill, the Seminoles are faced with an absolutely desperate situation. If they win, there is still some hope left in the season with Clemson, Wake Forest, and Maryland still on the schedule; if not, it could be the (actual) end of the Bobby Bowden era in Tallahassee. Last Week: 12

12. NC State (3-4, 0-3). Back-to-back losses by more than 20 points to conference opponents has a way of getting a team absolutely demoralized. Luckily for the Wolfpack, they have a bye this week. Otherwise, we could be talking about another soul-crushing, lopsided demolition of a team once thought to be on the verge of breaking out. Last Week: 10

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Promise of Things To Come

Hey everyone. I've been away from my computer a lot with work and everything, but I promise that there WILL be more entries shortly. Among the topics:

1. What should Tar Heel fans expect out of the football team for the rest of the season (and beyond?)
2. What should Tar Heel fans expect out of the basketball team for this year (and beyond?)
3. Reaction to the first BCS rankings of the year
4. Ranking the ACC after the past week's games
5. MLB playoff commentary (but only if I'm feeling super-ambitious...or bored)

So...lots to look forward to. Hopefully I'll get some of those posted up here shortly. Until then, everyone.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Bye Week For The Heels

Thank God for bye weeks.

This could not have come at a better time for Carolina. Between the onslaught of injuries from the start of training camp, to the offense simply not being able to execute, this team needed a break to recooperate, and understand what is yet to come this year.

The coaching staff will be using this break as a final opportunity to take a deep breath before the last half of the season, and with a daunting schedule this Carolina team will absolutely need it. Florida State comes to Chapel Hill next Thursday in the first-ever weekday game in Chapel Hill, then the Heels travel to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech a week later. Home contests against Dook and Miami follow on back-to-back weeks, and UNC closes out the season traveling to both Boston College and NC State.

There's little doubt this season has not gone as planned for the Tar Heels. Before the injuries and bad execution, there were high hopes of 10 wins (still a possibility, albeit highly unlikely), an ACC title, and possibly taking the next step under coach Butch Davis towards becoming a perennial ACC power in football. With most of those dreams dashed by the wayside and/or put on hold until next year, it's time for the coaching staff and the players to show what they are really made of. Will this team quit and finish the season in the same anemic fashion that they did last year, or will they finally show their fans that they have learned to finish not only games but seasons?

We will all find out next Thursday night in Chapel Hill against the Seminoles.

Friday, October 16, 2009

New Look Update

So after a couple of hours of fooling around, I have a new-ish look to the blog. I don't think I'm quite done tweaking it, but for right now it should be all right while I formulate a few more drastic changes. Hope you guys like it...for now, anyway.

Oh, and for all those lamenting the loss of the old picture, you can still search the blog on Google and it will come up just fine. Or I can give it to you here:



Enjoy while I go through and work on getting this blog looking a little more professional.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

New Look Coming Soon

Hey everyone. I've gotten a little frustrated with adjusting the old, tired template on here, so I'm going to try to spice up the format of the blog a little bit. If things look a little out of place, don't freak out; I'm just doing a little site maintenance.

College Basketball Preview: UNC

All right, so as everyone knows this is the time of year where everyone around Chapel Hill starts to get really excited. Late Night with Roy is coming up, and that means basketball players dressed like the Beach Boys and dancing to some ridiculous pop song, the best Roy Williams impersonation by a player, and (possibly) the return of Divine Noel and/or Martha Vineyard. Fun for the whole family, no doubt.

But what about the product on the court for the Tar Heels? After all, they lost all-everything Tyler Hansbrough, dynamic Ty Lawson, versatile Danny Green, and deadly Wayne Ellington along with valuable contributors Bobby Frasor and Mike Copeland. Who can replace that level of production?

Start with the two seniors on this team, forwards Marcus Ginyard and Deon Thompson. Both have championship experience, but they've also experienced failure and disappointment. Thompson will be the primary option in the post, alongside sophomore Ed Davis, while Ginyard will be counted on to provide stellar defense and unyielding intangibles.

With a few key contributions - I see sophomore guard Larry Drew II and junior forward Will Graves as the players with the largest burdens headed into the season - and a little luck - look out for freshmen John Henson and Dexter Strickland this year - this team could end up back in the thick of it for the ACC title...and maybe more.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Basketball Preseason Rankings: ACC

So with the college basketball season right around the corner, it's time to make a useless, completely baseless preseason ranking...I mean, a completely true, absolutely accurate preseason ranking that will be set in stone! Mark it down, these are going to stick all year!

All right, seriously; here's how I see it going into the season.

1. North Carolina. This team lost almost every important contributor from last season's national championship team, including all-time ACC great Tyler Hansbrough. However, the most important loss for this team is PG Ty Lawson, who left early to go to the NBA. Sophomore Larry Drew and true freshman Dexter Strickland will be counted on to run the all-important point guard position for the Heels, and if they can play well there is no reason this team cannot repeat as regular season ACC champions.

2. Dook. Everyone can talk about how Dook isn't Dook, and how coach Mike Krzyzewski isn't completely focused on his primary job with his secondary Olympic obligations, but the bottom line here is that even with three legitimate guards on this roster (senior Jon Scheyer, junior Nolan Smith, and freshman Andre Dawkins), this team is still one of the better teams in the league. SF/PF Kyle Singler could actually be the best player in the ACC coming into the season.

3. Clemson. Two words for this team: Trevor Booker. The return of the senior forward helps this team out tremendously; he is by far their best player and really helps them on both ends of the floor with his physicality and tenacity. However, he doesn't have to do it all by himself, and the team that coach Oliver Purnell has surrounded Booker with might be his best yet since he began at Clemson.

4. Wake Forest. They lost two big-time contributors in James Johnson and Jeff Teague, but this team has everything necessary to be competitive in the ACC. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu will be counted on to be Wake's go-to guy, and fellow big men Ty Walker, Chas McFarland, and Tony Woods will make this team very hard to defend.

5. Maryland. Say what you want about guard Greivis Vasquez, but he just might be the most complete player in the ACC headed into the season. He proved in big games that he can carry the load, and he can also distribute the ball to his teammates, especially forward Landon Milbourne who will break out this year as one of the league's best players.

6. Georgia Tech. This ranking may seem a little high for the Yellow Jackets, but with a guy like Derrick Favors, your chances to win become a lot better. He may only be a freshman, but he is already Tech's best player and will be the focal point of the opposition every time they play. And I will never underestimate a Paul Hewitt team; the man is one of the more underrated coaches in America.

7. Boston College. Guard Tyrese Rice is (finally) gone, but this team will still be dangerous. Players like Rakim Sanders, Joe Trapani, and Tyler Roche need to help replace the scoring, and one of them will also need to replace the leadership that Rice represented. With no incoming recruits, the burden falls on guard Biko Paris to step up and play well as the only option at PG for the Eagles.

8. Florida State. If you want to watch a long, athletic team this season, watch the Seminoles. They have a stud in center Solomon Alabi, and freshman guard Michael Snaer could very well be a first-team all-ACC freshman performer. Coach Leonard Hamilton has quietly been building a good team in Tallahassee, and they could take the next step this year.

9. Virginia. This team looked good at times last year, but it wasn't enough to save coach Dave Leitao's job. New head man Tony Bennett comes in and has already made an impact in Charlottesville, and he has a great player on the roster already in guard Sylven Landesberg. The Cavs might take a year two adjust under Bennett, but don't be surprised if they make a splash this year.

10. Virginia Tech. This is without a doubt junior guard Malcolm Delaney's team. Gone are scorer A.D. Vassallo and tough guy Cheick Diakite, and Delaney has to be the guy for this team if they want to stay competitive in the ACC. Forward Jeff Allen also has to continue his development if the Hokies will be a factor this year.

11. Miami. Flip a coin here between Miami and NC State for last in the ACC. I came up with Miami at 11th, and it really makes sense. Guard James Dews, along with forwards Dwayne Collins and Cyrus McGowan have big game experience and can lead this team to a few surprise wins. Coach Frank Haith will definitely have his work cut out for him this season.

12. NC State. It is quite conceivable that NC State's best player is forward Dennis Horner. If you are coach Sidney Lowe, that has to keep you awake at night. There is definitely some young talent on this roster - and some intriguing players like 7'1 Australian freshman center Jordan Vandenberg - but it could be a long year in Raleigh unless those young players step up.

Monday, October 12, 2009

College Basketball Preview: ACC

All right, everyone, it's that time of year again. The hardwood has been polished (yeah, I really did just type that...you guys are dirty), the balls inflated (all right, this is getting a little out of control)...whatever. It's college basketball season, and that means that everyone will once again be touting the ACC as the best college basketball conference in America.

They are right. This is not an opinion. This is a fact. The ACC is the best college basketball conference in America.

Consider this: of the last 10 national champions, four of them have been from the ACC (Dook in 2001, Maryland in 2002, UNC in 2005 and 2009). Between UNC and Dook, those two teams have appeared in the Final Four 32 times (the next closest conference combination is Ohio State and Indiana with 18). The ACC will be home to the college basketball program with the most wins in history once UNC passes Kentucky this season (the Tar Heels are currently four games behind the Wildcats in the win column), and has boasted great players like Michael Jordan, David Thompson, Len Bias, Ralph Sampson, Tim Duncan, and Bobby Hurley.

This year promises to be a great year for the ACC in college basketball. North Carolina is the defending regular-season champion and the defending national champion, while Dook is the defending ACC tournament champion. While both those teams will be expected to maintain their high level of play, there are high expectations for nearly every school in the league.

Wake Forest came on strong last year with a group of talented freshmen including PF Al-Farouq Aminu, and figure to be in the mix again this year with a tall and dominant frontcourt.

Georgia Tech adds arguably the #1 recruit in the country in PF Derrick Favors to the fold as they look to stir the pot.

Maryland has a sleeper for the ACC POY in PG Greivis Vasquez and looks to be a factor in the title race.

Clemson returns PF Trevor Booker and adds a talented recruiting class to a team poised to take the next step into that elite basketball stratosphere. And the list goes on...and on...and on.

Over the past few years, there have been some great stories in college basketball. Coaches like Billy Donovan, Mark Few, and Jay Wright have solidified their places in the pantheon of great college coaches. Players like Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, and Blake Griffin have wowed the crowds with their skill and ability. Programs like Indiana, Memphis, and Louisville have been rocked by scandal. But one story has remained the same:

The ACC is the best conference for college basketball in the country. And this season promises to be one of the best in recent memory.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Week 6 ACC Rankings

Almost halfway done with the college football season for a lot of teams, and the ACC picture is starting to come into focus. Here are the rankings halfway through:

1. Virginia Tech (5-1, 3-0). It's not even close; it has been made abundantly clear after the Hokies' demolition of Boston College to the tune of 48-14 that they are the best program in the league, and right now the conference's only legitimate hope for a BCS national championship contender. Last Week: 1

2. Miami (4-1, 2-1). This team has made a lot of headlines this season, and rightfully so; true sophomore QB Jacory Harris is arguably the best QB in the conference (it's between him, VT's Tyrod Taylor, and NC State's Russell Wilson) and could very well be the ACC's next Heisman winner before his career is over. Last Week: 2

3. Georgia Tech (5-1, 3-1). In a high-scoring game against FSU, the Yellow Jackets proved they can be offensively dominant even in close games. This week will be the biggest test for this team as they go up against Virginia Tech, but they do get the benefit of having the Hokies in Bobby Dodd Stadium. This will be the game to watch in the ACC this week. Last Week: 3

4. Wake Forest (4-2, 2-1). Big win for the Deacs over Maryland last week. Though the Terps haven't been great this season, they were on top of the division before playing Wake, and a win for the Demon Deacons puts them in the driver's seat in the wild ACC Atlantic Division. Last Week: 6

5. Boston College (4-2, 2-2). Even though the Eagles were humbled against Virginia Tech, they should keep in mind two things: first, VT is a juggernaut and easily the best team the Eagles will face all year, and second, they are still in the mix to win the division. Big game against NC State this week. Last Week: 4

6. Clemson (2-3, 1-2). The Tigers had a bye week last week, so their status remains mostly unchanged. RB C.J. Spiller is my pick to be ACC POY after the season, but he can't do it by himself if Clemson is going to live up to the lofty preseason expectations. Maryland is a big game this week both for Clemson's season and any shot they want at the division title. Last Week: 7

7. Dook (3-3, 1-1). Last week's win over NC State wasn't just a huge win for the Blue Devils' season, it was a statement about the direction of this entire program. If there was any doubt about where head coach David Cutcliffe was taking this program, the answer after last week is a resounding "UP". Last Week: 8

8. Virginia (2-3, 1-0). Don't look now, but the Cavs just went from ACC doormat to the second-hottest team in the league behind Virginia Tech. Indiana may not be a "quality" opponent, but UVA has been clicking on both sides of the ball for two straight weeks and could be a very tough out the rest of the season. Last Week: 11

9. North Carolina (4-2, 0-2). Carolina needed a huge win against FCS opponent Georgia Southern, and they got it by a 42-12 margin. Headed into the bye week this team needs to get healthy and get ready for arguably the most difficult second half of the season in college football: FSU, @VT, Dook, Miami, @BC, and @NCSU. Last Week: 12

10. NC State (3-3, 0-2). Suddenly the Wolfpack doesn't look as good as some (myself included) thought they did. They didn't just lose to Dook; they were flat-out embarrassed by a team they hadn't lost at home to in a quarter-century. It may be time to temper expectations for this team if they're going to continue to struggle against less-talented teams. Last Week: 5

11. Maryland (2-4, 1-1). Back to reality for Maryland. This week's loss to Wake Forest proved that the Terps were incredibly lucky to get past Clemson the week before, and once again there are whispers circling around College Park about the job security of head coach Ralph Freidgen. Last Week: 9

12. Florida State (2-4, 0-3). This season is quickly becoming a disaster for Florida State. Revered head coach Bobby Bowden is being second-guessed at every turn by almost everyone in Tallahassee, and this program seemingly has no direction and no plan for the future. They need this bye week to regroup and figure out a way to defeat North Carolina, or else this season could be over for the Seminoles. Last Week: 10

Recap: UNC 42, GSU 12

Nice comeback win for the Heels as they throttle an over-matched Georgia Southern team in a game that was never really in doubt after Carolina went up 21-7 in the second quarter. LBs Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter both had defensive touchdowns while CB Kendric Burney and LB Zach Brown tallied INTs for the Tar Heel defense, who looked incredibly motivated and hungry from the outset.

The offense also played well, and the key to that was OG Jonathon Cooper's return to the lineup. Cooper solidified what has been an injury decimated offensive line and helped the Heels rack up four rushing touchdowns on the day. Though there were some other injuries in this game for the offense (RBs A.J. Blue and Jamal Womble, as well as replacement OC Cam Holland), they executed better than in previous weeks and started to get a good rhythm.

The starters should definitely feel good about where they are headed into the bye week; a lot of those guys are replacement starters who have gained valuable experience throughout this injury-plagued season, and to be sitting at 4-2 isn't the end of the world for this team. Granted, there are some very tough tests ahead (including at Virginia Tech, which looks to be the toughest remaining game left on UNC's schedule), but if Carolina has a good bye week, gets healthy, and comes out strong against Florida State, they could be right back in the thick of things with the majority of their ACC schedule left on the table.

Sorry

Hey, everyone. Sorry I've been MIA this week; getting some things tied up and running around at work has me pretty busy. I'm writing a few more posts today to make up for my long-standing absence, so hopefully you guys can forgive me just this once. More content coming shortly...

Monday, October 5, 2009

Further Reaction to UNC-UVA

So last week's game against UVA has come and gone, and 16-3 in favor of Virginia still looks like an anomaly. I mean, here is a team that hadn't won a game, had lost to three non-BCS opponents (albeit a good team in TCU) including one FCS school, but they still are able to come into Chapel Hill and beat Carolina for the 7th time out of 8?

Here's a startling statistic for all you Carolina fans: Butch Davis is 2-6 against major UNC rivals. He was absolutely crushed by Wake Forest in 2007 and by NC State last season, and lost by 13 points to a UVA team that hadn't won a game all season before they came to Chapel Hill. Getting good recruits is nice, but what good is it if you can't win on the field?

I think it's apparent that a change needs to be made. I'm sticking with Davis because of his track record in improving the quality of talent on the roster, which is something that Carolina desperately needs and has since Carl Torbush became the coach in 1998. But there is simply no reason for offensive coordinator John Shoop to remain in Chapel Hill past this season; he was unsuccessful with the Bears and Raiders in the NFL, and he has been an uncreative flop since his arrival at UNC. If Davis and Carolina continue to be committed to the pro-style offense (which I think is the right call), then they should look at coordinators who have success with those schemes when looking for their next OC, because I can assure you that Shoop's days are numbered in Chapel Hill.

Week 5 ACC Rankings

1. Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-0). Close win against Dook, but this team still has all the goods to make it back to the BCS this season. RB Ryan Williams is a lock for ACC Newcomer of the Year. Last Week: 1

2. Miami (3-1, 2-1). 3-1 against a brutal 4-game schedule is impressive, but unless Virginia Tech stumbles in conference play, the Canes will be on the outside looking in at the Orange Bowl. Last Week: 3

3. Georgia Tech (4-1, 2-1). This team is kicking itself for losing to Miami, but they could really shake things up in the Coastal if they take care of business the next two weeks against FSU and VT. Last Week: 2

4. Boston College (4-1, 2-1). I am officially a believer in this team. It may not be pretty or flashy, but this Eagles team has quietly risen to the top of the Atlantic Division for the third year in a row. Last Week: 7

5. NC State (3-2, 0-1). The Wolfpack is back and playing great football, despite losing to Wake Forest last week. I can definitely see this team winning the Atlantic if they can get past BC. Last Week: 4

6. Wake Forest (3-2, 1-1). Big win for the Deacs against NC State. This could be a momentum maker for the season, and I will never count out a Jim Grobe-coached football team. They could surprise some people in ACC play. Last Week: 9

7. Clemson (2-3, 1-2). Tough loss last week against a Maryland team who tried to give the game away multiple times. Clemson must find a way to be more consistent or else they will underachieve yet again this year. Last Week: 5

8. Dook (2-3, 0-1). Hanging in there against the defending ACC champions deserves a little credit. Dook may not get to a bowl this year, but if they do they will look back on games like last week's and use it as a learning experience. Last Week: 10

9. Maryland (2-3, 1-0). I'm not ready to christen the Terps just yet because they beat a perennial underachiever in Clemson, but they did hold on for the win despite some key mistakes. That deserves some recognition. Last Week: 11

10. Florida State (2-3, 0-2). Severe underachievement does not begin to describe what is happening in Tallahassee right now. Despite having the talent to win the conference, this team has fallen flat since the outset and is scrambling to become bowl-eligible. Last Week: 8

11. Virginia (1-3, 1-0). Massive win for the Hoos last week against UNC. It may have been the first win of the season, but getting over that hurdle was extremely important for this team. They could turn it around and be a factor in the ACC if they play like that the rest of the year. Last Week: 12

12. North Carolina (3-2, 0-2). This will be a back-to-basics year for the Heels. While the defense is one of the best in the country, they are greatly overshadowed and undone by an offense that is among the worst in the country. This team may not become bowl-eligible unless it gets healthy - and quick. Last Week: 6

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Recap: UNC 3, UVA 16

Break out the black, Carolina fans. The hope for UNC to reach the ACC Championship Game this season is officially dead.

The Tar Heels were simply terrible against a hungry Virginia team looking for its first win, and the Cavaliers found it against an opponent who they have now defeated 7 out of the last 8 meetings. This is a cause for concern for Carolina fans, and the first real reason to criticize head coach Butch Davis since his arrival in Chapel Hill; as Carolina's head coach, Davis is a paltry 2-6 against UNC's major rivals (Virginia, Dook, NC State, and Wake Forest).

Major concerns once again lie on the offensive side of the ball. The offensive line injuries continue to impact TJ Yates (who played admirably well despite throwing two INTs) and disrupt any attempts at offensive rhythm. Those injuries were compounded even further at the end of the fourth quarter with starting left tackle Kyle Jolly going down with what appeared to be (at best) a hyper-extended right knee. Defensively, it was the same story against Georgia Tech and Connecticut this year; the defense was on the field for the majority of the afternoon, and eventually just broke under the punishing ground attack for UVA.

Unless this UNC team gets healthy in a hurry, it doesn't look good for any chances at the postseason this year. UNC plays FCS opponent Georgia Southern next week, a very talented and disciplined team who will be looking to come away from Kenan Stadium with a monstrous upset. After that comes a mercifully placed bye week, followed by a brutal back stretch of Florida State, Virginia Tech, Dook, Miami, Boston College, and NC State. If UNC goes into the bye week 4-2, gets healthy in the next two weeks, and solves some of the arrhythmia on offense, then maybe a bowl game is still within reach. If Carolina can't get healthy fast enough, this team could be in real danger of going 4-8 or 5-7 this season. With this loss, Carolina simply has no more room for error this year if they expect to go to a bowl game in December.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

GM For A Day: Carolina Panthers (Part 2)

Sorry, everyone...away from my computer all day and didn't have a chance to upload this yesterday. So you're getting it at ten after midnight on Sunday. I'm sure you'll deal with it somehow.

Here are the long-term solutions to long-standing problems:

1) Fire John Fox. It's first on the list because it's the most important. While Fox has had the best career of any head coach in Panthers history (all three of them), it's clear that his run as the Carolina head man is over. The candidates I'm looking at to become head coach: Bill Cowher (retired, former Steelers head coach), Ron Rivera (defensive coordinator, Chargers), Jon Gruden (retired, former Buccaneers head coach) and Mike Shanahan (retired, former Broncos head coach). The early favorite is Cowher for his NC connections (graduated from NC State) and his proven winning formula.

2) Draft a QB. For the last two years Carolina has gone into the draft with questions at quarterback, and for two straight years have failed to address those concerns. Now with Delhomme struggling, it's time for this position to take a front-row seat in the plans for this team. It's clear that there are some tremendous pieces in place on offense (All-Pros at RB, WR, and OT), now they just need someone they can believe in. Since the Panthers don't have a first-round pick, guys like Sam Bradford of Oklahoma or Jevan Snead of Mississippi won't be available. I would do whatever I could to get Colt McCoy of Texas.

3) Sign a top-flight free agent - at whatever position. I don't care if the Panthers sign Terrell Owens, they need to show their fan base that they are committed to winning football games. Right now, this team looks completely deflated and cannot string a sentence together, much less a winning streak. I would prefer that a good defensive tackle be signed (Richard Seymour will be available from what I hear) in addition to some OL depth and a solid young backup QB.

To go back to read Part 1: http://hailtothebrighteststarofall.blogspot.com/2009/09/gm-for-day-carolina-panthers-part-1.html