<![CDATA[Game 17: Kings 5, Hurricanes 2]]></h1> <article> <h1>Game 17: Kings 5, Hurricanes 2</h1> <p>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:01:39 GMT</p> A nice ovation for new Canes goaltender Manny Legace rang in the start of game one A.C. (after Cam). The Canes look to break their twelve-game losing streak tonight while missing three of their best players...against the fifth-seed in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings. Good luck with that.<br /> <br /> Eric Staal, Cam Ward and Joni Pitkanen are all out for various maladies, but the Canes do get Ray Whitney back tonight. On the other side, we'll get our first look ... </article> <article> <h1>Tripp Tracy with TZ 11/11</h1> <p>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:59:20 GMT</p> Tripp Tracy joins Taylor Zarzour for their weekly chat, courtesy of Sunset Grille in Cary. </article> <article> <h1>Bowl Projections</h1> <p>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:44:30 GMT</p> Clearly I am going to be wrong on almost all of this but its always fun to speculate. <br /> <span style="font-size: larger;"><b><br /> So here's what I am predicting for November:</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">-UNC will beat Duke and State and lose to Miami and BC (7-5)</span><br /> <br /> -Duke will beat GT, but lose to UNC, Miami,... </article> <article> <h1>A State November to Remember? Why Not...</h1> <p>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:37:42 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: larger"><font face="Calibri">N.C. State has already seen its roster shredded by injuries, its defense dismantled by big plays and its season doused in disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now, over the next three weeks, the Wolfpack can flip the script.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: larger"><font face="Calibri">Three games remaining, thr... </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #8</h1> <p>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:02:19 GMT</p> This week, Brian, Phil and Brandon discuss what Cam Ward's injury means for the Hurricanes' immediate future, what the correct course of action should be with the young players in the AHL, and whether the Canes will finally snap their losing streak and win for the first time in over a month. </article> <article> <h1>The Wise Ones Are Winning</h1> <p>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:32:06 GMT</p> <font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The legendary Duke athletic director Eddie Cameron – yes, the guy they named the famous basketball building after on Jan. 22, 1972 – once told me the well-established academic universities should be successful in football.</font> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> Odd as it seemed at the time, because Duke was beginning to struggle, Cameron was referring to his own established history with the Blue Devils where he ... </article> <article> <h1>Harris Top 25 Ballot for 11/8</h1> <p>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:02:13 GMT</p> Little by little, week by week, the national title picture is clearing up. Thanks to Iowa, there is one less contender remaining, and there are many more opportunities for the list of unbeatens to shrink.<br /> <br /> Odds are, there will be at least two unbeatens remaining when the BCS selections are announced. Probably more. But we do know that either Florida or Alabama will suffer a loss and that Cincinnati has a pair of difficult games against Pittsburgh and West Virginia... </article> <article> <h1>With Ward on the shelf, what now for Canes?</h1> <p>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:09:12 GMT</p> When the N&O's Chip Alexander and I both saw Cam Ward go down with an injury in the middle of the first period Saturday night in Columbus, we both immediately thought his groin injury had flared up again. After all, it looked like an innocent enough play; to both of us it appeared he had come out of his crouch awkwardly and reaggravated an old injury.<br /> <br /> Then I noticed the pool of blood on the ice. And noted that Ward was leaving the ice completely unable to use his l... </article> <article> <h1>With Ward on the shelf, what now for Canes?</h1> <p>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:09:12 GMT</p> When the N&O's Chip Alexander and I both saw Cam Ward go down with an injury in the middle of the first period Saturday night in Columbus, we both immediately thought his groin injury had flared up again. After all, it looked like an innocent enough play; to both of us it appeared he had come out of his crouch awkwardly and reaggravated an old injury.<br /> <br /> Then I noticed the pool of blood on the ice. And noted that Ward was leaving the ice completely unable to use his l... </article> <article> <h1>Game 16: Blue Jackets 3, Hurricanes 2 from Columbus: C. Ward injured</h1> <p>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:10:47 GMT</p> The first Live Blog Road Trip for the 2009-10 season heads to Ohio as the Canes face the Columbus Blue Jackets for the only time this year. Here's hoping that this year's first road trip yields better results than the first one last year did, when the Canes blew a 2-0 lead to the Atlanta Thrashers in the final ten minutes of the game and lost the game 3-2, prompting this immortal question from your humble reporter: "Coach.........what happened?"<br /> <br /> No matter the outco... </article> <article> <h1>Live Blog: Duke vs. UNC</h1> <p>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:40:07 GMT</p> I'm Jamey Wilkinson and I'll be doing a live blog from Kenan Stadium this afternoon beginning at 3PM. Tune in for complete up to the minute coverage of the Battle of the Blues!<br /> <br /> OK- I'm settled in at the press box at Kenan Stadium. This UNC-Duke game certainly has alot more vibe than previous football meetings (notice I said football, not basketball). The vibe is well deserved though. Both are 5-3 entering today and whomever wins will be one win shy of bowl eligibility. Both specia... </article> <article> <h1>Game 15: Maple Leafs 3, Hurricanes 2</h1> <p>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:28:08 GMT</p> The Hurricanes play their most meaningful game of the season tonight. Unfortunately for them, it's meaningful in only one regard: the loser of tonight's game will remain out of the NHL's standings basement.<br /> <br /> The Toronto Maple Leafs, and the attendant perpetual circus, come to town tonight for the first of two meetings in under two weeks. The Leafs are the only team separating the Hurricanes from last in the NHL, as both teams enter tonight's action with the princely sum... </article> <article> <h1>This Time, It Counts</h1> <p>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:44:23 GMT</p> You're sick of hearing about Duke, aren't you? You're tired of all the jawing and praise for this high scoring, dominating offense and opportunistic defense. You could go the rest of the year without hearing about this record setting senior leader the Blue Devils have, their "quarterback" if you will. Except this time around people really are talking about an actual quarterback, on a football field. Playing at Duke. Playing <i goog_docs_charindex="434">for... </article> <article> <h1>Wolfpack Shows Guts, Even If No Glory</h1> <p>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:30:30 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="line-height: 115%">It’s convenient, and largely accurate, to hurl all sorts of criticism at Tom O’Brien and his team after N.C. State’s latest ACC pitfall, 45-42 at Florida State:</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style... </article> <article> <h1>Dascenzo: Times Are A Changin'</h1> <p>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:10:36 GMT</p> <span style="font-size: small">Culture is a fickle creature which sometimes makes you wonder if you’re existing in a fictitious environment. </span> <p><span style="font-size: small"> It is early November and I am asked constantly about Duke football. No, I didn’t mean to say Duke basketball. I meant to say Duke football – honest.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> Since numbers never lie, the documents on my desk claim the early-November Bl... </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #7</h1> <p>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:01:30 GMT</p> This week, Brian, Phil, Brandon and CanesCountry.com's Bob Harwood discuss what's gone wrong with the Canes to this point in the season, how it can be fixed, and what to expect as the Canes face two of three on the road. </article> <article> <h1>Harris Top 25 Ballot for 11-1-09</h1> <p>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:33:47 GMT</p> <p><span style="font-size: small">There were no changes among my Top four this week. I kept Texas atop my ballot because it has been the most <br /> impressive team in the nation the past two weeks, complete with a resounding 41-14 throttling of a very good<br /> Oklahoma State team on the road.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small">The Big XII just isn't as good top to bottom as it was last year, so there aren't many opportunities remaining for<br /> the Longhorns to lose. ... </article> <article> <h1>Game 13: Sharks 5, Hurricanes 1</h1> <p>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:16:18 GMT</p> Pretend for a second that the Hurricanes aren't 2-7-3 on the season. Pretend they haven't lost eight in a row. Pretend they're the team that, on paper, some hack writer projected for 100 points. Do you think there'd be more buzz about one of the best teams in the West coming to town for the only time this season? I sure do.<br /> <br /> OK, back to reality. It's going to be a long day in the saddle, more than likely, but we'll be here to cover it all.<br /> <br /... </article> <article> <h1>Are we there yet?</h1> <p>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:44:49 GMT</p> Anyone who knows me knows the fervor with which I follow Cleveland sports. It takes a special kind of masochism to cheer for teams that you just know will find a way to rip your heart out at precisely the wrong time. My parents still have yet to recover from seeing John Elway march down the field in the 1987 AFC championship. For older generations, Willie Mays and Rocky Colavito still awaken painful memories. Jose Mesa. Earnest Byner. Art Modell. Michael... </article> <article> <h1>Are we there yet?</h1> <p>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:44:49 GMT</p> Anyone who knows me knows the fervor with which I follow Cleveland sports. It takes a special kind of masochism to cheer for teams that you just know will find a way to rip your heart out at precisely the wrong time. My parents still have yet to recover from seeing John Elway march down the field in the 1987 AFC championship. For older generations, Willie Mays and Rocky Colavito still awaken painful memories. Jose Mesa. Earnest Byner. Art Modell. Michael... </article> <article> <h1>Fourth and Done?</h1> <p>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:44:34 GMT</p> Was the fourth-quarter fourth-down call with just over four minutes remaining last Thursday night against Florida State the defining call of the North Carolina football season? It certainly was a big decision in that game. <br /> <br /> Games and seasons are not played in a vacuum and there's now way that call alone cost Carolina the game. But it was the last real chance for the Heels to take control. And that last chance is often the one we look back on and say, "... </article> <article> <h1>Game 11: Blues 5, Hurricanes 2</h1> <p>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:04:51 GMT</p> Home cooking returns tonight for the Hurricanes, and not a minute too soon. While they were in relatively good shape heading into the two week long State Fair roadtrip, the wheels fell off on the road, as the Canes stumbled to an 0-2-2 mark that leaves them scrambling for answers. Since last we saw the Canes, Stephane Yelle has cleared waivers (and remains with the team), Brandon Sutter has been called up to center the third line and hasn't looked at all out of place, Tuomo Ruutu fou... </article> <article> <h1>RB Duo Steps Up for ECU</h1> <p>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:41:49 GMT</p> <span style="font-size: small;">Maybe East Carolina has found its one-two punch. After weeks of searching for the right running back rotation, the dynamic duo of Dominique Lindsay and Giavanni Ruffin has established itself atop the depth chart, and the Pirates are beginning to reap the fruits of their labors.<br /> <br /> Against Memphis, the Pirates rushed for a season-high 275 yards (497 in total offense), with Lindsay accounting for <br /> 139 and Ruffin 87. And had ECU Coach S... </article> <article> <h1>Midseason Report Card: Grading the 'Pack</h1> <p>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:40:51 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="line-height: 115%">Entering the 2009 campaign, this “humble” blogger confidently asserted that if, after seven games, N.C. State resided anywhere south of 5-2, the team would have colossally underachieved and the season would be stuck in mud.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:... </article> <article> <h1>Tripp Tracy with TZ 10/28</h1> <p>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT</p> Tripp Tracy joins Taylor Zarzour for their weekly conversation, presented by Sunset Grille in Cary. </article> <article> <h1>Tripp Tracy with TZ 10/28</h1> <p>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT</p> Tripp Tracy joins Taylor Zarzour for their weekly conversation, presented by Sunset Grille in Cary. </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #6</h1> <p>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:57:45 GMT</p> In this week's show, we talk to FS Midwest's Darren Pang to preview the Canes' return to home ice against St. Louis on Wednesday. Also, Brandon Smith joins Brian to discuss the ramifications of Stephane Yelle's placement on waivers, what Brandon Sutter can expect while on the Canes' roster, and whether Cam Ward will ever get a day off. </article> <article> <h1>DASCENZO: So Much For The Crystal Ball</h1> <p>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:55:32 GMT</p> <font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Nobody I know of reports, or knows, college football better than maestro Phil Steele.</font> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> Each summer I cannot wait to purchase his preseason yearbook. Believe me, it’s chock full of information – and it’s the most-meticulous – in the nation.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> Now, here’s what the maestro said about you know who in light &ndas... </article> <article> <h1>Harris Poll Ballot for 10/25/09</h1> <p>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:07:21 GMT</p> <span style="font-size: small">Simply winning doesn't mean your position in the rankings is safe. Example A: Alabama.</span><br /> <br /> The Crimson Tide hardly rolled against Tennessee, surrendering its spot atop my ballot as a result. That makes two consecutive weeks that Bama has won unimpressively, and that was enough to push Texas to the top.<br /> <br /> Here is how this week's ballot shakes out: <br /> <br /> 1. Texas<br /> 2. Alabama<br /> 3. Florida<b... </article> <article> <h1>Heels-Noles Live Blog</h1> <p>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:05:25 GMT</p> <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" type="hidden" onclick="jsCall();" />Its hard to believe that this is the first ever Thursday Night game in Kenan, but man does it look perfect. Kenan is fired up. there was a buzz in the hill I haven't seen in the time I've been here (5 1/2 years).<br /> <br /> - Full Navy uni's for Carolina. Not wild about that. Tar Heel blue isn't Navy. Will see if it works.<br /> <br /> -Yates comes out immediately and overthrows a... </article> <article> <h1>Is it panic button time yet?</h1> <p>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:06:05 GMT</p> Two points in the last four games. Consecutive losses to teams who were winless at home (Devils) or winless overall (Islanders). A complete inability to generate offensive pressure for more than a few minutes at any given time. Passes to no one being thrown all over the ice.<br /> <br /> What in the name of Marek Malik is going on here?<br /> <br /> First, it's important to note that while the kneejerk reaction to the Canes' offensive struggles is to call up the likes of Dr... </article> <article> <h1>Is it panic button time yet?</h1> <p>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:06:05 GMT</p> Two points in the last four games. Consecutive losses to teams who were winless at home (Devils) or winless overall (Islanders). A complete inability to generate offensive pressure for more than a few minutes at any given time. Passes to no one being thrown all over the ice.<br /> <br /> What in the name of Marek Malik is going on here?<br /> <br /> First, it's important to note that while the kneejerk reaction to the Canes' offensive struggles is to call up the likes of Dr... </article> <article> <h1>National Spotlight (and LT) Return to Chapel HIll</h1> <p>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:20:02 GMT</p> North Carolina and Florida State are set to meet tonight under the lights in Kenan Stadium. One program is fighting to stay relevant and the other is striving to become a major player on the college football landscape.<br /> <br /> Well, actually both are fighting to be a major player because let's face it, these are not your father's Seminoles. They're not even <i>your </i>Seminoles from high school, or grade school or wherever you were 12 years ago.<br /> <br /> In 1997, these ... </article> <article> <h1>The ACC Makes No Sense</h1> <p>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:54:19 GMT</p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Here’s how insane ACC football is getting:</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Virginia is the only team in the conference without a league loss. Wait, there’s more.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> Combined, once-mighty Florida State and once-inspired N.C. State are a combined 0-6 in the conference. Wait, there’s more.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> Duke will be favo... </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #5</h1> <p>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:00:51 GMT</p> Canes TV analyst Tripp Tracy joins Brian and Phil on this week's show to talk about what's going wrong for the Canes offensively, a big upcoming roadtrip for team morale, and an update on Erik Cole's rehab from a broken leg. </article> <article> <h1>Jordan Gets Mixed Reviews</h1> <p>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:44:22 GMT</p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">For weeks, backup quarterback Josh Jordan has been one of the more popular players on the East Carolina roster. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-... </article> <article> <h1>Harris Top 25 Ballot for 10/18</h1> <p>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:39:22 GMT</p> For the second consecutive week, Alabama took the top spot in my poll. The Tide continues to comfortably defeat quality opponents and are being rewarded for doing so.<br /> <br /> Plenty of Top 25 teams fell this week and it created a shakeup in the polls. Here's how my ballot shook out:<br /> <br /> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-... </article> <article> <h1>Picks for Saturday the 17th</h1> <p>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:58:15 GMT</p> <input type="hidden" id="gwProxy" /><input type="hidden" onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" />Wake (+7) at Clemson: Wake never wins at the Rock but I think they'll keep it close. Clemson by 4.<br /> <br /> State (+3) at BC: State has no secondary but BC has no offense. Russell and the Pack win big.<br /> <br /> ECU (-19) vs. Rice: The Owls are awful. This should be the Pirates best performance. I like them by 3 TD's.<br /> <br /> UVA (-3.5) at The Terps: Hoo knows. Lol. Th... </article> <article> <h1>No Offense, but Heels Have to be Defensive</h1> <p>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> <p>This might not be a surprise to anyone who follows the North Carolina Tar Heels in football but, for this current squad to be successful, it's defense might have to change some games. Which is exactly what it did, for the first time all season last weekend against Georgia Southern.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The good news is that the defense forced turnovers and scored. The bad news is that it was against Georgia Southern.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Carolina's defense is currently ra... </article> <article> <h1>Game 6: Penguins 3, Hurricanes 2 (SO)</h1> <p>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:13:12 GMT</p> The schedule says this is just another game, number 81 out of 1,230 on the NHL docket to be played before the end of the season in early April.<br /> <br /> The players say this is just another game, that every game has two points on the line and that they need to do whatever they can to get those two points no matter the opponent.<br /> <br /> So is this just another game? Don't think so.<br /> <br /> The Pittsburgh Penguins come to town for the first time this year, and it's our fi... </article> <article> <h1>It's a Long Road Back from Duke Depression</h1> <p>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:17:20 GMT</p> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">From the minute David Cutcliffe brought his sauntering SEC swagger to Durham, we knew it was only a matter of time before long-dormant Duke woke up. When the Blue Devils throttled Virginia 31-3 in the opening month of 2008, we could sense a breakthrough. After Duke hung with the mighty Hokies of Virginia Tech two weeks ago, the uprising seemed inevitable. N.C. State fans – fuming and flummoxed by their team’s stumble at Wake Fore... </article> <article> <h1>Tripp Tracy with TZ 10/14</h1> <p>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:15:44 GMT</p> Curtis Media Hurricanes analyst Tripp Tracy joins TZ for his weekly appearance on NC's Morning News, presented by Sunset Grille </article> <article> <h1>Tripp Tracy with TZ 10/14</h1> <p>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:15:44 GMT</p> Curtis Media Hurricanes analyst Tripp Tracy joins TZ for his weekly appearance on NC's Morning News, presented by Sunset Grille </article> <article> <h1>PK or PP: what's the real issue on special teams?</h1> <p>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:03:10 GMT</p> Much has been made over the Canes' sudden infatuation with the penalty box that has led them to the top of the NHL penalty-minutes per game chart, with an average of 24.4 PIMs per game. But the more pressing issue for the team heading into tomorrow's showdown with Pittsburgh isn't penalty killing, where after a dismal early start the Canes have killed 18 of 20 penalties in the last three games.<br /> <br /> Rather, it's the power play, where the Canes find themselves 26th in the NHL in p... </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #4</h1> <p>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:30:43 GMT</p> This week, Brian and Phil welcome CanesCountry.com's Bob Harwood into the studio to discuss Carolina's penalty problems, Joni Pitkanen's knee problems, and upcoming games against Pittsburgh and New Jersey.<br /> <br /> Note that, for some reason, I can't upload this week's show to the website. <a href="http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.carolinasportspod.com/puckdrops/media/pdp101209.mp3">Download the show here</a>, and I'll try to get it fixed in the next day or so. </article> <article> <h1>Something Rare Is Cooking In Durham</h1> <p>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:59:43 GMT</p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Is something rare about to happen? I mean really rare.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">According to Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, rare is defined this way: “not frequently found . . . scarce . . . uncommon . . . unusual, hence unusually good and remarkably fine or excellent.”</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> So, if Camp Quarterback, i.e. David Cutcliffe... </article> <article> <h1>Tide Takes Over At No. 1</h1> <p>Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:33:22 GMT</p> With very few upsets this weekend, you would think there would be little shakeup in my Top 25 ballot. But that wasn't entirely the case.<br /> <br /> Though Florida remained unbeaten and defeated my previously-ranked No. 4 team in LSU, the Gators dropped behind Southeastern Conference West rival Alabama. With its convincing victory over previously-ranked Ole Miss, the Tide added to an already stout case for the No. 1 spot. <br /> <br /> Here's how my Top 25 shakes out:<br /... </article> <article> <h1>Live Blog Duke vs. NCSU</h1> <p>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:09:53 GMT</p> I'm Jamey Wilkinson and I will carry a live blog for Duke-NCSU live from Carter Finley beginning around 3:30. Tune in for up to the minute action!<br /> <br /> Ok- we're about 20 minutes until kickoff and the State band is on the field. As of now, the new turf looks great, but would you expect anything different from a prominent turf management school??<br /> <br /> Just checking out some local scores while I'm waiting on kickoff- Looks like the Hokies really handled the BC Eagles today. UNC... </article> <article> <h1>Game 4: Canes 7, Panthers 2</h1> <p>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:52:18 GMT</p> The Canes continue the home cookin' before the State Fair road trip, welcoming the world-traveling Florida Panthers to the RBC Center tonight. The Panthers return to the States after splitting a pair with the Chicago Blackhawks in Helsinki last weekend, so the Canes will hope to capitalize on what could be some tired Panthers legs, especially in the early going.<br /> <br /> Paul Maurice's pronouncements to the contrary, Joni Pitkanen's knee is not fine, and he will miss his second game ... </article> <article> <h1>Picks for the Weekend</h1> <p>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:26:58 GMT</p> Yes they can but they won't. Yes they will. Yes it ABSOLUTELY does.<br /> <br /> Duke +14.5 at State: I think this will be another down to the wire, typical State game. Home field (that is of course if there is a field) is a big deal in the Atlantic division (the home team is 5-1 so far). I don't like State to cover but I do think they'll win.<br /> <br /> BC +13 at #5 VT: You would think I would learn about BC. I thought they would stink in 07 and they won the Atlantic. I thought they would... </article> <article> <h1>Carolina Questions Remain But Support Should Too</h1> <p>Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> "We can't have anyone freak out out there OK! We've gotta keep our composure. We've come too far. There's too much to lose. We gotta just keep our composure"<br /> <br /> O-kaaaaay, let the meltdown...COMMENCE!!!!!<br /> <br /> Nah, just kidding Carolina fans, but I wouldn't blame anyone at all for standing right next to the cliff and thinking long and hard about jumping over. Because if the loss to Georgia Tech was embarrassing, then last weekend's loss to Virginia was distu... </article> <article> <h1>The Bloom is Falling Off Butch's Rose</h1> <p>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:10:32 GMT</p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial">Looking for the biggest debacle in college football last Saturday?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial">It’s right here – North Carolina’s no-show in Kenan Stadium in a 16-3 loss to previously-winless “Al Groh-must-go” Virginia.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"> Did anyone in light blue h... </article> <article> <h1>Tripp Tracy's Weekly Interview</h1> <p>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:05:33 GMT</p> Tripp's weekly interview is presented by the Sunset Grille....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>You Can't Spell "Mistake" Without (NC) "ST"</h1> <p>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:13:38 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="line-height: 115%">Wade through all the exuberance and hyperbole following N.C. State’s 38-31 sizzler against Pittsburgh and Tom O’Brien was, unfortunately for Wolfpack Nation, dead on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, Russell Wilson was brilliant, and no, any coach worth his Navy stripes wouldn’t dare minimize a win…especially o... </article> <article> <h1>Game 3: Canes 2, Lightning 1 (SO)</h1> <p>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:01:56 GMT</p> It would be easy to say that this is a must-win for the Hurricanes. After all, the last thing they want is to start the season 0-3; just ask the Tennessee Titans. Fortunately for them, the Hurricanes don't play in the NFL, and there are still 80 games to get the ship pointed in the right direction.<br /> <br /> That's not to make light of this game. It's not a must win, but it's a should win, because not only do the Canes need to get off the slide, they need to start putting ... </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #3</h1> <p>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:53:10 GMT</p> This week, Brian and Phil talk with Yahoo! Sports' Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski, review a tough opening weekend for the Canes, and preview a week of divisional matchups. </article> <article> <h1>ECU Keeps Winning Ugly</h1> <p>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:55:18 GMT</p> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Helvetica" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Helvetica" class="Apple-style-span">You can’t accuse the East Carolina offense of overdressing for its Conference USA showdowns. In a league filled with well-groomed attacks, the Pirates are perhaps the most slovenly offensive crew.</span> <br /> </span><br /> Despite winning two-consecutive C-USA East ... </article> <article> <h1>Harris Poll Top 25 Ballot for 10/4/09</h1> <p>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:08:19 GMT</p> Perhaps Houston Coach Kevin Sumlin should have spoken to Skip Holtz prior to his team's showdown with UTEP. Holtz could have provided some perspective on a 3-0 start and Top 15 national ranking.<br /> <br /> The Cougars were throttled 58-41 in El Paso and dropped from all three major polls. I left them in because I chose not to ignore their impressive wins over Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Yes my fellow voters, those games still count.<br /> <br /> Also of note is the fac... </article> <article> <h1>Live Blog from State at Wake</h1> <p>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT</p> I think we finally have the computer issues resolved!!<br /> <br /> WOOHOO!!!!! I'm a computer genious!!!! NO, wait....just kidding ladies...I'm NOT a computer GEEK<br /> <br /> SO, State with the early turnover...Punch it in for the score...Wake drives down for a field goal...State now driving again...Looks like a shootout....I LOVE THIS GAME!!!<br /> <br /> 3 minutes to go in the 1st...State 4-4 on third downs so far....<br /> <br /> AND I JINXED THEM!!!!<br /> <br /... </article> <article> <h1>Game 1: Flyers 2, Canes 0</h1> <p>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:45:34 GMT</p> And here we are again. It's like we never left...<br /> <br /> OK, not quite, but it's great to be back in our old stomping ground above section 323. Opening Night always is tough to call, especially when the team's first game is at home, since the team can sometimes come out too amped up and find themselves trailing before they realize that the puck has dropped. It's still one of the best days on the calendar, and it's always an exciting night to cover.<br /> <br /> That s... </article> <article> <h1>Tripp Tracy's Season Preview</h1> <p>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:52:39 GMT</p> Tripp Tracy, Hurricanes TV analyst, is now our exclusive analyst on the radio too!<br /> <br /> Click for audio!<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>2009-10 Season Preview: The Western Conference and Playoff Predictions</h1> <p>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:03:02 GMT</p> OK, time to finish up the previews. Again, these are in order of their projected finish. Once you get through the predictions, you get the added bonus of my shot-in-the-dark Stanley Cup playoff predictions.<br /> <br /> Here we go...<br /> <br /> <b>San Jose Sharks</b>: It's Stanley Cup or bust for the Sharks. After an all-too-quick exit from the 2008 playoffs courtesy of the rival Anaheim Ducks, the Sharks reinvented themselves again, and now they have Dany Heatley t... </article> <article> <h1>A Person's Last Gift</h1> <p>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:32:06 GMT</p> Many think "there's nothing more we can do." Rob Pritts says otherwise.<br /> <br /> This is a cause we should all get behind. Click audio below...<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Stop the Meltdown, Butch is Doing Work</h1> <p>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> As far as overreactions go, North Carolina fans are no different than most. As a matter of fact, they probably excel at this. In college basketball terms, they're the North Carolina of overreactions. And there was a good amount of overreacting following Carolina's embarrassing loss to Georgia Tech in Atlanta last weekend. Make no mistake, that loss was embarrassing. And no one knows that more than Butch Davis. And he's exactly the reason Carolina fans need to ... </article> <article> <h1>2009-10 Season Preview: The Eastern Conference</h1> <p>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:27 GMT</p> It's high comedy every April to look back at the previous October and see what kinds of stupid projections hack writers such as yours truly spew. Yet every October, like the swallows to San Juan Capistrano, we throw these projections up on various websites and open ourselves to ridicule and second-guessing. Clearly, we are nothing more than minor masochists. (Either that, or we need something to fill space. I'm going with the former.)<br /> <br /> And with that, let's g... </article> <article> <h1>Cam Ward signs six-year extension</h1> <p>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:11:45 GMT</p> Last offseason, the Canes made a statement that they were committed to keeping their important players in place for a significant length of time by signing Eric Staal to a seven-year contract extension just before the season began. This year, they made another statement by sending a Brinks truck to Cam Ward's house.<br /> <br /> Ward today signed a six-year extension that kicks in next summer. The new deal will pay Ward a total of $37.8 million, and it will keep him in a Hurricanes... </article> <article> <h1>Cam Ward signs six-year extension</h1> <p>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:11:45 GMT</p> Last offseason, the Canes made a statement that they were committed to keeping their important players in place for a significant length of time by signing Eric Staal to a seven-year contract extension just before the season began. This year, they made another statement by sending a Brinks truck to Cam Ward's house.<br /> <br /> Ward today signed a six-year extension that kicks in next summer. The new deal will pay Ward a total of $37.8 million, and it will keep him in a Hurricanes... </article> <article> <h1>Comeback Win Equal Parts Exhilarating, Confusing For Wolfpack</h1> <p>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:07:46 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="line-height: 115%">The headline and the box score just don’t jibe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One reads “Pack Rallies for 38-31 Win over Pittsburgh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The other reports that the rallier amassed 530 yards of total offense and 37:07 of possession time, outdistancing the frontrunner by 230 yards... </article> <article> <h1>The Most Exciting Guy Plays In Raleigh</h1> <p>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:17:58 GMT</p> <b>Memo to anyone who attends an N.C. State football game the rest of this season: </b><br /> <br /> Do not blink your eyes when Russell Wilson is taking the snap for the Wolfpack because you might miss an exhilarating . . . or an inspiring – as in game-changing – play . . . or an electrifying run, no pass, play that makes a defense look like it’s on roller skates. <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"> For a better exp... </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #2</h1> <p>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:43:21 GMT</p> In this week's edition, Brian and Phil talk to Canes' TV color analyst Tripp Tracy, discuss the depth on the Canes' roster, and preview a tough back-to-back to open the season. </article> <article> <h1>2009-10 Season Preview: The Southeast Division</h1> <p>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:42:33 GMT</p> It's been a while since the Southeast Division could boast two teams with legitimate playoff aspirations. Indeed, the 2009 postseason was the first time since the inception of the division in 1998 that more than one team advanced past the first round of the playoffs. Ironically, both teams that made it to the second round, the Hurricanes and Washington Capitals, were knocked out by the same team, the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.<br /> <br /> Interestingly, in ... </article> <article> <h1>ECU Wins, VT Makes Significant Poll Jump</h1> <p>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:10:22 GMT</p> <div> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 12px Helvetica"><span style="font-size: small">Many believed East Carolina was the potential BCS buster in Conference USA, what with the wealth of experience the Pirates returned. Houston and quarterback Case Keenum had other ideas.</span></p> <p style="min-height: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 12px Helvetica"><span style="font-size: small"><br /> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 12px Helvetica"><span style="font-size: small">While the Pirates stru... </article> <article> <h1>Blogging From Pitt VS State</h1> <p>Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:56:31 GMT</p> <p><br /> <br /> TOUCHDOWN PITT....Huge pass play....79 TD pass.....Stull hooks up with Jonathan Baldwin....31-17 Pitt<br /> <br /> Great field position for the Pack...starting at the 45 of Pitt after a good return and 15 yard penalty<br /> <br /> TOUCHDOWN STATE!!!!!!! Beautiful touch pass in the corner for Wilson....<br /> <br /> Had to have that answer.... 5 play drive...33 yard TD pass from Wilson to Jarvis Williams....<br /> <br /> Welcome to game Pack Fans.... </article> <article> <h1>Saturday's ACC Menu Full of Flavor</h1> <p>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:08:25 GMT</p> <span style="font-size: small">On a college football Saturday lacking Hollywood glamour (ESPN’s College Gameday is following unranked Iowa for heaven’s sake), the ACC has every opportunity to steal some much-needed spotlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Frankly, it has little excuse not to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%"><o:p></o:p></span> <p><span style="font-size... </article> <article> <h1>Kicking Game Needs to Catch Up for Heels to Cash In</h1> <p>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> <i>It's time to blow it up, time to lock and load. Time to take the field time, time to start the <span class="misspell" suggestions="shoo,show,showy,shew,shoe">shooooooooooooww</span>...THIS IS OUR MOMENT, THIS IS OUR <span class="misspell" suggestions="TIMMIE,TIME,TIMI,TOMMIE,TIM">TIIIIIME</span>!</i> <i>And we ain't holding back we're laying it on the <span class="misspell" suggestions="Linnie,Leoine,linguine,Lianne,Liliane">liiiiiiine</span>!!!</i><br /> <br /> What? ESPN... </article> <article> <h1>2009-10 Canes Season Preview</h1> <p>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:08:13 GMT</p> It sure doesn't seem like it's been three months since we last talked about the Carolina Hurricanes in these parts. The Canes open their season October 2nd at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, and Puck Drops is getting you ready for the season like never before.<br /> <br /> We're halfway through our season preview. So far, we've <a href="~/getdoc/b6f44ac0-9180-4ac0-93a8-5bdeb42d709a/2009-10-Season-Preview--The-Forwards.aspx">covered the forwards</a> and the <a href="~/getdoc/8... </article> <article> <h1>2009-10 Season Preview: The Defensemen and Goaltenders</h1> <p>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:51:11 GMT</p> Where the forward corps stayed mostly the same in the offseason, Canes GM Jim Rutherford saw his team get pushed around a bit too much for his liking, and so the defensive corps for the new season will see its biggest upheaval in one offseason since the lockout. Gone are the likes of Frank Kaberle (buyout), Dennis Seidenberg (free agency, Florida) and Anton Babchuk (parts unknown, but probably Russia). In come a bunch of new faces: Andrew Alberts, Jay Harrison and a new face who look... </article> <article> <h1>Honesty About My Hometown Team</h1> <p>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:40:27 GMT</p> <span style="font-size: small"><span style=""><span style="font-family: Arial">In my 39 years, one month and 26 days of employment with The Herald-Sun of Durham, I always tried to be honest. </span></span></span> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"> Honestly!</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"> Well, heck, the newspaper once thought enough of me to run an advertisement, “Frank and hon... </article> <article> <h1>Puck Drops Podcast #1</h1> <p>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:23:05 GMT</p> In the first edition of the Puck Drops Podcast, Phil and Brian discuss Erik Cole and Chad LaRose's new contracts, how tough the Canes will be to play against, what to expect from a full season under Paul Maurice and more. </article> <article> <h1>Horns Top Gators In Initial Poll</h1> <p>Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:05:46 GMT</p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 10px Helvetica"> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 10px Helvetica"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px">You couldn’t have picked a better week for my first Harris Poll ballot. There were a couple of upsets, while some teams recorded statement victories.</span></span></p> <p style="min-height: 12px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Helvetica"><span style="font-size: small"><br /> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 10px Hel... </article> <article> <h1>2009-10 Season Preview: The Forwards</h1> <p>Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:06:16 GMT</p> It's no surprise that the Canes' forward corps saw significantly less turnover this offseason than the defense did. The only significant changes were on the bottom of the roster, where Ryan Bayda (free agent, training-camp tryout in Pittsburgh) and Patrick Eaves (trade, to Detroit via Boston) were replaced by the likes of Tom Kostopolous and Stephane Yelle. Indeed, even in the first few days of training camp Paul Maurice was able to put some lines together, a rare occurrence at a tim... </article> <article> <h1>Preseason Game 1: Predators 4, Canes 2</h1> <p>Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:18:22 GMT</p> Yes, it's 15 minutes into the game and the live blog is just firing up. (You haven't missed much.) Canes are a little tentative at even strength, but they're on their second power play and they've both looked fantastic.<br /> <br /> <b>17:10 1st</b>: It pays off quickly, with Erik Cole scoring his first of the preseason off a rebound in front of Preds' goalie Pekka Rinne.<br /> <br /> <b>18:08 1st</b>: That didn't take long. Nashville's Mike Santorelli took a weird s... </article> <article> <h1>Picks for Week 3</h1> <p>Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:23:28 GMT</p> I don't look like that anymore. I kept the beard for a month or so and decided to sport the shady look for a few hours. I assure you that I'm no longer being questioned by authorities and have a clean face.<br /> <br /> Now to the picks. My season predictions are still in tact, but my weekly selections have been dreadful. So far I am 7-12 vs the line and 18-10 overall. SEVAN AND TWELVE?!?!? <br /> <br /> Time to get to work...<br /> <br /> I had Miami covering 5 last night. I thought they ... </article> <article> <h1>Carolina Concerns Linger, but Positives Come from Close Win</h1> <p>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> <div>Every year a crew of my buddies, most of whom I've known since high school and before, get away for a long weekend of golf and <span class="misspell" suggestions="Basing,Busing,Bossing,Basin,Biasing">BS'ing</span>. I stink at golf but BS with the legends. It's one of the most anticipated weekends of the year because now that we're all getting older and married and having kids, you know, these weekends are becoming more and more difficult to schedule, much less pull off. <b... </article> <article> <h1>Still Few Clues About the True "State of State"</h1> <p>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:25:53 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">The easy answer to the question “what in the wide world of sports can N.C. State fans possibly draw from a 65-7 bloodletting of hapless Murray State?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is “NOTHING.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And that would also be the correct one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>... </article> <article> <h1>Will The Pirates Ever Win A Big Road Game?</h1> <p>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:43:59 GMT</p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial">Isn’t it about time East Carolina puts up or shuts up?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial">The passionate Pirate Nation, clad yearly in its purple and yellow and with a fan following which sometimes resembles a mini-SEC program, must now deal in reality:</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial">The Bucs don’t win on the road... </article> <article> <h1>Secondary Now a Primary Concern for ECU</h1> <p>Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:12:23 GMT</p> <font size="2"> <p><span style="font-size: small">Much of the buzz about East Carolina during the preseason centered on the return of a talented, veteran defense. And it certainly made sense.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small">The Pirates are big along their defensive front, start three seniors at linebacker, and were believed to have plenty of depth in the secondary. There also was no shortage of playmakers dotting the watch lists for national postseason awards.</span></p> <p><span... </article> <article> <h1>The Beating Goes On</h1> <p>Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:58:48 GMT</p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span>The latest college football punching bag is the ACC. You know it, I know it and so does the conference’s high command. I can only assume somewhere, in the confines of their cozy Greensboro offices, did at least one employee cringe.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"> Come on, could the start to any season have been any worse for the notorious basketball bastion?</span></span></p> <p><span styl... </article> <article> <h1>N.C. State's Problems Start Up Front</h1> <p>Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:07:09 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">That thud you heard was the still-echoing sound of N.C. State’s nationally televised Thursday “debut” (I would offer a different “deb” word, one that ends in “acle”) against South Carolina, all three points of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style=... </article> <article> <h1>Carolina Faithful Ready for the Future Now</h1> <p>Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> I have seen the future of football at the University of North Carolina, and it is well attended. To be more specific, it's sold out. I thought the opening game for Butch Davis and his Tar Heels would be a tough ticket and the scene around Chapel Hill on Saturday would have somewhat of a buzz. But I underestimated the Carolina faithful.<br /> <br /> Maybe Carolina is ready for some football. Maybe the buzz from the alumni basketball game (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/... </article> <article> <h1>ECU Must Improve Under Center</h1> <p>Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:24:31 GMT</p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 10px Helvetica"><span style="font-size: small"><span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px">When quarterback Patrick Pinkney was granted a sixth season by the NCAA, it was greeted with great enthusiasm by East Carolina coaches and fans.</span></span></span></p> <p style="min-height: 12px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Helvetica"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font: 10px Helvetica"><span style="fo... </article> <article> <h1>Still Waiting On That Superpower</h1> <p>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:21:37 GMT</p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: small">It’s about time everybody gets off ACC Commissioner John Swofford’s back about expanding the league and creating two football divisions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: small"> I liked it when it began and still do.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial"><span style="font-size: small"> The problem with the ACC, and the media gurus w... </article> <article> <h1>N.C. State: The ACC's "Hump Team?"</h1> <p>Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:39:22 GMT</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">N.C. State is THE “hump team” in the ACC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Translation: the Wolfpack has the tools, the talent, the coaching, the confidence and the schedule to make the most dramatic leap year-over-year of any team from Chestnut Hill to Coral Gables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font s... </article> <article> <h1>Want To, Need To, Have To: 2009 North Carolina Football</h1> <p>Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> Wants versus needs. Sometimes you want the thing you need. Sometimes you need the thing you want. A lot of times, you don't really need something you want. Unless you have to have it.<br /> <br /> For instance, and stay with me now, I want Allen Iverson to play for the Charlotte Bobcats next year. Regardless of his past (in some cases because of it) or what some casual NBA observers think, I believe Iverson can still score. <br /> <br /> Now the Bobcats, t... </article> <article> <h1>Depth Chart Presents Surprises</h1> <p>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:57:29 GMT</p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="2">When East Carolina released its depth chart for the season opener against Appalachian State, there was no shortage of familiar names.</font> </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial"><font size="2">Patrick Pinkney, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, was back at quarterback. Jamar Bryant and Dwayne Harris, both of whom missed a good portion of 2008, were back as first team receivers.</font> </span></p>... </article> <article> <h1>Stop Saying Sleeping Giant!</h1> <p>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:50:26 GMT</p> <span style="font-size: small"><span style="">If I’ve listened to it asked once, I’ve listened to it a thousand times: </span></span> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial">Is North Carolina really a sleeping giant in college football?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Arial"> The question is brought up about as often as the state of the American economy. The Tar Heels are a football program which h... </article> <article> <h1>The 2009 Preview Edition of The Big Tailgate Show</h1> <p>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:49:33 GMT</p> We had a great time at the Wild Wing Cafe in Brier Creek. We had all sorts of experts join us, including Verne Lundquist of CBS Sports..... <a href="http://thebigtailgate.com/Listen/Big-Tailgate-Archives.aspx">thebigtailgate.com/Listen/Big-Tailgate-Archives.aspx</a><br /> <br /> Butch spoke to us and analyst Mark Paschal made his debut....<a href="http://thebigtailgate.com/Listen/North-Carolina.aspx">thebigtailgate.com/Listen/North-Carolina.aspx</a><br /> <br /> TOB seems confident, but then... </article> <article> <h1>Picks With The FBI</h1> <p>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:30:18 GMT</p> Each and every week the Full Blooded Italian will take on Jenna, Scotty Garcia (aka Jerry's son), Mize, me, and a listener. If the caller beats everybody they get a free year of service from Spring Green Lawn & Tree Care. If they lose to Jenna it will be front page news (at least on this website). <br /> <br /> This past Saturday we made our predictions for the year. Click below for the audio. What's really sad is that nobody was drunk.....yet.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>TZ's PICKS FOR THE YEAR</h1> <p>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:16:48 GMT</p> (Note about picture: I am going to the Bristol race where shaving is strictly prohibited)<br /> <br /> Top 25<br /> 1. Texas- The Red River Rivalry Shootout at the State Fair (TM), or whatever I am supposed to call it will be the game of the year. I think the winner plays for the National Championship. Sorry Jed, but I'm taking the Horns over your Sooners.<br /> <br /> 2. Florida- They are absolutely the best team in college football, returning EVERYONE on their 2 deep on Defense. Tim Tebow... </article> <article> <h1>Quick Break From Football For Golf</h1> <p>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:45:42 GMT</p> click audio below...<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Who Can Beat The Gators?</h1> <p>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:23:11 GMT</p> click audio below!<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>BC/MIA/MARY/UVA Preview</h1> <p>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:24:14 GMT</p> click audio below....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>FSU Preview</h1> <p>Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:46:17 GMT</p> click audio below...<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Ga Tech Preview</h1> <p>Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:36:50 GMT</p> click audio below...<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>The State of Central</h1> <p>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:06:38 GMT</p> click audio below....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Clemson Preview</h1> <p>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:36:56 GMT</p> Click audio below!<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Hokie Preview</h1> <p>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:28:09 GMT</p> Virginia Tech could be well on their way to a third straight ACC Title, and yet another trip to the Orange Bowl. I don't think anyone would be surprised by that. But NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER?!?!? Please. <br /> <br /> QB Tyrod Taylor threw 2 TD's and 7 INT's last season. You don't compete for titles with numbers like that. What's going to happen with the Hokies get behind? Do you really think Taylor is going to win games with his arm? Not me. <br /> <br /> I wouldn't be surprised if t... </article> <article> <h1>APP Preview</h1> <p>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:29:51 GMT</p> Jerry Moore has built one of the best programs in the history of FCS (1-AA) football. Appalachian State is a full fledged dynasty. And the beat should go on this year. With 16 returning starters, including the most elictrifying player at the FCS level (QB Armanti Edwards), App fans might want to look at some hotle rooms in Chattanooga on Dec. 11th.<br /> <br /> The only thing that can derail their hopes is health, and already Edwards is banged up (lawn mower accident you will hear about below)... </article> <article> <h1>ECU Will Win C-USA</h1> <p>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:12:41 GMT</p> East Carolina starts 5 seniors and 4 juniors on offense. On defense they start an amazing SEVEN seniors and three juniors! In other words East Carolina MUST win their conference, and have a shot at winning 10+ games. Plus, there is at least a 75% chance that Head Coach Skip Holtz will be somewhere like Charlottesville in 2010. <br /> <br /> I have them finishing 10-4, winning the conference title game at home against Houston, and then losing in the Liberty Bowl to Arkansas. <br />... </article> <article> <h1>Wake Preview</h1> <p>Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:56:38 GMT</p> Jim Grobe and the Deacs have won 28 games in the past 3 seasons. That is truly remarkable at Wake Forest. Here's how they've done it:<br /> -rock solid defense, littered with depth, talent, and lots of leaders<br /> -a smart QB in Riley Skinner<br /> -a coach that has great control on the field position battle<br /> <br /> And now here's the problem with this team:<br /> -they lost the two best defensive players the program has ever had...in the SAME YEAR! (DB Alphonso Smith and LB Aaron C... </article> <article> <h1>Duke Preview</h1> <p>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:04:16 GMT</p> Duke is no longer a doormat. David Cutcliffe has made all his opponents take the Devils seriously. But can they become the next Wake? Not so fast. Duke still has depth issues all over the field. But if there first team talent stays healthy don't be surprised to see them with a 6-6 finish. <br /> <br /> Click audio below for our interview with Head Coach David Cutcliffe, QB Thad Lewis, DT Vince Oghobaase, and our predictions!<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>North Carolina Preview</h1> <p>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:22:52 GMT</p> I am convinced that Butch Davis will lead Carolina to national prominence. I expect the Heels to make annual appearances in the Top 25, and always compete for the division crown. But not yet. They still have way too much inexperience at key spots (3 parts of their O-Line and WR). Expect this year to be a lot like last year; North Carolina will win 7, 8, or 9 with a chance in all of them.<br /> <br /> Click audio below to hear our conversation with Head Coach Butch Davis, QB TJ Yates, and our f... </article> <article> <h1>NC State Preview</h1> <p>Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:28:10 GMT</p> Assistant to the Sports Director, Jed Williams, and yours truly had a chance to catch up with Head Coach Tom O'Brien, RB Jamelle Eugene and DE Willie Young. The audio begins with TOB talking about who will replace injured LB Nate Irving, and it ends with our picks for the season. What do you think? Email me: taylor@thebigtailgate.com.<br /> <br /> Click audio below!<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>2009 ACC Predictions</h1> <p>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:24:56 GMT</p> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Ctzarzour%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>... </article> <article> <h1>TIME FOR PREDICTIONS!!!</h1> <p>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:51:50 GMT</p> When it comes to the SEC I am totally biased. It is the first thing in sports that I was introduced to, it is where I am from, and all SEVEN of my family members attend, or graduated, from one of the universities.<br /> <br /> But while it is the league I root for that doesn't mean I'm afraid to call it like I see it. It used to be an underperforming, good ol' boy, cheat your butt off conference. Now it is a talent littered, little bit of cheatin', coaching POWERHOUSE. <br /> <br ... </article> <article> <h1>ACC Media Days Podcast: Day 2, Part 2</h1> <p>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:17:05 GMT</p> </article> <article> <h1>ACC Media Days Podcast: Day 2, Part 1</h1> <p>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:12:36 GMT</p> </article> <article> <h1>UNC Players at ACC Media Days</h1> <p>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:22:05 GMT</p> </article> <article> <h1>Duke Players at ACC Media Days</h1> <p>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:43:16 GMT</p> </article> <article> <h1>N.C. State Players at ACC Media Days</h1> <p>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:16:20 GMT</p> </article> <article> <h1>Wake Forest Players at ACC Media Days</h1> <p>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:49:37 GMT</p> click audio below....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>NHL Entry Draft: Day 2</h1> <p>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:11:10 GMT</p> First off, in case you missed the news this morning, Jay Bouwmeester has been traded from Florida to Calgary for Jordan Leopold and a third round pick. Rather amazing that the Panthers got a warm body for him this late in the game, although Leopold is a free agent as well and there's no guarantee he'll be resigned.<br /> <br /> Anyway, onto the business at hand.<br /> <br /> With their first pick of the second round, the Canes select Brian Dumoulin, a 6'3" defenseman who continues... </article> <article> <h1>Hurricanes take Phillipe Paradis in the first round of the 2009 draft</h1> <p>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:35:11 GMT</p> The Canes have said all along that they were looking for size in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Phillippe Paradis fits the bill. Paradis, from the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec junior league, is a 6'1" 196-pound center who will still grow some more, a real change from the last two first round draft picks, skinny Brandon Sutter and undersized Zach Boychuk.<br /> <br /> Paradis was projected as an early-2nd round selection, and it is somewhat surprising that ... </article> <article> <h1>10 Questions: What we learned, and what's in store</h1> <p>Thu, 28 May 2009 21:29:46 GMT</p> <i>Ten questions discussing the just completed 08-09 season and the upcoming 09-10 season...</i><b><br /> <br /> Will Paul Maurice and the coaching staff return next season?</b><br /> If Jim Rutherford's the one making the decision, this is a no brainer. The coaching staff took a team that occupied tenth place in the conference as late as February 15th and not only got them into the playoffs, but led them to a berth in the conference final. Maurice seems to have realized that this... </article> <article> <h1>10 Questions: What we learned, and what's in store</h1> <p>Thu, 28 May 2009 21:29:46 GMT</p> <i>Ten questions discussing the just completed 08-09 season and the upcoming 09-10 season...</i><b><br /> <br /> Will Paul Maurice and the coaching staff return next season?</b><br /> If Jim Rutherford's the one making the decision, this is a no brainer. The coaching staff took a team that occupied tenth place in the conference as late as February 15th and not only got them into the playoffs, but led them to a berth in the conference final. Maurice seems to have realized that this... </article> <article> <h1>TZ and LeBlanc recap the season</h1> <p>Wed, 27 May 2009 09:25:15 GMT</p> click audio below...<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>TZ and LeBlanc recap the season</h1> <p>Wed, 27 May 2009 09:25:15 GMT</p> click audio below...<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Game 4: Penguins 4, Canes 1</h1> <p>Tue, 26 May 2009 19:04:58 GMT</p> The Carolina Hurricanes' magical run is over. An underdog in every series they played in this year's NHL playoffs, the Canes finally met their match in the Eastern Conference final as they were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins after a 4-1 loss in Game 4. While the Canes are understandably upset with their failure to capture the Stanley Cup, they have nothing to be ashamed of after defying the odds and putting the naysayers who left the team for dead on the side of the road in their p... </article> <article> <h1>Game 4: Penguins 4, Canes 1</h1> <p>Tue, 26 May 2009 19:04:58 GMT</p> The Carolina Hurricanes' magical run is over. An underdog in every series they played in this year's NHL playoffs, the Canes finally met their match in the Eastern Conference final as they were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins after a 4-1 loss in Game 4. While the Canes are understandably upset with their failure to capture the Stanley Cup, they have nothing to be ashamed of after defying the odds and putting the naysayers who left the team for dead on the side of the road in their p... </article> <article> <h1>Game 3 Live Blog 5/23/09</h1> <p>Sat, 23 May 2009 19:26:42 GMT</p> Its the Canes biggest game of the year and LeBlanc has gone missing! No worries I will rescue us all....<br /> <br /> Leblanc is at his sister-in-law's wedding and missing game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. I know, I said the same thing.......so? Okay I'm all talk, I would never say that. Thus, we've gone from a guy that dreams about forechecking to an Alabama redneck that played hooky more than I watched hockey. But we will get through it.<br /> <br /> Pre-game thoughts:<br /> <br />... </article> <article> <h1>Game 3 Live Blog 5/23/09</h1> <p>Sat, 23 May 2009 18:52:30 GMT</p> Its the Canes biggest game of the year and LeBlanc has gone missing! No worries I will rescue us all....<br /> <br /> LeBlanc is at his sister-in-law's wedding and missing game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. I know, I said the same thing.......so? Okay I'm all talk, I would never say that. Thus, we've gone from a guy that dreams about forechecking to an Alabama redneck that played hooky more than I watched hockey. But we will get through it.<br /> <br /> Pre-game thoughts:<br /> <br />... </article> <article> <h1>Can the Canes pull it together at home?</h1> <p>Fri, 22 May 2009 22:00:01 GMT</p> Heading into the series, <a href="~/getdoc/ab9f699c-2518-4b16-9b1a-02adcd4f358e/Canes-Penguins-series-preview.aspx">some hack commentator said something</a> about the Canes' defense deciding this series. So far, it's true to form: the defense has been terrible, and the Canes are in a 2-0 hole.<br /> <br /> Of course, the two-headed offensive attack otherwise known as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can make any defense in the NHL look like a club team. The luxury for the Penguins i... </article> <article> <h1>Can the Canes pull it together at home?</h1> <p>Fri, 22 May 2009 22:00:01 GMT</p> Heading into the series, <a href="~/getdoc/ab9f699c-2518-4b16-9b1a-02adcd4f358e/Canes-Penguins-series-preview.aspx">some hack commentator said something</a> about the Canes' defense deciding this series. So far, it's true to form: the defense has been terrible, and the Canes are in a 2-0 hole.<br /> <br /> Of course, the two-headed offensive attack otherwise known as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can make any defense in the NHL look like a club team. The luxury for the Penguins i... </article> <article> <h1>Game 2: Penguins 7, Canes 4</h1> <p>Thu, 21 May 2009 12:36:48 GMT</p> Let's just forget that game happened, shall we? If you want to subject yourself to the live chat of a Swiss cheese defensive game, it's below. Otherwise, we'll see you on Saturday for Game 3.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_... </article> <article> <h1>Game 2: Penguins 7, Canes 4</h1> <p>Thu, 21 May 2009 12:36:48 GMT</p> Let's just forget that game happened, shall we? If you want to subject yourself to the live chat of a Swiss cheese defensive game, it's below. Otherwise, we'll see you on Saturday for Game 3.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_... </article> <article> <h1>Game 1: Penguins 3, Canes 2</h1> <p>Mon, 18 May 2009 22:06:47 GMT</p> Live chat number two wasn't as successful as the first one. However, if past experience is any guide, the Canes have the Penguins right where they want them. Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular in net and the Penguins' offense did the rest, keeping the Canes' D off balance just enough to squeeze a victory out in game one. Joe Corvo added some intrigue to the proceedings, scoring a power play goal with a minute and a half left, and Fleury had to be sharp to stop a weird bouncing p... </article> <article> <h1>Game 1: Penguins 3, Canes 2</h1> <p>Mon, 18 May 2009 22:06:47 GMT</p> Live chat number two wasn't as successful as the first one. However, if past experience is any guide, the Canes have the Penguins right where they want them. Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular in net and the Penguins' offense did the rest, keeping the Canes' D off balance just enough to squeeze a victory out in game one. Joe Corvo added some intrigue to the proceedings, scoring a power play goal with a minute and a half left, and Fleury had to be sharp to stop a weird bouncing p... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Penguins series preview</h1> <p>Sun, 17 May 2009 21:30:58 GMT</p> Both teams in this year's Eastern Conference finals can be forgiven for considering it old hat to get to this point. The Penguins, of course, defeated the Flyers last year in this round to advance to a six-game loss to Detroit in the Stanley Cup final. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes make their third appearance in this round in franchise history, and all three of those appearances have come in the last seven seasons ('02, '06 and now '09; there were no '05 playoffs due to the lockout).<br ... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Penguins series preview</h1> <p>Sun, 17 May 2009 21:30:58 GMT</p> Both teams in this year's Eastern Conference finals can be forgiven for considering it old hat to get to this point. The Penguins, of course, defeated the Flyers last year in this round to advance to a six-game loss to Detroit in the Stanley Cup final. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes make their third appearance in this round in franchise history, and all three of those appearances have come in the last seven seasons ('02, '06 and now '09; there were no '05 playoffs due to the lockout).<br ... </article> <article> <h1>Julie Walker diagnosed with cervical cancer</h1> <p>Sat, 16 May 2009 14:48:11 GMT</p> When I went to the RBC Center for today's media session, I certainly wasn't expecting this bombshell to be dropped.<br /> <br /> Scott Walker's wife, Julie, was diagnosed with cervical cancer last week, prior to game 5 of the series against the Bruins. Walker, you'll remember, was the center of controversy in that game, after his one-punch knockout of Aaron Ward late in the game made him public enemy number one in Boston. Walker told his teammates prior to that game, but the team a... </article> <article> <h1>Julie Walker diagnosed with cervical cancer</h1> <p>Sat, 16 May 2009 14:48:11 GMT</p> When I went to the RBC Center for today's media session, I certainly wasn't expecting this bombshell to be dropped.<br /> <br /> Scott Walker's wife, Julie, was diagnosed with cervical cancer last week, prior to game 5 of the series against the Bruins. Walker, you'll remember, was the center of controversy in that game, after his one-punch knockout of Aaron Ward late in the game made him public enemy number one in Boston. Walker told his teammates prior to that game, but the team a... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Bruins series recap</h1> <p>Sat, 16 May 2009 09:20:34 GMT</p> First off, thanks to everyone who participated in Thursday night's live chat. I hope you had as much fun as I did. We'll do it again in the next round, for sure.<br /> <br /> Now you know why the cliche in hockey circles is that the regular season matchup means nothing when two teams meet in the playoffs. The Hurricanes lost all four games in the regular season to the Bruins, but that very obviously doesn't matter at this point, as the Bruins are sitting at home wondering wha... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Bruins series recap</h1> <p>Sat, 16 May 2009 09:20:34 GMT</p> First off, thanks to everyone who participated in Thursday night's live chat. I hope you had as much fun as I did. We'll do it again in the next round, for sure.<br /> <br /> Now you know why the cliche in hockey circles is that the regular season matchup means nothing when two teams meet in the playoffs. The Hurricanes lost all four games in the regular season to the Bruins, but that very obviously doesn't matter at this point, as the Bruins are sitting at home wondering wha... </article> <article> <h1>Game 7: Canes 3, Bruins 2 (OT)</h1> <p>Wed, 13 May 2009 23:28:28 GMT</p> For the third time in eight seasons, the Hurricanes are in the Eastern Conference final. Scott Walker was the man of the hour, scoring the series winner 18:46 into overtime and sending the TD Banknorth Garden home bitterly disappointed. For the first time, Puck Drops featured a live chat, and this won't be the last one. Recap the game below.<br /> <br /> <iframe height="550" frameborder="0" width="470" scrolling="no" src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altca... </article> <article> <h1>Game 7: Canes 3, Bruins 2 (OT)</h1> <p>Wed, 13 May 2009 23:28:28 GMT</p> For the third time in eight seasons, the Hurricanes are in the Eastern Conference final. Scott Walker was the man of the hour, scoring the series winner 18:46 into overtime and sending the TD Banknorth Garden home bitterly disappointed. For the first time, Puck Drops featured a live chat, and this won't be the last one. Recap the game below.<br /> <br /> <iframe height="550" frameborder="0" width="470" scrolling="no" src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altca... </article> <article> <h1>Game 6: Bruins 4, Canes 2</h1> <p>Tue, 12 May 2009 18:49:11 GMT</p> The Canes had three chances to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. They've squandered two of them, and now their backs are against the wall yet again. The Boston Bruins continued their inspired play that started in Sunday's Game 5 and took a 4-2 decision out of the RBC Center and back to Beantown for Game 7 on Thursday. Matt Cullen and Sergei Samsonov scored goals for the Canes, but it wasn't enough as Boston's consistent pressure wore the Canes down and forced the home t... </article> <article> <h1>Game 6: Bruins 4, Canes 2</h1> <p>Tue, 12 May 2009 18:46:25 GMT</p> The Canes had three chances to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. They've squandered two of them, and now their backs are against the wall yet again. The Boston Bruins continued their inspired play that started in Sunday's Game 5 and took a 4-2 decision out of the RBC Center and back to Beantown for Game 7 on Thursday. Matt Cullen and Sergei Samsonov scored goals for the Canes, but it wasn't enough as Boston's consistent pressure wore the Canes down and forced the home t... </article> <article> <h1>Game 4: Canes 4, Bruins 1</h1> <p>Fri, 08 May 2009 18:50:41 GMT</p> It took the better part of the game, but once the Canes get on a roll, no one can stop them. That much was evident tonight in game four, a nail-biting game until the latter portions of the third period that the Canes eventually won 4-1. Their power play, so harmless in the New Jersey series, has been deadly in this series, going 2-for-5 tonight and rolling along at a 30% clip against a Bruins penalty kill that was perfect in round one. The Bruins find themselves with some serio... </article> <article> <h1>Game 4: Canes 4, Bruins 1</h1> <p>Fri, 08 May 2009 18:50:41 GMT</p> It took the better part of the game, but once the Canes get on a roll, no one can stop them. That much was evident tonight in game four, a nail-biting game until the latter portions of the third period that the Canes eventually won 4-1. Their power play, so harmless in the New Jersey series, has been deadly in this series, going 2-for-5 tonight and rolling along at a 30% clip against a Bruins penalty kill that was perfect in round one. The Bruins find themselves with some serio... </article> <article> <h1>Game 3: Canes 3, Bruins 2 (OT)</h1> <p>Wed, 06 May 2009 19:59:36 GMT</p> Jussi Jokinen has emerged as the go-to guy if you need a clutch goal. The Canes faced the Bruins in Game 3 of their conference semifinal series on Wednesday night, and just like game 3 of the last series, it took extra hockey to decide it. Jokinen's fifth of the playoffs, and his second game-winner (not counting the goal that tied the game late in game 7 of the first round), completed a comeback win for the Canes and gave them a 2-1 lead in the series. Against some high odds pl... </article> <article> <h1>Game 3: Canes 3, Bruins 2 (OT)</h1> <p>Wed, 06 May 2009 19:59:36 GMT</p> Jussi Jokinen has emerged as the go-to guy if you need a clutch goal. The Canes faced the Bruins in Game 3 of their conference semifinal series on Wednesday night, and just like game 3 of the last series, it took extra hockey to decide it. Jokinen's fifth of the playoffs, and his second game-winner (not counting the goal that tied the game late in game 7 of the first round), completed a comeback win for the Canes and gave them a 2-1 lead in the series. Against some high odds pl... </article> <article> <h1>Game 2: Canes 2, Bruins 0</h1> <p>Sun, 03 May 2009 19:26:02 GMT</p> The Canes escape Boston with the split in the series' first two games. Cam Ward posted his second shutout of the postseason and despite a wacky play on a goal that looked to be in but was ruled no goal after a ten-minute review, the Canes put two undisputed goals past Tim Thomas and earned a 3-0 win after an empty net goal. The things that the Canes needed to improve on after Friday's game were much improved, and the Canes will return back to Raleigh with some solid momentum on their... </article> <article> <h1>Game 2: Canes 2, Bruins 0</h1> <p>Sun, 03 May 2009 19:26:02 GMT</p> The Canes escape Boston with the split in the series' first two games. Cam Ward posted his second shutout of the postseason and despite a wacky play on a goal that looked to be in but was ruled no goal after a ten-minute review, the Canes put two undisputed goals past Tim Thomas and earned a 3-0 win after an empty net goal. The things that the Canes needed to improve on after Friday's game were much improved, and the Canes will return back to Raleigh with some solid momentum on their... </article> <article> <h1>Game 1: Bruins 4, Canes 1</h1> <p>Fri, 01 May 2009 19:18:00 GMT</p> The first game in the second round looked a lot like the first game in the first round for the Hurricanes. Old nemesis Marc Savard scored twice and the Bruins had their way with the Canes, skating off with a 4-1 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series. It was a frustrating night for the Canes, as the Bruins were quick to pounce on every mistake the Canes made and they made them pay with some great shots that Cam Ward had no chance to stop. Fortunately for the Canes, the proble... </article> <article> <h1>Game 1: Bruins 4, Canes 1</h1> <p>Fri, 01 May 2009 19:18:00 GMT</p> The first game in the second round looked a lot like the first game in the first round for the Hurricanes. Old nemesis Marc Savard scored twice and the Bruins had their way with the Canes, skating off with a 4-1 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series. It was a frustrating night for the Canes, as the Bruins were quick to pounce on every mistake the Canes made and they made them pay with some great shots that Cam Ward had no chance to stop. Fortunately for the Canes, the proble... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Bruins series preview</h1> <p>Fri, 01 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT</p> The Canes' reward for shocking the New Jersey Devils in the last 80 seconds of Game 7? Facing a 116-point Bruins team that was the class of the Eastern Conference from start to finish, including a perfect 4-0 record against the Canes in the regular season. Will the Canes pull another upset?<br /> <br /> No question, the Hurricanes proved they belonged in the playoffs by beating the Devils in nail-biting fashion, but they face a tough challenge in the Boston Bruins in the second rou... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Bruins series preview</h1> <p>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:37:46 GMT</p> The Canes' reward for shocking the New Jersey Devils in the last 80 seconds of Game 7? Facing a 116-point Bruins team that was the class of the Eastern Conference from start to finish, including a perfect 4-0 record against the Canes in the regular season. Will the Canes pull another upset?<br /> <br /> No question, the Hurricanes proved they belonged in the playoffs by beating the Devils in nail-biting fashion, but they face a tough challenge in the Boston Bruins in the second rou... </article> <article> <h1>Second round quick-hit previews</h1> <p>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:19:08 GMT</p> <i><b>In the East</b></i><br /> <b>(2) Washington vs. (4) Pittsburgh</b>: Gary Bettman's dream matchup finally comes true after three seasons. The main plot will, obviously, be the matchup between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, but Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov has come out of nowhere to outplay Henrik Lundqvist and pull the Caps into the second round. Call it nothing more than a hunch, because by all logical reason the Penguins should be able to score at will against a rookie... </article> <article> <h1>One for the ages</h1> <p>Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:22:32 GMT</p> Here I go again with the hyperbole, but I believe every word of what I'm about to type.<br /> <br /> We just witnessed one of the top five playoff series in the history of the National Hockey League.<br /> <br /> Now, I'm not going to pretend to have an encyclopedic knowledge of hockey history going back to the days of the Montreal Maroons and the New York Americans. I understand that there have been a boatload of playoff series in the history of the NHL. But for seven games, thi... </article> <article> <h1>80 Seconds</h1> <p>Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:26:35 GMT</p> The Canes score twice in the last 80 seconds on the greatest goalie of all time to win the series. Click the audio below for more!<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Accidental Phone Calls</h1> <p>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:06:46 GMT</p> <br /> David Poole rarely called me on purpose but he called me a lot. Since my last name is Zarzour, naturally I was programmed last in his cell phone. So anytime his phone pressed against something I got a phone call. I would have thirty minute messages from him every month or so, and it would always make me laugh.<br /> <br /> One time he called me on purpose just to say that he wanted to keep the streak alive. I will really miss those accidental phone calls as the greatest N... </article> <article> <h1>Game 6: Canes 4, Devils 0</h1> <p>Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:04:00 GMT</p> The most competitive series in the playoffs to this point will come down to a winner-take-all game 7. Cam Ward matched Martin Brodeur's shutout in game 5 with a goose-egg of his own in game 6, and Ray Whitney's pairing with Eric Staal worked quick wonders to the tune of a four point night for Whitney and two goals for Staal in lifting the Hurricanes to a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, setting up a game 7 in Newark on Tuesday. After all the teams have been through i... </article> <article> <h1>Game 6: Canes 4, Devils 0</h1> <p>Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:58:30 GMT</p> The most competitive series in the playoffs to this point will come down to a winner-take-all game 7. Cam Ward matched Martin Brodeur's shutout in game 5 with a goose-egg of his own in game 6, and Ray Whitney's pairing with Eric Staal worked quick wonders to the tune of a four point night for Whitney and two goals for Staal in lifting the Hurricanes to a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, setting up a game 7 in Newark on Tuesday. After all the teams have been through i... </article> <article> <h1>Game 4 postgame: Where do we go from here?</h1> <p>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:42:11 GMT</p> Obviously, last night's game will be talked about for quite some time in these parts. I mean, a hockey game in Raleigh, North Carolina between two teams with a combined national-media recognition at a level somewhere around senior fly-fishing tournaments (Tune in tonight at 8, only on Versus!), was the top story on SportsCenter this morning. If that doesn't tell you that last night was a classic, I'm not sure what would.<br /> <br /> But as I've heard from more than a few people, r... </article> <article> <h1>Game 4 postgame: Where do we go from here?</h1> <p>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:39:55 GMT</p> Obviously, last night's game will be talked about for quite some time in these parts. I mean, a hockey game in Raleigh, North Carolina between two teams with a combined national-media recognition at a level somewhere around senior fly-fishing tournaments (Tune in tonight at 8, only on Versus!), was the top story on SportsCenter this morning. If that doesn't tell you that last night was a classic, I'm not sure what would.<br /> <br /> But as I've heard from more than a few people, r... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor interviews Butch</h1> <p>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:31:40 GMT</p> Butch on a great cause, which players graduating are hardest to replace, and the draft vs.recruiting.....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Game 4: Canes 4, Devils 3</h1> <p>Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:34:23 GMT</p> The goal with a minute left in the Stanley Cup Finals against Edmonton in Game 1? Forget it. Eric Staal's goal with three seconds left in game 2 of the '06 East semifinals against New Jersey? Plenty of time left on the clock. This one took the cake. I know we in the media are given to hyperbole a little too frequently, but what else can you say about a playoff game that is won by a goal scored with no time left on the clock? Jussi Jokinen gave the Canes a 4-3 ... </article> <article> <h1>Game 4: Canes 4, Devils 3</h1> <p>Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:33:53 GMT</p> The goal with a minute left in the Stanley Cup Finals against Edmonton in Game 1? Forget it. Eric Staal's goal with three seconds left in game 2 of the '06 East semifinals against New Jersey? Plenty of time left on the clock. This one took the cake. I know we in the media are given to hyperbole a little too frequently, but what else can you say about a playoff game that is won by a goal scored with no time left on the clock? Jussi Jokinen gave the Canes a 4-3 ... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's VERY Rough Draft ACC Football Picks</h1> <p>Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:05:36 GMT</p> <b>A couple of things to remember:</b><br /> 1. Injuries change everything.<br /> 2. Things could change between now and August, which is why I will do this again in a few months.<br /> 3. I never do well picking individual games, but seem to have some success predicting records. Last year I was exactly right with: NC St, Duke, Mary, VT, Mia, and UVa. I was one off with: UNC, Wake, and FSU. I was dead wrong about: Clem, BC, and Ga Tech.<br /> 4. These are one man's picks. Don't get too bent ... </article> <article> <h1>Game 3: Devils 3, Canes 2 (OT)</h1> <p>Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:37:30 GMT</p> You know it's a big game when one Taylor Zarzour makes an appearance in the press box. He'll be posting his observations tonight, in addition to my solid (cough) analysis. Actually, he gets the honor of the first post tonight:<br /> <br /> <b>Pregame (TZ): </b>First thought: I've gotta say I've really missed this. 2006 was an awakening for someone born in the deep south. So, as I drove in I got pretty fired up passing all the flags and jerseys everywhere. <br /> <br /> Then... </article> <article> <h1>Game 3: Devils 3, Canes 2 (OT)</h1> <p>Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:23:10 GMT</p> You know it's a big game when one Taylor Zarzour makes an appearance in the press box. He'll be posting his observations tonight, in addition to my solid (cough) analysis. Actually, he gets the honor of the first post tonight:<br /> <br /> <b>Pregame (TZ): </b>First thought: I've gotta say I've really missed this. 2006 was an awakening for someone born in the deep south. So, as I drove in I got pretty fired up passing all the flags and jerseys everywhere. <br /> <br /> Then... </article> <article> <h1>Game 2: Canes 2, Devils 1 (OT)</h1> <p>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:59:15 GMT</p> Courtesy of some fabulous I-95 traffic, we showed up at the arena ten minutes into the game. Better late than never, I suppose. The Canes trail 1-0 on a power-play goal from Zach Parise ten minutes into the game, and they're on their first man advantage of the game as we pick up the action "live"...<br /> <br /> <b>14:15 1st</b>: Tuomo Ruutu hit the post on a snap shot from the high slot, the Canes' first good scoring chance of the game. Maybe I was the missin... </article> <article> <h1>Quick hit previews of the other series</h1> <p>Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:27:55 GMT</p> Not a lengthy writeup on each series, but here's one man's opinion on the other seven series:<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Eastern Conference</i></b></span><br /> <br /> <b>(1) Boston vs. (8) Montreal</b>: The Bruins have the best defenseman in the East in Zdeno Chara, the odds-on favorite to win the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender) in Tim Thomas, and an offense led by youngsters who are relative newcomers to the postseason. The Canadiens have...well, they d... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Devils series preview</h1> <p>Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:15:42 GMT</p> A day late, but hopefully not a dollar short.<br /> <br /> If it's playoff hockey, it must be the Hurricanes and the Devils. This is the fourth time since 2001 that the teams have met in the postseason, and in the three previous series the winning team has advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals (not to mention, two of those teams won the Cup, the '01 Devils and '06 Canes). The teams are familiar with each other, with Game 0 of this series occurring last Saturday in Newark, but then aga... </article> <article> <h1>Canes/Devils series schedule</h1> <p>Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:55:22 GMT</p> After clicking refresh way too many times tonight, the NHL finally put the schedule out for the first round of the playoffs. Here's what we have to look forward to: <pre> Game Day Date Venue Location Time TV Game 1 Wednesday April 15 Prudential Center Newark, NJ 7:30 p.m. FS CAROLINAS, TSN Game 2 Friday April 17 Prudential Center Newark, NJ 7:30 p.m. FS CAROLINAS, TSN Game 3 Sunday April 19 RBC Center ... </article> <article> <h1>Sabres 5, Canes 1</h1> <p>Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:36:00 GMT</p> Admit it...you knew this was coming. The Canes' record 12-game home winning streak came to a crashing end courtesy of the hated Buffalo Sabres, who scored the first win by a road team in the RBC Center since February 17th in a 5-1 waxing of the Hurricanes on Thursday night. Cam Ward was pulled after the fourth goal, though it was obvious from his demeanor on the bench that he saw it as nothing more than an off night -- understandable, given that he's started 28 straight games for the... </article> <article> <h1>Could North Carolina Beat Sacramento?</h1> <p>Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:36:39 GMT</p> If you really want to have some fun in the aftermath of the <st1:state w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:state>’s demolition, destruction, TKO, humiliating, beat down and beat down again rout of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Michigan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place> in the NCAA championship game Monday night, check this out:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>We’re sitting in a room filled with experts, all shapes and s... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 9, Islanders 0</h1> <p>Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:46:54 GMT</p> You probably thought the Canes were going to coast their way into the postseason, at least in this game, didn't you? Obviously, the residents of the home dressing room felt otherwise. A record-setting night saw at least four records fall on the RBC Center ice, as the Canes destroyed the New York Islanders 9-0 on Tuesday night. Among the records broken were a record shot differential (45), most wins by a goalie in a season (Ward's 39th), most home wins in a row (12), most hat tr... </article> <article> <h1>Tonight's The Night</h1> <p>Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:50:12 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mondays at a Final Four are a contrast between brutal monotony and unknown anticipation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Today and tonight are no different.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>North Carolina is better than Michigan State but danger could be looming around the streets of Detroit for the Tar Heels and it has nothing to do with the fact the Spartans are 92 miles from East Lansing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's UNC-Nova Notes</h1> <p>Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:05:27 GMT</p> UNC vs. Villanova<br /> Ford Field, Detroit<br /> Saturday, April 4th, 2009<br /> <br /> <br /> -Let me get a few things off my chest before this one starts...<br /> <br /> 1. You could increase my pay by $20 Million and I'm still not moving my family to Detroit.<br /> <br /> 2. This facility is so big that no one can see the game. What next? Maybe the 2015 Final Four will be in the Grand Canyon!<br /> <br /> 3. The atmosphere for the Mich St victory over UConn was amazing. 72,000 fan... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Penguins 2 (OT)</h1> <p>Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:25:37 GMT</p> After a long three-year wait, there will be postseason hockey in North Carolina once again. The matchup of the two hottest teams in the NHL lived up to its billing on Saturday night, a wild affair that gave both coaches fits and wasn't decided until after regulation. Anton Babchuk's goal at 1:11 of overtime sealed the deal in a 3-2 Hurricanes victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, clinching a playoff spot for the Canes for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006.<br /> <... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 4, Rangers 2</h1> <p>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:45:21 GMT</p> It's been almost three years since the RBC Center has been as loud as it was on Thursday night. The Hurricanes went for their franchise-record tenth straight win on home ice, and after a slow start the Canes' faithful got what they wanted, a 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers that vaults the Canes into fourth in the Eastern Conference and, with 93 points, creeping closer to guaranteeing the team their first spot in the postseason since they won the Stanley Cup in 2006.<br /> <br /> <h... </article> <article> <h1>Heels Talk Final 4</h1> <p>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:23:24 GMT</p> Audio below includes:<br /> <br /> -Roy Williams on coaching salaries, the hall of fame, last year's Kansas game, and Ty's toe<br /> -Villanova Coach Jay Wright's thoughts on UNC<br /> -Tyler Hansbrough on the end of his career, winning a title, and facing pressure<br /> - Ty Lawson on why he changed his game<br /> - Danny Green on how much he thinks about the Kansas game<br /> - Bobby Frasor on how grateful he is to be playing<br /> - Marcus Ginyard on how hard it is to be watching<br /... </article> <article> <h1>Roy Heading Towards Rare Air</h1> <p>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:22:32 GMT</p> It was Sept, 6, 2007 and Roy Williams and his wife, Wanda, were on my flight from Raleigh-Durham en route to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Springfield</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Mass.</st1:state></st1:place></span></span><br /> <br /> Most flights the basketball coach at <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:state> had taken seemed routine. One recruiting visit followed by another. One game, by another. This one would be different.</p> <p c... </article> <article> <h1>Coach K Really, Really, Really LOVES His team</h1> <p>Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:39:34 GMT</p> The audio begins with Coach K talking about how some fans feel about him....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Canes 2, Senators 1</h1> <p>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:56:11 GMT</p> At this point in the season, two points in the standings are the same no matter how they're obtained. For the Hurricanes, a franchise record-tying nine game home winning streak has seen nail-biters, blowouts, and close-to-the-vest games like Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. For the Canes, though, the important thing is the two points that they've earned in each of those nine wins, and they've rocketed up the Eastern Conference standings into fiftn place as a result.&... </article> <article> <h1>Its All About Coaching</h1> <p>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:35:25 GMT</p> Ten current coaches have won National Championships. Seven of them are still in the tournament. SEVEN. The number would be eight if Arizona's Lute Olsen didn't retire before the season. So half of the field has been influenced by a man that has cut down the nets. If you include Olsen's influence at Arizona, here's how one person would rank the other eight:<br /> <br /> 16. Matt Painter. I rank him as the worst coach left in the field and all he did was WIN THE BIG TEN TOURNEY!<br ... </article> <article> <h1>Housekeeping odds and ends</h1> <p>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:29:53 GMT</p> First, you've probably seen this already, but I've started a Twitter feed that I'll update during each game that I cover. I'll also update it with trades, interesting press releases, free-agent signings, and the like. Check it out at <a href="http://twitter.com/puckdrops/" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/puckdrops</a>.<br /> <br /> And thanks to our fabulous webmaster (who put up with way too much pestering from yours truly), we now have a <a href="http://www.thebigtailgate.com/... </article> <article> <h1>An Interview With CBS and SI's Seth Davis</h1> <p>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:05:52 GMT</p> Click on audio below!<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Hold On ACC Bashers, Or At Least Till Thursday</h1> <p>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:35:46 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Never have I been a basher of the ACC. Never had to be. I mean I worked so many Final Fours for the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Durham</st1:place></st1:city> newspapers in 39 years, The Durham Sun and The Herald-Sun, that basketball bashing existed in other areas. Like, <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state> for example. Or <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Alabama</st1:state></st1:place>. Spring football is big in those ... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Panthers 2 (OT, at Florida)</h1> <p>Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:19:20 GMT</p> For the first, and probably last, time, the Live Blog comes to you live from my living room. Tonight's Canes/Panthers tilt at the BankAtlantic Center in south Florida isn't the first time a Canes road game is only available on Center Ice (including a game in Montreal that was only available in French earlier this season), but the circumstances surrounding this one are a bit different than usual.<br /> <br /> First, thanks to the Versus exclusive on Monday nights, neither team's local bro... </article> <article> <h1>Big Dance Marches On Without The ACC</h1> <p>Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:17:12 GMT</p> Alright ACC coaches, quit your bellyaching (I was tempted to go with something stronger, but this is a family-friendly blog).<br /> <br /> You wanted – no, demanded – that more than a handful of your brethren go dancing. You raise a similar ruckus every year around this time. Not all 12 of you, mind you, and not the same ones with each calendar turn, but you know who you are Mr. Greenberg, Krzyzewski, and Williams. <br /> <br /> I’m pretty sure the NCAA Tou... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 4, Capitals 1</h1> <p>Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:51:23 GMT</p> Going into tonight's game, the Hurricanes had taken all four possible points available in the first two games of a three-game homestand to solidify their standing in the Eastern Conference playoff race. But with the Washington Capitals coming to town for game number three, the Canes' seven-game home winning streak was very much in doubt of continuing, especially since the Canes were playing yet another stretch of three games in four nights. The Canes started the game with tired legs,... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 5, Islanders 4</h1> <p>Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:02:15 GMT</p> The message on the white board in the Hurricanes' dressing room after the game said simply "Good teams find a way to win." Considering the near-total defensive collapse in the second period of the Canes' 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders, that message rings loud and clear in the ears of the Canes' players, who blew an early two-goal lead by giving up four straight goals, but then rallied with three of their own to defeat the Islanders in a game that the Canes desperately ne... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 4, Devils 2</h1> <p>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:50:58 GMT</p> Blame the NHL scheduling monkey for this anomaly: of the four games between the teams this season, the Hurricanes play the New Jersey Devils three times over the final three weeks of the season. The Canes caught a break, however slight, with Martin Brodeur manning the door to the bench tonight after breaking Patrick Roy's record of 551 victories Tuesday night against Chicago. With backup Kevin Weekes manning the net, the Canes took two critical points from the NHL's hottest team, win... </article> <article> <h1>What About Duke?</h1> <p>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:23:48 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t care if Pitt is standing in the way and brings the Steelers defense to sit behind its bench. Oh, by the way, Digger Phelps picks Pitt to win it all. Like you, I will remember that!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Duke is seeded No. 2 in the East, Pitt No. 1. Krzyzewski loves the East, trust me. He once said, “<st1:city w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city> has a soul for basketball,” and that was BEFORE Christian Laettner delivered <... </article> <article> <h1>Bracket Thoughts</h1> <p>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:22:41 GMT</p> I thought the committee did an outstanding job of selecting the field. I do not agree with Arizona being in (in fact, I would've put San Diego St, St. Mary's, Creighton, and UNLV all ahead of them), but clearly they rewarded teams for their entire body of work.<br /> <br /> I am a bit perplexed about how they seeded certain teams, though. Since they tried to keep high seeds as close to home as possible (economic conditions were a concern), and they don't want two teams from the same conference... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's Final Bracket</h1> <p>Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:17:03 GMT</p> BY CONFERENCE:<br /> Big South- Radford<br /> A-Sun: ETSU<br /> OVC- Morehead St<br /> The Valley- N Iowa<br /> Ivy: Cornell<br /> SoCon: Chattanooga<br /> Colonial: VCU<br /> West Coast: Gonzaga<br /> MAAC: Siena<br /> Summit: ND State<br /> Sunbelt: WKU<br /> (2) Horizon: Cleve St, Butler<br /> NEC: R Morris<br /> Big Sky: Port St<br /> Patriot: American<br /> MEAC: Morgan St<br /> Am East: Binghamton<br /> (3) A-10: Temple, Xavier, Dayton<br /> (6) Big 12: Mizzou, Kan, Okla... </article> <article> <h1>Sizing Up the Real ACC Tournament Contenders</h1> <p>Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:08:34 GMT</p> <p>Each of the ACC’s dozen teams have descended on Atlanta for the 56th annual ACC Tournament, dreams of net-cutting sugar plums dancing in their heads. But 12 teams doesn’t equal 12 contenders. In fact, perhaps fewer than half meet Marlon Brando’s “I could’ve been a contender” status. Ultimately there will be only one come Sunday afternoon. So who is the sole survivor? The usual powers, Duke or North Carolina, who’ve combin... </article> <article> <h1>Heels Facing Tremendous Pressure</h1> <p>Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:09:56 GMT</p> <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:state> is built for a run at the national championship and Roy Williams knows it. Somehow if these Tar Heels don’t get into the title game, the season will be remembered as a disappointment. It just comes with the territory – the bigger they are, the harder they fall line wasn’t made up yesterday.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Tyler Hansbrough once sat at ACC Operation Basketba... </article> <article> <h1>TZ's Daily Bracket Update (Wed)</h1> <p>Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:44:26 GMT</p> Every year I try to get all 34 at large teams correct. I don't predict what their seeds are, or even who and where they're playing. Below is how many bids each league is getting.<br /> <br /> 1 Am East- Vermont<br /> 2 A-10***- Xavier, Dayton<br /> 6 ACC- UNC, Wake, Duke, FSU, Clemson, BC<br /> 1 A Sun- ETSU<br /> 6 Big 12- Kansas, Oklahoma, Mizzou, Ok St, Texas, A&M<br /> 7 Big East- Louisville, Pitt, UConn, Nova, Marq, Cuse, West Va<br /> 1 Big Sky- Weber St<br /> 1 Big South- Rad... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Rangers 0</h1> <p>Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:06:40 GMT</p> Both the Hurricanes and the New York Rangers had this game circled as a monumentally important game in determining who would have the inside track to a playoff spot. Monday night, the game lived up to its billing, the Canes emerging victorious with a tough-fought 3-0 shutout of the Rangers that featured plenty of physical play, good scoring chances, solid goaltending and a crowd that was into the game. The see-saw continues at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff chase, as th... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 6, Flames 1</h1> <p>Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:47:04 GMT</p> Friday's game was scripted to be the grand return of Erik Cole from exile in Edmonton. Apparently, Ray Whitney never got the memo. Cole did score once, but Whitney stole the show with three power-play goals, the last of which was the 300th of his NHL career, as the Canes pasted the Calgary Flames 6-1 to earn two critical points in the chase for the playoffs. Cole's return was a nice story, but the real story was on the shoulders of two players, Whitney and Cam Ward, who held th... </article> <article> <h1>Prediction on Carolina-Duke</h1> <p>Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:24:35 GMT</p> At least 100 people have stopped me in person this week and asked, "what's gonna happen on Sunday." Here's what I've told them:<br /> <br /> -Duke is banged up. Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas, and Brian Zoubek all suffered ankle sprains Tuesday against FSU, and Nolan Smith is still out (Maryland's Dave Neal almost cut him in half). Also, I wonder if Duke is going to hit that March wall that has ended their last couple of seasons.<br /> <br /> -Carolina is coming off arguably their tough... </article> <article> <h1>For Individual Awards Team Performance Matters </h1> <p>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:21:29 GMT</p> Smith knew how to get his point across. For most of his career at <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:state>, his Tar Heels were at, or near, the top of the ACC regular-season standings. For 33 straight seasons, his teams finished at least in third place. They finished first 17 times, second 11 times and slipped all the way to third five times, making several Rams Clubbers I got to know in, and around, Durham, wonder what in the world went wrong. <p>... </article> <article> <h1>Out with the old, in with the...um...old</h1> <p>Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:46:19 GMT</p> Around 2:30 on Wednesday, I was sitting at my desk listening to TSN (Canada's version of ESPN)'s coverage of the NHL trade deadline, also known as Christmas for hockey junkies. The day had gone largely without major moves, the biggest coming early when the Senators flipped Antoine Vermette to the Blue Jackets for Pascal Leclaire (more on that below). As the clock ticked toward the 3:00 deadline, the TSN talking heads were bemoaning the fact that the deadline was a gigantic bore.<br /... </article> <article> <h1>State Needs To Win Tonight</h1> <p>Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:38:29 GMT</p> Click audio below for my podcast....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Jed Williams: There's So Many To Chose From!</h1> <p>Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:43:40 GMT</p> Before Tar Heel nation sends Ramses to ransack my house, please note that this isn’t intended to be an indictment of “Psycho T.” Not in the least. It’s a simple declaration that when it comes to placing 15 players on the league’s three all-conference teams, choosing the five best out of those, and then crowning one individual above all others, the race has never been tighter…nor the selection tougher. <br /> <br /> At least the following 19 play... </article> <article> <h1>Thrashers 5, Canes 3 (from Atlanta)</h1> <p>Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:27:20 GMT</p> At this time of year, two points are two points, no matter how you obtain them. The Canes had picked up two points over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, a hard-fought win that was of paramount importance in the chase for the playoffs, and looked to pick up two more against the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday night. They had a two-goal lead halfway through the third period, then the Thrashers came to life and scored four improbable goals to lift them to a 5-3 victory over the Canes, spoi... </article> <article> <h1>Teams Preparing For The Most Exciting Day</h1> <p>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:31:11 GMT</p> It’s a day like no other because, as one colleague explained to me, it’s pure. There are no Alex Rodriguez storylines to follow here. There are no defensive linemen testing the free agency market and no agents more than willing to return media phone calls to hype their clients’ future in potentially a different uniform.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Selection Sunday is the greatest day in sports. Sixty-five college basketball teams have a chance to become ... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 2, Sabres 1 (OT)</h1> <p>Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:44:44 GMT</p> It's sometimes a stretch to call any game in the NHL in February a must-win, but to the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres required two points by any means necessary. The Canes and Sabres entered the night separated by one point in the standings, and by the end of the night the teams were tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as the Canes defeated the Sabres 2-1 in a shootout. It wasn't the prettiest game, but it was emotion... </article> <article> <h1>Gary Bettman comes to Raleigh</h1> <p>Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:47:09 GMT</p> Before Friday's game against the Lightning, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman held a press conference to announce...well, nothing of importance (and he admitted as much at the very beginning of the session). He reiterated the NHL's plans to <a href="~/getdoc/3db24468-3bc5-40e3-827d-fb56b716097f/bettman-allstar.aspx">bring an All-Star Game to Raleigh</a>, and to his credit he didn't duck the question. This was the first time I can remember him coming right out and saying bluntly that Rale... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 5, Avalanche 2</h1> <p>Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:57:44 GMT</p> The Carolina Hurricanes have finally remembered how to win at home, and their timing couldn't be better. After a stretch where the Canes were surrendering chances and blowing their own to the tune of being outscored 15-2 over three home games, the Canes have put it all together and are rolling on the strength of a line composed of two career third-liners and a holdover from the top six. Their 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche keeps the Canes in the thick of the playoff hunt, and wh... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 4, Lightning 1</h1> <p>Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:34:40 GMT</p> The Hurricanes needed a game like this. After being outscored 15-2 in their previous three home games, the Canes built off a solid win on Long Island the night before and beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 to gain two important points in the standings. The Canes' power play came to life, with Joe Corvo scoring two 5-on-3 goals 39 seconds apart in the third period, and Jussi Jokinen had the game-winning goal against his former team.<br /> <br /> <hr /> <b><br /> 3:20 1st</b>: ... </article> <article> <h1>Figuring It Out In February</h1> <p>Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:20:38 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">True, <st1:state w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:state> was oh-and-two in the ACC and everywhere I went in <st1:city w:st="on">Durham</st1:city> and Chapel Hill and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Raleigh</st1:place></st1:city> people were asking me what was wrong?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>What I’ve learned, well mostly, from covering ACC basketball in the heart of the conference – the Triangle – is that it isn’t how you st... </article> <article> <h1>Glen Wesley interview</h1> <p>Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:59:59 GMT</p> I sat down with Glen Wesley before his jersey retirement to talk about his career, his impact on the community and on the players he now mentors in his new role, and a few other topics. It's a long interview, but very interesting and gives a great insight into Wesley's career and why the Hurricanes made the decision to retire his jersey. </article> <article> <h1>Glen Wesley Night: Bruins 5, Canes 1</h1> <p>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:47:35 GMT</p> For the third straight home game, the Carolina Hurricanes had five goals hung on them by the opposition. This time, the Boston Bruins were the lucky party, skating into the RBC Center and taking a 5-1 decision on Glen Wesley Night. The Canes played well early, buoyed by the pregame ceremony retiring Wesley's jersey, but the Bruins showed why they are the class of the Eastern Conference, if not the entire NHL, by ruining the Canes' night. Combined with the other results in the N... </article> <article> <h1>Blue Jackets 5, Hurricanes 1</h1> <p>Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:05:45 GMT</p> <p>Yet again, the Carolina Hurricanes needed two points. Yet again, they came away empty-handed. The Columbus Blue Jackets, a team with an identical record to the Canes and in the same position of being on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, came into the RBC Center and took it to the Canes early and often, piling up another five-goal outburst, the Canes' second five goal-against performance in as many games. You have to wonder now if the Canes are dead in the water ... </article> <article> <h1>Carolina On Different Level Than Duke</h1> <p>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 06:12:00 GMT</p> <p>For starters, if the Tar Heels have Ty Lawson perform like he did in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday night, they shouldn’t have a problem being one of the teams at the Final Four in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Detroit</st1:place></st1:city>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>I once saw Phil Ford execute a Blue Devils defense like a surgeon carving all the proper spots. Ford would spin on a dime, change directions so quickly if you bli... </article> <article> <h1>Panthers 5, Canes 0</h1> <p>Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:10:23 GMT</p> <p>Coming off a road trip that was successful by any definition, the Carolina Hurricanes returned home to a sellout crowd and proceeded to lay an egg in one of the biggest games of the season. The division rival Florida Panthers, who were a point ahead of the Canes in the Eastern Conference standings (and, more importantly, held the 8th and final playoff spot), skated into the RBC Center and struck early and often in a 5-0 whitewashing of the Hurricanes. The offense for the home team... </article> <article> <h1>Coach K On Carolina</h1> <p>Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:39:31 GMT</p> Click on the audio below....<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>Is Sid On The Clock?</h1> <p>Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:17:07 GMT</p> Look, it comes with the territory, a logistic nightmare if you allow it to be one. Coaching <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">N.C.</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place> basketball isn’t easy. Ask Herb Sendek if you don’t believe me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Wait, I’ve got a better idea. Listen up:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>I’m having lunch one day with Les Robinson near t... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 2, Thrashers 0</h1> <p>Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:10:03 GMT</p> The Carolina Hurricanes have had a few firsts in the last couple of games. They scored their first shorthanded goal of the year on Thursday against the Lightning, and doubled that total with another SHG that was the game winner in a 2-0 whitewashing of the Atlanta Thrashers. The Canes outshot the Thrashers by a 2:1 ratio in the game, and Cam Ward earned his third shutout of the season, his first at the RBC Center this season, as the trend continued of the Canes showing up and beating... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Lightning 2</h1> <p>Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:53:50 GMT</p> After a four-game road trip that led the Carolina Hurricanes to a .500 record surrounding the All-Star Break, the Canes took advantage of home cooking in beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on a late goal by Eric Staal. The win was of paramount importance to the Canes, who began the night in tenth place in the Eastern Conference, and kept pace with the teams immediately around them while denying two points to a surging Lightning team that entered the game on their most successful streak of... </article> <article> <h1>Already Thinking About The Big One</h1> <p>Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:22:45 GMT</p> Once in mid-January at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Smith</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>, when the media sat front row behind one of the baselines, a security guard walked over to my press seat during a timeout of a UNC-Virginia game and asked me who’d win the Duke-Carolina game. <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The guy could care less about the game he was watching. Like most of us... </article> <article> <h1>Longtime NC State Women's Coach Kay Yow Dies At 66</h1> <p>Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:11:38 GMT</p> <font size="2"> <p>RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Hall of Famer and longtime North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow has died after a decades-long fight against breast cancer. She was 66. The university announced that Yow died on Saturday morning. She had been in the hospital since last week. <br /> <br /> Yow was first diagnosed with the disease in 1987. Yow won more than 700 games in a career filled with milestones. She coached the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in 1988, won four Atl... </article> <article> <h1>Frank Had A Feeling</h1> <p>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:13:34 GMT</p> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId" /> <meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator" /> <meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator" /> <link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Ctzarzour%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" /><o:smarttagtype name="PlaceType" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="PlaceName" namespace... </article> <article> <h1>Time to start over</h1> <p>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:04:51 GMT</p> I've heard it said around these parts that last night's game was a microcosm of the season -- a burst of inspired play surrounded by lengthy stretches of play that's lackadaisical at best and just plain uncaring at worst. This is true, but I'm going to go one beyond that and say that the consistent inconsistency is a result of something -- don't know what, but something -- in the locker room that's preventing this team from accomplishing what they're capable of.<br /> <br /> If you haven... </article> <article> <h1>There's Always Been Media Bias, Including Here</h1> <p>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:50:35 GMT</p> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Ctzarzour%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" /><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-micr... </article> <article> <h1>Leafs 6, Canes 4</h1> <p>Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:46:03 GMT</p> The first live blog in Puck Drops' history is below. Unfortunately for the home team, it chronicles a 6-4 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs in which the Hurricanes rebounded from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game after playing what their coach described as a horse[squeeze] second period. Here goes nothing, as it unfolded from atop section 323...<br /> <br /> My computer decided that it didn't want me to start the live blog on time, so it was nearly halfway through the first period when... </article> <article> <h1>Football Covets What Basketball Has</h1> <p>Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:36:22 GMT</p> It's a good thing it's January because people are not asking me what happened to the ACC's football world over the last three weeks. No, they’re wondering if Tyler Hansbrough will be cutting down the nets in <st1:city w:st="on">Detroit</st1:city> in April, if Duke will get to an 11th Final Four under Mike Krzyzewski, which would tie him with Dean Smith, and if Clemson will EVER win a basketball game in <st1:place w:st="on">Chapel Hill</st1:place>. <p><span> </span>Intrigue is ... </article> <article> <h1>The Coaching Carousel</h1> <p>Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:35:29 GMT</p> We will continue to refresh this entry until everyone has a coach next season. On Wed 1/7 let's see who's been fired, who's been hired, and who the schools should've chosen.<br /> <span style="font-size: larger;"><b><u><br /> <i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BOSTON COLLEGE<br /> </span></span></i></u></b></span> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId" /> <meta content="Micro... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Devils 2</h1> <p>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:15:39 GMT</p> <p>An old foe returned to Raleigh for the first time this season on Tuesday, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcomed the New Jersey Devils to the RBC Center. The Canes took a 3-2 decision that gave them some momentum heading onto the road for three games, and moved to within two points of the Devils for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.</p> <hr /> <p>One thing that's never changed in these games is the "To Hell With The Devil" video clip at the start of every game. They'... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 2, Panthers 1 (OT)</h1> <p>Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:27:34 GMT</p> This weill be short, as I spent the first two periods in the friendly confines of my couch trying to shake an annoying cold. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong night to stay home, as the Canes played their best game in the three weeks since Paul Maurice took over behind the bench, outplaying the Florida Panthers in every facet of the game and staking a firm claim to second place in the Southeast Division by beating the Panthers 2-1 in overtime.<br /> <br /> Goal scorers for the Canes were... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Canadiens 2</h1> <p>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:03:07 GMT</p> <p>If you were to ask the Canadian media who the three stars were after the Canes' 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, the answer would undoubtedly be the two referees, who were the story of the game's first two periods. They awarded eleven power plays to the Canes, and the Canes cashed in on three of them, enough to power the Canes to a win in the first game of a two-game homestand.</p> <hr /> <p>It was a slow-skating start for both teams. Halfway through the period, the team... </article> <article> <h1>The 2008-09 BCS Playoffs</h1> <p>Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:23:53 GMT</p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="EC_MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><font face="Times New Roman" size="5"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">THE 2008 BCS PLAYOFFS</span></font></u></b></p> <div> <font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To not have a playoff in Division 1-A Football is the most ridiculous thing in the world. At every other level of NCAA Football and in every other collegiate sport they have playoffs. It simply makes no sense. No one... </article> <article> <h1>How TZ and DOB Voted</h1> <p>Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:32:06 GMT</p> Click for podcast below rankings!<br /> <br /> TZ<br /> 1. Florida<br /> 2. Texas<br /> 3. Oklahoma<br /> 4. Alabama<br /> 5. Penn St<br /> 6. Utah<br /> 7. USC<br /> 8. Texas Tech<br /> 9. Boise St<br /> 10. Ohio St<br /> 11. TCU<br /> 12. Cincinnati<br /> 13. Oregon<br /> 14. Georgia Tech<br /> 15. Pitt<br /> 16. Oklahoma St<br /> 17. BYU<br /> 18. Georgia<br /> 19. Ball St<br /> 20. Michigan St<br /> 21. Ole Miss<br /> 22. Virginia Tech<br /> 23. Northwestern<br /> 2... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Capitals 1</h1> <p>Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:06:12 GMT</p> <p>The Carolina Hurricanes had a chance to not only eat into the six-point separation between them and the Washington Capitals on Sunday, but they could also take three of a possible four points from a very tricky back-to-back at the RBC Center. After giving up a point to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, the Canes fought through a tough game against the Caps and emerged with a 3-1 victory that was much closer than the score indicated. The win was Paul Maurice's 269th as the Canes... </article> <article> <h1>Flyers 2, Canes 1 (OT)</h1> <p>Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:24:07 GMT</p> <p>In the midst of three home games in four nights, the Carolina Hurricanes looked a lot better in game two of the second Paul Maurice era than they did in game one. They did get a point out of the game, but lost 2-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday in what most players (and the coach) considered a building-block game where more things went well than went poorly. Those building blocks are sorely needed, with the division leader waiting in the wings for a showdown on Sunday.</p>... </article> <article> <h1>Penguins 5, Canes 2</h1> <p>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:05:44 GMT</p> <p>Meet the new Canes, same as the old Canes. On Paul Maurice's second debut night behind the Hurricanes' bench, the team looked very similar to the last games of the Peter Laviolette regime. The Pittsburgh Penguins, arguably the most opportunistic in the Eastern Conference, took a 5-2 decision from the Canes in a game that visibly demonstrated the multitude of difficult challenges facing the new coaching staff.</p> <hr /> <p>Before the game, the loudest cheers by far went to new a... </article> <article> <h1>The morning after</h1> <p>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:03:04 GMT</p> After sleeping on yesterday's events overnight, I can see two distinct reactions taking shape in response to the Canes' firing of Peter Laviolette and re-hiring of Paul Maurice.<br /> <br /> The first is from a strictly Xs and Os hockey standpoint, and this is a pretty good move in that regard. Maurice has a reputation of playing defense first, second, and last at the expense of any offensive creativity, but I really think that his experience in Toronto has taught him to advance his thin... </article> <article> <h1>The FDA's (Frank Dascenzo Awards)</h1> <p>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:28:49 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in">* FDA Award for best November team:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in">N.C. State, hands down. Nobody should want to play the Wolfpack in December. Those consecutive wins over Duke, <st1:city w:st="on">Wake Forest</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:state> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Miami</st1:city></st1:place> were impressive, considering three of those opponents finished with winning records.... </article> <article> <h1>Canes fire Laviolette, name Maurice head coach, Francis associate</h1> <p>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:56:50 GMT</p> You tell me how I'm supposed to feel about this. I'm completely numb.<br /> <br /> The Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday fired coach Peter Laviolette, a move that's been long expected in response to the team's consistent inconsistency all season long. To replace him, they've hired Paul Maurice, who last coached the Toronto Maple Leafs...<br /> <br /> ...and, before that, was the coach of these very same Carolina Hurricanes.<br /> <br /> Whaa?<br /> <br /> I just returned from ... </article> <article> <h1>Bowl Projections 12-2</h1> <p>Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:32:05 GMT</p> <b>Here's a couple of things to consider about NC State's bowl situation.....</b><br /> <br /> -State's going to have to wait and see what shakes out with bowl games that can't fill their slots. Right now (12/2) these are the games that are available: Papajohns.com, Hawaii, Motor City, Texas, the Poinsettia, and both spots in the Independence Bowl. Here are some things to consider before the announcements come on Sunday:<br /> <br /> *** if Ark St wins at Troy you will have two 7 win teams i... </article> <article> <h1>Nicks Caps Record-Setting Regular Season</h1> <p>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:49:32 GMT</p> It's great to see Nicks, and his Tar Heel teammates, get that extra game after languishing his first two years in Chapel Hill. But even from his first game his talents could not be denied and they've blossomed this year to provide some of the most exciting plays ever by a Tar Heel <span suggestions="wide out,wide-out,whiteout,hideout,widest" class="misspell">wideout</span>.<br /> <br /> But, is it me or has he had the quietest record-setting All-<span suggestions="AC,ACCT,CC,ARC,ICC" cla... </article> <article> <h1>TZ and DOB vote 12-1</h1> <p>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:47:35 GMT</p> Click for podcast below!<br /> <br /> TZ<br /> 1. Alabama<br /> 2. Texas<br /> 3. Oklahoma<br /> 4. Florida<br /> 5. USC<br /> 6. Penn St<br /> 7. Utah<br /> 8. Texas Tech<br /> 9. Boise St<br /> 10. Ohio St<br /> 11. Ball St<br /> 12. Cincinnati<br /> 13. TCU<br /> 14. Oregon<br /> 15. Georgia Tech<br /> 16. Oklahoma St<br /> 17. Boston College<br /> 18. BYU<br /> 19. Missouri<br /> 20. Georgia<br /> 21. Michigan St<br /> 22. Ole Miss<br /> 23. Northwestern<br /> 24. P... </article> <article> <h1>Time For Butch To Back Up Hype</h1> <p>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:17:11 GMT</p> According to the most-reliable sources, your nearly-completed two-year record is 11-12 overall, 6-9 ACC, 3-4 in the month of November - and this season you have lost three of your last five games after winning five of your first six. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>And, Butch, oh-and-two against the Wolfpack?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>As one Rams Clubber asked me, what’s wrong?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> ... </article> <article> <h1>Flyers 3, Canes 1</h1> <p>Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:59:22 GMT</p> <p>Another three-game losing streak has fallen upon the Carolina Hurricanes. The Philadelphia Flyers skated out of the RBC Center with a 3-1 victory that again saw the Canes play 40 minutes of solid hockey, but lose the game in the other 20. Much has been asked about the Canes' identity so far this year, and over the last few games the identity has been revealed to be maddeningly inconsistent.</p> <hr /> <p>The fireworks got started early (2:02 to be exact), with a heavyweight matc... </article> <article> <h1>Time for Tar Heels to Turn the Page</h1> <p>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:46:48 GMT</p> No matter what happened last weekend, (for the record it was a 41-10 beat down at the hands of Carolina's biggest rival...on senior day) the Heels face a match-up this weekend with...their biggest rival. At least that's how Duke sees it.<br /> <br /> The Duke Blue Devils would love nothing more than to take whatever is left off the luster of a once bright North Carolina football campaign. There is a reason this game is the last game of the season, and it must be that people think t... </article> <article> <h1>TZ and Denny Rankings for 11-24</h1> <p>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:31:11 GMT</p> CLICK BELOW RANKINGS TO HEAR THEIR PODCAST!<br /> <br /> DOB<br /> 1. Alabama<br /> 2. Texas<br /> 3. Oklahoma<br /> 4. Florida<br /> 5. Southern Cal<br /> 6. Texas Tech<br /> 7. Penn State<br /> 8. Utah<br /> 9. Boise State<br /> 10. Ohio State<br /> 11. Oklahoma State<br /> 12. Missouri<br /> 13. Georgia<br /> 14. Texas Christian<br /> 15. Ball State<br /> 16. Oregon State<br /> 17. Oregon<br /> 18. Cincinnati<br /> ... </article> <article> <h1>Predators 5, Canes 2</h1> <p>Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:56:09 GMT</p> <p>Coming into Sunday's matchup against the Nashville Predators with a three-game winning streak in their back pocket, the last thing the Carolina Hurricanes wanted was to lay an egg before the home crowd. Unfortunately for them, the Canes never got their legs under them, despite five early power plays, and they dropped a listless 5-2 decision to the Predators in a relative snoozer.</p> <hr /> <p>The Canes had some early trouble winning faceoffs, at one point losing three straight in the... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 5, Coyotes 2</h1> <p>Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:20:26 GMT</p> <p>The Carolina Hurricanes' first three-game winning streak of the season came courtesy of their most snakebitten player. Eric Staal's hat trick propelled the Canes to a 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes, the Canes' first game since November 4th in which they scored more than two goals in regulation. Three would have been sufficient, but a huge weight was lifted off the team's shoulders with Staal handling the goal-scoring duties in this one.</p> <hr /> <p>Early in the game, Sta... </article> <article> <h1>Nobody Is Winning This Fight</h1> <p>Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:37:59 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>You get the picture? At the bizarre rate of a pulse beat rapidly driving fans, media and coaches to a slower pace where confusing thoughts about quality and consistency – or lack of – have appeared week after week.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Just when some were curious to see if Butch Davis would be ushering North Carolina to a major (now BCS) bowl for the first time since Harry Truman lived in the White House, the thou... </article> <article> <h1>TZ Picks and Bowl Projections</h1> <p>Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:44:59 GMT</p> 1. The Jackets will cover 3 tonight against the U. Nesbitt better play well for this to be true.<br /> <br /> 2. Clemson will cover 2.5 at the Hoos. Dabo may not get this job but he might get another HC position with 2 more wins.<br /> <br /> 3. Wake will cover 1.5 at home vs. BC. This game could go either way but I will take the Deacs since Sam Swank should be available. He makes a MAJOR difference.<br /> <br /> 4. The Hokies cover 16.5 at home vs. Duke. I hope I'm wrong because I would l... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 2, Canadiens 1</h1> <p>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:05:29 GMT</p> <p>Someone asked me on Monday if the Canes' shootout win over the Lightning the day before was a fluke or a turning point. I argued that it was more of a turning point, since the effort had been there consistently for two straight games. Tuesday's game made it three, as the Canes beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in a highly entertaining game that continued building their confidence. After a three game losing streak in which the team looked completely listless, the Canes have now... </article> <article> <h1>If Ready, Yates Should Start Again</h1> <p>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:19:01 GMT</p> Assuming T.J. Yates is at full strength, he should resume his position as starting quarterback for the last two games of the regular season. Carolina's hopes of an <span suggestions="AC,ACCT,CC,ARC,ICC" class="misspell">ACC</span> title took a serious blow last weekend in Maryland, and are (again) on life support.<br /> <br /> A shot in the arm in the form of Yates reentering the lineup could be just what the doctor ordered.<br /> <br /> Sexton struggled mightily against the <span sugg... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor and Denny's Weekly Rankings</h1> <p>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:03:22 GMT</p> CLICK BELOW RANKINGS TO HEAR THEIR PODCAST!<br /> <br /> Denny:<br /> 1. Texas Tech<br /> 2. Alabama<br /> 3. Texas<br /> 4. Oklahoma<br /> 5. Florida<br /> 6. Southern Cal<br /> 7. Penn State<br /> 8. Utah<br /> 9. Boise State<br /> 10. Ohio State<br /> 11. Oklahoma State<br /> 12. Missouri<br /> 13. Georgia<br /> 14. Texas Christian<br /> 15. Ball State<br /> 16. Michigan State<br /> 17. Brigham Young<br /> 18. LSU<br /> 19. Oregon State<br /> 20. Oregon<br /> 21. Maryla... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 3, Lightning 2 (SO)</h1> <p>Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:12:46 GMT</p> <p>The Canes gutted out a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. The final was 3-2 in a shootout, but it could have been over in regulation if some bounces that went against the Canes had been lucky breaks for the home team instead.</p> <hr /> <p>There were some minor line shakeups after yesterday's practice, as Chad LaRose and Scott Walker have swapped places. Walker played with Rod Brind'Amour and Ray Whitney, and LaRose held down the right side on the Matt Cullen/Ryan Bayda... </article> <article> <h1>Capitals 5, Canes 1</h1> <p>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:57:57 GMT</p> <p>Yet another lackluster effort from the Carolina Hurricanes led to yet another whipping from a divisional opponent. This time, it was the Washington Capitals providing the token opposition to a Canes' attack that was stuck in neutral at both ends of the ice all night long.</p> <hr /> <p>The Capitals started with a flurry of early shots, and that doesn't include a whiff on an open net by Viktor Kozlov at the right post two minutes into the game. The Canes had only mustered two sho... </article> <article> <h1>Heisman Trophy Up For Grabs</h1> <p>Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:36:46 GMT</p> Every November for the last 35-plus years I’d begin narrowing my Heisman Trophy list. <p><span> </span>I’d look forward to my ballot because it was a special envelope I so enjoyed opening, about as much as that well-wrapped box the blue-and-yellow Alaska Railroad Lionel <span> </span>engine came in my dad bought for me one Christmas back home in Pittsburgh.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The Heisman Trophy is a sacred award you cann... </article> <article> <h1>Davis Will Have Suitors Following Success</h1> <p>Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:08:02 GMT</p> Davis has the Tar Heels in a realistic position to make a <span class="misspell" suggestions="BXS,CBS,BC,BS,CS">BCS</span> bowl game, albeit with a little help. But think about that for a second, North Carolina has a chance to be in a <span class="misspell" suggestions="BXS,CBS,BC,BS,CS">BCS</span> game at the end of the year. This is a program just two years away from three wins and it has already won as many games this year as it had in the last two combined.<br /> <br /> I don't... </article> <article> <h1>Terry on the Tar Heels</h1> <p>Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:53:04 GMT</p> Near the end of the show a Hokie fan called in and talked about how much he would be cheering for State to beat Carolina, since things are tight in the Coastal Division. The Hokie fan asked Terry Harvey what he thought about that game. Click below to hear Terry's thoughts.<br type="_moz" /> </article> <article> <h1>How Taylor and Denny Voted</h1> <p>Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:27:06 GMT</p> CLICK BELOW RANKINGS TO HEAR THEIR PODCAST!<br /> <br /> Denny's Harris Ballot<br /> 1. Texas Tech<br /> 2. Alabama<br /> 3. Texas<br /> 4. Oklahoma<br /> 5. Florida<br /> 6. Southern Cal<br /> 7. Penn State<br /> 8. Utah<br /> 9. Boise State<br /> 10. Ohio State<br /> 11. Georgia<br /> 12. Oklahoma State<br /> 13. Missouri<br /> 14. Texas Christian<br /> 15. Ball State<br /> 16. Michigan State<br /> 17. Brigham Young<br /> 18. North Carolina<br /> 19. Florida State<br /> 2... </article> <article> <h1>Thrashers 5, Canes 2</h1> <p>Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:06:21 GMT</p> <p>The Carolina Hurricanes played their third game in four nights on Sunday, and the fatigue showed as they skated in circles much of the night en route to a 5-2 pasting at the hands of the Atlanta Thrashers. There wasn't a ton to get excited about for the home fans, and they responded in kind, with the quietest game I've heard in quite a while.</p> <p>The Canes got an early scoring chance with Scott Walker taking a centering pass in the low slot 30 seconds into the game, but he fumbled t... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 2, Senators 1</h1> <p>Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:12:33 GMT</p> It's a month into the season, and the Carolina Hurricanes played only their fifth home game on Friday night against the Ottawa Senators. After the Canes surrendered the first goal of the game to Mike Fisher late in the second period, they came back with two in the third to claim an important 2-1 victory.<br /> <br /> <br /> It was a bit of a quiet start for both teams, as both the Canes and Sens had played the night before and flew into Raleigh early Friday morning. That led to a cautious sta... </article> <article> <h1>Frank Needs You To Know</h1> <p>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:42:20 GMT</p> North Carolina, 6-2, 2-2 ACC, hosts Georgia Tech, 7-2, 4-2 ACC, in what should be the league’s best game this weekend with coach of the year implications scattered all over it. Both teams lost earlier this season to Virginia Tech by the identical scores of 20-17 and on back-to-back weekends in September. Oh, by the way, both teams suffered identical number of turnovers (four) vs. the Hokies. THEORY: The Jackets have won nine of the last 10 vs. UNC, so - maybe the Heels are overdue. <ul> ... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor and Denny's Top 25</h1> <p>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:08:43 GMT</p> Denny's Harris Poll<br /> 1. Alabama<br /> 2. Texas Tech<br /> 3. Penn State<br /> 4. Texas<br /> 5. Oklahoma<br /> 6. Florida<br /> 7. USC<br /> 8. Oklahoma State<br /> 9. Boise State<br /> 10. Utah<br /> 11. TCU<br /> 12. Ohio State<br /> 13. Georgia<br /> 14. Ball State<br /> 15. LSU<br /> 16. Michigan State<br /> 17. BYU<br /> 18. Missouri<br /> 19. West Virginia<br /> 20. California (Cal)<br /> 21. Georgia Tech<br /> 22. Northwestern<br /> 23. Florida State<br /> 24.... </article> <article> <h1>It's Time for Carolina Fans to Prove They're Ready</h1> <p>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:09:29 GMT</p> After having a six-day option exercised just to see how last week's game's played out, the North Carolina-Georgia Tech game will be broadcast at high noon this Saturday from Kenan Stadium.<br /> <br /> Even though this is just the second match up of two ranked teams in the ACC this year (and the only one this weekend), even though this is a huge game in the race for supremacy in the Coastal Division where five teams are tied with two losses, and even though both the Tar Heels and the Yellow Ja... </article> <article> <h1>Canes 6, Leafs 4</h1> <p>Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:03:07 GMT</p> This game had all the earmarks of a letdown game. Not only were the Canes coming off a tough loss to the Edmonton Oilers in which they gave up the game-winning goal with under two minutes to play, but they were facing a Leafs team that had scored five goals in just over five minutes to beat the Rangers the night before. It certainly started out like it could be another disappointment, but the Canes' power play finally came to life, powering the team to a 6-4 victory.<br /> <br /> I... </article> <article> <h1>Oilers 3, Canes 1</h1> <p>Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:16:47 GMT</p> It was a happy homecoming for Erik Cole as his Edmonton Oilers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in a game that the Canes would have won going away if their power play had shown up at all. Instead, an 0-6 night with the man advantage resulted in a win for the Oilers, their first win at the RBC Center since Game 5 of the 2006 Stanley Cup final.<br /> <br /> The Canes got the scoring started, as Ray Whitney caught the Oilers in a line change, took a beautiful stretch pass from Tim ... </article> <article> <h1>TZ Picks and Bowl Projections</h1> <p>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:35:48 GMT</p> Seaon vs. the line: 51-42<br /> Wins and losses: 76-32<br /> <br /> Scroll below my picks to get my weekly bowl projections too!<br /> <br /> Miami (-1.5) at UVA: I'm going to take the Canes to beat the Wahoos in a close one. I don't know that I've gotten a single UVA game right this season, so why stop now? They are the most unpredictable team in the history of the galaxy. The U 34, Hoos 30.<br /> <br /> #16 FSU (-2) at Tech: I like the Jackets in this one. I was surprised that they lost... </article> <article> <h1>Welcome to Puck Drops</h1> <p>Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:10:31 GMT</p> That's right, you read that correctly. We're expanding The Big Tailgate beyond football and basketball to give you the best coverage of the Canes anywhere.<br /> <br /> Wait...huh?<br /> <br /> I guess a bit of an explanation is in order.<br /> <br /> This blog will be an expansion of the game reports that you hear on WPTF, 96rock and the Big Tailgate Show. I mean, there are only so many things you can cram into a one-minute report, but a hockey game's 60 minutes long. Th... </article> <article> <h1>Its Almost November And We're Still Talkin' Carolina Football</h1> <p>Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:41:48 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Just asking, but is Hakeem Nicks the best football player in the ACC?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>More of that later. Now this . . .</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The similarities are beginning to show in the method of progress Butch Davis is orchestrating at starved-for-football-success <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:state> to the same scene Mack Brown watched in the middle 1990s.</p> ... </article> <article> <h1>Sexton Gives Heels a Good Problem</h1> <p>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:16:28 GMT</p> Cam Sexton logged another chapter in his Carolina legacy last weekend by bouncing back impressively from perhaps his worst career performance against Virginia. And that is saying a lot if you saw him play his freshman year.<br /> <br /> Sexton has quieted almost any and all doubts that were apparent one month ago when he entered the game against Miami. Recollections of that disastrous freshman season flashed before many Tar Heel eyes. But a few hours later, after the crafty j... </article> <article> <h1>TZ and Denny's Top 25</h1> <p>Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:29:14 GMT</p> CLICK ON AUDIO BELOW RANKINGS!<br /> <br /> Denny's Top 25<br /> 1. Texas<br /> 2. Alabama<br /> 3. Penn State<br /> 4. Texas Tech<br /> 5. Oklahoma<br /> 6. Southern Cal<br /> 7. Georgia<br /> 8. Florida<br /> 9. Oklahoma State<br /> 10. Boise State<br /> 11. Utah<br /> 12. TCU<br /> 13. Tulsa<br /> 14. Ohio State<br /> 15. LSU<br /> 16. Ball State<br /> 17. BYU<br /> 18. Missouri<br /> 19. Minnesota<br /> 20. Florida State<b... </article> <article> <h1>Johnson Rises While League Slips</h1> <p>Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:13:21 GMT</p> Trying to make excuses for the state of affairs in ACC football seems useless this week.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> No team in the Top 20 and only two, Georgia Tech (No. 21) and Boston College (No. 23), in the Top 25. Definition? Dismal.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> That, in general. This, in particular:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Triangle teams are a combined 10-10 overall, 2-7 ACC. No, <st1:state w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:state> still cannot win at <st1:state w:st="on... </article> <article> <h1>TZ and Denny's Top 25</h1> <p>Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:12:24 GMT</p> <i><b>CLICK ON AUDIO BELOW RANKINGS!<br /> <br /> </b></i>Denny's:<br /> 1. Texas<br /> 2. Alabama<br /> 3. Penn State<br /> 4. Oklahoma State<br /> 5. Texas Tech<br /> 6. Oklahoma<br /> 7. USC<br /> 8. Georgia<br /> 9. Florida<br /> 10. Ohio State<br /> 11. Boise State<br /> 12. LSU<br /> 13. Utah<br /> 14. Pittsburgh<br /> 15. TCU<br /> 16. South Florida<br /> 17. Tulsa<br /> 18. Ball State<br /> 19. BYU<br /> 20. Missouri<br /> 21. Minnesota<br /> 22. Kansas<br /> 23.... </article> <article> <h1>Tar Heels Lost the Game, Not the Season</h1> <p>Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:02:02 GMT</p> Tar Heel fans outraged and appalled at the turn of events last Saturday need to settle down and remember exactly who their team is. And while the rest of the country may be doing its best Dennis Green, ("They are, who we thought they were!") some Heels fans are just now realizing who they've been cheering for all year.<br /> <br /> This is a team 11 months removed from needing overtime to beat a dreadful Duke team at home. And that <i>was </i>your daddy's Duke team, that ... </article> <article> <h1>TZ's Week 8 Picks</h1> <p>Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:24:05 GMT</p> <br /> #21 Wake (-1) at Maryland: I'll take the Deacs in a tight one. Maryland may be the most unpredictable team on earth. With Wake you know what you're going to get....smart play and GREAT coaching. Wake 23 Terps 20.<br /> <br /> Tech (+3) at Clemson: I think Dabo will have the boys ready, but their O-Line is just too thin. Plus, the Jackets bring back Nesbitt. GT 21 IPTAY 17.<br /> <br /> Miami (-5.5) at Duke: Duke is starting to get a little banged up, and they don't have the depth tha... </article> <article> <h1>V, Laettner, and MJ...But Keldorf Too</h1> <p>Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:31:20 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span> In 39 years, one month and 26 days of working for The Herald-Sun Company, in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Durham</st1:place></st1:city>, I was ridiculously lucky to have been ushered through some amazing scenes and sounds.<br /> <br /> Christian Laettner’s shot against <st1:state w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:state> at The Spectrum in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:place></st1:city> in 1992 caused mos... </article> <article> <h1>Ambassador of Quan</h1> <p>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:12:43 GMT</p> It has become evident over the course of the last few weeks that North Carolina is going to win with big plays from its defense and special teams. And that's exactly how it won another big game in front of a national audience and overcame an otherwise huge day from Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen.<br /> <br /> The defensive big play was obvious and while the special teams' wasn't as striking, its play was just as important if not more so and it came from perhaps an unlikely player.<br />... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor and Denny's Rankings</h1> <p>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:01:08 GMT</p> <i><b>CLICK ON AUDIO BELOW RANKINGS!<br /> </b></i><br /> <b>Denny O'Brien's Harris Poll:<br /> </b>1. Texas<br /> 2. Alabama<br /> 3. Penn State<br /> 4. Oklahoma State<br /> 5. BYU<br /> 6. Texas Tech<br /> 7. Oklahoma<br /> 8. USC<br /> 9. Missouri<br /> 10. Georgia<br /> 11. Florida<br /> 12. Ohio State<br /> 13. Boise State<br /> 14. LSU<br /> 15. Utah<br /> 16. Virginia Tech<br /> 17. Michigan State<br /> 18. North Carolina<br /> 19. Pittsburgh (Pitt)<br /> 20. South ... </article> <article> <h1>A Legend Was Born In Chapel Hill</h1> <p>Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:12:01 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was a rainy April 27, 2006 day and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Montana</st1:place></st1:state> was lecturing on the awareness of high blood pressure.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Five times, in three years, Montana led Notre Dame to come from behind wins and with the 49ers there was “The Catch” to Dwight Clark, the pass to John Taylor – Montana’s all-time favorite (which helped San Francisco win one of five Supe... </article> <article> <h1>Wolfpack Says Hello to BYE</h1> <p>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:12:41 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For this NC State team, the bye comes at a nice time.<span> </span>Coming off the gut wrenching 38-31 loss to BC last week, State now has a chance to re-group for their Thursday nighter against <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Florida</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place> on October 16<sup>th</sup>.<span> </span>Russell Wilson can rest that shoulder and psyche that’s been knocked out of two games thus far.<s... </article> <article> <h1>Tar Heel Talent Coming From All Angles</h1> <p>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:10:56 GMT</p> <p>North Carolina beat a ranked opponent last weekend with its third string quarterback and its second string tailback (a converted safety) leading the way. Of course, the one man wrecking crew that was Bruce Carter and a stout, stat-defying defensive performance didn't hurt either.</p> <p>Butch Davis and his staff have managed to stock pile talent at certain positions in only two years on the job and procure the talent they already had at others. Sure, John Bunting did not exactly leave the cu... </article> <article> <h1>TZ and Denny's Rankings</h1> <p>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:24:15 GMT</p> <b> <p>Here is Denny's Harris Interactive Top 25 ballot:</p> </b><br /> <br /> 1. Oklahoma<br /> 2. Alabama<br /> 3. Missouri <br /> 4. LSU<br /> 5. Texas<br /> 6. Penn State<br /> 7. Texas Tech<br /> 8. Brigham Young<br /> 9. Southern Cal<br /> 10. Georgia<br /> 11. Florida<br /> 12. Ohio State<br /> 13. Oklahoma State<br /> 14. Vanderbilt: <br /> 15. Utah<br /> 16. Boise State<br /> 17. Pittsburgh <br /> 18. South Florida<br /> 19. Kansas<br /> 20. Virginia Tech<br... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's Week 6 Picks</h1> <p>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:09:26 GMT</p> BC (-6.5) at State: Russell Wilson is good to go, which makes a MAJOR difference for State. BC is now running the spread offense and hasn’t had to throw it much, meaning their not really set up to score on State like South Florida did. Along with Wilson, State gets Anthony Hill back at TE, so there offense adds two major weapons. I think you know what’s coming…. State will beat BC, 24-20.<br /> <br /> <br /> Duke (+14) at Tech: I think Duke has a chance to win 5 or 6 games,... </article> <article> <h1>Fear The Turtle</h1> <p>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:58:08 GMT</p> Tiger killer Ralph Friedgen coached one of his finest games last Saturday when his I’ll-dare-you-give-up-on-me Maryland Terrapins swaggered into Death Valley and made sure the anti-Tommy Bowden bandwagon grew to larger-than-ever numbers.<br /> <br /> This just in: The Fridge is 5-3 vs. Clemson. And, his Terps are 5-2 vs. N.C. State (4-0 when Philip Rivers was quarterbacking the Wolfpack), 5-2 vs. Jim Grobe-coached Wake Forest and 4-1 vs. North Carolina. <br /> <br /> Impact plays win ... </article> <article> <h1>Memo To Tom O’Brien</h1> <p>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:08:01 GMT</p> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">It wasn’t the constant penalties that consistently moved the Wolfpack back on offense. And it wasn’t the band, which did yeoman’s work to stay in the stands, ponchos and all.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">What stood out to me was the head coach. I remarked to a couple media types in the press box that I’d observed this phenomenon for the past umpteen games he’s c... </article> <article> <h1>UNC Has An Important Game This Weekend. What Else Is New?</h1> <p>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:57:41 GMT</p> <font size="2"> <p>Since its opening week win over McNeese State, it seems Carolina has had a "big game" every single week</p> <ul> <li>In week two, the Heels prepared to play a nationally televised game at Rutgers on September 11. The storylines for the game were filled with Carolina’s streak of winless games outside the state. Butch Davis’ team responded with a resounding victory, albeit over what now looks like a reeling Rutgers squad.</li> <li>The conference... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor and Denny's Rankings</h1> <p>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:52:00 GMT</p> <b>Denny's Harris Ballot 9-28</b><br /> 1. Alabama<br /> 2. Oklahoma<br /> 3. Missouri<br /> 4. LSU<br /> 5. Texas<br /> 6. Penn State<br /> 7. Texas Tech<br /> 8. Brigham Young: <br /> 9. USC<br /> 10. Georgia<br /> 11. South Florida: <br /> 12. Florida<br /> 13. Auburn<br /> 14. Ohio State<br /> 15. Oklahoma State<br /> 16. Utah<br /> 17. Boise State<br /> 18. Oregon<br /> 19. Kansas<br /> 20. Wisconsin<br /> 21. Fresno State<br /> 22. Vanderbilt<br /> 23. Virginia Tech... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's Week 5 Picks</h1> <p>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:08:53 GMT</p> State (+9) vs. #13 South Fla: I've talked to so many "insiders" this week, yet no one seems to know what the true story is concerning Russell Wilson's status, how he got hurt, or even if he got hurt. You can't make a pick with an IF Wilson plays or not scenario, so let's assume Beck is the guy that will get most of the work at QB. The Pack HAD to have Wilson, Irving at least played, and it was a rivalry last week. Moreover, USF is better than ECU. Bulls 27 State 17<br /> <br /> UNC (... </article> <article> <h1>The Best September Story</h1> <p>Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:21:17 GMT</p> ANSWER: D. It might difficult to believe, but it’s true.<br /> <br /> Stand up private schools. <br /> <br /> Duke, Wake Forest, Northwestern and Vanderbilt are a combined 13-1 heading into Saturday’s games where the Blue Devils (2-1) host Virginia and will attempt to stop an embarrassing 25-game ACC losing streak; the Commodores (4-0), who shocked South Carolina and won at Ole Miss, have the day off; Wake (3-0) hosts Navy; and the Wildcats (4-0) are at Iowa.<br /> <br /> What ... </article> <article> <h1>Running On Empty</h1> <p>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:48:54 GMT</p> <p>If there’s one offensive area that has not sparkled thus far in 2008, it has been the running game for North Carolina, specifically the play from the running backs. UNC has been able to exploit opponents for big gains on the ground. But more times than not those have come from the talented corps of wide receivers offensive coordinator John Shoop has at his disposal.</p> <p>Starting running back Greg Little is averaging only 3.6 yards per carry on the season. Compare that to wide receiv... </article> <article> <h1>TZ and Denny's Rankings</h1> <p>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:33:39 GMT</p> LISTEN TO OUR CONVERSATION BY CLICKING THE AUDIO BELOW!<br /> <br /> Denny's TOP 25 for 9-21<br /> 1. USC<br /> 2. Oklahoma<br /> 3. Florida<br /> 4. Missouri<br /> 5. LSU<br /> 6. Alabama<br /> 7. Georgia<br /> 8. Texas<br /> 9. Brigham Young<br /> 10. Wisconsin<br /> 11. Texas Tech<br /> 12. Penn State<br /> 13. Auburn<br /> 14. Ohio State<br /> 15. Wake Forest<br /> 16. South Florida<br /> 17. Utah<br /> 18. Boise State... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's Week 4 Picks</h1> <p>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:26:42 GMT</p> #15 ECU (-7.5) at State: I was shocked when State turned their season around by beating the Pirates last year. I would more shocked this year. State simply has too many injuries. It is great to get Eugene back, but they still have LOTS of issues with their O-Line, WR's, and Wilson has to prove he can throw the ball. Meanwhile, the Pirtaes lost a lineman too, and Cotton was their best LB. But they still have Patrick Pinkney, meaning he will move the chains throughout the game. I think State plays... </article> <article> <h1>Baddour Could Come Full Cirlce</h1> <p>Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:32:54 GMT</p> Some saw Beamer wearing light blue, walking the sidelines as North Carolina’s newest head football coach. Others weren’t sure and for awhile neither was Dick Baddour, UNC’s athletic director who’d made the decision to go after a big name.<br /> <br /> It was late in the first year of the new decade and 2000 wasn’t good for Baddour, or the Tar Heels. Likeable Carl Torbush, who’d had the support of many of the players Mack Brown left behind when he bolted for ... </article> <article> <h1>Tar Heel Football Should Benefit from Basketball Success</h1> <p>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:41:10 GMT</p> <p>Chris Fowler quickly pointed out during the same broadcast that the basketball program is always going to be bigger than the football program. Always is a long time but certainly it can’t be argued that historically, North Carolina has been known as a basketball school.</p> <p>That doesn’t mean there can’t be successful football teams in Chapel Hill and Brown is living proof. A lot of credit should go to Brown for what he did during his tenure in Chapel Hill. Butch Davis mi... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's Week 3 Picks</h1> <p>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:58:47 GMT</p> I expected the Heels to win 5 or 6 games this season, and I really didn't think they would beat Rutgers. Carolina is a VERY young team, hasn't won on the road in forever, and looked bad against McNeese. The Knights have a coaching staff that's been there 7 years, a veteran QB, and they love primetime Thursday nights. NONE, let me repeat, NONE of that mattered. While Rutgers was a TOTAL train wreck, Carolina played as smart of a game as you can. <br /> <br /> Carolina could win 8 ... </article> <article> <h1>Pirates On Mountain Top</h1> <p>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:31:20 GMT</p> Look at the 2-0 Pirates and Skip Holtz, their coach who struts the sideline a bit like his dad used to at such stops as William and Mary and N.C. State and all right, briefly, the New York Jets and Arkansas and Minnesota and Notre Dame and South Carolina. Okay, I’m tired already and you might get the picture. <br /> <div><br /> This kid can coach. His team can play – offense, defense, special teams.</div> <div><br /> What gives with Skip Holtz, 22-17 an... </article> <article> <h1>Heels Have a Chance to Shine</h1> <p>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:24:04 GMT</p> <font size="2"> <p>In week one, North Carolina State was throttled by South Carolina, Virginia Tech was blocked by East Carolina, and Clemson stunk up the Georgia Dome against Alabama.</p> <p>This past weekend, Miami fought valiantly for three quarters but still lost to Florida, Maryland lost to Middle Tennessee, and Duke lost to Northwestern.</p> <p>Is it up to North Carolina this week to uphold any sense of competitiveness?</p> <p>Well I know this much, if UNC loses this Thursday night at ... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor Week 2 Picks</h1> <p>Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:29:30 GMT</p> The games this week are as bad as I can remember. In fact, there's only SIX games worth picking. <br /> <br /> Ramblin Wreck at BC (-6.5):<br /> Both of these teams are going through big transitions on offense. The Jackets looked good against a 1-AA team, but I repeat, it was a 1-AA team. I think they will struggle running the wishbone against a strong defensive squad. So, because it's in Chesnut Hill I'll taker the home team. BC 17 GT 10.<br /> <br /> The Deacs (-8.5) vs. Ole Miss:<br /> ... </article> <article> <h1>One Team In The ACC Worth Watching</h1> <p>Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:53:04 GMT</p> Wake Forest, at least now, is the one glittering jewel in a conference taking a national, and deserved, bashing from many critics. The Deacs' trek to Waco, Texas ended up in a much-expected win over Baylor, albeit the worst of the Big 12. But, hey, you want to know just how impressive this win was? Go back to the final four games of the 2005 season and you know what Jim Grobe's record is? Try this - 23-9. Hardly the best-kept secret in college football any more - the Deacs are one of three... </article> <article> <h1>Tate's Great, But Heels Are Less Filling</h1> <p>Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:20:12 GMT</p> <p>And head coach Butch Davis said as much in his post-game press conference.</p> <p>"He played extraordinary well on offense. He played extremely well on special teams," said Davis. He gave McNeese State a lot of credit saying they probably outplayed the Tar Heels in just about every phase of the game, save Brandon Tate.</p> <p>As special as Tate was on Saturday night (he totaled a school record 397 all-purpose yards), Coach Davis has to know that a team performance like that next T... </article> <article> <h1>Taylor's Week 1 Picks</h1> <p>Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:18:50 GMT</p> -They're just picks<br /> -I could be wrong<br /> -You could be wrong<br /> -Its just for fun. Russell Wilson being strapped on a gurney was serious. Thankfully he's going to be okay. Making football picks is not serious. <br /> <br /> So lets have fun....<br /> <br /> Last night I had:<br /> -The Gamecocks covering 13.5. Result: SC 34, State Zip. <br /> Whew. Not a fun game to be present for. State simply doesn't have enough bodies to compete. Its one thing to have a bad team, but Stat... </article> <article> <h1>ACC Still Searching</h1> <p>Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:38:47 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One in eight in the BCS bowl just is not getting it done; huge disappointment for the league. Last year’s two in six bowl record did not help, and four in four a year ago did not help either. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Florida</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place> has won twelve of sixteen ACC games over the last two years. Gene Corrigan, Swofford’s predecessor, locked the Seminoles into the conference from ... </article> <article> <h1>O'Brien and Pack Ready for Action </h1> <p>Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:41:50 GMT</p> When NC State coach Tom O’Brien migrated south from Boston in 2007 he could never have imagined how difficult the rebuilding task would be in Raleigh. In a summer that was dominated by a Quarterback competition (eventually won by red-shirt freshman Russell Wilson) the Pack will need a little magic to win their opener on the road against Steve Spurrier and his roost of Gamecocks.<br /> <br /> The decision to go with youth (Wilson) over experience (Evans) at QB really is a surprise move fo... </article> <article> <h1>Hope Returns to Chapel Hill</h1> <p>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:32:21 GMT</p> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: small"><span style=""><span style="line-height: 115%">Unfortunately for those on the cautious side, the weakness of the coastal division, and a schedule that manages to miss Clemson, Wake Forest, and Florida State, make it hard to argue with that second place prediction. Much of that could be attributed to Butch Davis’ ability to crank things in to high gear his second year in a new place. And certainly that should not be ... </article> <article> <h1>It's Here!</h1> <p>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:27:51 GMT</p> No, No, Yes, Yes, Yes, and No. <br /> <br /> Carolina will make it to a bowl game and could even win seven games. But expecting them to win the division and be a Top 25 team is a little far fetched. This is still an inexperienced squad that is getting better. Until Butch Davis and his staff have to stop teaching the college game to his kids, and worrying about beating themselves they will take a few lumps. I truly believe they will be an ACC title contender and a Top 25 team in 2009. Bu... </article> </main></body></html>