TODAY'S ACC HEADLINES

Thursday ACC Basketball: Duke Does It Again

2012-02-17T09:24:00.001-05:00

(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

#5 DUKE 78, N.C.STATE 73 - Take heart Tar Heel Nation, at least your guys didn’t blow a 20 pontlead...

For the second time in nine days, Duke staged a remarkablecomeback to beat a neighborhood rival. This time they rallied from 20 pointsdown with 11 1/2 minutes left and topped North Carolina State.

Seth Curry scored 21 of his season-high 26 points in thesecond half and freshman Austin Rivers added 16 points on 4-of-13 shooting forthe Blue Devils (22-4, 9-2 ACC). They used late rallies of 13-0 and 20-3 toerase that huge deficit and keep pace with North Carolina and Florida Stateatop the league standings.

Lorenzo Brown scored 19 points to lead the Wolfpack (18-8,7-4), who trailed 76-73 with the ball in the final seconds with a chance toforce overtime.

But Brown missed a contested 3-pointer from the corner withabout 7 seconds left, and Curry hit two free throws with 2.2 seconds to go toseal NC State's 14th straight loss at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

#20 FLORIDA STATE 48, VIRGINIA TECH 47 - When we weren’tlooking did the Noles and the Hokies move over to the Big East? Sub-50s,really?

Michael Snaer's game-winning three-pointer with 2.6 secondsleft gave FSU an improbable 48-47 come-from-behind victory.

Until he let the game-winner go, Snaer had been having amiserable game. He picked up an early technical for mouthing off to an officialand managed only six points. He hadn’t come close on three earlier 3-pointattempts.

SNAER (Steve Cannon/AP Photo)

Florida State (18-7, 9-2) trailed 45-37 with 1:29 left inthe game, but Virginia Tech missed 5 of 6 free throw attempts over the final1:09 to leave the door open for Snaer’s heroics from the right side of thecourt.

Snaer, who had made only 3 of his 10 previous shots, hit thegame-winner from nearly the identical spot he produced similar heroics inFlorida State’s 76-73 win at Duke on Jan. 21. Ian Miller’s three from thecorner with 44 seconds left got the Seminoles within 47-45.

Virginia Tech (14-12, 3-8) had a chance to take atwo-possession lead when Jarell Eddie was fouled grabbing an offensive reboundwith 10.2 seconds left. But he began to cramp up. Robert Brown was selected totake the free throws and missed both.

Erick Green led Virginia Tech with 18 points and was nearlyfouled as he launched a last-second desperation shot that bounced off the rimas the buzzer sounded.

Miller led Florida State with 11 points and Snaer had nineto help the Seminoles, who have won nine of 10 and are tied for first in theACC with NorthCarolina and Duke.

Florida State shot 40 percent from the field.

The Hokies shot just 32.7 percent in the game and werebeaten 41-31 on the boards.

STOGLIN (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

MARYLAND 81, BOSTON COLLEGE 65 - Terrell Stoglin scored 19of his 24 points in the decisive first half, and Maryland cruised to victoryover struggling Boston College.

Stoglin went 7 for 10 from the field before halftime and putthe Terrapins in front for good by scoring 14 consecutive points over athree-minute span. The ACC scoring leader finished 5 for 8 from beyond the arcin his 18th game with at least 20 points.

Stoglin has 68 3-pointers this season, breaking the schoolrecord for a sophomore (Greivis Vasquez had 64 in 2007-08).

Maryland (15-10, 5-6) led by 19 with 13 minutes elapsed and41-27 at halftime. After Boston College scored the first six points of thesecond half, three-point plays by Nick Faust and James Padgett ignited a 9-2spree that made it 50-35.

The Eagles (8-18, 3-9) closed to 63-56 with three minutesleft but could not complete the comeback.

Quote Of The Day

2012-02-17T09:23:00.001-05:00

(Steve Cannon/AP Photo)

“In the end it had nothing to do with made field goals. It’sreal simple, you step up and make free throws and the game is over. You don’thave to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.”

- Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg after his team missedmissed 5 of 6 free throw attempts over the final 1:09 of their loss to FloridaState.

R.I.P. Gary Carter 1954-2012

2012-02-17T09:21:00.002-05:00

KEITH HERNANDEZ and GARY CARTER

Gary Carter, the effervescent Hall of Fame catcher whosesingle for the Mets in the 1986 World Series touched off one of the mostimprobable rallies in baseball, died Thursday. Carter was 57.

Carter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last May,two weeks after finishing his second season as coach at Palm Beach AtlanticUniversity. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Carter died at a hospice in theWest Palm Beach, Fla., area.

Carter played nearly two decades with the Mets, Montreal,San Francisco and the LosAngeles Dodgers. He led the Expos to their only playoff berth and was thefirst player enshrined in Cooperstown wearing an Expos cap.

To read more, clickhere.

Things That Make You Go…

2012-02-17T09:19:00.001-05:00

Hmmm...

We aren’t going toenter the debate about Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to fly New Jersey’s flagsat half-mast in honor of Whitney Houston other than to say we always thoughtthat was an “honor” reserved for those who made a great sacrifice or amassed acareer of service that benefited the state in question or all of the good oldUSA. We presume, Christie is takingpolitical cover from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett who flew the Keystone state’sflags at half-staff in honor of Joe Paterno.

We came across theblog BlackFive and liked their take on the situation and thought if worthy of ashare.

Here’s the teaser: “Can'twait for "the Situation" to pass on…”

To read more, clickhere.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

Cheaters...er...um...we mean...cyclists ride away from the mountains in the Wadi al-Awabi area, west of Muscat (but, you probably already knew that) during the third stage of the Course des Tricheurs de Oman. (Photo by Marwan Naamani/AFP/Getty Images)

Locals scramble to safety as jockey’s vie for position at the start of a camel race during the Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Camel Festival at the Shweihan Racecourse on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. (Photo by Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images)

Cameron Indoor Stadium. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Miles Plumlee #21 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a dunk against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Marcel Siem of Germany on day two of the Advantha Masters 2012 at the DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi. The 2.4 million USD event runs from February 16 to 19. (Photo by Paul Lakatos/AFP/IMG)

Former Mets manager Yogi Berra and former Mets catcher GaryCarter meet on the field for a post game ceremony after the last regular seasonbaseball game ever played in Shea Stadium on September 28, 2008 in the Flushingneighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by JimMcIsaac/Getty Images)

Former ACC Rookie Of The Year Latest To Leave Maryland

2012-02-16T08:33:00.001-05:00

(Rob Carr/Getty Images)

According to the Washington Post, Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien and two other players — offensive lineman Max Garcia and linebacker Mario Rowson — are leaving the football program.

The Terps, and new head coach Randy Edsall, part company with the 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year just three days after landing five-star wide receiver prospect Stefon Diggs of Good Counsel.

O’Brien’s departure brings the number to 12 players with eligibility remaining to leave since season’s end. In all, 24 players have left the program for various reasons since Edsall was hired in January 2011.

Among departed players, the most noteworthy is O’Brien, a third-year sophomore who garnered attention during Maryland’s 9-4 season in 2010, and because of what those close to him described as his tireless work ethic and appetite for film work. The two starting offensive tackles have also left town.

In a statement released by Maryland, Edsall said that he is “disappointed” by O’Brien’s decision to leave the program and that “Danny told me that he is not committed to our program, that he is not ‘all in.’ I want what’s best for all of our players. Danny wants a fresh start elsewhere. I wish him well.”

(Really...?)

For more on what this means over in College Park, click here.

(Editor's Note: It's tough times over in Terpville, but we believe Edsall will find success in the long-run. Everybody loved Ralph, so anybody coming in was going to negotiate stormy seas. Edsall's personality and style have made it harder for players recruited by the easy-going Fridge to adjust. Imagine Bobby Knight going to Texas Tech without the benefit of all those National Champions (not to mention sorting out a roster of 15 not 65 "student athletes.") Some kids thrive under the strong discipline systems of coaches like K, Knight or Edsall. Smart kids, parents and coaches figure out who will thrive in the system prior to accepting a scholarship, but that doesn't help those that are at a school who hires a new coach with a dramatically different style. Such is the case in College Park, look for additional fallout as those who can't function under the Edsall system depart. We surmise that the new kids coming in will be better suited to his style thus increasing the likelihood of future success.)

ACC Wednesday Night Basketball

2012-02-16T07:54:00.003-05:00

BARNES (Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

#8 NORTH CAROLINA 73, MIAMI 64 - (AP edited) - Sputtering on offense and evenly matched on the boards, No. 8 North Carolina used smothering defense to erase an eight-point deficit in the second half and beat Miami Wednesday night.

The Tar Heels (22-4, 9-2 ACC), who came in averaging 83.5 points, shot only 38 percent and went 5 for 18 from 3-point range. But they forced turnovers on four consecutive possessions in the second half to get back in the game, and held Miami without a point for nearly five minutes down the stretch.

“Defensively we can be a very good team,” said center Tyler Zeller, who was held to nine points but made three steals. “We can win games in the 50s and 60s. And when we start making shots, hopefully we can win by a bigger margin.”

North Carolina took a half-game lead over Duke and Florida State atop the league standings.

Miami (15-9, 6-5) lost to the Tar Heels for the 18th time in their 20 meetings, including two defeats this year.

Durand Scott scored 15 points for Miami, and Kenny Kadji added 13 points and seven rebounds. But Malcolm Grant’s shooting slump continued, and he finished 1 for 6 and scored three points, nine below his average.

Harrison Barnes led North Carolina with 23 points, including a trio of 3-pointers in the final 16 minutes. John Henson had 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Tar Heels, who beat Miami for the 10th time in a row.

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Zeller was held seven points below his average and shot 4 for 13. Kendall Marshall went 0 for 6, and while the Tar Heels came up with some key offensive rebounds, they edged Miami by only six on the boards.

But they outscored the Hurricanes 14-6 off turnovers.

In three of their past four wins, the Tar Heels have shot under 40 percent.

The Tar Heels sank only five 3-pointers, all in the final 16 minutes. They fell behind 44-36, then used defense to rally. The deficit matched the largest erased by North Carolina in a win this season.

Fan chants of “Aus-tin Ri-vers” down the stretch failed to rattle the Tar Heels. Rivers hit a 3-point buzzer-beater last week to cap a furious rally and help Duke beat North Carolina.

The near-capacity crowd of 7,071 was Miami’s largest at home this season. Larranaga and his players visited campus dorms Monday, passed out chicken wings and T-shirts and encouraged students to attend the game.

McKIE (WakeForestSports.com)

WAKE FOREST 59, GEORGIA TECH 50 - Travis McKie had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Tony Chennault added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Demon Deacons (12-14, 3-9 ACC), who ran off an 11-0 run in the final 6 1/2 minutes to go ahead for good in a matchup of the bottom two teams in the league standings.

Wake Forest had lost six straight games by double-digit margins, but McKie helped the Demon Deacons take control in a tight contest.

Wake Forest shot just 33 percent but came through with key baskets that twice beat the shot clock during the decisive winning run. McKie scored the first seven points of the spurt, which gave Wake Forest an eight-point lead with about 2 1/2 minutes left.

Glen Rice Jr. scored 12 points to lead the Yellow Jackets (9-16, 2-9), who shot 37.3 percent (19 of 51).

Wake Forest shot just 4-for-20 from 3-point range, but finished with a 42-32 rebounding advantage and a 17-11 edge in second-chance points.

C.J. Harris finished with just eight points for Wake Forest, snapping his run of 24 straight games with double-figure scoring totals.

The Yellow Jackets have lost eight of nine and 12 of 14 games.

Quote Of The Day

2012-02-16T07:53:00.002-05:00

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

“I really do believe we’re good shooters. We just don’t show it during the game. When we start making some shots, we’re going to be a really good team.”

- North Carolina head coach Roy Williams. Last night, North Carolina shot 37.5% in the first half and 38.9% in the second. From behind the arc, the Heels were 0 for 6 in the first stanza and 5 for 12 in the second for a combined 5-18 or 28%.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-16T07:51:00.000-05:00

Hmmm...

(AP Photo)

Here are just a few of the monikers bestowed on the odd little critter Malachy who won Best In Show the other night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in NYC: Fur-ruffled Roomba, alien footstoo, full-size Tribble, lovable lint trap, 12 lbs dust mop, Carrot Top’s head in a neutral color palette, impossible inbred spawn of wolves, animated wigstand, crotch sniffing tuffet and “The tangled hair wad in the garbage can after your girlfriend cleans her hairbrush? If that thing sprouted legs."

And the best comment from spence900 @El_Gato via Gawker: “I can't even look at that picture without hearing Fred Willard rambling about how you can wash your car with one of these.”

Picture Of The Da(l)y

2012-02-16T07:49:00.000-05:00

John Daly of USA in action during the first round of the Avantha Masters at DLF Golf and County Club on February 16, 2012 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-16T07:47:00.002-05:00

UNC’s James Michael McAdoo drives the to the hoop last night in Miami. (Photo by Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Robin Lopez of the Phoenix Suns and Chris Anderson of the Denver Nuggets battle for a loose ball at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Suns won 109-92. (Photo by Doug Pernsinger/Getty Images)

Linsanity reigns. Jerremy Lin of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings during their game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 100-85. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty)

Camels, ridden by tiny mechanical robots, race to the finish during a six kilometer race at teh 12th International Camel race in Kebd, Kuwait. Real jockeys were replaced by the robots in 2005 following a wee bit of a scandal. (Photo by Stehpanie McGehee/Reuters)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh takes a picture of fans in the row behind him during the Golden State Warriors game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena on February 15, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Tuesday Night Basketball: Valentine Upset Preps Tigers For Trip To Their Version of Basketball Death Valley

2012-02-15T08:12:00.003-05:00

YOUNG (Rainier Ehrhardt/AP Photo)

CLEMSON 60, #21 VIRGINIA 48 - Here at T.A.H., we call it the streak. Clemson is 0-55 in Chapel Hill. They have never defeated the Tar Heels in any of the various UNC Chapel Hill venues. While it might be an issue today, it wasn’t last night at the Tigers upset #21Virginia.

It was only the Wahoos' second double-digit loss of the season, but it was the Cavs' second straight defeat.

Andre Young and Tanner Smith scored 13 points each and Devin Booker had all 10 of his points in the second half as Clemson ran past the Cavaliers. Now, the Tigers (13-12, 5-6 ACC) will carry a two-game win streak into Chapel Hill, where they are 0 for forever.

T.A.H. has chronicled the first 20 games of “The Streak,” placing each game in historic context of the times. For example, when the streak started, Thomas Edison and Wyatt Earp were both still alive...We will get to games 21 through 55, later in the year.

Is this the year, the Tiger’s end the streak?

"We haven't said anything to them about it," said Clemson coach Brad Brownell, who couldn't escape a question or two about his team's upcoming challenge. "They're off tomorrow. We'll come back Thursday and formulate a plan."

BOOKER and SCOTT (Rainier Ehrhardt/AP Photo)

Brownell certainly had a good one to handle Virginia (19-6, 6-5). The ACC's second-best scoring defense stood strong throughout, forcing 18 turnovers (Virginia gives up fewer than 12 a game) off 14 steals. Virginia was held to its second fewest points this season, behind a 47-45 loss to Virginia Tech last month.

Cavaliers star Mike Scott was held to 13 points, four fewer than his average coming in while outside threat Joe Harris was ineffective trying to play with a broken left hand.

Harris came in averaging 12 points a game, but was limited to two points on 1-of-5 shooting.

Jontel Evans led the Cavaliers and tied his career high with 17 points. But Virginia wasn't the same team without a healthy Harris.

"Without Joe, we're not much of a threat from three," Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. "Those missed shots and turnovers are really crucial in a game like this."

Expanded ACC Could Take Shape Sooner Than Later

2012-02-15T08:03:00.002-05:00

(The Daily Orange)

The A(ME)CC (Atlantic Mountain East Coast Conference) may take shape sooner than anticipated...

Big East Commissioner John Marinatto says his league “might be open to a discussion” about allowing Syracuse and Pittsburgh to join the ACC for the 2013 football season.

The Big East reached a settlement with West Virginia on Monday that allows the school to become a member of the Big 12 in 2012.

The agreement upholds the Big East’s bylaws, which require a departing school to give notification 27 months before leaving. West Virginia challenged that in a lawsuit.

Syracuse, Pitt and the ACC have said they would not challenge the Big East’s rules, but would like the transition to happen as soon as possible.

Marinatto had previously said that the Big East intends to hold all three schools in the conference until 2014.

Even without Syracuse and Pitt, the Big East could have 11 football teams in 2013.

Memphis, Central Florida, SMU and Houston from Conference USA are set to join the Big East in 2013 for all sports. Boise State and San Diego State from the Mountain West are slated to join as football-only members in 2013. Navy is scheduled to join in 2015 for just football.

Picture of the Da(l)y

2012-02-15T07:58:00.001-05:00

(IMG/AFP Photo/Paul Lakatos)

Here's Big John Daly during the pro am event ahead of the Advantha Masters 2012 at the DLF Golf and Country Club in New Dehi. The 2.4 million USD event runs from February 16 to 19.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-15T07:56:00.001-05:00

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against former Tar Heel Marvin Williams of the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on February 14, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 86-78. Evidently, the Hawks no longer represent the city of Atlanta, but have now linked themselves to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Aiport (ATL). (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Johanna Schnarf of Italy takes a curve to clock the best time during the Women's World Cup Downhill, on February 15, 2012 at the Rosa Khutor Mountain Resort in Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP PHOTO)

England's cricket captain Alastair Cook (C) plays a shot as Pakistan's wicketkeeper Umar Akmal (L), and Younis Khan (R), watch during the second One Day International(ODI) match between Pakistan and England at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on February 15, 2012. England captain Alastair Cook won a second consecutive toss and decided to bat in the second day-night international against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi Stadium. Got that? (Photo by Lakruwan Wanniarachchi /AFP/Getty Images)

New NBA phenom Jeremy Lin struck again last night making a game-winning three to defeat the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

Malachy, a Pekingese, sits in the trophy after winning Best In Show at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Yeah, we'll say it...Hmmm. (Photo by Jason DeCrow/AP Photo)

ACC Players Of The Week

2012-02-14T08:41:00.001-05:00

North Carolina center Tyler Zeller, who averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds a game, earned acclaim as ACCPlayer of the Week, and Duke guard Austin Rivers, whose 29-point performance against the Tar Heels set a Blue Devil record, won Rookie of the Week for the fourth consecutive voting period.

Zeller, a 7-foot senior center from Washington, Ind., delivered 23 points and 11 rebounds against Duke and immediately followed that performance with 25 points and nine boards in a victory over nationally ranked Virginia on Saturday. He also contributed three assists and three steals.

Zeller has six double-doubles in 10 ACC games and is averaging 19 points and 10.8 rebounds in league play. The award is the first ACC weekly honor for the senior, who earlier this season became the 65th player in UNC history to score 1,000 or more career points. He is the second-leading scorer among active ACC players and a midseason candidate for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best player by the United States Basketball Writers Association.

Rivers became the fourth player in ACC history to win the conference’s rookie citation in four straight weeks. The selection upped his season’s selection total to seven; that’s good for third place in the 42-year history of the award.

In two games last week, the 6-2 freshman from Winter Park, Fla., averaged 20 points a contest on 9-for-16 3-point shooting and played 79 of a possible 80 minutes. The performances were highlighted by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the right wing that capped his own 29-point game and his team’s comeback from a 10-point deficit in the final two and a half minutes as Duke won at North Carolina 85-84 on Wednesday. The point total is the highest by any Duke freshman in the 233-game history of the series against the Tar Heels.

Three days later, Rivers had 11 points, four assists and only two turnovers in a 40-minute outing against Maryland.

No player has won the Rookie award in more than four straight weeks. The others at four are North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough, who had two separate streaks during the 2005-06 season; Dion Glover of Georgia Tech in December of 1997; and another Yellow Jacket, Kenny Anderson, in 1990.

In all, Rivers has become the third player to earn the rookie distinction seven or more times. Hansbrough and Anderson hold the record with 10.

At 15 points a game, Rivers leads Duke in scoring and would be the first Blue Devil freshman to do so since Johnny Dawkins in 1982-83.

Wahoo Harris Hurt, Game Time Decision

2012-02-14T08:08:00.000-05:00

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett says sophomore guard Joe Harris will be a game-time decision against Clemson because of a broken left hand.

Bennett said Monday during a weekly teleconference that Harris hurt the hand during Saturday’s 70-52 loss at then-No. 5 North Carolina. Harris scored eight points and played 35 minutes against the Tar Heels. He is the second-leading scorer (12.5 ppg) for No. 22 Virginia heading into Tuesday night’s game at Clemson.

The injury is not on his shooting hand and Bennett said Harris could play with protective padding.

The Cavaliers are already thin off the bench as starting center Assane Sene is expected to miss several more weeks after having ankle surgery. Forward James Johnson and guard KT Harrell transferred out of the program in December.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-14T08:06:00.004-05:00

Hmmm...

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

UNC's Reggie Bullock launches a three-point attempt in the second half against Virginia. It was the only three-point basket made by the Tar Heels who went 1-10 from the three point line.

AP Poll Shuffle

2012-02-14T08:05:00.000-05:00

(Gerry Broome/AP Photo)

Duke essentially swapped spots with North Carolina after they defeated the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill last Wednesday night.

The new AP poll has Duke at #5 following Kentucky, Syracuse, Missouri (coached by former Miami coach Frank Haith) and Kansas.

Ohio State and Michigan State (whom the Heels throttled earlier to open the season in the aircraft carrier game) hold down the #6 and #7 spots in front of Ol’ Roy’s squad that slipped to #8. Baylor and Georgetown round out the top ten.

Florida State comes in at #20 and Virginia at #22.

News Flash: Clemson Can’t Make Clutch Free Throws

2012-02-14T08:03:00.004-05:00

(Getty Images)

Although North Carolina trails the ACC in free throw percentage, Clemson has a history for throwing rocks from the charity stripe - especially late in close games. Their foul shot woes this season prompted head coach Brad Brownell to say:

“It's been some of the free throw shooting. We've actually lost four games this year where we've had free throws to tie in the last 15 seconds. Haven't been able to convert. Virginia Tech, Boston College, Maryland. Those are three games in the league that we were actually shooting free throws in under 10, 12 seconds. If we tie the game, we make them. We have a non conference game with South Carolina that was the same way….You feel a little snake bit. In all honesty, some of the kids have executed things very well to put ourselves in a position to make a play, but we haven't closed it, we haven't made the shot or made the free throws, so we've let some teams off the hook a little bit.”

Former Tar Heel Coach Joins Tampa Bay Bucs

2012-02-14T08:03:00.001-05:00

(Streetre Lecka/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Monday that former Tar Heel head football coach Butch Davis has joined their staff as a "special assistant to the head coach." Davis, according to the NFL team, will "assist and advise" first-year coach Greg Schiano "in a wide range of football aspects."

Davis will be reunited with Schiano. When he was the coach at Miami, Davis hired Schiano as the Hurricanes' defensive coordinator in 1999. In a statement released by the Buccaneers, Schiano described Davis as "a close friend and mentor."

After a tumultuous 2010 season that was marked by NCAA investigations into impermissible benefits and academic fraud, UNC fired Davis last July, just before practice was to begin.

The school owes Davis an additional $1.77 million, to be paid in three $590,000 installments. Davis is to receive the first of those payments by Jan. 15, 2013, and one each on the same date through 2015.

If he accepts a coaching position between now and Jan. 15, 2013, his buyout would be affected and he'd receive a prorated amount depending upon when he accepted a given coaching position, according to Jonathan Sasser, one of Davis' lawyers.

Sasser said Monday that Davis accepted an advisory job with the Buccaneers not because he wanted to remain eligible to receive his buyout money from UNC but because the job with the Buccaneers represented the best opportunity for him to transition back into football.

Picture of the Da(l)ya

2012-02-14T08:02:00.001-05:00

This handout picture provided by IMG and taken on February 14, 2012 shows John Daly of the US during an official practice round ahead of the Advantha Masters 2012 at the DLF Golf and Country Club in New Dehi. The 2.4 million USD event runs from February 16 to 19. (Photo by Paul Lakatos/AFP Photo/IMG)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-14T08:01:00.000-05:00

Zimbabwe's Stuart Matsikenyeri bats during the second twenty20 international match between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at Seddon Park in Hamilton on February 14, 2012. (Photo by Marty Melville/AFP PHOTO)

Internally displaced Afghan children play cricket outside their tent at a refugee camp in Kabul on February 14, 2012. Cricket has become the top sport in the war-ravaged country in the last three years after it was introduced by youths who learnt the game in refugee camps in Pakistan following the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979. Under the Taliban regime no outdoor sport was allowed and grounds were primarily used for executing political opponents who defied the hardliners. But since the ouster of the Taliban, following the war on terror led by the United States in 2001, cricket has taken root with Afghanistan winning one-day status in 2009. (Photo by Shah Marai /AFP/Getty Images)

Two Libyan youths look at a sign showing a boxer wearing the colours of the new Libyan flag standing over the defeated former leader Moamer Khadafi advertising the local boxing club in the capital Tripoli, on January 17, 2012. Boxing, considered as a "savage" sport and banned since 1979 by former Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, is making a comeback in the North African country after the strongman's ouster and death. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images)

Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers is fouled by former Tar Heel Brendan Haywood #33 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on February 13, 2012 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Keith Paladino of Lodi, N.J., second from left, works with a 15 inch Beagle as they line up in the ring for competition at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

A young Chinese skater doses off on her chair before a clinic with former US Olympic short track speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno in Bejing, China. (Photo by Diego Azubel/EPA)

Sunday ACC Basketball: Hokies Win On Last Second Shot

2012-02-13T08:20:00.002-05:00

THE GAME-WINNER (Matt Gentry/Roanoke Times/AP Photo)

VIRGINIA TECH 66, BOSTON COLLEGE 65 - When Virginia Tech's Dorian Finney-Smith saw teammate Robert Brown's 3-point attempt in the waning moments bounce off the rim and up into the air, he knew exactly what was going to take place.

"It was slow motion," Finney-Smith said. "I was like, `Oh yeah, I've got this.’ We've had a lot of close games. It feels really good to pull out one."

Dorian Finney-Smith scored 17 points, including the tip-in with 1.8 seconds left.

The game-winning shot came after Boston College's Jordan Daniels missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 26.2 seconds remaining. Virginia Tech (14-11, 3-7 ACC) had called a timeout with 10.1 seconds left, and the Hokies got the ball to Erick Green, who drove down the lane and threw it to Brown. The sophomore launched a 3-pointer at the top of the key with 4 seconds left that bounced off the rim, but Finney-Smith tipped it in to give the Hokies a one-point lead.

Boston College (8-17, 3-8) called a timeout for a final attempt. Lonnie Jackson took a long 3-pointer just inside of the halfcourt line that was off the mark, and Virginia Tech prevailed, winning for the second time in three games after losing three straight and six of seven.

LONNIE JACKSON and ERICK GREEN (Matt Gentry/AP)

"They grew up a little bit tonight," Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg said of his team. They showed they wanted to win. They showed great resiliency. They showed some toughness.”

Finney-Smith hit 7 of 10 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds to pace the Hokies, who trailed for much of the game. The freshman from Portsmouth, Va., came off the bench for just the second time this season, as Greenberg shook up his lineup following the Hokies' ugly 65-49 loss at Miami on Thursday night.

Greenberg started freshman C.J. Barksdale for the first time this season and inserted guard Dorenzo Hudson back into the starting lineup. Hudson had come off the bench the previous seven games -- with the Hokies going 2-5 in that stretch -- but he carried the Hokies down the stretch against Boston College, scoring all 11 of his points in the final 10 minutes.

Penn State Scandal Update

2012-02-13T08:15:00.001-05:00

(Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

(AP - edited) Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's requests for greater freedom of movement -- and visits from his young grandchildren -- while he awaits trial on child sex-abuse charges were taken under advisement by a judge Friday, but prosecutors countered that Sandusky's home is not a safe place for children.

Judge John Cleland set a tentative trial date of May 14 for Sandusky and promised to rule quickly on a number of other issues, including dueling requests for changes to his bail restrictions.

The attorney general's office wants Sandusky confined to the inside of his home while on house arrest awaiting trial, while the defense asked that he be allowed out occasionally to help with the case.

Defense attorney Joe Amendola's request that Sandusky, 68, be permitted to see his grandchildren drew strenuous opposition from prosecutors.

Prosecutors noted that one daughter-in-law strongly objects to increased contact between her children and Sandusky.

Amendola presented the court with letters from Sandusky's children, and notes and drawings from his grandchildren, expressing their desire for increased contact. He also noted a court-appointed guardian for grandchildren who are part of a custody dispute found no reason Sandusky couldn't see them.

Prosecutors have also requested an out-of-county jury to hear Sandusky's case, given the widespread media attention and close ties many in Centre County have to Penn State.

Cleland asked to hear directly from Sandusky about his attorney's opposition to that request.

Cleland could try to pick a local jury and see whether prosecution concerns are valid about the pervasive publicity and local ties to Penn State and The Second Mile, a charity for at-risk children that Sandusky founded, based in nearby State College.

Sandusky faces 52 criminal counts for alleged sexual misconduct involving boys over 15 years, actions that police and prosecutors say have included violent sexual assault inside the Penn State football team facilities. He has denied the allegations.

The scandal led the Penn State trustees to push out university president Graham Spanier and football coach Joe Paterno, who died last month.

Two Penn State administrators are awaiting trial on charges they lied to a grand jury investigating Sandusky and failed to properly report suspected child abuse. Gary Schultz, a former vice president, and Tim Curley, the athletic director, have both denied the allegations.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-13T08:13:00.002-05:00

Hmmm...

M.I.A. learns to ski jump...

Just kidding.

It’s really, Anette Sagen of Norway in action during the FIS Women's Ski Jumping World Cup HS95 on February 12, 2012 in Ljubno, Slovenia.

(Photo by Stanko Gruden/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-13T08:11:00.004-05:00

Zambia's national football team goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene (L) celebrates with Davis Nkausu (R) after their victory against Ivory Coast at the stade de l'amitie in Libreville on February 12, 2012, during their Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2012) final football. Zambia upset star-studded Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out to claim their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title. (Photo by Issouf Sanogo)

Phil Mickelson waits with his caddie Jim Mackay on the ninth hole on his way to winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 12, 2012 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Zambia's national team players celebrate their victory with their trophy at the end of the African Cup of Nations final between Zambia and Ivory Coast on February 12, 2012, at the Stade de l'Amitie in Libreville. Zambia. (Photo by Franck Fife/AFP Photo)

Tiger Woods lets go of his club as he hits his tee shot on the tenth hole as a gallery of fans look on during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 12, 2012 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots against Al Jefferson #25 of the Utah Jazz on February 12, 2012 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis wore gold and green throwback jerseys representing the old Memphis Tams of the American Basketball Association. The Tams were owned by Charlie Finley who also owned of the Oakland A's. Tams stood for Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi -- the three states that comprise the area around Memphis (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Fadri Casty, right, is pulled by Bergonzi as they compete in the Skijoering Grand Prix Credit Suisse during the second weekend of the White Turf races at St. Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by Arno Balzarini/EPA)

Saturday ACC Basketball

2012-02-12T11:10:00.004-05:00

ZELLER (Grant Halverston/Getty Images)

#17 FLORIDA STATE 64, MIAMI 59 - Despite being about 50 pounds lighter than his 6-foot-10, 290-pound counterpart at center, Bernard James scored 15 of his career-high-tying 18 points Saturday and No. 15/17 FSU earned a win over the visiting Hurricanes.

With the help of the Seminoles' (17-7, 8-2 ACC) guard pressure, James limited Johnson to four points. He also added six rebounds and four blocks and several second-half dunks that excited the Donald L. Tucker Center's capacity crowd.

#5 NORTH CARLOLINA 70, #20 VIRGINIA 52 - The Tar Heels bounced back by winning a slow grinding game against a good Wahoo defense, but their lack of three-point production is a big issue as various tournaments get closer.

Tyler Zeller had 25 points and Harrison Barnes added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (21-4, 8-2 ACC), who regrouped from Wednesday night's stunning loss to rival Duke on a last-second 3-pointer. North Carolina blew the game open with a 22-5 run that started early in the second half, with Zeller scoring seven points during the spurt that pushed the Tar Heels to a 15-point lead with about 6 1/2 minutes left.

The Cavaliers (19-5, 6-4) got no closer than 11 points again, with the Tar Heels avoiding any kind of repeat of blowing a double-digit lead in the final 2 1/2 minutes against the Blue Devils.

CLEMSON 78, WAKE FOREST 58 - Tanner Smith scored 15 of his 20 points in the first half as Clemson snapped a three-game losing skid with a victory over Wake Forest on Saturday at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers improved to 12-12 on the season, 4-6 in the ACC. The Demon Deacons fell to 11-14 overall, 2-9 in conference play.

MILES PLUMLEE (Sara D. Davis/AP Photo)

With the win, the Tigers earned their first win at Wake Forest since the facility's first season in 1989-90 (89-75 Clemson win). Clemson had dropped 18 consecutive games to the Deacons in Winston-Salem. Clemson also earned a regular season sweep over Wake for the first time since that same ACC championship season. In addition, Clemson coach Brad Brownell became the first Tiger mentor to win each of his first three games against Wake Forest.

#9 DUKE 73, MARYLAND 55 - Miles Plumlee had 13 points and a career-high 22 rebounds as the Blue Devils shook off a slow start to beat the Terps.

Seth Curry scored 19 points and Mason Plumlee added 16 points and 10 rebounds while big brother Miles became the first Duke player with 20 rebounds since Elton Brand in 1998.

The Blue Devils (21-4, 8-2 ACC) followed up their last-second victory over rival North Carolina with their fifth straight victory in the series. They built a 48-33 rebounding advantage but struggled to separate themselves on the scoreboard until they closed the game with a 13-2 run.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-12T11:09:00.001-05:00

Hmmm...

Somebody call the Uni Police.

(Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Like Kentucky and Florida, Duke went grey yesterday.

We blame Nike for this bad look.

(Grant Halverston/Getty Images)

Then there was Ol’ Roy’s jacket.

Alexander Julian, really?

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-12T11:06:00.003-05:00

The Cameron Crazy edition of the Smurfettes taunts a Maryland player as they inbound the ball. (Photo by Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Slovakian Tina Maze reacts after crossing the finish line during the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup women's Giant Slalom race at Soldeu Ski resort in Andorra on February 12, 2012. (Photo by Javier Soriano/AFP Photo)

Harrison Barnes #40 and Tyler Zeller #44 of the North Carolina Tar Heels watch as Akil Mitchell #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers dunks during play at the Dean Smith Center on February 11, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

NHRA top alcohol dragster driver Mike Austin crashes and flies over the wall during the Winternationals at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, CA. (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire)

Michigan State Spartan Brandon Wood passes to Branden Dawson during their 58-48 victory over Ohio State. (Photo by David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated)

Saturday ACC Basketball

2012-02-11T12:21:00.000-05:00

MIAMI @ FLORIDA STATE, 1pm, ACC Network/ESPN3

#20 VIRGINIA @ #5 NORTH CAROLINA, 2pm/ACC Network/ESPN3

CLEMSON @ WAKE FOREST, 4pm, RSN/ESPN3

MARYLAND @ #9 DUKE, 4pm, ESPN/ESPN3

Terps To Honor Graham and Rhodes

2012-02-11T12:16:00.000-05:00

By Liz Clarke/Washington Post

Maryland officials on Wednesday announced that Ernie Graham and Johnny Rhodes will become the 17th and 18th former men’s basketball players to have their jerseys honored in pregame ceremonies at Comcast Center later this month.

Graham will have his jersey raised on Feb. 16, when Maryland hosts Boston College. Rhodes’s jersey will be honored Feb. 21, when Maryland hosts Miami.

Graham’s 1,607 career points rank 13th in Maryland history, but he is most remembered for the 44 points he scored as a sophomore against North Carolina State in 1978, which still endures as a single-game school record. As a junior, he helped lead Coach Lefty Driesell’s squad to the NCAA Sweet 16, averaging more than 15 points a game while accounting for 136 assists, 230 rebounds and 43 steals.

Rhodes, the ACC’s all-time steals leader (344), played for Maryland Coach Gary Williams for four seasons (1992-96). He was a three-time all-ACC selection and had a role in helping Maryland twice reach the Sweet 16.

In addition to leading Maryland in career steals, Rhodes ranks fifth among Terrapin players in three-pointers (186), 10th in total points (1,743) and 10th in assists (437).

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-11T12:14:00.000-05:00

Hmmm...

Somebody call the logo police...

Czech Republic's Tomas Rolinek controls the puck in front of Finland's defender Mikko Kousa during the Finland vs. Czech Republic ice hockey match in the Oddset Hockey Games at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, on February 11, 2012.

(AFP Photo)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-11T12:10:00.005-05:00

Sweden Frida Hansdotter competes during the Fis Alpine Ski World Cup women's Slalom race at Soldeu Ski resort in Andorra on February 11, 2012. Austrian Marlies Schild won the race ahead of Hansdotter and Austrian Kathrin Zettel. (Javier Soriano/AFP Photo)

Look at all the happy white people! Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney (R) celebrates scoring his second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on February 11, 2012. (Photo by Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

Courtney Force, the twenty-three-year-old daughter of 15-time NHRA Funny Car National Champion John Force, with her 7,000 horsepower funny car after qualifying sixth (303.16 mph) for the NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. Force attends Cal State Fullerton where she is majoring in Communications. (Photo by PacificCoastNews.com)

Former Wake Forest star Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the game-winning shot against Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers on February 10, 2012 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

ACC Basketball: Where We Stand

2012-02-10T12:02:00.001-05:00

Subject to change...

Here are the standings for men’s basketball with a pretty fullslate of ACC games coming up this weekend.

SATURDAY

Miami @ Florida State

Virginia @ North Carolina

Clemson @ Wake Forest

Maryland @ Duke

SUNDAY

Boston College @ Virginia Tech

If the season ended today, we would predict that six ACCteams – the top six in the standings – would be invited to the NCAA tournament.

All six teams have RPI rankings that should be numerically sufficientfor invites to the Big Dance: Duke (2nd in RPI), North Carolina (8), Florida State(21), Miami (36), Virginia (42) and N.C. State (54).

Thursday Night ACC Hoops

2012-02-10T08:43:00.001-05:00

C.J. LESLIE (John Bazemore/AP Photo)

N.C. STATE 61, GEORGIA TECH 52 - C.J. Williams scored 15 points and North Carolina State avenged a loss to Georgia Tech last month, holding off the Yellow Jackets Thursday night.

The Wolfpack (18-7, 7-3 ACC) got a typically balanced scoring attack, with three other players in double figures. Kammeon Holsey had 17 points for Georgia Tech (9-15, 2-8), which couldn't overcome 32 percent shooting, including 1-for-17 from 3-point range.

The Yellow Jackets upset N.C. State 82-71 in Raleigh, giving coach Brian Gregory his first ACC win. The Wolfpack could not afford another setback like that to make a run at an NCAA tournament bid.

N.C. State forward Scott Wood finally missed a free throw, ending his ACC record streak at 66 in a row. Actually, he missed three, going 2-for-5 at the foul line.

MIAMI 65, VIRGINIA TECH 49 - Don't look now, but the Canes seem to be rounding into form under Big Dance veteran coach Jim Larranaga formerly of George Mason.

DURAND SCOTT (Carl Juste/Miami Herald)

Reggie Johnson scored 15 points as Miami defeated Virginia Tech Thursday night to follow up Sunday's win over No. 7 Duke.

The Hurricanes (15-7, 6-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) built an eight-point halftime lead and outscored Virginia Tech 10-4 in the first 4:22 of the second half. Johnson's layup with 15:38 remaining put the Hurricanes ahead, 40-26.

The Hokies (13-11, 2-7) rallied with an 8-0 run. Dorian Finney-Smith's layup off a Miami turnover with 7:58 remaining ended the run and put Virginia Tech within 47-42.

Larkin scored 14 points and Kenny Kadji finished with 11 points for Miami, which won its fifth straight.

Erick Green led Virginia Tech with 17 points and increased his double-digit scoring streak to 25 consecutive games.

Gimme Three (or Four) Steps Mister...

2012-02-10T08:31:00.001-05:00

...And you’ll never see me no more!
Tar Heel Nation is unhappy with this non-call of a travel on Set Curry before he buried a three point bomb during Duke’s furious late rally. Blue Devil fans counter with “Well, yeah, what about this uncalled foul and that uncalled foul? The Tar Heels were (fill in the blank) the whole damn game!”

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Or something like that...and, that exchange happens somewhere between somebody after every game.

Hey, it’s basketball, calls get missed. Especially inside where big bodies are banging around. But, this call was a little different.

Let’s preface this with ACC refs don’t blow calls on purpose. Any suggestion to their face that they do so would likely end in fisticuffs. And well they should.

That said, even the best refs blow calls. That’s why coaches work the officials so hard. They aren’t trying to consciously win an argument or influence a call, they are conducting subconscious warfare hoping at some point they will get the benefit of the doubt on a split second decision.

What is so different about this particular error is not that it occurred at a critical time, but that it occurred not under a crowded basket with big bodies banging around, but in the open court in full view of everybody in the building and on TV.

Also worthy of note is that it occurred directly in front of the Duke bench and the infraction was so obvious that the ESPN broadcast crew pointed it out immediately after only seeing the play in real time. On the broadcast, you can hear the boos and see the Tar Heel faithful signaling traveling to no avail, while Jay Bilas and Dickie V note the uncalled infraction.

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Finally, it was also very noticeable because this wasn’t a judgement call...it wasn’t a matter of was it a charge or a block, or did the defender touch the shooters arm or just the ball. or was the ball coming down so it was goal tending or a legit block? No, traveling is a simple non-judgement call that only requires that the official count the number of steps taken by the player.

Typically, most traveling calls in a game are called on big men, mostly forwards and centers who shuffle their feet prior to making a move requiring a dribble. A traveling call on a guard is very rare, and perhaps that is part of this equation as well.

We suppose it’s possible that none of the refs could believe a seasoned vet like Curry took four steps. Yes, four. Watch closely: He takes a step as he catches the ball, then he skips that foot forward, then he takes two more steps - that’s four. One could argue the first step didn’t count since he was making the catch, so that trims it down to just three steps.

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Interestingly, several possessions later ESPN showed the replay above...it speaks for itself.

Did it change the outcome of the ballgame? Probably not. Did Coach K’s non-stop wrangling of the refs make a difference when a critical play unfolded directly in front of him? Who knows? Did Roy Williams' indignation earn him a makeup call on the next possession? Maybe...?

In the end, all unanswerable questions. It’s all part of the game, and the play will remain a footnote to a classic rivalry game for years to come.

When’s the rematch?

Wolfpack Scores The Most Big Macs

2012-02-10T08:29:00.001-05:00

LEWIS (Michael Beswick/The Republican)

And we don’t mean in that “do you want fries with that” sort of way, but in the McDonald’s All-American basketball team where Duke and North Carolina typically dominate the hamburger helpers.

N.C. State leads the way with three All-American recruits: point guard Tyler Lewis of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), shooting guard Rodney Purvis of Upper Room Christian (Raleigh, N.C.) and small forward T.J. Warren of Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.). Kentucky and Arizona claim two selections apiece, while no other college currently has multiple recruits selected to the game.

For detailed resumes, click here.

Duke has one in shooting guard Rasheed Sulaimon and UNC has one in point guard Marcus Paige. Neither team currently has pressing needs at those particular positions.

UNC's Strickland Has Knee Surgery

2012-02-10T08:27:00.002-05:00

(via Twitter)

North Carolina junior Dexter Strickland has had surgery to repair a knee injury that will sideline him the rest of the season.

Strickland had reconstructive surgery Thursday on his torn right anterior cruciate ligament as well as damaged meniscus. Strickland was hurt on a drive to the basket in the Tar Heels' win at Virginia Tech on Jan. 19.

The school says Strickland recovery time has yet to be determined.

Strickland started the first 19 games for the fifth-ranked Tar Heels. He was the team's top perimeter defender and No. 2 ballhandler while averaging about eight points per game.

Notes From ESPN’s College Basketball Nation Blog

2012-02-10T08:24:00.006-05:00

(Bob Donnan/US Presswire)

By Myron Medcalf/ESPN: These players...and teams have changed our perceptions, expectations and projections in the middle of the season. Some for better, some for worse. The bottom line is that we have a completely different take on these players right now than we did in November.

Some of these characters even changed our minds overnight. They’ve certainly transformed our opinions.

Austin Rivers -- Before The Shot, Rivers had taken a turn toward his potential. Entering Wednesday night’s buzzer-beating victory over North Carolina (more on the Tar Heels soon), he’d averaged 16.5 ppg, shot 47.4 percent from the field and hit 39.3 percent of his 3s in his past six games. His early struggles suggested that he might not live up to the preseason buzz. The first-year combo guard is beginning to put it together at the right time. But the Blue Devils need Rivers to lead for the rest of the season.

North Carolina -- The Tar Heels were the preseason favorites to win the national title. They entered the season No. 1 on every chart that mattered. With Harrison Barnes & Co. returning for another year, the expectations for the program were grand. Their collapse over the last three minutes of their Wednesday home loss to Duke only showcased the ongoing concern about a Tar Heels squad that has four losses before mid-February. They don’t pounce on opponents or execute like past championship-caliber Tar Heels squads. The pre-NCAA tournament stakes don’t get higher than a rivalry game against the Blue Devils. And this talented group couldn’t finish. The doubts should persist.

To read more, click here.

Pictures Of The Da(l)y

2012-02-10T08:23:00.001-05:00

John Daly plays a variety of shots during the second round of the 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the Majilis Course at the Emirates Golf Club on February 10, 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Daly is -1 after two rounds and unlikely to make the cut. The current leader, Rory McIlroy is -13. (Photos by David Cannon and Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-10T07:47:00.001-05:00

Fred Couples of the USA plays his tee shot at the par 4, 8th hole during the second round of the 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the Majilis Course at the Emirates Golf Club on February 10, 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

What the hell are these people doing? According to Sports Illustrated, this is PA Flyers defensemen (whatever that is) Kimmo Timonen (not from around here) knocking the net (whatever that is, we don’t SEE any FISH?) on top of his goalie (Ehhhh?) Sergei Bobrovsky (Rooskie? Moose and squirrel?) during their game with the Toronto Maple Leafs (Leafs? Really?). Like we said, who the hell knows? (Chris Szagola/Cal Sport Media)

The Battle For Tobacco Road - Chapter 233 - Explained

2012-02-09T15:48:00.000-05:00

(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Why Duke Won:

1) The Blue Devils refused to quit when they had multiple opportunities to do so.

2) They hit three key three pointers down the stretch and outscored Carolina 42-3 from behind the arc.

3) They were a little lucky – Zeller’s tip, Kelly’s longrebound, Curry’s uncalled travel.

Why North Carolina Lost:

1) Flawed end-game strategy or execution. As we weren’t in thehuddle, we don’t know which.

2) Atypical bad plays by good players – Kendall Marshall’s rare turnover,Harrison Barnes’ needless offensive foul, Zeller’s missed free throws.

3) Key defensive error - On the switch prior to the final shot, Zeller (and we aren’tpicking on him), should have smothered Rivers and made him drive to the basketwhere Henson and Co. would be waiting. A made two-pointer would have been discouraging (to force overtime), but athree-pointer amounted to a devastating North Carolina loss.

(Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

4) They were a little unlucky. (See #3 above)

What It All Means:

1) Who cares, it’s early February. North Carolina could have had a two game lead on Duke and a one game lead on Florida State, but, in all likelihood, the roller coaster is just getting started…For now, all three are tied for first in the ACC with 7-2 records.

Both teams will live to fight another day, but they did manage to write another amazing chapter in the history of the storied rivalry.

ACC Wednesday Night Basketball

2012-02-09T08:11:00.000-05:00

THE GAME WINNER (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

#9 DUKE 85, #5 NORTH CAROLINA 84 - For the first 15 minutes of the game, it looked like #5 North Carolina couldn’t win, and for almost all of the second half it seemed like they couldn’t lose...

But, evidently, nobody told #9 Duke that...

Add another chapter to the storied Tobacco Road rivalry as last night the Tar Heels led every minute of the second half against arch rival Duke until freshman Austin Rivers three-pointer went through the net after time had expired to give the Blue Devils an improbable 85-84 win.

North Carolina’s weakness -- perimeter defense and lack of a killer instinct -- allowed Duke to take the lead for most of the first half behind seven three pointers. Carolina dominated the second half and held a double digit lead most of that period until Duke started their final run which included three more made shots from behind the arc.

Adding to the lore of the rivalry, Duke's Seth Curry made a critical three after he took three or four (depending on who was counting, and the entire ESPN broadcast crew agreed it was at least three) steps and UNC's Tyler Zeller made a basket for Duke with under 15 seconds to play. Combined with a series of bonehead plays by Carolina, Duke made the big plays when in mattered to snatch the unlikely win.

Duke outscored UNC 42 to 3 from behind the arc. Carolina was 1 for 6 on three point tries. Oddly enough, with 2:38 to play, the Tar Heels enjoyed a 10 point lead in spite of the fact that the Blue Devils had outscored them from behind the arc by 33 to 3.

The Blue Devils outscored Carolina 13-2 in the aforementioned decisive final 2:38 after the Tar Heels led 82-72. According to the Raleigh News & Observer, after Harrison Barnes gave UNC that lead, writers on press row went back to the media room to start filing their stories as the Tar Heels seemed content to hang on and escape with the win.

But Duke had a different ending in mind...

Rivers led Duke with 29 points going 6 of 10 from behind the arc. Ryan Kelly and Seth Curry each added 15 points while Mason Plumlee pulled down 14 rebounds.

Tyler Zeller had 19 points in the first half and 23 for the game while Harrison Barnes put up 19 in the second half, scoring 25 for the game. After tipping in the basket to bring Duke to within one point, Zeller then missed a free throw that allowed Rivers to win the game with a three-pointer over the seven-footer. A tough ending for Zeller who had a double/double (23 points, 12 rebounds) and two blocks.

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

As expected, the Tar Heels dominated the game inside out rebounding the Blue Devils 41to 31.

Although Carolina coach Roy Williams seemed to be imploring his team to keep up the fast tempo late in the game, they slowed the pace down to the preferred half-court game that plays to Duke’s strengths.

The book on these two teams remains the same. North Carolina has to improve on it’s perimeter defense and close out games late in the second half while Duke is tough to beat when they make three-pointers and free throws.

Both teams need to shoot better from the charity stripe -- North Carolina (70%) missed nine (including some key ones down the stretch) while the Blue Devils (65%) missed nine as well.

HARRIS (Andrew Shurtleff/AP Photo)

VIRGINIA 68, WAKE FOREST 44 - Mike Scott made all nine of his shots and scored 19 points to lead the Wahoos over the Demon Deacons.

Joe Harris added 11 points and three other players were in double figures for the Cavaliers (19-4, 6-3 ACC), who ended a six-game losing skid at the hands of the Demon Deacons.

Travis McKie scored 16 points for Wake Forest (11-13, 2-8), which has dropped five in a row and nine of its past 11. C.J. Harris scored 10.

Leading by 21 at the break after scoring the final 12 points of the half, the Cavaliers put it away by hitting their first six shots of the second period and took a 52-21 lead.

The Cavaliers dominated the opening half, shooting 70.8 percent (17 of 24) from the field and taking a 40-19 lead into the break.

Scott nailed all seven of his attempts from the floor and contributed 15 points in the first 20 minutes.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-09T08:03:00.003-05:00

DANIELS (Elise Amendola/AP Photo)

Hmmm...

BOSTON COLLEGE 64, #15 FLORIDA STATE 60 - Congratulations Seminole Nation, North Carolina pushed you right off the post-bad loss media/fan hot seat...

Boston College's Jordan Daniels scored a career-high 19 points, hitting four three-pointers as the Eagles upset a Florida State team that entered the night atop the ACC standings. BC (8-16, 3-7 ACC) had lost nine of its previous 11 and had not beaten a ranked team in three years.

But the Eagles took the lead midway through the first half by hitting six 3-pointers during a 23-3 run that turned a 13-point deficit into a seven-point lead. Daniels started it all off with a jumper, then hit back-to-back 3-pointers that cut the deficit from seven points to one.

OOPS (Elise Amendola/AP Photo)

Michael Snaer scored 16 for Florida State (16-7, 7-2). But he shot 6-for-18 from the floor and made one of seven three-point attempts.

Matt Humphrey scored 15 points and Ryan Anderson had 14 points and six rebounds for the Eagles.

Florida State, which had attained its highest ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 since 1998, entered the night tied with North Carolina atop the ACC. The Seminoles won the head-to-head matchup.

Quote Of The Day

2012-02-09T08:01:00.002-05:00

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

"They're really good and they can knock you out. And we didn't get knocked out. And as a result, we hung in there and we won the last round. I'm not sure we won the whole fight, but the last round, we did, and we won the game. But we fought the entire time. We fought a really good fight."

-- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Quote Of The Day 2

2012-02-09T07:59:00.001-05:00

SNAER (L) (Photo by Elise Amendola/AP Photo)

“Starting off the game, what we did, not respecting that team—we weren’t as focused as we should have been and that caught up with us at the end of the game. We get national recognition, and we didn’t handle it well.”

-- Florida State guard Michael Snaer Wednesday night after BC beat the Seminoles 64-60 to snap their seven-game win streak.

Quote Of The Day 3

2012-02-09T07:58:00.001-05:00

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

"We had been closing games pretty well. But we didn't tonight."

-- UNC head coach Roy Williams.

Part 2:Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-09T07:21:00.001-05:00

Hmmm....

Tiger Woods walks to his ball on the 5th green of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club shore course as waves crash in the background during practice for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

(Photo by Eric Risberg/AP)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-09T07:18:00.004-05:00

James Michael McAdoo #43 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket on Miles Plumlee #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Austin Rivers #0 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots a free throw against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Duke guard Austin Rivers (0) is mobbed by teammates after hitting a three pointer as time expired to beat UNC 85-84. (Photo by Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Fans of the North Carolina Tar Heels prepare for their game against the DukeBlue Devils at the Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Austin Rivers #0 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with teammate Quinn Cook #2 after hitting a game-winning 3 pointer to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels 85-84 during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Austin Rivers #0 of the Duke Blue Devils drives to the basket against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Duke Blue Devils celebrate after Austin Rivers #0 makes a game-winning 3 pointer as time expires to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels 85-84 at the Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Tuesday ACC Basketball

2012-02-08T10:43:00.001-05:00

(AP Photo/Anderson Independent-Mail, Mark Crammer)

MARYLAND 64, CLEMSON 62 - Terrell Stoglin scored a game-high 27 points and helped Maryland hold off a late rally by Clemson Tuesday night.

The Terrapins (14-9, 4-5 ACC) were seemingly in control, leading 53-39 with 7:55 to go, but the Tigers (11-12, 3-6) went on a 19-6 run to cut the lead to a single point on a pair of free throws by Devin Booker with 1:14 remaining.

After a Maryland timeout, Sean Mosley fed Alex Len in the post for a layup to make it 61-58 and Stoglin followed with two foul shots to put Maryland in front 63-59.

Clemson's Milton Jennings hit a 3-pointer to draw the Tigers within one once again, but after a free throw by Mosley, Andre Young's halfcourt heave at the buzzer bounced off the rim to preserve the Terrapins' first road win of the season.

Stoglin had one of his more efficient games of the year, knocking down 9 of 11 shots, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. It was the 17th 20-point game of the season for the sophomore, who also added a career-high four steals and knocked down 5 of 6 at the free-throw line.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-08T10:38:00.005-05:00

A picture taken on February 8, 2012 at Pierre de Coubertin stadium in Paris, during the Paris' WTA tournament, shows tattooed right arm of US Bethanie Mattek-Sands returning to Germany's Kristina Barrois during their first round tennis match . (Photo by Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images)

A fan holds a sign at a rally to celebrate the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory at MetLife Stadium on February 7, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants speaks to fans at a rally to celebrate the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory at MetLife Stadium on February 7, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Switzerland's Didier Cuche skis past during the first training of the Men's World Cup Downhill on February 8, 2012 in the Rosa Khutor Mountain Resort near Sochi. This Alpine world cup is a test event for the Winter Olympics Games to be held in 2014 in Sochi. (Photo by Olivier Morin/AFP)

Red Bull Racing's Australian Mark Webber drives during a Formula One training session at Jerez racetrack, on February 8, 2012 in Jerez de la Frontera. (Photo by Cristina Quicler/AFP)

Anthony Davis #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball while defended by Bradley Beal #23 of the Florida Gators during the game at Rupp Arena on February 7, 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

ACC Players Of The Week

2012-02-07T13:20:00.002-05:00

JOHNSON (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Miami center Reggie Johnson, whose low-post presence helpedthe Hurricanes to a pair of overtime victories in conference play, has beennamed ACC Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, Feb. 5.

In voting for Rookie of the Week, Duke guard Austin Riversearned acclaim for the third consecutive week and for the sixth time in 13opportunities.

Johnson, a 6-foot-10 junior from Winston-Salem, N.C., whomissed this season's first nine games while recovering from a knee injury,scored a career-high 27 points and collected 12 rebounds as the Hurricanesdefeated No. 7 Duke 78-74 on Sunday. The victory was the first for the Miamiprogram at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where it had been 0-7.

The Hurricanes lost a 16-point second-half lead but regroupedbehind the play of their center, whose field goal with 3:19 left opened thescoring in overtime and put Miami ahead to stay. Johnson later grabbed anoffensive rebound, drew a foul and made both free throws to make it a 73-69game. Earlier in the week, the Hurricanes earned a 90-86, double-OT win overMaryland as Johnson contributed 13 points and five rebounds.

Miami becomes the first ACC team to win back-to-back gamesin league play and in overtime since Georgia Tech defeated Duke 73-71 on Feb.7, 1996 and earned a 92-83 victory over North Carolina three days later.

Rivers, a 6-4 freshman from Winter Park, Fla., delivered 20points and a career-high nine rebounds while committing only two turnovers in43 minutes against the Hurricanes. That performance followed a 4-for-6 shootingeffort from the 3-point line in the Blue Devils' win at Virginia Tech on Feb.2. For the week, Rivers averaged 19 points a game and was charged with fourturnovers in 78 minutes of play.

In the previous 41 years of Rookie of the Week honors, onlytwo players, 10-time winners Kenny Anderson of Georgia Tech in 1990 and TylerHansbrough of North Carolina in 2006, have been cited more than six times.Rivers ties the Duke record for rookie honors held by Luol Deng, a six-timehonoree in 2003-04.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-07T13:18:00.003-05:00

Hmmm...

Just sayin...

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-07T13:16:00.000-05:00

In this handout image provided by Disney Parks, Super Bowl XLVI MVP and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning takes a celebratory ride with Mickey Mouse on February 6, 2012 at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Disney Parks via Getty Images)

A fan tries to tackle league MVP Kyle DeHaven #1 of the Baltimore Charm during a halftime promotion at the Lingerie Football League's Lingerie Bowl IX between the Los Angeles Temptation and the Philadelphia Passion at the Orleans Arena February 5, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 28-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)

Andy Goode of Worcester crashes into Lloyd Peers of Ospreys during the LV= Cup match between Worcester Warriors and Ospreys at Sixways Stadium on February 4, 2012 in Worcester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images Europe)

New England Patriots fan Suzanne Roy cries after thePatriots lost the Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts.The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in a 21 to 17 fourth-quartervictory. (Photo by Kayana Szymczak/Getty Images North America)

Down Goes Duke…Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That…

2012-02-06T12:59:00.003-05:00

KENNY KADJ AND REGGIE JOHNSON (Chuck Liddy/News & Observer)

Tar Heel Nation celebrated yesterday as they preppedfor the Super Bowl when they learned that Miami had upset Duke. Then they realized the now-very angry Coach Kand his boys were headed to Chapel Hill on Wednesday night…

Reggie Johnson scored five of his career-high 27 points inovertime and Kenny Kadji added 15 points for the Hurricanes (14-7, 5-3 ACC),who blew a 16-point lead in the second half, then regrouped to claim theirfirst victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium and just their second win over Dukesince joining the ACC.

Seth Curry scored 22 points and freshman Austin Rivers added20 for the Blue Devils (19-4, 6-2), who missed all six of their free throws inovertime and were beaten by a Florida-based conference rival for the secondtime this season.

The book on Duke remains the same…if they shoot well theywin. Yesterday they were 9-31 from beyond the arc, and oddly they missed 9 freethrows…all of them in overtime.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-06T12:58:00.002-05:00

Good morning, Santa Monica. (Photo by G. Petty/T.A.H. Worldwide Media LLC)

Way to go, G-Men, way to go…Mario Manningham adds a chapterto the book aptly titled “Gigantic Super Bowl Game Changing Plays” last nightin Superbowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy. (Photo by Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated)

Super Bowl sunset at Venice Beach, CA. (Photo by G. Petty/T.A.H. Worldwide Media LLC)

Saturday ACC Basketball

2012-02-05T13:04:00.003-05:00

BARNES (Nick Wass/AP Photo)

#5 NORTH CAROLINA 83, MARYLAND 74 – Harrison Barnes’ callingcard last season eventually was his late game impact and Saturday the talented sophomoreagain stepped up late in the game to help UNC secure a tough road win inCollege Park.

Tyler Zeller scored22 points, John Henson had 17 points and 12 rebounds while Kendall Marshall registered16 assists.

The Tar Heels (20-3, 7-1 ACC) got all they could handle fromthe upstart Terrapins, who didn't lead over the final nine minutes but neverlet North Carolina get comfortable down the stretch.

Barnes, who sprained his left ankle Tuesday against WakeForest, scored 18 points on 5-for-15 shooting. He started slowly but wasinstrumental after Zeller picked up his fourth foul with 11:44 to go.

#21 FLORIDA STATE 58, #16 VIRGINIA 55 – Hey, don’t look nowbut football school Florida State is pretty good and folks in and around Tallahassee are beginning to takenotice. A capacity crowd at the DonaldL. Tucker got exactly what it expected Saturday afternoon from Virginia and FloridaState in a game that ended with an FSU victory.

The ACC's two best defensive teams combined to force 39turnovers - 19 by the Seminoles and 20 by the Cavaliers - and the game neededevery bit of its 40 minutes to determine a winner.

(Phil Sears/AP Photo)

When the final buzzer did sound, the Noles emergedvictorious thanks to their ability to withstand a second-half rally that haderased a 13-point Florida State (16-6, 7-1 ACC) lead. By beating Virginia(18-4, 5-3), FSU not only upset another top-20 opponent but it extended itsschool-record streak of conference victories to seven.

N.C. STATE 87, WAKE FOREST 76 – Scott Wood scored aseason-high 23 points on a stellar 6-of-10 shooting performance fromthree-point range, launched NC (State to a win and a season sweep of Wake ForestSaturday at the RBC Center.

"Scott Wood was pretty good in just about everyfacet," said NC State head coach Mark Gottfried. "He defended well,gave up a couple of looks here and there, but mostly it was great to see himget in the groove where everybody in the gym started to think that every shothe took was going in."

The Wolfpack boasted four double-digit scorers, highlightedby Wood. C.J. Williams and C.J. Leslie each poured in 18, Williams on 8-of-13shooting and Leslie on 6-of-13 including 5-of-7 from the line. Leslie bouncedback in a big way after being held scoreless in the Pack's first meeting withWake.

GEORGIA TECH 51, BOSTON COLLEGE 47 – Glen Rice Jr. scoredthree points in the final minute, Brandon Reed hit a pair of free throws in theclosing seconds and Georgia Tech snapped a six-game losing streak with avictory over BC on Saturday.

(Matt Gentry/Roanoke Times/AP)

In a matchup of two struggling teams, Rice finished with 11points and Kammeon Holsey and Daniel Miller each added 10 for the YellowJackets (9-14, 2-7 ACC).

Matt Humphrey scored 15 points and Lonnie Jackson had 10 forthe Eagles (7-16, 2-7 ACC), who have dropped six straight and nine of 11.

VIRGINIA TECH 67, CLEMSON 65 – Virginia Tech's Jarell Eddiescored 15 points, and the Hokies withstood a furious Clemson rally down thestretch, holding off the Tigers Saturday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum.

With the win, Tech moved to 13-10 overall, 2-6 in the ACC. Clemsonfell to 11-11, 3-5 in league play.

Tech seemed to have the game in control, leading 64-50following a Dorian Finney-Smith 3-pointer from the corner with 5:57 remaining.But the Tigers used pressure defense to get back in the game, going on a 15-3run and cutting the Tech lead to 67-65 on a jumper by Tanner Smith with 27seconds left in the game.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-05T13:02:00.000-05:00

Peter Hutchinson riding Big Buddie win the Shadwell Stud Australia Stakes during the Shadwell Stud Austalasia Race day at Caufield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Steve “USS” Cunningham takes a heavy punch from Pablo Hernandez of Cuba during their IBF Cruiserweight Word Championship rematch in Franfurt, Germany. Not surprisingly, Hernandez won. (Photo by Kai Pfaffenback/Reuters)

The T.A.H. editorial staff is doing some “research” in Southern California. We will be back to full speed on Wednesday. This is the view from the balcony of our temporary headquarters at the Mondrian Hotel in L.A. which doesn’t, for the record, suck. Currently, no smog in the City of Angels, a new experience for T.A.H. (Photo by GP/T.A.H. Worldwide Media LLC)

A composite photo shows the competitors bracing for bitter cold conditions during practice for the World Cup Downhill in Garmisch, Germany. (Photo by Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters)

And the gloves are off! Keith Ballard of the Vancouver Canukcs and Todd Bertuzzi of the Detroit Red Wings demonstrate their undying love for one another during a recent game at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images

Lee Eun-Byul, in focus, of South Korea navigates the turn during the 1500m World Cup Short Track in Moscow. (Photo by Jiang Kehong/Xinhua/ZUMA)

Yulia Galysheva, from Kazakhstan, flips during the World Cup mogulscompetition at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Jim Urquhart/AP)

Thursday Night ACC Basketball

2012-02-03T07:55:00.001-05:00

RIVERS (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

#7 DUKE 75, VIRGINIA TECH 60 - Evidently, Coach K wasn’t pleased with his team’s seven point win over 10-12 St. John’s last weekend. This we he made changes to the starting lineup, endorsed a team ban on social media and took a to Blacksburg.

It looked to have paid off as the Blue Devils put together one of their more complete performances in their victory on Thursday night.

Austin Rivers led the Blue Devils with 18 points and added five assists and five rebounds, and the Blue Devils used a 13-2 burst late in the first half to open a double-digit lead they never relinquished.

Two hard practices before the trip to Cassell Coliseum helped Duke find its focus and maintain it throughout. Blue Devil Ryan Kelly said the move away from social media was a team decision, and coach Mike Krzyzewski said it’s a mature one that could pay dividends.

“They just decided that instead of a twitter family or whatever, it’s better to concentrate on our family,” he said. “It’s for the next couple of months and then they’ll have a lot to tweet about. Hopefully, they will.”

Krzyzewski made two changes to the starting lineup, removing Seth Curry and Kelly in favor of Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton—a move mostly inspired by defensive play.

All new moves aside, Kelly had seven points in the 13-2 spurt that helped the Blue Devils (19-3, 6-1 ACC) pull away. Rivers hit a 3-pointer and Kelly scored the last five in a 10-0 burst in the second half when Duke extended its lead to 62-40 with 11:19 remaining.

MASON PLUMLEE (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Curry added 11 points and Mason Plumlee had 10 for Duke.

The loss was the seventh in eight games for Virginia Tech (12-10, 1-6) and left coach Seth Greenberg hoarse and disappointed, he said, with how his team handled adversity.

“We had some guys miss some shots and that affected their ability to do anything on the other end, and you can’t have that and beat a good team,” he said. “We did some good things, but when they kind of bowed their neck, I thought we melted.”

Five of the previous losses were by four points or fewer, but the Blue Devils left nothing to chance in avenging a 64-60 setback at Cassell Coliseum last February.

Erick Green led Virginia Tech with 17 points and Victory Davila tied his career high with 16.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-03T07:52:00.002-05:00

Hmmm...

(Oscar Martinez/Reuters)

It was going great, until it wasn’t...

Here, a man is gored by a bull during the annual Candlemas celebration in Tlacotalpan, Mexico.

Candlemas day in Europe was the folk lore forerunner to Ground Hog Day. Rather then checking the shadow of some rodent-like mammal, this celebration calls for bulls running through the streets as part of a week-long religious celebration.

Note the about to be trampled guy still clutching his phone.

J.P. Giglio On Boston College: Expansion “Killed” ACC Basketball Brand

2012-02-03T07:50:00.001-05:00

TEN MINUTES BEFORE TIPOFF?

In an article on ACC now, veteran Raleigh News & Observer sports reporter J.P. Giglio made some pointed observations about the tiny crowd (3,611) in Boston for the BC/N.C. State game earlier this week.

Here is a small excerpt:

"There are valid reasons for that (the small crowd), I'm not disputing that, just pointing out the reality. And please don't confuse this for nostalgia for "the good old days" of the ACC (although I do miss the round robin), it's just a fact.

Fan apathy, especially in the newer ACC markets (Miami's gym [4,611] was again on Wednesday for Maryland's visit) is one of the factors in the league's declining image and product.

Expansion happened, at some point I'll get over that, probably when someone from the ACC admits they killed their basketball brand in the process."

To read more, click here.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-03T07:48:00.001-05:00

Duke forward Mason Plumlee slams home a dunk and disappears behind the ball. (Photo by Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Media and pit crew crowd around the new Sahara Force India VJM05 Formula One car following their launch at the Silverstone circuit in Silverstone, England on February 3, 2012. (Photo by Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images)

This is the new Ferrari Formula One F2012 which was scheduled to be unveiled today...However, Ferrari has cancelled Friday's launch presentation of the 2012 Formula One car after their Maranello base and the surrounding area was hit by snow. (Photo by Ferrari Press/AFP Photo)

Cancer survivor, former Boston College Eagle and former ACC Defensive Player Of The Year Mark Herzlich of the New York Giants answers questions from the press during a media availability session for Super Bowl XLVI at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott on February 2, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

England cricket fans attend the first day of the third and final Test match between Pakistan and England at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City on February 3, 2012. (Photo by Lakruwan Wanniarachchi /AFP/Getty Images)

Australia’s Lucy Kather Chaffer heads for second place during the women’s World Cup Skeleton at Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andy Clark/Reuters)

R.I.P. Angelo Dundee 1921-2012

2012-02-02T16:44:00.003-05:00

(Dan Grossi/AP File Photo)

Angelo Dundee, the brilliant motivator who worked the corner for Muhammad Ali in his greatest fights and willed Sugar Ray Leonard to victory in his biggest bout, died Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. He was 90.

The genial Dundee was best known for being in Ali’s corner for almost his entire career, but those in boxing also knew him as an ambassador for boxing and a figure of integrity in a sport that often lacked it.

He died with his family surrounding him, said son, Jimmy Dundee, but not before being able to attend Ali’s 70th birthday bash in Louisville, Ky., last month.

Things That Make You Go...

2012-02-02T16:37:00.002-05:00

Hmmm...

(Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Seems logical that if the NBC broadcast crew has a press conference then certainly the halftime entertainment is worthy of same...

Here, Madonna speaks at the podium during a press conference for the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI halftime show at the Super Bowl XLVI Media Center in the J.W. Marriott Indianapolis on February 2, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Unfortunately, nobody had the balls to ask her what up with the fingerless gloves...Maybe she was going bowling or fly-fishing after the presser. Or maybe, she knits in her big giant walk-in refrigerator...?

Who knows?

Kabala-stay.

Wednesday Night ACC Basketball

2012-02-02T14:18:00.002-05:00

MICHEAL SNAER (Phil Sears/AP Photo)

#21 FLORIDA STATE 68, GEORGIA TECH 54 - The Noles bouncedback from a poor shooting performance in the first half and beat the Jackets atthe Donald L. Tucker Center to capture their school-record sixth consecutiveACC game.

By extending their winning streak to six games, the FloridaState (15-7, 6-1 ACC) remain atop the league standings via tie-breakers. Butmaintaining that first-place perch looked to be in doubt after 20 minutes ofbasketball against the Yellow Jackets Yellow Jackets (8-14, 1-7).

Down 25-24 at the break, FSU's spark this time was a halftimeregrouping rather than the post-game kind. The Seminoles opened the secondperiod with back-to-back Xavier Gibson and Luke Loucks buckets and a DeividasDulkys 3-pointer.

MIAMI 90, MARYLAND 86 - The Miami Hurricanes blew a 16-pointsecond-half lead, had three players disqualified and still beat Maryland indouble overtime Wednesday.

Freshman Shane Larkin scored six points in the secondovertime for the Hurricanes, who sank seven consecutive free throws in thefinal 51 seconds to hang on.

WOOD (Ethan Hyman/News & Observer)

Miami scored the first seven points of the second overtime,including two layups by Larkin.

The Hurricanes (13-7, 4-3 ACC) won their third game in arow. Maryland (13-8, 3-4) remained winless this season in four games onopponents' courts.

N.C. STATE 56, BOSTON COLLEGE 51 - Scott Wood scored 16 points and C.J. Leslie 13 to lift North Carolina State to a win over Boston College on Wednesday night.

C.J. Williams and Richard Howell each scored 10 points for the Wolfpack (16-7, 5-3 ACC). N.C. State has won 10 of its last 13. Howell also grabbed eight boards.

Matt Humphrey led Boston College (7-15, 2-6) with 15 points. The Eagles lost their fifth straight.

ACC In The RPI

2012-02-02T14:14:00.003-05:00

If the NCAA Tournament started today and the sole criteriawas being in the RPI’s top 65 or 66 or 67 or whatever the number is these days,six ACC teams would be Big Dancing.

Oh…And You Thought We Were Exagerating…

2012-02-02T14:13:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, we pointed out how wretchedthe shooting was in North Carolina’s win over Wake Forest on Tuesdaynight. Besides the simple fact thatnumbers don’t lie, this Wake Forest pep band member proves yet again that everypicture is worth 1,000 words. (Photo byRobert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer/ZUMA)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-02T14:12:00.003-05:00

Yes, this is exactly what you think it is…Brain Alano adjusts a pied in his Lego scaled replica of Lucas Oil Stadium which is on display at the Super Bowl XLVI media center in Indianapolis. Alano spent three years and used over 30,000 pieces to build the model. (Photo by David J. Phillip/AP)

Our MAIN man Casey Stoner of Repsol Honda I cuts a corner during the second day of Official MotoGP Test sessions held at Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia. (Photo by Hazrin Yeob Men Shah/Icon SMI)

Ruby Walsh riding Sanctuaire on their way to winning The Charlie Company 40 Commando Royal Marines Novices' Steeple Chase at Taunton racecourse on January 31, 2012 in Taunton, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Sometimes, it’s just hard to watch. (Photo by RobertWillett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Tuesday Night ACC Basketball: The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight

2012-02-01T11:35:00.006-05:00

ZELLER MAKING A SHOT! (Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

#5 NORTH CAROLINA 68, WAKE FOREST 53 - If you didn't watchthis game it looks like a typical lopsided Tar Heel win. If you did watch it, you know it was atypical lopsided Tar Heel win in spite of the fact that Ol' Roy's guys couldn'thit the broad side of a barn with a beach ball from point blank range. But then, Wake couldn’t shoot either.

Ugly.

How ugly? Well, checkout these numbers. UNC shot34% in the first half and 27% in the second half after scoring just one basket(1-13) in the first nine minutes of the second stanza. They shot 31% for thegame and 21% (4-19) from behind the arc.

The Deacons were no better shooting 29% for the game and awoeful 11% (2-18) from behind the three-point line.

The most telling stat is that the two teams had a combined95 rebounds. That’s not a misprint, that’s NINETY-FIVE. That’s a lot of missed shots.

That said, Tyler Zeller had 18 points (5 of 13) and acareer-best 18 rebounds and John Henson added 14 points (6 of 16) and 12rebounds for the Tar Heels (19-3, 6-1 ACC) who won their fourth straight game.

Harrison Barnes added 13 points (4-12, there’s a theme here)for the Tar Heels and played most of the second half despite rolling his leftankle midway through the first half.

HARRIS (Andrew Shurtleff/AP Photo)

C.J. Harris scored 19 points (5-11, 1-6 3-Pts) to lead theDemon Deacons (11-11, 2-6). Reggie Bullock did a good job defensively on Harriswho left the game after scoring his 1,000 career point.

#16 VIRGINIA 65, CLEMSON 61 - Senior forward Mike Scott hadgame-high totals of 23 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Joe Harrisscored 19 points to lead the Virginia men's basketball team to an ACC victoryover Clemson Tuesday night at John PaulJones Arena.

The game was the 100th men's basketball game played at JPJAwhere the Cavaliers have a record of 71-29. Devin Booker led Clemson with 16 points.

The victory improves UVa's overall record to 18-3 and theCavaliers are now 5-2 in the ACC. It was the third ACC win in the last six daysfor the Cavaliers.

Virginia's 18-3 start is its best since going 27-3 to openthe 1982-83 season. Yes, that WAS theRalph Sampson era.

Things That Make You Go…

2012-02-01T11:32:00.003-05:00

(Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Hmmm…

So now, evidently, the network that televises the Super Bowlhas a presser so the press can ask questions to the press who's covering thegame…All this time, we thought the folks that broadcast the game weredescribing the story, not part of the story…

Here, NBC Cris Collinsworth, Rodney Harrison, MicheleTafoya, Al Michaels, Bob Costas, Tony Dungy, Peter King and Dan Patrick posefor a group photo during the Super Bowl XLVI Broadcasters Press Conference atthe Super Bowl XLVI Media Center in the J.W. Marriott Indianapolis on January31, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Word has it that the Super Bowl XLVI Ushers and SecurityTeam Press Conference will be held at the Super Bowl XLVI Media Center II inthe Red Roof Inn on February 1, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The concession workers cancelled their news conference whenthe couldn’t get the syrup-to-soda ratio right in the fountain drinks…

Pictures Of The Day

2012-02-01T11:30:00.000-05:00

This photo may explain why North Carolina shot so poorly inlast night’s game in Winston-Salem. (Original photo by Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer, slightlytampered with by T.A.H.)

Former Tar Heel Danny Green fights for a rebound with Sam Young of the Mephis Grizzzlies at FedEx Forum in Memphis. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images)

Top-ranked Kentucky extended their home win streak to 48-games in spite of these ridiculously ugly unis. Swin and a miss, UK. (Photo by Kentucky Basketball)

Fans of the New England Patriots hold up giant cartooncutouts with the liknesses of New England Patriots players including Tom Brady(L) and Arron Hernandez (R) during Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLVI againstthe New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 31, 2012 in Indianapolis,Indiana. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

ACC Players Of The Week

2012-01-31T13:15:00.001-05:00

PLUMLEE (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Duke’s Mason Plumlee has been named ACC Player of the Weekwhile teammate Austin Rivers was selected ACC Rookie of the Week.

Plumlee averaged 19.0 points, 14.5 rebounds and 3.0 assistsper game in leading Duke to wins over Maryland and St. John’s. The Warsaw,Ind., junior opened the week with a 23-point, 12-rebound and four-assist performancein a 74-61 ACC road win at Maryland. He was 9-of-13 from the field and knockeddown all five free throws in the contest.

In Saturday’s 83-76 win over Big Eastfoe St. John’s, Plumlee recorded his ACC-leading ninth double-double of theseason with 15 points and a career-best 17 rebounds. On the week, Plumlee shot66.7 percent (14-of-21) from the field and 71.4 percent (10-fo-14) from thefoul line.

In earning the league’s rookie award for the second-straightweek and fifth time overall, Rivers averaged 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0assists in leading Duke to wins over Maryland and St. John’s. The Winter Park,Fla., native had 10 points, a career-high five rebounds and three assists in 38minutes of action in the road win over the Terrapins.

Against St. John’s,Rivers finished with 12 points, three rebounds, one steal and a game-high fiveassists. Rivers has now scored in double figures 17 times this season andcurrently leads the Blue Devils in scoring at 14.1 points per game. He islooking to join Johnny Dawkins (1983) and Bill Sapp (1945) as the only freshmento lead the team in scoring in a season.

Former Heels Among Youngest Coaches in NCAA D1 Basketball

2012-01-31T13:11:00.003-05:00

MILLER (UNCG Photo)

Greensboro native and former Tar Heel Wes Miller is back athome now as interim coach of UNC – Greensboro. Miller, who turned 29 last Saturday, started his career at James MadisonUniversity where he played 17 minutes a game and scored 4.1 per.

He transferred to North Carolina and eventually played forthe National Championship of 2005 as a sophomore. He saw significant playing time the next year– Tyler Hansbrough’s freshman year - -when he averaged 22 minutes and scored7.2 points per game.

Miller played professionally for London Capitals of theBritish Basketball League. He is currently the interim head coach at UNC Greensboro,stepping in for former coach Mike Dement after he resigned on December 13,2011. Previously, he was an assistant coach at Elon University under headcoach, Ernie Nester, for the 2008-2009 season and most recently, an assistantcoach under head coach, Scott Cherry, a former UNC player, for the 2009-2010season.

Miller graduated in 2007 and wrote a book titled The Road toBlue Heaven about his journey from JMU to UNC and his years playing there.

Recently, Miller’s UNCG team (6-6 since Miller took over,but the winners of five straight conference games) defeated Appalachian Statein overtime. Happy Appy is also coachedby a former Tar Heel – Jason Capel. Miller and Capel are two of the three youngest coaches in Division Ibasketball. Capel is the youngest.

Capel was an assistant for former UNC player and nowUNC-Wilmington head coach Buzz Peterson at Appalachian prior to being namedhead coach. Capel is only one of nineplayers to ever start for UNC's basketball team in all four years of hiseligibility. He led the Tar Heels in scoring in his senior year with 15.6points per game. He also played in the NCAA Final Four in 2000.

Capel was undrafted in 2002 and briefly made the CharlotteBobcats' roster, but he never played in an NBA game. He then turned down morelucrative offers in Europe to play basketball in the NBA D-League for theFayetteville Patriots, a team coached by his father Jeff Capel II. After twoyears in the D-League (2002–04) he played professionally in Japan, Italy and Serbiauntil 2007.

From 2007 to 2008, Capel did color on Raycom Sports ACCbasketball broadcasts before joining the Appalachian coaching staff in 2009.

To read more, clickhere.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-31T12:55:00.004-05:00

Bowlers knock down some pins during the Stars and Strikes Celebrity Bowling Tournament at Bowlmor Lanes in Tustin, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/Orange County Register/ZUMA)

British canoe slalom athletes David Florence and Richard Hounslow in action during training at the Lee Valley White Water Centre on November 17, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

UConn ended Duke’s 34-game winning streak in Cameron last night. Here, Duke forward Haley Peters (33) and teammate guard Chelsea Gray (12) crash the boards with Connecticut center Kiah Stokes (41). (Photo by Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots answers questions from the media during Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 31, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

A fan rides a zip line as part of the Super Bowl XLVIfestivities in Indianapolis, IN. (Photoby Jim Young Reuters)

ACC Sunday Night Basketball

2012-01-30T07:51:00.002-05:00

BARNES (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

#7 NORTH CAROLINA 93, GEORGIA TECH 81 - Harrison Barnes scored 23 points and North Carolina hit 10 3-pointers in a lopsided victory over Georgia Tech on Sunday that ended a four-game losing streak to the Yellow Jackets.

Tyler Zeller added 17 points for the Tar Heels (18-3, 5-1 ACC), who have won 12 of 13 games and extended their school-record home winning streak to 31 games. North Carolina shot 54 percent, led by 20 points at halftime and by 24 in the second half of a win that moved the Tar Heels into a tie with Duke and Florida State atop the ACC standings.

John Henson had 13 points and Reggie Bullock added 11 for the Tar Heels, while Kendall Marshall had 12 assists.

The outside shooting was the most obvious development for UNC. They hit 10 of 16 shots from behind the arc, their best total in a league game and one off a season high.

Barnes hit all three of his 3-point tries, while Bullock went 3-for-6 on the way to 11 points in his second straight start. Freshman P.J. Hairston added two more 3s against the Yellow Jackets (8-13, 1-6).
MIAMI 76, BOSTON COLLEGE 54 – Malcolm Grant scored seven ofhis 16 points during a game-breaking 14-0 run and Durand Scott had four of his19, carrying Miami to a win over Boston College on Sunday.

Kenny Kadji finished with 14 points and seven boards for theHurricanes (12-7, 3-3 ACC) and Reggie Johnson added 12 points.

Matt Humphrey had 13 points to lead Boston College (7-14,2-5). The Eagles have lost four straight since beating Clemson and VirginiaTech in consecutive home games earlier this month.

The game was tied at 49 before Miami took control by scoringthe 14 unanswered points.

The Hurricanes outscored Boston College 27-5 over the final7 minutes.

Grant's 3-pointer from the top of the key - the Hurricane'sfirst of the second half - pushed Miami ahead 52-49 with 6:17 to play.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-30T07:49:00.003-05:00

Corey Graham #21 of the Chicago Bears reacts to Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins catching a loose ball in the endzone during the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 29, 2012 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Marshall caught four TD passes and was named the games MVP. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The national anthem is sung before the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets against theNorth Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on January 29, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses the trophy after his victory over Rafael Nadal of Spain in the men's final match on day 14 of the 2012 Australian Open tennis tournament early on January 30, 2012. Djokovic won the championship 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 in the longest match ever played in a Grand Slam event...just under six hours. (Photo by William West/AFP/Topshots)

A competitor runs through water during the Tough Guy Challenge endurance race on January 29, 2012 in Telford, England. Every year thousands of people run the 8 mile assault course which involves freezing temperatures, fire and ice. (Photo by Alex Morton/Action Images)

As part of the Coaches v. Cancer weekend, the Tar Heels were rockin' the pink sneaks. (Photo by Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

Saturday ACC Basketball

2012-01-29T08:56:00.002-05:00

PLUMLEE (Chuck Liddy/RaleighNews & Observer)

#8 DUKE 83, ST. JOHN’S 76 - Mason Plumlee had 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, and No. 8 Duke held on to beat St. John's on Saturday.

Ryan Kelly scored 16 points and Andre Dawkins added 14 for the Blue Devils (18-3), who led by 22 with 17 minutes left but shot just 30 percent in the second half while the Red Storm rallied.

Moe Harkless had 30 points and 13 rebounds for St. John's (9-12). He and D'Angelo Harrison each hit 3-pointers in the final minute to make things tense.

#19 VIRGINIA 61, N.C. STATE 60 - Mike Scott scored 18 points to help No. 19 Virginia beat North Carolina State 61on Saturday night.

Joe Harris and Sammy Zeglinski each added 12 for the Cavaliers (17-3, 4-2 ACC), who shot 60 percent in the first half to take the lead and then turned away a second-half rally for the road win.

Virginia led by 10 with about 6 1/2 minutes left before the Wolfpack (15-7, 4-3) pushed back. Scott Wood shook off a game's worth of shooting struggles to bury a 3-pointer off a loose rebound to cut the deficit to 61-60 with 46.3 seconds to go, then Zeglinski missed a step-back jumper with the shot clock winding down to give the ball back to the Wolfpack with a chance to win.

STOGLIN (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

MARYLAND 73, VIRGINIA TECH 69 - Terrell Stoglin scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half, and Maryland never trailed in their victory over slumping Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Sean Mosley had 15 points for the Terrapins (13-7, 3-3 ACC), who snapped a three-game skid.

Maryland let a 15-point cushion dwindle to two with five seconds left, but Stoglin made two foul shots with 3.6 seconds remaining to secure the win.

It was the sixth loss in seven games for the Hokies (12-9, 1-5), who fell into a last-place tie with Georgia Tech. Erick Green led Virginia Tech with 18 points, and Dorenzo Hudson and Victor Davila each scored 14.

BROWNELL (Mark Crammer/AP Photo)

CLEMSON 71, WAKE FOREST 60 - Brad Brownell was not happy with the look in his team's eyes while they were warming up prior to Saturday's noon tipoff against Wake Forest. Something was missing, so he addressed the issue with his coaches before his team's entrance a few minutes before game time.

Brownell's fear came true once the game started as the Tigers missed 15 of their first 16 shots and the Demon Deacons built an early eight-point lead. But Brownell teams are known for leaning on their defense when things are not going well offensively, and thanks to a Devin Coleman steal and then a three-pointer from Andre Young, Clemson had its energy and never again let up in a 71-60 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum.

With the win, the Tigers improved to 11-9 overall and 3-3 in the ACC, while Wake Forest fell to 2-5 in ACC play and 11-10 overall.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-29T08:52:00.005-05:00

A Cameron Crazy establishes intellectual superiority once again with this eloquent description of a dunk during yesterday’s game against St. John. Sources tell T.A.H. he worked on this clever sign "all night." (Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer)

Virginia's Sammy Zeglinski (13), left, celebrates as N.C. State's DeShawn Painter (0) shot is after the buzzer sounds at the end of the game. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer)

N.C. State students Haley Wells, left, and her sister Allison watch before N.C. State's game against Virginia Saturday, January 28, 2012, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer)

Wake Forest head coach Jeff Bzdelik, standing, and the Wake coaching staff wear sneakers as part of a 'Coaches versus Cancer' game event during their NCAA college basketball game against Clemson on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Anderson Independent-Mail, Mark Crammer)

Wayne Hutchinson riding Bless The Wings (L, red, yellow cap) on their way to winning The Timeform Novices Handicap Steeple Chase at Cheltenham racecourse on January 28, 2012 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Horses and jockeys negotiate their landings during the Pertems Handicap in Huntington, England. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Daiki Ito of Japan takes flight during practice for the 18th FIS World Cup ski jumping large hill individual competition in Sapporo, Japan. (Photo by Kimimasa Mayama/EPA)

Mark McMorris of Canada soars over a feature as he practices for the men’s snowboard slopestyle finals during Winter X Games 2012 at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

ESPN personaity Trey Wingo, second from left, seven-Time Pro Bowler Warren Sapp, center, and celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez pose with the Bud Light Lime surf team on Oahu's North Shore, January 28, 2012 in Haleiwa, Hawaii. (Photo by Marco Garcia/Getty Images North America)

N.C. State's Mark Gottfried can't believe a foul was called on the Wolfpack. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer)

Wolfpack's 80 Footer At The Half Buzzer

2012-01-27T12:18:00.002-05:00

N.C. State’s Lorenzo Brown banked in an 80-foot heave tobeat the halftime horn in last night’s game.

Thursday Night ACC Basketball

2012-01-27T08:38:00.001-05:00

ZELLER (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

#7 NORTH CAROLINA 74, N.C. STATE 55 -- Tyler Zeller had 21 points and a career-best 17 rebounds to help UNC to their 11th straight victory in this series.

Reggie Bullock added 11 points in his first career start for the Tar Heels (17-3, 4-1 ACC), who dominated almost the entire night in their first game without injured starter Dexter Strickland. North Carolina’s defense shut down the Wolfpack (15-6, 4-2) with one of its better performances of the season, while the offense got plenty of chances around the rim.

North Carolina shot 48 percent and led by 31 points in the second half.

N.C. State was off to its best start in the league in six years under new coach Mark Gottfried and had lost just once since falling to then-No. 1 Syracuse on Dec. 17. But N.C. State never threatened to earn its first win over the Tar Heels since 2007 or its first win in Chapel Hill since 2003.

Wood scored 11 points to lead the Wolfpack, whose only real highlight came when Lorenzo Brown banked in an 80-foot heave to beat the halftime horn. By that point, however, the Tar Heels led by 14 points and were on the way to turning the entire second half into a crowd-pleasing romp.

ZEGLINSKI (Andrew Shurtleff/AP Photo)

#19 VIRGINIA 66, BOSTON COLLEGE 49 -- Sammy Zeglinski hit three-pointers 55 seconds apart in a 20-3 run late in the game and Mike Scott scored 18 points as the Cavaliers beat the Eagles for only the second time in seven tries.

Virginia (16-3, 3-2 ACC) matched it victory total of last season and rebounded from a home loss to Virginia Tech on Sunday night in which they managed just 45 points.

“Coming off the Virginia Tech game, I told our guys this is when you’ve got to step up,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said, looking at a box score that showed several players made large contributions.

Akil Mitchell, who replaced Sene in the lineup but was a non-factor against the Hokies, scored a career-best 10 points and added five rebounds and two assists. Point guard Jontel Evans continued to heed Bennett’s advice to play aggressively at both ends and had 10 points, six assists and three steals.

Zeglinski had four steals by halftime, and guard Malcolm Brogdon got seven rebounds.

Ryan Anderson had 12 points for Boston College (7-13, 2-4), which rallied from a 44-36 deficit to pull even on a 3-pointer by Danny Rubin with 10:25 to play. The Eagles hit seven 3-pointers in the game, but managed just one other field goal over the next 10 minutes as the Cavaliers pulled away.

Clemson’s Hall To Have Knee Repaired

2012-01-27T08:36:00.002-05:00

Clemson safety Rashard Hall will miss spring practice after having surgery on a left knee that bothered him most of this past season.

Hall had 89 tackles last season to lead the Tigers as they won their first Atlantic Coast Conference championship in 20 years. The school said Hall had surgery earlier this week. He is expected back for his senior season.

Hall hurt the knee in Clemson's season opener against Troy. He missed the following week's game against Wofford before returning to play the final 12 games. He made at least eight tackles in each of the Tigers' final five games last season.

Hall has started 31 of his 40 games at Clemson.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-27T08:35:00.002-05:00

John Henson #31 of the North Carolina Tar Heels winks after a dunk against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during play at the Dean Smith Center on January 26, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The North Carolina Tar Heels huddle just off of the court before a game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the Dean Smith Center on January 26, 2012 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Lindsey Vonn of the USA during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Super Combined on January 27, 2012 in St.Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts while playing against Andy Murray of Britain in their men's singles semi-final match on day 12 at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2012. (Photo by Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)

Jockey Dwayne Dunn rides Rainbow Styling to win race 1 Catanach's Jewellers Handicap during Greater Dandenong Race Day at Caulfield Racecourse on January 26, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

A musher and his dogs negotiate a snowy hill duirng the Sedivackuv Long Dog Sled Race in the village of Destne in the Orlicke mountains of the Czech Republic. (Photo by Petr Josek/Reuters)

Richard Johnson riding Arctic Ben on their way to winning The Contract Fire And Security Handicap Steeple Chase at Warwick racecourse on January 26, 2012 in Warwick, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

R.I.P. Dick Tufeld 1926-2012

2012-01-26T11:54:00.002-05:00

Longtime radio and T.V. announcer Dick Tufeld hasdied at 85.

You would recognize his voice: “Danger, Will Robinson!”

...as oft quoted from Lost In Space.

Ahhh...Some Things Never Change...

2012-01-26T11:43:00.002-05:00

Rumor has it that those crazy kids in College Park don't care for Duke. Could have something to do with the Blue Devils constantly kicking their Terp rear ends. At least, based on last night's game, they gap may be closing up a bit...

(Flickr: Diamondback Photo)

To see more Maryland fan photos from last night's game, click here.

Wednesday Night ACC Basketball

2012-01-26T08:10:00.003-05:00

MASON PLUMLEE (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

#8 DUKE 74, MARYLAND 61 -- Mason Plumlee scored 23 points and No. 8 Duke averted its first losing streak of the season by pulling away from Maryland in the second half on Wednesday night.

Seeking to rebound from a rare home loss, the Blue Devils trailed 47-46 with 12:54 left but outscored Maryland 28-14 the rest of the way.

Ryan Kelly had 14 points and Austin Rivers contributed 10 for Duke (17-3, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Blue Devils have dominated this rivalry of late, winning four straight and 10 of 11.

#23 FLORIDA STATE 75, Wake Forest 52 -- In this week's issue, the No. 23 Florida State men's basketball team is featured as one of the hot teams in the country in Sports Illustrated's "what's hot and what's not" list.

After walloping Wake Forest, 75-52, Wednesday night in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Seminoles are well on their way towards a repeat performance inside the magazine's pages.

Winners of five in a row - a streak that is the team's longest since 1993 - FSU (14-6, 5-1 ACC) has now scored at least 75 points in four consecutive games and has defeated Wake Forest (11-9, 2-4) four consecutive times - a feat that has not occurred since the 1993-94 season.

BYU (Cougars, 31,140 students, Provo, UT) 70, VIRGINIA TECH 68 -- Over the past three years, these are the type of losses that have kept the Hokies out of the big dance...Robert Brown's game-winning three-point attempt at the buzzer glanced off the rim, and the Virginia Tech dropped a heartbreaker to Brigham Young in a non-conference game Wednesday night at Cassell Coliseum.

With the loss, Tech fell to 12-8 overall on the season. BYU moved to 18-5.

The Hokies trailed 70-66 after BYU's Brock Zylstra buried a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left - his only basket of the game - and Noah Hartsock hit one of two free throws with 15.9 seconds remaining. But Erick Green answered for Tech on a layup with 10 seconds remaining, and on the ensuing inbounds play, the Hokies forced a BYU turnover with 9.8 seconds to go, giving them a final attempt at a tie or win.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-26T08:05:00.001-05:00

Mourners line the sidewalks of College Avenue on the campus of Penn State, as the procession carries former Penn State Football coach Joe Paterno from the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center to his burial site, January 25, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. Paterno, who was 85, died due to complications from lung cancer on January 22, 2012. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

A mourner ducks his head after paying respect to former Penn State Football coach Joe Paterno during the second public viewing at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the campus of Penn State on January 25, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. Paterno, who was 85, died due to complications from lung cancer on January 22, 2012. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Two wrestling camels fight at the Pamucak arena during the Selcuk-Efes Camel Wrestling Festival in the town of Selcuk, near the western Turkish coastal city of Izmir, on January 15. Hundreds of wrestling camels competed in the annual event watched by thousands of enthusiasts in western Turkey.

(Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters)

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return against Roger Federer of Switzerland in their men's singles semi-final match on day 11 of the 2012 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2012. Nadal won in four sets. (Photo by Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images)

A 'Blue Marble' image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA's most recently launched Earth-observing satellite - Suomi NPP. This composite image uses a number of swaths of the Earth's surface taken on January 4, 2012. The NPP satellite was renamed 'Suomi NPP' on January 24, 2012 to honor the late Verner E. Suomi of the University of Wisconsin.

South squad defensive lineman Quinton Coples, left, of North Carolina, battles Cordy Glenn, of Georgia, during Senior Bowl South Squad NCAA college football practice at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (AP Photo)

Former Maryland head coach Gary Williams waves to fans during a ceremony to dedicate the court in his name before an NCAA basketball game between Maryland and Duke in College Park, Md., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Williams, who retired in May with more wins than anyone in the history of the program, led Maryland to the Final Four in 2001 and a national title in 2002. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photos)

Tuesday Night ACC Basketball

2012-01-25T08:55:00.002-05:00

KADJI (Gregory Smith/AP Photo)

MIAMI 64, GEORGIA TECH 49 - Kenny Kadji scored 21 points, Malcolm Grant had 16 and Miami beat Georgia Tech on Tuesday night to leave the Yellow Jackets in last place in the ACC.

Miami (11-7, 2-3) has won two of three. The Hurricanes took only their second road win in seven tries.

Mfon Udofia had 14 points for Georgia Tech (8-12, 1-5). The Yellow Jackets have lost four straight and eight of nine.

Georgia Tech trailed 49-39 after a free throw by Glen Rice Jr. with 7:12 remaining. Back-to-back baskets by Kammeon Holsey cut Miami's lead to 54-45 with 4:26 remaining, but the Hurricanes answered with six straight points to push the lead to 15 points.

Kadji, who had 14 points in the second half, led Miami with eight rebounds.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-25T08:54:00.003-05:00

Students leave notes on a cardboard cutout of former Penn State Football coach Joe Paterno in the Pattee and Paterno Libraries on the campus of Penn State on January 24, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. Paterno, who was 85, died due to complications from lung cancer on January 22, 2012. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Mourners pay respect to former Penn State Football coach Joe Paterno during a public viewing at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the campus of Penn State on January 24, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. Paterno, who was 85, died due to complications from lung cancer on January 22, 2012. (Photos by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Haiti Photo Diary

2012-01-23T12:17:00.001-05:00

Here is the link to my photo diary with a completedescription of my trip to Haiti. In the future, I will be looking for allmy friends to help me build a few wells…

Clean water is a life saver in theremote villages of this country devastated by hundreds of years of predatoryand corrupt government, natural disasters, etc. I realize we have plentyto do to help folks here at home (plug for Mr. Anderson’s Habitat ForHumanity), but the children of Haiti are pretty irresistible… -- GP

http://warrentonhaiti2012.blogspot.com/

Hereis the public link to my Facebook photos again as some of you couldn’t get itopen…who knows why? I blame Kim Dotcom…but that’s just me.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2932169139995.151506.1134007984&type=3&l=4b9e7be547

Sunday ACC Basketball

2012-01-23T12:14:00.003-05:00

HUDSON (VT Photo)

VIRGINIA TECH 47, #15 VIRGINIA 45 – The roundball version ofthe Commonwealth Cup was almost as hard to watch as the football version. But this wasn’t lopsided like its pigskin cousin, it was just plain ugly. TheWahoos came into the game with one of the best defenses in the country givingup 50.4 points per game, but their offense failed to fire scoring 45 pointsagainst a Hokie defense that gave up 48 points in the second half earlier inthe week against North Carolina.

The Wahoos shot 25% in the first half and 33% for thegame. They were 1 for 14 from behind thearc. That’s 7.1% for those of youkeeping score at home.

Game over.

Now streaking Virginia Tech guard Dorenzo Hudson drained athree-pointer with 16.5 seconds left, and that turned out to be the game winner.

With the win, Tech snapped a four-game losing streak, movingto 12-7 overall, 1-4 in the ACC. Virginia, which swept the season series fromTech a year ago, fell to 15-3 overall, 2-2 in the league.

The win marked Tech's first over a ranked team on the roadsince beating No. 12 Clemson on Feb. 25, 2009.

In a nip-and-tuck affair, Erick Green gave the Hokies a42-41 lead on two free throws with 1:52 remaining. UVa's Mike Scott then turnedthe ball over, and Tech capitalized, as Hudson hit a short shot with 1:11 leftto give the Hokies a 44-41 lead.

GOTTFRIED AND WOOD (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer)

N.C. STATE 78, MIAMI 73 – Scott Wood scored 21 points to lead North CarolinaState to a victory over Miami on Sunday.

The Wolfpack led 55-41 midway through the second half andwithstood a late Miami rally. Kenny Kadji's dunk with 1:44 remaining got theHurricanes to within 72-68.

N.C. State (15-5, 4-1 ACC) responded with five unansweredpoints, capped by Wood's two free throws with 18 seconds left.

"I thought it was a gutsy win for us; I'm proud of ourteam," head coach Mark Gottfried said. "They made a charge, we wereable to withstand it and still found a way to win. I like that about ourteam."

Earlier in the game, Wood's second of three free throws setthe ACC all-time consecutive free-throw record of 55 after he was fouled on anattempted 3-pointer with 5:21 remaining. He increased the mark to 58 by game'send. Duke's J.J. Redick set the previous record of 54 in 2003-04.

The Joe Pa Dilemma

2012-01-23T12:11:00.001-05:00

(Mark/Centre Daily Times/ZUMA)

Thousands of people gathered for a candlelight vigil inremembrance of former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno in State College,PA yesterday.

There are those who worship Joe Paand those who are angry with him for not doing more to stop JerrySandusky. It’s a slippery slope.

We surmise any poor decisions Joe Pa madelate in his career were more likely related to his age and unfamiliarity withthe likes of sex crimes than his desire to protect his legacy. The bottom line is that, while we remainadvocates of the simple fact the extremely successful people should be allowedto orchestrate their own exit, there is a point where everybody is simply tooold to perform effectively in such a complicated arena.

“I didn’t know exactly how to handle it, and I was afraid todo something that might jeopardize what the university procedure was,” Paternotold The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins when discussing theSandusky scandal. “So I backed away and turned it over to some other people,people I thought would have a little more expertise than I did. It didn’t workout that way.”

“I should have said ‘Hey where are we with this thing?’ ”Paterno said. He described himself as paralyzed by the unthinkable subjectmatter. He had “backed away,” he said, and trusted his bosses to handle it.

“I didn’t know which way to go,” he said. “And rather thanget in there and make a mistake . . .”

We wish Joe Pa had called it quits three or four-years ago…

To read an excellent obituary written by Len Shapiro for the Washington Post, click here. The T.A.H. editorial staff spent some time with Len and his wife Vicky Moon last year at Saratoga and we thoroughly enjoyed his comprehensive view of the world of sports.

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-23T12:09:00.005-05:00

Tom Brady leaps over the goal line with the go ahead touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated)

Lawrence Tynes #9 and Steve Weatherford #5 of the New YorkGiants celebrate after Tynes kicked the game-winning field goal in overtimeagainst the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship Game at CandlestickPark on January 22, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by JamieSquire/Getty Images)

R.I.P. Joe Pa 1926 - 2012

2012-01-22T13:19:00.004-05:00

(AP file photo)

Saturday ACC Basketball

2012-01-22T10:05:00.002-05:00

SNAER (Gerry Broome/AP Photos)

FLORIDA STATE 76, DUKE 73 – Behind Michael Snaer'sbuzzer-beating 3-pointer, the Florida State men's basketball team upset No. 4Duke, 76-73, to snap the Blue Devils' 45-game winning steak at Cameron IndoorStadium. The Noles have won three gamesin their Saturday-to-Saturday blitz defeating nationally ranked Duke and NorthCarolina as well as Maryland.

Nice, Florida State, NICE!

Ending such a stellar run by one of college basketball'spremier programs is one thing. The manner in which the Seminoles accomplishedthat task is another.

After Duke's Seth Curry hit a lay-up to tie the game at 73-73with less than five seconds left on the game clock and with no timeouts to use,Luke Loucks took FSU's inbounds pass hastily across mid court where BernardJames' well-placed screen gave him the necessary room to find the game'ssoon-to-be hero.

Snaer released the shot with .02 left on the game clock. Ironically, it was a three-pointer.

C.J. HARRIS (Stephan Savoia/AP Photos)

WAKE FOREST 71, BOSTON COLLEGE 56 – Wake Forest's TravisMcKie posted a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Ty Walkerfinished with 11 rebounds and six blocks to lead the Demon Deacons to a win atBoston College on Saturday afternoon at Conte Forum.

McKie finished 9-for-18 from the floor and added threeblocks, as the sophomore forward fueled an early run that gave the Deacons theadvantage in the first half. Wake Forest (11-8, 2-3 ACC) never trailed in thegame, led by as many as 17 and staved off a second-half BC rally to post theroad conference victory.

Behind the play of Walker, the Deacons dominated the paint.Wake out-rebounded Boston College (7-12, 2-3 ACC), 42-37, and outscored theEagles 40-24 in the paint. Carson Desrosiers was also solid inside, pullingdown eight boards with a block off the bench.

Temple 73, MARYLAND 60 – Terrell Stoglin scored 20 pointsand Pe'Shon Howard had 15, but Maryland fell to Temple Saturday morning at thePalestra.

James Padgett added 10 points and Sean Mosley had aseason-high 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome Temple's Khalif Wyattand Ramone Moore, who scored 20 points each.

Juan Fernandez added 14 points and Aaron Brown had 12 forthe Owls (13-5), who won for the seventh time in nine games. Temple had a10-point lead sliced to one in the second half until Wyatt and Moore hitconsecutive 3-pointers to give them some needed breathing room.

TANNER SMITH (Anderson Independent Mail/Mark Crammer/AP)

CLEMSON 64, GEORGIA TECH 62 – All Andre Young needed to end his three-game shooting slump was a power outage - a power outage at Littlejohn Coliseum to be more specific. But after a power surge on the Clemson campus turned off the lights at the 5:56 mark in the first half Saturday, Young's shooting was turned on.

After a 23-minute delay, Young came out red hot, as he scored 15 straight points for the Tigers on his way to career-high 29 points and a personal best seven three-pointers as Clemson beat Georgia Tech 64-62.

With the win, Clemson improved to 10-9 and 2-3 in the ACC, while the Yellow Jackets slipped to 8-11 and 1-4 in the ACC.

Joe Pa’s Condition Called “Serious”

2012-01-22T10:04:00.004-05:00

Candles circle the statue of Joe Paterno, the former PennState football coach, outside of Beaver Stadium in the early hours of January22, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. The community was reacting to newsthat Joe Paterno, who is suffering from lung cancer and who was fired inNovember in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against a formerassistant, was in serious condition.

To make matters a little worse, A student-run newsorganization that covers Penn State has posted a letter online from itsmanaging editor announcing his immediate resignation after the publication’sTwitter account sent messages saying former coach Joe Paterno had died.

Paterno’s sons disputed Onward State’s Saturday posts, andthe publication recanted. But not before the erroneous information was reportedand amplified by many media organizations across the country and retweeteduncounted times. The Associated Press did not publish the report.

Devon Edwards says in the letter that he takesresponsibility and “never, in a million years, would have thought that OnwardState would be cited by the national media.” He did not explain how the erroroccurred.

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Pictures Of The Day

2012-01-22T10:01:00.001-05:00

Missouri 's Kim English (24) looks on as teammates Phil Pressey (1) and Ricardo Ratliffe (10) celebrate after Baylor's Pierre Jackson (55) fouled Pressey in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Waco, Texas. Missouri won 89-88. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Cameron Crazies taunt Luke Loucks #3 of the Florida State Seminoles as he attempts to inbound the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the final seconds of play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 21, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina. Florida State won 76-73 to end Duke's 44-game home winning streak. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Austin Rivers of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a loss to the Florida State Seminoles at the buzzer at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 21, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Mason Plumlee #5 of the Duke Blue Devils goes up for a dunk over Deividas Dulkys #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 21, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles huddles with his team against the Duke Blue Devils during play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 21, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Notre Dame students rush the court following their 67-58victory over Syracuse of an NCAA college basketball game Syracuse, SaturdayJan. 21, 2012, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

Florida State Ends Duke's Home Winning Streak

2012-01-21T21:34:00.002-05:00

Michael Snaer #21 of the Florida State Seminoles scores thegame-winning basket over Andre Dawkins #20 of the Duke Blue Devils as timeexpires at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 21, 2012 in Durham, NorthCarolina. Florida State won 76-73 to end Duke's 44-game home winning streak.

Wake Forest beat Boston College, Clemson beat Georgia Tech and Maryland lost to Temple.

More later.

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

UNC’s Strickland Out For Year With Torn ACL

2012-01-21T08:50:00.000-05:00

(Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer)

University of North Carolina guard Dexter Strickland torehis right anterior cruciate ligament in Thursday's win at Virginia Tech andwill be unable to play the rest of the 2011-12 season.

Strickland, a junior from Rahway, N.J., suffered the injuryearly in the second half in Blacksburg as he drove to the basket.

He started every game this year for the 16-3 Tar Heels andshared the team lead in steals with 25 and was second in assists with 39. Hewas shooting a team-high 57 percent from the floor and was averaging 7.5 pointsper game.

Strickland is regarded as UNC's best perimeter defender. Healso has filled in at point guard at times this season for Kendall Marshall,who was averaging 30.9 minutes of playing time entering Thursday night.Marshall played 37 minutes against Virginia Tech given Strickland's first-halffoul trouble and, later, his injury.

Surgery to repair the torn ligament has not been scheduled.