Article: ACC Report Cards
This article discusses next year's outlook for each ACC team. It is clear that Duke is going to be really good (yes, I hate to say it). In a strange twist, Carolina, Wake and Ga Tech will all be fighting to stay out of the bottom tier of the ACC.
Next year you'll see what true fans are made of. With Duke being really good and Carolina rebuilding, it is unlikely to be a "fun" season for a Carolina fan. But as a true Carolina fan(atic), my support will not waiver! I'll report on each and every game just as I did this year and will be thankful we won the championship this year. In fact, Carolina will be the reigning champs all next season up until the final game. Expect me to point this out often :-)
Article: Pointing out UNC’s main shortcoming
Here is a story on UNC's sudden point guard problem. It is not that we won't have any, in fact we'll have three competing for the job (Thomas, Miller, Frasor). The issue is we don't have a Felton-calibur point guard.
I'm a little surprised Wes Miller didn't play more than he did this past season. He has more experience than Quentin and can shoot better. Story has it that Wes and Rashad often challenged each other to shooting duals in practice. During one edition of the Coach Williams TV show, I watched Wes beat McCants in a long distance dual. Wes seems like a scrappy player that has good handle. I'm sure we'll see more of him next year, I'm just not sure how much.
Article: Bohlander won't return
I completely forgot about Justin Bohlander. He is the Winston-Salem native that played sparingly as a walk-on his freshman year (last year). He decided not to return this year so he could focus on his studies. He's not a wide-body down low, but he has a high basketball IQ and was a hard worker. At this point anything would help. But unfortunately, he's said he's still not coming back.
Article: Williams to remain at Duke for senior year
It looks like Shelden Williams will be staying at Duke next year. I won't be looking forward to seeing him for another year.
Katz: Devilish grin
You know what's going to suck most about next year? Assuming Redick and Sheldon Williams stay, Katz is right, Duke is going to be loaded. They are only losing seniors Daniel Ewing and Reggie Love and they are adding high school stand outs Paulus and McRoberts. Redick and Sheldon got more acclaim during the season than Felton, McCants or May, so they really should be leaving early ;-)
It's official: Carolina is losing SEVEN from this year's team
I just watched the press conference. Despite my (apparently unfounded) optimistism earlier in the week, Felton, May, and Marvin Williams declared their eligibility for the NBA draft. They don't have agents yet, but they are looking. It is a done deal.
That means we are losing our top 7 players from this year's National Championship team (3 seniors and 4 underclassman). I know, I know, it is best for the players. It would have been difficult for the four underclassman to improve their draft status with another year. They won a national championship already. We appreciate the time they gave us and they will be missed dearly.
Next year's team is going to be a massive rebuilding effort. Coach Williams said he could sign 3 more players for next year's team but he is doubtful he can find 3 that would be good enough to "help the team". We already have 4 freshman coming in. David Noel, Reyshawn Terry, and especially Quentin Thomas are going to have to step up in a huge way.
At least we have the 2004-2005 season to look back on....
Pat Ewing Jr. tranfers to father's alma mater
Apparently, Pat Ewing Jr. considered transferring to UNC, but picked Georgetown instead. I watched him play during the UNC/Indiana game this year. He has a lot of potential, but needs to be developed. I'm sure he could have had an impact at Carolina considering the likely news today, but we'll never know.
ESPN.com: UNC's Felton, May to declare for draft
ESPN's Andy Katz is reporting that May and Felton are definitely going to the NBA and it is still unknown what Marvin Williams will do.
Friday Press Conference Announced
The Friday press conference is going to happen after all. Tomorrow will have the biggest impact on the success of next season over any other day (or week for that matter) for the next 6 months.
newsobserver.com: UNC's Williams, Felton and May are close to announcing their plans
Here is another article about the unconfirmed report that May, Williams and Felton will hold a joint press conference at 1:30pm on Friday. Felton is reported as saying his decision was difficult, but "best for me." Doesn't sound good. Round we go on the pre-draft spinning wheel...
heraldsun.com: Marvin Williams Sr. says announcement should be made Friday
The latest rumor is that May, Felton and Williams will make an announcement together about their draft status on Friday. By announcing together, it makes me think they will stay at UNC. Going to the NBA is a very personal decision. In fact, it is anti-team (because it isn't the best thing for the team). So why would the 3 of them want to make an announcement together that they are all going to the NBA? And I can't believe they would want to hold a single press conference with some staying and some going. If they are doing it together, that means they are all making the same choice. So far it has seemed like Marvin and Ray were leaning toward going and May was waiting on the others. I would indeed be shocked if they all stayed, but this latest report leaves some room for optimism.
Article: Doherty will pace sidelines for Owls
"According to sources close to Florida Atlantic University, the Owls will make Matt Doherty their fifth men’s basketball coach at a press conference Monday."
Continue at source.
Felton to hold news conference next week
It looks like we won't have to wait long for Felton's decision. The heraldsun.com is reporting that Felton will hold a news conference next week. The general consensus is that he's going to the NBA.
Doherty interviews at FAU
I for one hope he gets it. Doherty should be coaching again somewhere. Regardless of what people think, he gets a fair amount of credit for the recent NCAA championship team. He brought in all but the freshmen class. Continue at source.
Report: Felton To Turn Pro
What an outlandish rumor! Ok, so maybe it isn't so outlandish, but I'm in denial at the moment. Ray, say it isn't so!
McCants Makes It Official
Real-audio of the press conference available here. One of the best shooters I've ever seen. I wish him the best!
McCants to hold news conference, teammates mum on NBA
McCants is holding a press conference at 2pm on Wednesday to announce his intention to enter the NBA draft. This isn't a big surprise. How about the others? The pendulum has swung the other way from the post-championship euphoria and now it doesn't look so good. Felton apparently has made a decision but isn't telling anyone yet. It doesn't sound good for Carolina:
"It was difficult, but I think it's what's best for me,'' Felton said. "It's something I wanted."
It is unlikely that staying for his senior year is "something he wanted" more so than going to the NBA. I also don't recall a player saying it was "best" for him to stay another year. In that context they generally mean going to the NBA.
Both Sean May and Marvin Williams are noncommital at this point, but there is no reason to be optimistic as Sean led us to believe last week. We could see a snowball effect in fact. Sean had this to say:
"Would love to come back for my fourth year,'' May said, "but if it's a situation where I don't feel comfortable and the rest of my teammates do leave, it's an option that I may look at.''
I'm still leaning toward the opinion that they'll all make the jump to the NBA.
Felton, May Share MVP Honors At Team Banquet
"Raymond Felton, the most outstanding point guard in the country, and center Sean May, the Most Outstanding Player in the 2005 Final Four, were named co-Most Valuable Players as the University of North Carolina handed out its annual postseason awards at a ceremony Tuesday night at the Smith Center."
Continue at source.
Banquet Photos
InsideCarolina.com: Hansbrough Scores 31 At Hoop Summit
"Behind USA Basketball Junior National Select Team forward Tyler Hansbrough's (Poplar Bluff High School / Poplar Bluff, Mo.) USA record-tying 31 points on 9-of-14 shooting, the United States posted a 106-98 victory over a World Select Team in the 8th Annual Nike Hoop Summit played Saturday night in the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn."
Continue at source.
May Fourth for Wooden Award - NBA decision still unconfirmed
Sean May was fourth in the voting for the Wooden Award. Utah's Bogut won as expected. He has also hedged on his recent proclamation to return to UNC:
"I'll sit down and talk with coach (Roy Williams) and weigh my options," May said. "It's not set in concrete that I'll return for my senior year. I love college, I love playing college basketball. I'll make my decision soon."
As I've said before, until the draft is over, we'll continue to hear different reports.
Breaking news! May Says He Will Return
May is now saying he is going to return. He still left the door a little cracked for the NBA so don't be surprised if you see things go back and forth a bit.
Continue at source.
Get your Carolina Championship Gear
Available at Johnny T-shirt.
Four Heels Could Leave Early
Ugh. It looks like McCants will leave. May, Felton, and Marvin Williams will leave if they go in the lottery. That could mean we lose 7 (including 3 seniors) from this year's team!! As this shakes out, I'll discuss who I think would be the starters next year. For now let's enjoy the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
More at InsideCarolina.com
Felton Honored As Nation's Top PG
Well deserved!
"North Carolina junior Raymond Felton was named the 2005 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard Award Winner. The award recognizes the best point guard in all of college basketball, with candidates considered from all three NCAA Divisions."
Continue at source.
CBS makes me want to buy a Tivo
There had to have been more commericals on CBS per minute of air time than any other time in history last night during the game. Not only did they go to commercial for every official timeout, but every single team timeout (30 second or otherwise). Even if CBS could only squeak out one commercial, they'd cut to it. Even during the post-game at 11:36pm EST they had to interrupt the interview with Felton to go to commercial. You think with all the commercials they showed during the game they could at least let them have an uninterrupted interview. CBS was the only negative to an otherwise great tournament.
UNC 75, Illinois 70
What a game. Of course Illinois made a run as expected. In fact, they caught fire for the first 15 minutes of the second half. Deron Williams couldn't miss and Luther Head was on fire too. Illinois cut the lead to 7 at the 10 minute mark, but we kept fighting back. Then with 5 to go they tied it up! It didn't look good for us at that point. The momentum had swung in Illinois' favor, but we continued to make big plays.
Sean May was just unstoppable. We went to him like 6 straight times down the court and Illinois had no answer. Illinois best big man, James Augustine, was in foul trouble all game and fouled out with 0 points on only 9 minutes of play. May scored 26 points (tying his Dad Scott May during his championship game in '76), but Sean ended with 10 rebounds (2 more than his dad). I was concerned after we repeatedly went to May that our outside shooters would get cold. And I think that actually helped Illinois get back in the game. That and the fact that the refs wouldn't call a moving screen to save their lives. Illinois players were doing running screens and the refs didn't call it. This made for some wide open 3's for Illinois.
But in the end, Felton came up HUGE with a big steal in the final minutes and made 3 key free throws. Luther Head had an open look for a 3 from the side to tie, but it banged off the rim.
First championship for UNC in 12 years....First championship for Coach Williams....Fitting end for the 3 seniors that experienced an 8-20 season….Tourney MVP for Sean May….Maybe this will shut-up all the critics that said Carolina has the most talent in the country, but not the best team.
University of North Carolina
2005
NCAA
National
Champions!!!
UNC 40, Illinois 27 (HALF-TIME)
Carolina needs to put together two halves to win the game and they just put on a spectacular first half. McCants has stepped up and played huge on both ends of the court. Sean May is having a strong game down low. Our 3-point shooting has been great. And we are even playing zone defense really well to preserve Felton. I think Illinois final possession of the half really epitomized the half. Illinois wanted to hold the ball to the final seconds and ended up not getting a shot off. On the negative side, we haven't been good on the defensive boards. We have to get more rebounds on missed Illinois shots. We've also had some very sloppy passes. They have to be more crisp against this team. Lastly, Jackie's overall play has been dismal. Fumbled the ball a couple of times and got 3 fouls in the first half (for the second straight game). We have a 13 point lead, but we can't expect the Illinois shooting slump to continue (it is their worst shooting half all season). They are going to make a run no doubt. They can make up 13 points in no time. We have to continue to apply the pressure. If Illinois can come back from a 13 point deficit at the half to beat UNC in the championship game, they deserve it. We have to keep the pressure on and keep doing what we are doing. My heart is pumping!
Pregame
It is game time and I'm getting excited! For posterity: First time since 1975 that #1 played #2 in the final game
First championship game for Carolina since 1993 when they won it
Third championship game for Coach Williams (other two were with Kansas)
Michael Jordan is wearing a Carolina blue jumpsuit and sitting with Coach Smith in a suite.
Billy Packer and Jim Nance are calling their 15th straight championship game
Most analysts are split between UNC and Illinois
This is like a home game for Illinois -- a lot of orange in the stands
With Illinois being #1 most of the season and winning the conference tournament, I think they are the favorites going in. They've played superb ball all year. We are going to have to play two solid halves to win. We can definitely do it! They are announcing the lineups...gotta run....
May opening the door to the NBA slightly
To date, Sean May has been adamant that he is staying at UNC next year. I just heard Andy Katz of ESPN say that May opened the door slightly to the NBA yesterday by saying that if he would be in the top 10, of course he has to go, but that he'll talk to his dad after the season. We could conceivably lose 7 players this year! The 3 seniors plus Marvin, Sean, Rashad, and Felton. Ugh, ok I don't want to think about that right now.
Can we stop the pro-Duke commercials please???
I don't get it. Coach K is in at least two commercials that were played throughout both semifinal games. One of them is an Amex commercial, but you could fool me. It seems more like a commercial for Coach K and Duke. "I want you armed for life." "I want you to develop as a player, a student, and a human being." Hopefully young high school players will not be duped and will see the commercials for the cheesy self-promotion they are.
Down to 2
It may not make for as good of a game, but I much prefer a 10+ point win than a 1 or 2 point nail biter. The first half was up and down with UNC down by 5 at the half. Sean May couldn't get much going, but Jawad Williams made up for it in spades. He had his first good offensive game in a while (ending with 20 points). It was apparent at the half that we'd have to come out and play much better to win (which as become our MO). Fortunately, we did just that. Sean May turned things around and became more aggressive. We turned up the defensive pressure and started running a lot more. McCants and Felton both had a good games. Michigan St thought they could run with us and did for a while, but eventually we were too much. Illinois won the other game pretty easily. This is going to make for quite a matchup! Carolina has yet to lose this year to a team that likes to run (which Illinois does). I watched the Louisville/Illinois game and I must say that Illinois is impressive. They pass the ball and are so incredibly patient. And their defensive is always on (unlike UNC). It goes without saying that UNC will have to play BOTH halves in order to pull it out. We also have to hope that Illinois doesn't shoot the lights out as they are prone to do. This is Carolina's first trip to the championship game since 1993 (when they won), so this has been quite an achievement. Let's just hope they can pull one more out and solidify their place in the history books. P.S. It is interesting to see Carolina as the underdog. Most expect Illinois to win. That's a tough a position to be in. I just wish I was in the vincinity of Franklin Street.
McDonald's Game
I caught the second half of the McDonald's All-American Game on ESPN. There were 3 UNC recruits playing: Bobby Frasor, Tyler Hansborough, and Danny Green. Frasor had a quiet game scoring only 2 points. Danny Green had a decent game and Hansborough showed the scrappy game he is known for. Out of the 3, only Hansborough has immediate-impact potential. He's the kind of player that will give 110% every game and do whatever the team needs. Frasor and Green have potential, but will need to work on their games to make a big impact at the next level.
Duke also had 3 players in the game: forward McRoberts, center Boateng, and point guard Paulus. McRoberts is going to be a good one. He ended up the MVP of the game. I'll regret seeing him for years to come. Paulus is of the same mold as Wojo. Being a two-sport quarterback star, he is built solid and seems to make good decisions on the court. I didn't see much of Boateng, but he is suppose to be the most highly rated out of the three. Unfortunately, it looks like Duke may have a better recruiting year than UNC for 2005.
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