EVERY SHOT MAKES SOMEBODY HAPPY

SO, THAT’S HOW IT’S GONNA BE…

#1UNC 90, #19 CLEMSON 88 OT

Clemson University police, Clemson city police and Pickens County sheriff deputies surrounded and stopped the bus carrying the 2005 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Champions, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, as they exited the Littlejohn Coliseum parking lot after the Heels’ 90-88 OT victory last night.

The UNC players, coaches and managers were all hauled off the bus and arrested for grand larceny theft as a direct result of stealing – and we do mean STEALING – the ACC opener for both schools.

Clemson controlled much of the game with tough defense before losing a game they simply should have won. Undeterred by his brutal missed last second shot against Georgetown in the NCAA tournament, Tar Heel sophomore sharp shooter Wayne Ellington fired up the winning three pointer which kissed the bottom of the net with just .04 remaining. Ellington had 36 points on the night.

Clemson’s 6-9 double team reduced Tyler Hansbrough’s effectiveness and the rough and tumble style of play led to 11 blocked shots by Clemson with minimal foul trouble. That style, and the refs’ consistency in calling it that way, paid dividends for UNC on the final play of regulation.

Hansbrough ended up with a double/double 12/14 and made a few key plays down the stretch. Clemson’s defensive pressure only allowed the two time All-American 7 shots from the field.

Don’t be fooled, when Stepheson and Thompson aren’t in the game, UNC’s front court isn't very big by major college backetball standards. They measure 6-9 (Hansbrough), 6-5 (Ginyard) and 6-5 (Green). That’s not very big, and teams with big front courts (BYU, Clemson) are going to give UNC trouble. Clemson came at them with 6-9, 6-9 and 6-7 and it made the Tar Heels change their style a bit.

UNC’s fast paced racehorse basketball depends on out rebounding the other guy. Clemson hung with the Tar Heels only losing the rebound battle 44-43.

Clemson's tough defense was instrumental in causing UNC's 19 turnovers.

We’re sure other coaches will notice how this worked.

LITTLE PLAY THAT CHANGED THE GAME: Clemson’s Booker played great (14 points, 11 rebounds) and fouled out late. He was replaced by sophomore David Potter who added six points. Unfortunately, for the Tigers, Potter went for a game saving steal on the last play. He missed, and that gave Ellington a clear look on the winning shot.

Here’s what we learned:

1) The Heels aren’t as good without big man Alex Stepheson (in CA with ailing father) or injured Bobby Frasor. Also semi-injured point guard Quinton Thomas was awful losing the ball on three turnovers on three straight possessions. None of this was lost on Ty Lawson who appeared to be pressing most of the game. Luckily for the Heels, most of the time, his wide open style results in good plays.

2) Clemson is big, strong, fast and athletic. They can run, shoot, defend and rebound with Carolina. They should probably be ranked higher, but no doubt the national media is afraid of another regular ACC season swoon, and (like everyone) both terrified and befuddled by how bad the Tigers are from the charity stripe – 51% last night.

3) Clemson is better than they were last year with the addition of freshmen point guard Demontez Stitt and guard/forward K.C. Rivers can flat play (he had 24 points).

4)The Tigers still are lacking at crunch time – they had two shots to win as time expired in regulation,

and,

5) They are still studying that “Shaq On Free Throw Shooting” DVD.

North Carolina's Wayne Ellington (22) reacts after making the winning three pointer while Clemson's James Mays slams into the wall after trying to block the shot. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

North Carolina coach Roy Williams reacts to the officials' call during the first half. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

North Carolina's Wayne Ellington (22) shoots as Clemson's Demontez Stitt, left, tries to block the shot during the first half. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

Clemson's K.C. Rivers shoots over North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, right, and Marcus Ginyard, left, as they try to block the shot . (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

SUNDAY HOOPS

#8 DUKE 81, Cornell (Bears, 13,645 students, Ithaca, NY) 67

Passes sailed out of bounds, loose balls went unrecovered, opposing scorers had room to operate, Jon Scheyer made all kinds of crazy faces -- and Duke's players weren't discussing their mistakes with each other. No wonder the Blue Devils (No. 8 ESPN/USA Today, No. 9 AP) had the look of a team that hadn't seen the court in two weeks.

While those miscues ultimately didn't cost them against Cornell on Sunday night, it's clearly a concern for coach Mike Krzyzdlgjbns3ki's team as the Atlantic Coast Conference season approaches.

"I don't know if we're in game shape or game talk yet," Krzyzbnm4ski said. "We just weren't sharp." (We don’t know what “game talk” is, so don’t ask.)

Slow-starting Duke went on to beat Cornell 81-67 behind DeMarcus Nelson's 23 points, which matched a season high. But his big game was overshadowed by those nagging breakdowns that made the Blue Devils look sloppy.

(ABOVE) Duke's Jon “Crazy Face” Scheyer, right, defends as Cornell's Ryan Wittman (20) shoots during the second half. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

(LEFT) Duke's Jon “Crazy Face” Scheyer, left, and Cornell's Adam Gore (23) battle for a rebound during the second half of a college basketball game in Durham, N.C. No doubt, a foul was called on Gore. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

GEORGIA TECH 77, Presbyterian (Blue Hose, 1,300 students, Clinton, SC) 64

Anthony Morrow scored 16 points and freshmen Moe Miller and Gani Lawal in Georgia Tech's 77-64 victory over Presbyterian on Sunday.

The Yellow Jackets (7-6) led by 15 on Morrow's 3-pointer with 17 minutes remaining, but Presbyterian only trailed by two on Josh Johnson's 3 with 3:33 remaining. Tech answered with another 3 by Morrow, a steal and dunk by D'Andre Bell and a basket by Lawal to make it 71-62 with 1:54 left.

The Blue Hose (1-19), playing their first season in Division I before debuting next year in the Big South Conference, have lost 11 straight games, all on the road.

DUKE: MEDIA DARLINGS?

We try not to get caught up in griping about Duke, the media, ESPN, Dickie V, Crazy Faced Jon Scheyer, etc. Mind you we bring it up here and there, but we try not to whine about it. Of course, on a grand scale, we leave the serious Duke-bashing to TruthaboutDuke.com, and they do a masterful job.

Having said that, let’s take a quick look at what appears to be a national media bias toward the Blue Devils at least as it relates to photographs. Last night, Duke played women's polo and lightweight rowing powerhouse Cornell down in Durham. Shockingly unranked in hoop, the Bears lost by fifteen.

Down in Clemson, the #1 team in the country was making its regular season ACC debut against another ranked team and heated rival in the Clemson Tigers.

So, we ask you – which game is more significant and deserves the most national media coverage…Isn’t the answer obvious?

Evidently to some media outlets, it’s not.

Starting with photographs…Here’s how it works. TAH gets the overwhelming majority of its published photos from sports.yahoo.com. Thank you, Yahoo, you’re awesome. Yahoo picks them up primarily from the AP photo wire and the Getty news photo service. Point being, we don’t think Yahoo made the call about how many photographers were at each game – that is up to the assignment editors at AP and Getty.

Yahoo does, however, have control over how many pictures they post of each game. So, let’s count. Number of photos of #1 vs. #19 in a conference game = 8. Number of photos of #8 Duke vs. a non-conference weakling = 25.

Other factors? Yes, there are some such as the location of the game. Were the Duke game played in New York City or some other news media center, it would make sense that there would be more photographers and hence more photos. It wasn’t. Durham, for all its loveliness, is not a media center, nor is Clemson, SC.

ESPN uses the same photo services and their ratio was about the same (4 UNC, 11 Duke). FYI, Each had just one picture of Coach Roy and one of Coach K – both were yelling at the refs as it should be...

Now, to be fair (and believe it or not, we are occasionally accused of not being so), when we Google UNC basketball/News we get 529 stories about last night’s game, etc. The same action for Duke basketball/News generates 250 on one result and 43 more on another. A clear win for the Tar Heels.

Maybe the lighting is just nicer in ultra-modern Cameron Indoor…

(AP Photo/Gerry Broome and Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

ROBIN HOOD HEELS RECRUIT NEW THEIVES

The UNC recruiting bonanza continued last weekend in Chapel Hill where the Heels' basketball program landed two more star Class of 2009 big men, receiving verbal commitments from twins David and Travis Wear out of Mater Dei High School in California. The Wears were also considering UCLA.

The Wears both measure 6-foot-9 and have the ability to play both inside and outside as forwards. Both brothers are said to make good decisions and have the skills to flourish in Roy Williams’ up-tempo offense. Travis is ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect in the junior class by Rivals.com while David is ranked 20th. (Maybe Travis was born first?)

For UNC, this weekend’s score now gives the Tar Heels seven commitments for the future: three in the Class of 2008 (Ed Davis, Tyler Zeller and Larry Drew); three from 2009 (the Wears and John Henson); and one more from 2010 (Kendal Marshall).

PICTURES OF THE DAY

NOW PAY ATTENTION...This is a little difficult to follow.

Because we are a bit provisional and narrow minded about such things, we Americans think we are the most passionate sports fans on the planet. We get a lesson in the fallacy of this each time we check in on World Cup Soccer, the European premier leagues etc.

Of late, cricket seems to have ignited (no pun intended) some serious emotions world wide.

Evidently the Indian cricket team is touring Austrailia and over the weekend they lost a match/game/set/test to the Aussies amid some controversy.

Australian media on Monday urged captains Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble to pull their teams into line after bitter rows over racism and sportsmanship overshadowed the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. Ah, test, that's it...

Tensions boiled over in the aftermath of the hard-fought Sydney match with Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh banned by the ICC for three Tests for racially abusing Andrew Symonds, while Kumble accused Australia of "unsporting behaviour."

Indian team management said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would also lodge a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council over what they described as the "incompetent" umpiring of the Sydney Test. "The Board will appeal to the International Cricket Council to review the decision of the Match Referee and suspend its operation till the appeal is disposed of," the BCCI said."The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian."

Yes, they take their sport seriously.

According to Australian media outlets, the match will be a match remembered in infamy rather than for Australia's sensational 122-run win courtesy of three wickets in the penultimate over of the final day, equalling their record of 16 consecutive Test wins. Capiche?

Australia's cricket writers Monday condemned the conduct of the players and the performance of umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson for tainting what they said was an engrossing contest.

"It is shameful this splendid Test match, won in such a remarkable fashion by the indomitable Australians, has left such a bitter taste," The Australian's cricket columnist Mike Coward wrote.

"The standard of play often was outstanding and occasionally exceptional but the standard of player behaviour was questionable and, at times, unacceptable. And the standard of umpiring was poor."

(Above) Cricket fans place effigies of cricket umpires Steve Bucknor, left, and Mark Benson on donkeys and hold placards at a protest in reaction to the results of the second cricket test match between India and Australia. Banners in background translates as "It's not Bucknor, but a Bukasoor (a mythological evil character). For Indians he is cruel'. (AP Photo)

(Other photos by AP Photo/Mahesh kumar A and AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

CLOUDS WITH SILVER LININGS…Daniel Chopra of Sweden hits a tee shot on the 17th hole during the final round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship on at the Plantation Course January 6, 2008 in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii. Chopra won a playoff against Steve Stricker to win the tourney and its $1.1 million first prize.

Nice, Daniel, NICE!

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

SATURDAY HOOP

#3 Kansas (Jayhawks, 21,915 students, Lawrence, KS) 85, BOSTON COLLEGE 60

Obviously, BC is worried about how the NCAA tournament committee views their RPI. Why else would you make Kansas your final non-conference tune-up for a typical brutal ACC schedule?

Darnell Jackson scored 12 of his 25 points during a 33-8 run that turned a tie game into a blowout, adding nine rebounds to lead No. 3 Kansas to an 85-60 victory over Boston College.

Darrell Arthur added 22 points and seven rebounds for Kansas, which won its first 14 games for the sixth time in school history. The Jayhawks remained one of six unbeaten teams in the nation with one game left before next week's Big 12 opener against Nebraska.

Kansas' Sasha Kaun, center, blocks Boston College's Rakim Sanders, bottom, as Boston College's Tyrelle Blair, right, looks on, in the second half of a college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, in Boston. Kansas won 85-60. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

MARYLAND 76, Charlotte (49ers, 16,584 students, Charlotte, NC) 72

James Gist scored 25 points and hit the clinching free throw with 5.6 seconds left as Maryland avoided a stunning collapse by holding off Charlotte 76-72 on Saturday.

Greivis Vasquez added 17 of his 24 points in the first half for the inconsistent Terrapins (9-6), who won their third straight game since embarrassing home losses to Ohio and American, but nearly blew a 21-point second-half lead.

In their first true road game of the season, Maryland stormed to a 53-32 lead on Gist's 3-pointer with 15:31 left.

Then the Terrapins began a meltdown that nearly cost them the game. Turnovers, poor shots, foul trouble and defensive breakdowns allowed Charlotte to outscore Maryland 29-11 over the next 10 minutes.

With only one non-conference game left until starting Atlantic Coast Conference play in earnest, Maryland will face more questions after a horrible second half.

Charlotte's An'Juan Wilderness (21) puts up a shot over Maryland's Cliff Tucker (24) and Landon Milbourne (1) during the first half of a college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

NC STATE 50, Presbyterian (Blue Hose, 1,300 students, Clinton, SC) 43

Gavin Grant had 14 points and Courtney Fells added 10, helping sluggish North Carolina State put away Presbyterian 50-43 Saturday.

Grant finished with seven assists and six rebounds for the Wolfpack (10-3), whose sixth victory in a row came despite a performance coach Sidney Lowe probably would like to forget.

State trailed 20-17 at the half -- going 1-for-11 on 3-pointers against Presbyterian's 2-3 zone -- and held only a three-point lead with less than four minutes left in the game.

It was quite an effort for the first-year Division I program from tiny Clinton, S.C., one in the midst of a brutal schedule. After nearly beating an ACC oopponent on the road, Presbyterian won't have to wait long for another chance -- the Blue Hose travel to Georgia Tech on Sunday, one of 18 away games so far.

(Photo Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News-Observer)

FLORIDA STATE 81, La Salle (Explores, 4,315 students, Philadelphia, PA) 76

Uche Echefu and Ralph Mims scored 19 points each as Florida State beat La Salle (4-8) 81-76 on Saturday night.

Florida State was 20-of-20 from the free-throw line in the second half, and 30-for-32 overall. The Seminoles made 25 straight to end the game.

Echefu was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line, and Mims made 9-of-11. Echefu added seven rebounds, and an emphatic block with time winding down.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

DUDES, WHAT UP...? Wow, there are bad unis, and there are bad unis...Where to start with these two?

Portuguese riders Joao Rolo (L) and Nuno Santos pose prior to riding off to southern Marocco close to Mauritania border in symbolic start of the Dakar Rally 05 January 2008 in Lisbon, after rally director Etienne Lavigne announced the cancellation of the race. Dakar Rally chiefs insisted today that the marathon race, cancelled for the first time in its colourful 30-year history because of terrorist threats, will survive and return in 2009.

Not if they don't get rid of the white boots and the teal bikes...yuk. That teal color can only be found two other places...the seats at the Sydney Cricket Grounds and on the Bad Uni Hall of Fame threads worn by the New Orleans Hornets.

(Photos Fredercik Florin/AFP/Getty, AP Photo/Rick Rycroft and Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

EVER WONDER how they get those close up/same aspect shots of snowboarders? Now you know.

Austrian snowboarder Mone Monsberger (R) is filmed by another snowboarder (C) as he competes in the 6th Red Bull Nanshan Open snowboarding competition at the Nanshan Ski Resort on the outskirts of Beijing, 05 January 2008.

(Photo by Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

FOOTBALL? Who needs football? Tonino Benson of the United States competes during the final of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships at North Narrabeen Beach on January 6, 2008 in Sydney, Australia.

(Photo by Steve Robertson/Covered Images/ASP via Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 4

OH WELL, AT LEAST THE STADIUM WAS COOL... Helicopters fly over during the national anthem before the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins before the NFC Wild Card game at Qwest Field on January 5, 2008 in Seattle, Washington.

(Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 5

BUBBLE BURST…The Redskins couldn’t keep the Seahawks pass rush off of QB Matt Collins, and an sub par rushing performance led to 50 pass attempts. All bad for the Skins. Collins was 29 for 50 for 266 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions – both of which were returned for TDs.

Season over. Drive home safely.

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

ACC UNDEFEATED

Last night, no ACC teams played either football or basketball. Subsequently, no ACC team won a game, but, more importantly of late, none lost a game either.

IT’S NOT TO EARLY FOR 2008 REGULAR SEASON FOOTBALL

Alabama will play Clemson at the Georgia Dome on Aug. 30 in the 2008 season opener for both teams, their first meeting in 33 years.

In making the announcement Friday, Atlanta officials said the game is intended to launch a tradition of season openers at the Georgia Dome. The Alabama-Clemson game will be televised on ESPN or ABC and organized by Atlanta's Chick-fil-A Bowl staff.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl matches teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference, and bowl president Gary Stokan said the plan is to select teams from those conferences for future season-opening games at the Georgia Dome, a neutral site.

Auburn beat Clemson 23-20 in overtime in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Monday night.

Clemson will return for its second consecutive game in the Georgia Dome and will play three straight games against teams now in the SEC for the first time since 1925. Clemson closed its regular season by beating South Carolina.

The last time Clemson played Alabama was 1975, and the 56-0 rout was the Crimson Tide's 11th straight win in the series.

"Do you happen to have the score from that last game?" Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said Friday. "It's not a rivalry."

(AP Photo/John Bazemore and AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

BOWLING: IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED

(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

BEAUTY...

(Photos by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

...AND THE BEAST.

Justin Roberts, 12, of Arlington, Va., cheers before the start of the Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Desmond Reed #23 of the USC Trojans flips into the end zone in celebration of his touchdown as defensive back Justin Harrison #32 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first quarter during the Rose Bowl. The hot dog move cost the Trojans 15yards and earned Reed a tounge lashing.

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

It's not as weird as it first looks. Aquatic athletes take a moment out of their practice as they stand on a rooftop at a swimming pool adjacent to the football practice field to watch as Southern California quarterback John David Booty, in yellow, runs a pass play during a practice Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

ARE YOU KIDDIN'? The band sold out too...The Erath High School marching band from Lafayette, Louisiana performs during half-time of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Fans Jacob Thompson, 6, of Columbia, Mo., and Jack Nibert, 9, of Wichita, Kan., root for Missouri.

(Tim Sharp/Associated Press)

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

DUDE...


(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

(FED EX) ORANGE BOWL

Could of…would of…should of won the game.

The Hokies could have won the game for any number of reasons. They would have won the game if they hadn’t played most of it like they were behind by three touchdowns. They should have won the game if they simply hadn’t panicked in the third quarter down a field goal when Sean Glennon threw an unnecessary, and game breaking, interception.

The Hokies came out slinging as if they thought they couldn’t knock around the Jayhawks' defense the old fashioned way. Dance with who brung ya -- your running game and your special teams. Then wait for the defense to make a big plays which they have consistently done all year. The Hokies did just that in the third quarter, and made it a close game until the ill-fated interception.

The Jayhawks won the game with solid defense and great special teams play…Sound familiar?

The Hokies' coaches had a bad plan, and it was obvious early on when they inserted Ty Taylor after Glennon had made a first down on the opening drive. Taylor went all “deer in the headlights” and took Tech out of scoring position by giving up two sacks in a row. Not long after that, as Tech continued to "buck thier trends" and throw on first down with Taylor in the game, the unfooled Kansas defense took a pick in for a TD.

What? The kid can’t handoff? Ore, or no Ore, run the damn ball. Oh, and young Mr. Morgan, you gotta catch that touchdown pass that hits you in the hands.

Here’s Bob Davie’s take from ESPN.com this a.m. He’s a bit nicer than we are, but he makes the same points.

First off, give credit to Kansas. A lot of people questioned whether KU really deserved to be in the Orange Bowl and the Jayhawks came out and answered that. With that said, I don't think it was a particularly well-played game.

Kansas beat Virginia Tech at its own game. Kansas played great defense by creating interceptions that led to points, and it beat VT in special teams game, blocking a kick and faking a punt where the Hokies were outschemed. Kansas also recovered an onside kick and had great punting. The Jayhawks punter may have been the MVP.

I was a little bit surprised, particularly early in the game, that the Hokies came out and really threw the ball as much as they did. Maybe that was because RB Brandon Ore was suspended for the opening quarter. I'm not a big fan of alternating QBs. Tyrod Taylor has an interception returned for a TD and then VT continues to throw it. The Hokies had a hard time protecting the quarterback.

In the second half, VT really returned to Beamer Ball. The Hokies ran the ball a little better, and they had the reverse on the punt return for a touchdown, but that was just a brief spurt there. I'm surprised they didn't run the football a little bit more. Credit to the VT defense for playing well. Kansas didn't particularly win the game on offense, they won it with defense and special teams.

I think something that this game confirmed to me even more is that is really comes down to the quarterback in college football. Todd Reesing wasn't the reason KU won the game, but he's probably the reason that they had such an outstanding season. And when you look at VT, I don't think the Hokies were ever solidified all season -- or in this game -- at quarterback.

A big win for Kansas. The Jayhawks proved they belonged, but I think Virginia Tech leaves this game kicking itself because the Hokies did not give their best effort tonight. -- Bob Davie

Nice, Bob, NICE!

The TAH Highlight Of The Game goes to "Boundstalica" featuring Danny and Johnny Bounds for their scintillating performance of X-Box Rock Band during halftime! Crappy game aside, that was cool!

(Photos by Marc Serota/Getty Images and Doug Benc/Getty Images)

THURSDAY HOOP

Richmond (Spiders, 2,857 students, Richmond, VA) 52, VIRGINIA TECH 49

Just write it off as a bad night as the football team, the women’s and men’s basketball teams all literally dropped the ball in discouraging losses.

The Hokies turned the ball over 24 times and shot just 38.6 percent in a 52-49 loss to the Richmond Spiders.

How important is hoop in Blacksburg? The Virginia Tech radio network did not carry the game choosing to air an Orange Bowl pregame show on its stations instead. Perhaps they knew something?

Tech (8-6) is now 2-5 in games decided by six or fewer points.

LED ZEPPELIN ANNOUNCES U.S. TOUR

Legendary (but, mind you somewhat unattractive) reunited rock band Led Zeppelin will hold a press conference later today to announce a full U.S. tour schedule to follow up their O2 Arena show in London last month. The tour will make its American debut at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville later this spring.

“I’m truly touched and honored,” said Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, “but, where the bloody hell is Charlottesville?”

In other news, Xavier stomps the ever lovin' BRON-Y-AUR (crap) out of UVa.

Xavier (Musketeers, 4,000 students, Cincinnati, OH) 108, VIRGINIA 70

This morning Sean Singletary may be second guessing his decision last spring to stay in C’ville. The Wahoos could do nothing, and we do mean nothing, to slow down a super hot Xavier team.

The Musketeers put up 61 points IN THE FIRST HALF. Sixty-one -- that’s a big final score total in a regular season Big (L)East game!

Xavier (11-3) opened with their biggest first half in 15 years and finished with a victory that will be a measuring stick. They tied a school record by making 16 3-pointers, and had seven players in double figures for the second straight game. SEVEN. Yike.

Virginia (10-3) switched from man-to-man to zone defense, but couldn't slow an offense that hardly missed. Xavier shot 64 percent from the field – a heady number when you put up 26 treys.

Xavier guard Drew Lavender (24) shoots over Virginia guard Sean Singletary (44) in the first half. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

ACC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough and Florida State's Toney Douglas were named as Co-ACC Players of the Week, while NC State's J.J. Hickson was tabbed ACC Rookie of the Week.

In earning player of the week honors for the fourth time his season and fifth time in his career – TIME OUT: If Hansbrough was a consensus All-American as a freshmen AND as a sophomore…which means he has played approximately 20 weeks of hoop per year or 40-plus weeks of basketball in two All-America years, how can it be that during that time he was the ACC player of the week ONCE?

Ah, the little mysteries…

Anyway, we digress…Last week, Hansbrough averaged 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds as the top-ranked Tar Heels won twice. The Poplar Bluff, Mo., junior had 26 points and eight boards in Thursday's 106-70 win over Nevada and 23 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday's 90-58 victory over Valparaiso.

Douglas scored 22 points, including nine in the second half, to lead Florida State over Georgia Tech, 66-64, Sunday in the conference opener for both teams. The Jonesboro, Ga., junior had two rebounds, two assists and four steals in 39 minutes as the Seminoles won their ACC opener for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

In earning the rookie award for the second time this season, Hickson posted back-to-back "double-doubles" as the Wolfpack extended their winning streak to five in a row with a pair of non-conference wins. The Marietta, Ga., product averaged 23.0 points and 11.5 rebounds and shot .938 from the field (15-of-16) and .813 from the free throw line (13-of-16) in victories over Seton Hall and Western Carolina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0jQ8g0W7e0&eurl=http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/acc-basketball/

(Photos Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images, AP Photo/Gregory Smith, AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

WALK ON, RUN OFF

There are walk-ons, and then there are walk-ons.

Kentucky walk-on Dusty Mills got some good ink lately in ESPN The Magazine. The accounting major from Noblesville, Indiana used every ounce of his 5’8” frame to play scrappy defense which impressed the UK coaches who had invited 25 kids to tryout. When Dusty called his dad to tell him he made the team his shocked pop’s response was “Are you sure?”

During a recent Wildcat blowout of Florida International, the Rupp Arena faithful started the “We Want Dusty” chant…a staple of college hoop at its best. Dusty has seen a little time in four games for no points, no rebounds, no steals, no assists and no turnovers.

Meanwhile, down in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels also have a walk-on which prompts the question how does one tryout for, and eventually make, the best team in the country? Easy. It helps to be a 6’4” 210 lbs freshman from nearby Greensboro.

It also helps to be a gifted enough athlete to be the starting tailback on the UNC football squad. Remember Julius Peppers (multiple All-Pro defense end for the Carolina Panthers) and Ronald Curry (wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders) who both went both ways at Carolina?

Little has also played in four basketball games, with four rebounds, five points, two assists and one turnover.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED BOWLER...Who knew?

India's Sachin Tendulkar flips the ball up as he prepares to bowl to an Australian batsman at the Sydney Cricket Ground Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, in Sydney, Australia, on the first day of their second cricket test.

Australia are 376 for 7 at stumps. (But, you knew that...)

(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 2

NOTHING SAYS HAPPY NEW YEAR LIKE SKIS AND GUNS...Count us in!

Oksana Neupokoeva (2nd r) (say it three times really fast) of Russia and other athletes compete in the 4x6 km women's relay event during the Biathlon World Cup 03 January 2008 in Oberhof, eastern Germany. The team from Germany, enjoying an obvious(?) home field advantage, won the competition ahead of the teams from France (2nd) and Russia (3rd).

(Photo by Jens-Ulrich Koch/AFP/Getty Images)

PICTURE OF THE DAY 3

YOU KNOW WE LOVE A BAD UNI...Hey, look, here's two of 'em... Barcelona's Eric Abidal (r) controls the ball during a Spanish league match against Sevilla. The match between Barcelona and Sevilla will be the highlight of the Spanish Cup following the draw for the last 16.

(But, you probably already knew that too.)

Jeez, even the ball is ugly.

Those red and blue socks would make the Cat In The Hat damn proud.

(AFP/File/Lluis Gene)

WEDNESDAY HOOP

#1 NORTH CAROLINA 90, Kent State (Unlucky Anti-War Protestors, 28,810 students, Kent, OH) 61

The boys at ESPN have the 10-2 Kent State Golden Lancers on their Mid-Majors To Watch list. Subsequently, the suits in Connecticut were hoping for something other than another Tar Heel runaway win. They got half of their wish.

As has become the pattern, Kent State kept it close in the first half before the big blue UNC machine put the pedal down and blasted away in the second half in spite of an injury depleted lineup.

Tyler Hansbrough scored 25 points and Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson both had 17 points for the Tar Heels (14-0), who never trailed during their final nonconference tuneup before ACC play starts Sunday at No. 19 Clemson. The Heels also matched their longest winning streak under coach Roy Williams -- whose 2004-05 team won 14 straight on its way to the school's last national championship.

Marcus Ginyard #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels grabs a rebound. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

BOSTON COLLEGE 81, Longwood (Bongwood, 3,787 students, Farmville, VA) 52

Tyrese “Rice, Rice Baby” Rice scored 24 points and Rakim “I May Be A Chicken, But I Ain’t Scared Of No Colonel” Sanders added 14 to lead Boston College to an 81-52 win over Longwood on Wednesday night.

Corey “Orange Rob” Raji had 11 points and Tyrelle “Whatever Happened to Tony” Blair scored 10 and grabbed six rebounds for the Eagles (10-2).

WAKE FOREST 70, Presbyterian (Blue Hose [not kidding], 1,300 students, Clinton, SC) 58

MIAMI 88, Penn (Quaker Oats, 10,130 students, Philadelphia, PA) 62

Miami guard Jack McClinton, left, drives past a Penn defender during the first half of a college basketball game Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/David Adame)

MARYLAND 75, Savannah State (Whoa Savannah, I Said Whoa Savannah, I Said Yeah, Yeah, Yeah Savannah, Got To Get Back To You(s), 3,169 students, Savannah [oops, thought it was Atlanta, our bad], GA) 48

Balanced scoring and strong defense helped carry the Maryland Terrapins (8-6) to their second straight victory, a 75-48 triumph over Savannah State Wednesday night at Comcast Center.

Maryland's four primary scorers average in double figures and all reached that standard during the course of the lopsided victory. The team's two leading scorers, guard Greivis Vasquez and forward James Gist, matched each other with 13 points and six rebounds apiece.

(AP Photo/Gail Burton)

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, THERE’S MOUNTAINEERS

Underdog West Virginia won the (Tostitos) Fiesta Bowl, and then, to their credit, they immediately hired “interim” head coach Bill Stewart. A class move, and perhaps a season saving one which should salve the wounds of a national championship killing loss to a crappy rival Pitt team, and a lawsuit spiced divorce from previous head coach Rich Rodriguez...or as they call him in Morgantown, Rich Fraudriguez. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Mountaineers quarterback Pat White, who ran for 150 yards and threw for 176 and two touchdowns in the Fiesta Bowl victory, began stumping for Stewart on the field after the game.

"He deserves it," White said. "A great man. A great coach. All the players respect him and all the players love him. You couldn't ask for a better man to lead us to victory today."

Fullback Owen Schmitt, who scored on a 57-yard run, called Stewart the "glue" that kept the Mountaineers together during a rocky month.

(Running back Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs for a 65-yard touchdown past Dominique Franks #15 of the Oklahoma Sooners. Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Stewart, a New Martinsville, WV native, was head coach at VMI from 1994-96, compiling an 8-25 record. He also had stints as an assistant at Salem College, North Carolina, Marshall, William & Mary, Navy, Arizona State and Air Force. Stewart came to West Virginia as quarterbacks coach in January 2000 after two seasons as offensive coordinator in the Canadian Football League.
According to ALL the media pundits not from West Virginia, the Mountaineers had no shot against Oklahoma. The talking heads had deemed Bob Stoops’ squad as one of the very best in the land on par with Georgia, USC, Ohio State and LSU. Add to the mix the simple fact that no “interim” head coach had yet won a bowl game this go ‘round, and it looked like the boys from Morgantown were headed for disaster.

(Quarterback Patrick White #5 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs for 47-yards past Dominique Franks #15 and a bunch of other Sooners. This happened a lot. Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Not so fast.

(Speaking of not so fast, that's not a linebacker returning an interception, that's running back Owen Schmitt on a 57-yard TD rumble. Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Nobody told the Mountaineers, and now couches are burning all over the place…

Flame on, brothers!

Well done.

MOUNTAINEERS TO ACC?

C’mon, why not? More football cred, and Morgantown is closer to the Atlantic Ocean as the Hokie flies than Blacksburg.

The reasons are compelling based on the similarities between WVU and so many other ACC schools.

GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM – Just like Boston College and Virginia Tech have and Miami and Florida State used to have.

UGLY HOMETOWN – Can you say College Park, MD?

IVY – There has to be some growing somewhere on the WVU campus just like UVa, UNC, Duke and Boston College.

REDNECK REPUTATION – N.C. State and Virginia Tech have been called worse. They call them engineers, everybody else call ‘em rednecks. After all, it's not a real tailgate if a pick up isn't involved.

GANGSTER RAP – Pac Man Jones and Chris Henry can give anybody street cred when it comes to matching up with Criminal U., Criminal State at Tallahassee, Criminal State at Raleigh, Criminal Tech Blacksburg and, of course, Klimpson.

A NICKNAME THAT’S EASY TO MAKE FUN OF – So, you got your Mountainqueers, and that can run with UVa-gina, Flaming Zimas, Klimpson, Chokies, Tar Holes, Cake Forest, Semen-holes, Puke, Criminal U., Georgah Tek, blah, blah.

COMPETENT HOOPS – West Virginia went deep into the Big Dance a few years ago with a tattoo covered dude named Pittsnoggle. What’s not to like? Last year, WVU won the NIT, but they misspelled “West Virgina” on the championship tee shirt. Perfect, yes?

WINNING TRADITIONS – Granted it’s hard to top the whole couch burning thing, but the ACC does feature the full-blown riot (Maryland), bonfire jumping complete with the occasional injury (North Carolina), bench burning (Duke, before Durham outlawed outdoor fires – the yard maintenance guys appreciate the bump in business) and kidnapping (Virginia).

UGLY UNIS – First off, try polishing your helmet before the big bowl game on national television, and get WV stickers from a vendor that isn’t housed in a trailer. Of course, it possible that the Neers want their helmets to be all beat up and look like those pine tar encrusted messes the MLB guys wear. Secondly, the ugly yellow crazy striped uni is welcome to offset that dreadful white jersey with purple pants ensemble that Clemson insists on wearing.

GREAT FAN WEBSITES – Wemustignitethiscouch.com blows by Truthaboutduke.com like it’s tied to the rail.

And finally...

HOOP SHENANIGANS – There is a guy (a fan) that dances and contorts like a mad man on the basketball court during WVU games. The home crowds love this while the visitors mock it with great enthusiasm. The ACC has something very similar: Mike Krzcvbgnhledk3ski.

(Photos by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images, AP Photo/Matt York, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Got beer?

NEWS FLASH: WATER IS DANGEROUS

Virginia Tech starting senior linebacker Vince Hall remains questionable for tonight's (Fed Ex) Orange Bowl against Kansas with a bruised left knee he injured Sunday at the team beach party. Evidently, he hurt it while “playing in the ocean.”

Virginia Tech athletics spokesman Bryan Johnston said Hall was in the water when the injury occurred. Although Hall rode a personal watercraft (jet ski) at the party, he wasn't injured while riding it, Johnston said.

Head Coach Frank Beamer said Hall was not riding a jet ski when he was injured.

Team trainer Mike Goforth said Tuesday that he believed Hall banged his knee while riding a jet ski.

A team spokesman said Hall hurt himself while "just playing in the ocean."

Kansas Athletic Director Lew Perkins issued a statement denying the rumor that Hall, who was wearing a tee shirt featuring a likeness of a Big Mac, was injured while running away from Jayhawk head coach Mark Mangino.

(Mangino & Beamer - AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

THANKFULLY, THAT'S OVER WITH

If, like us, you didn't sit on your holiday induced burgeoning butt sipping beer/wine/hard liquor/moonshine/coffee/water/ Mountain Dew, while snarfing down some bratts/pizza/popcorn/leftovers/ stocking candy/black-eyed peas during an all encompassing day of sports' television, here's what you missed.

If you did spend all day yesterday in front of the tube, here's what you might have missed because of bathroom breaks, intermittent naps, brain incapable of processing information due to excessive celebration the night before or just because some member of your family had the audacity to interrupt your holiday T.V. coma to regail you with some completely useless information like "Mom/Dad, the cat is throwing up"...

It is one of the most ambitious and complicated TAH editions ever.

Enjoy.

(Don't miss the third photo and caption from the Outback Bowl.)

(Hockey photos by Harry How/Getty Images, flyover photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

(NO SPONSOR) GATOR BOWL

Texas Tech (Red Raiders, 2,851 students, Lubbock, TX) 31, #20 VIRGINIA 28

WAHOOS BLOW 14 POINT FOURTH QUARTER LEAD....ARGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!

By Adam Kilgore Washington Post

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 1 -- The football twirled inside the right upright, piercing the wind whipping over the field. Coach Al Groh calmly removed his headset, turned away and walked several paces down the Virginia sideline, as if he could make it all disappear simply by looking somewhere else.

But the final moments of the season's final game were so cruelly real and unavoidable for Groh. One of Virginia's best efforts in one of its best seasons had unraveled as improbably and as suddenly as so many of the Cavaliers' victories had materialized. After leading by two touchdowns with 3 1/2 minutes remaining on Tuesday, Virginia lost the Gator Bowl, 31-28, to Texas Tech when Alex Trlica's 41-yard field goal sailed through with two seconds left.

The kick completed a stunning ending for a team that had burnished a reputation for playing its best in the clutch. With quarterback Jameel Sewell out because of an injured knee, the Cavaliers fell apart in all three phases of the game. Texas Tech scored 14 of its final 17 points in a 21-second span, aided greatly by backup quarterback Peter Lalich fumbling inside his 5-yard line while facing instant pressure. The collective collapse prevented Virginia from winning 10 games for the second time in school history and winning a New Year's Day game for the first time.

"We had our opportunity," Groh said. "Probably, frankly, we gave the thing away."

NEW YEAR’S HOOP

#19 CLEMSON 87, Alabama (Crimson Tide, 25,580 students, Tuscaloosa, AL) 61

Clemson’s pressure defense was more than the Tide could handle leading to a runaway 87-61 Tiger win. The game was actually close into the second half before deteriorating into a mismatch.

Trevor Booker and James Mays scored 18 points each inside and Terrence Oglesby added 17 for the Tigers (12-1), who resumed their domination of the Southeastern Conference.

The result was the worst loss at Coleman Coliseum for the Crimson Tide (10-4) since a 93-60 defeat to LSU in 2000 and the most lopsided home nonconference defeat since losing by 28 to Ohio State in 1970.

Clemson's James Mays (40) goes up for a shot around Alabama defender Richard Hendrix (35) in the first half. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

LAST MINUTE STUPID...

…or maybe just unlucky, we’re not sure which.

Virginia Tech linebacker Vince Hall hurt his left knee during an outing at the beach earlier this week and is questionable for Thursday's Orange Bowl against Kansas.

"We are concerned," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. "It was a little tender (Monday). The way I understand it, it's going to be Vince's decision whether he can go or not." The injury has limited Hall's participation in practice this week.

It is the second injury this season for the player defensive coordinator Bud Foster has described as the best football player he's ever coached. Hall broke his left forearm and wrist in a victory at Clemson in November. He played on with the injury in that game, then sat out the next four.

Hall, an All-ACC linebacker last season, is second on the team with 92 tackles.

Hall dances while waiting to ride a personal watercraft during the Virginia Tech Beach party in Hollywood, FL. At some point, Hall hurt his ankle...Hmmmm. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

(ALLSTATE) SUGAR BOWL

#5 GEORGIA 41, #10 HAWAII 10

A lot of folks thought undefeated Hawaii (the new Boise State) deserved consideration for the BCS Championship Game. Some of those folks thougth Warrior QB Colt Brennan deserved more Heisman buzz beyond his cool football name.

All of them were wrong.

Georgia dismantled Hawaii.

Hawaii offensive lineman Aaron Kia (77). (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Colt Brennan #15 of the Hawai'i Warriors prays along with teammates and members of the Georgia Bulldogs after Georgia defeated Hawaii 41-10 during the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

At the risk of getting in trouble with God and my wife (a powerful combination), maybe Colt should have done this before the game?

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Georgia Bulldogs huddle up on the field prior to the start of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 1, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Kris Durham #16 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for yards after the catch. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

ROSE BOWL (PRESENTED BY CITI)

#7 USC 49, #13 ILLINOIS 17

Big 12 champ Ohio State has a date in the championship game with LSU, so that left the door open for runner-up Illinois to head off to Pasadena for a date with the Trojans.

The Illini thought it was a good idea at the time.

It wasn't.

Tight end Fred Davis #83 of the USC Trojans conducts the band after the Trojans defeated the the Illinois. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)


A lot of college football analyst think USC is currently the best team in the country.

It's hard to argue the point based on which team the media though should be photographed the most. Over 160 photos posted on Yahoo Sports alone.

Fred Davis #83 of the USC Trojans runs against the defense of Antonio Steele #40. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)



(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Quarterback John David Booty #10 of the USC Trojans passes against the defense of Illinois. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

(CAPITAL ONE) CITRUS (FORMERLY TANGERINE) BOWL

# UNRANKED MICHIGAN 41, #12 FLORIDA 35

So, the Gators go to midfield and stomp and taunt the Wolverines who started off their year losing to Appalachian State.

The boys in maze and blue were looking to win one for the Gipper in retiring coach Lloyd Carr who is beloved by all but a few powerful alums that believe Michigan should actually beat Ohio State every year.

Mix in the Heisman Curse, and just like that Michigan kicks the Gators' asses.

Plain and simple.

Any questions?
(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Head coach Lloyd Carr of the Michigan Wolverines yells toward his players during their victory. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)



Running back Mike Hart #20 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to avoid a tackle attempt by safety Major Wright #21 of the Florida Gators. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)


Safety Brandent Englemon #31 of the Michigan Wolverines defends as tight end Cornelius Ingram #7 of the Florida Gators tries to haul in a reception. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

(AT&T) COTTON BOWL (CLASSIC)

#6 MISSOURI 38, ARKANSAS 7


(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)


Missouri tailback Tony Temple (22) dances into the end zone for a touchdown against Arkansas in the third quarter in the Cotton Bowl college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

He ain't heavy, he's my tailback...and he just scored another touchdown!

Tyler Luellen #79 and Chase Daniel #10 of the Missouri Tigers carry off Tony Temple#22 after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Running back Darren McFadden #5 (no relation to Bobby) runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

(OUTBACK) HALL OF FAME BOWL

#16 TENNESSEE 21, #18 WISCONSIN 17


(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)



Arian Foster #27 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs upfield past O'Brien Schofield #50 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Now everybody is quick with the Southern stereotypes...but, look at the kid on the far right and tell us you don't hear banjo music?

(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Linebacker Nevin McKenzie #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers breaks up a pass to tight end Travis Beckum #9 of the Wisconsin Badgers. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

MAD DOGS AND GIGLIOS

Hockey?

Yes, today TAH shows hockey and snow some much deserved love.

BEST IN SNOW
by Ross McKeon, Yahoo! Sports

They pulled it off.

For once the NHL, maligned, ridiculed and demeaned so often for trying to skate outside the box, took a big swing Tuesday and made solid contact. Hit it right out of the park, in fact. Yellowstone Park.

Just think of all the ways this could have backfired. An outdoor game in Buffalo, in the dead of winter, in front of a national television audience on a day most Americans are glued to watching college football when they aren't nursing a holiday hangover.

Instead, it's the NHL that is drunk with success.

The game's biggest young star – Sidney Crosby – topped an afternoon that brought everyone back to their roots with a Hollywood-scripted shootout goal to give the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in front of 71,217 fans.

The week-old man-made rink, stretching between the 16-yard lines and built atop the football field of Ralph Wilson Stadium, served as the spectacular venue for the first NHL regular-season outdoor game in the United States. Snow fell nearly throughout, wind was tough at times, it was dark and cold, but none of that mattered. It all seemed just right for what the league was trying to promote…

More on Yahoo.sports.com

Thomas Vanek #26 (above) of the Buffalo Sabres tries to get past goaltender Ty Conklin #35 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the NHL Winter Classic. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) (Other photos by Photo by Harry How/Getty Images, Dave Sandford/Getty Images, Rick Stewart/Getty Images for the NHL and AP Photo/Don Heupel)

THE YEAR IN PICTURES

Every year the folks at Sports Illustrated put together The Year in Pictures.

We thought we'd share some. Some have already been published right here at TAH so good on us.

They are so good at what they do, we saw no earlthy reason to try and duplicate thier efforts.

Well done, SI.

All 43 photos can be seen at:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0712/year.in.pictures.2007/content.1.html

PHOTO CREDITS: Joseph Adai really can fly - Bob Rosato/SI, Camel Racing - Exra Shaw/Getty Images, Dog Challenge – AP, HelloMoto bike crash - Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images, Ice Racing – Bob Martin/SI, Steeplechase - Bob Martin/SI, Duke/UNC lacrosse - Kevin C. Cox/WireImage.com, NAIA Champs in the mud – AP, Clinton Portis upside down – AP, Sailboat - Borlenghi/SEASEE/Icon SMI, Ski jumping on LSD - Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images, NBA and sneakers - Greg Nelson/SI, Sunrise at Fair Grounds racetrack in New Orleans – AP, Surfer (Oh S#&%!!) – AP, Tiger Woods – Robert Beck/SI, Tour De Farce De Dope De Whatever – AP, UNC football - Streeter Lecka/AFP/Getty Image, Virginia Tech baseball team in April - Bob Rosato/SI, Tenn vs. UNC NCAA tourney - Bill Frakes/SI

ACC BOOWLING

As in Boo-wl-ing…As in boo-hoo, we suck.

Rough day for the ACC which went 0-3 in minor bowls to fall to 2-4 overall. Each team had a very valid EXCUSE.

CHICK-FIL-A (USED TO BE THE PEACH) BOWL
#23 Auburn 23, #15 Clemson 20 OT

EXCUSE: Regardless of the rankings, Auburn is better. Plus, they cheated by unveiling a new spread offense. Who do they think they are, Boise State?

Tommy Trott #5 of the Auburn University Tigers is tackled by Scotty Cooper #44 and Cortney Vincent #45 of the Clemson University Tigers. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

GAYLORD HOTELS (HOME VALENTINE’S CHOCOLATE SPA) MUSIC CITY BOWL
Kentucky 35, FLORIDA STATE 28

EXCUSE: The Noles head coach is 112-years-old, and they were short THREE dozen players.

Twenty-two of them were suspended for cheating which, quite frankly, should be allowed if you are an unpaid “student athlete.” That’s officially “unpaid.”

There are actually people out there that think student athletes should actually be student athletes. As John Shelton Reed said in a recent article in Southern Cultures on the Origin of Barbecue (Winter 2007), we “mention this ridiculous theory only for the sake of thoroughness.”

Drew Weatherford #11 of the Florida State Seminoles runs with the ball while pursued by Wesley Woodyard #16 of the Kentucky Wildcats. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) and (AP Photo/Bill Waugh)

ROADY'S (TRUCK STOPS) HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Fresno State 40, GEORGIA TECH 28

EXCUSE: The Jackets don’t have a coach. They fired their old one (Chan Gailey), and their new one (Paul Johnson) was watching from the press box. (No reason to start the new gig off with a loss…). Robinson’s Navy squad lost its bowl game to Utah.

Fresno State scored 27 unanswered first half points while the Georgia Tech players desperately waited for their eyes to adjust to that crazy blue astro turf field.

For the record, that would be Roady’s as in Roady’s Truck Stops. The chain has headquarters in New Plymouth, Idaho, with locations around the country. For some odd (and undisclosed) reason, the "Truck Stops" portion of the company's name was not included in the bowl title.

The company says it is the largest chain of truck stops in the nation, including the Boise Stage Stop east of Boise along Interstate 84.

Fresno State's Tom Brandstater (7) runs past Georgia Tech's Philip Wheeler (41). Evidently, that happened a lot. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)