The Rafters

Tar Heel Highlights from NC Pro-Am

shwineka — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:10:18 +0000

You might have seen some stories talking about the UNC presence at the N.C. Greater Pro-Am recently. Maybe this one or this one.

I stumbled across this sweet highlight reel (via @DimeMag) featuring some footage of Heels hoopers. Gotta like that dunk by Justin Watts, and John Henson takes home the gold with the #1 highlight. No footage of the UNC freshmen, but there is some of the other frosh in the triangle, including N.C. State’s C.J. Leslie and Ryan Harrow, and Duke’s Kyrie Irving. Enjoy.

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Taking the offensive: the ACC Superconference

shwineka — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:28:29 +0000

With all the hullabaloo over conference expansion going on in the Midwest, I was happy to see that the ACC and North Carolina were going largely unaffected. I like the current setup. Although I wish that UNC were guaranteed more games against perennial league contenders like Wake Forest every year, the competition is good for ACC teams’ RPI and the conference is well respected for its basketball.

Apparently though there has been talk of hitting us right where it hurts, namely right at us – UNC that is.

Tar Heel Fan pointed out this SEC wish list in the Austin American Statesman (via WRAL) and I find it quite disturbing. The SEC, pioneers of the 12-team conference and not wanting to be left behind the Pac-whatever-it-is-now, could be eying expansion and targeting UNC and Duke. This, according to THF would be a boon to their basketball prestige giving them three of arguably (well, arguably as far as Duke and Kentucky ) the best teams in college basketball history in the same conference. It would also look to boost its football stature by adding powerhouse Texas and it’s little brother Texas A&M (not to mention Butch’s boys in blue).

THF pointed out that the Charlotte and Raleigh markets – let alone football crazed Texas – are nothing to sniff at, both coming in the Top 30 in the nation, so that could play a factor as well.

Well, that’s all well and good, but rather than sitting on our Atlantic Coast cabooses, why don’t we take the offensive and spawn a superconference of our own?

The Pac-10 has been courting with Texas as well, though I’m not sure what exactly is Pacific about Texas. Using that logic, Kansas, K-State, Baylor and Missouri seem ripe to come to the Atlantic Coast Conference to me. The ACC’s basketball pedigree would instantly skyrocket. In the last coaches poll of 2010, taken after the tournament, Kansas (6), K-State (7) and Baylor(10) were all in the Top 10, while Missouri received some votes for the Top 25.

With that addition, no one could argue that the Big East was the best basketball conference any more, though we at the Rafters know that has never been true, and the spark in competition would make ACC games the must watch affair any night of the week. Forget ACC Sunday Night Hoops. How about the ACC Nightly Knockdown, Drag-out Brawl?

Now I’m sure Roy Williams wouldn’t be too keen on the idea of his other love, Kansas, joining the conference, but as much as I love Roy I don’t think his personal preference would have much say in the grand scheme of things.

If other conferences are licking their chops at some of the pillars of our conference, we should be looking around as well. Like I said, I’m happy with the current situation, but to let it fall below its current status would be a travesty, and we should think offensively.

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It’s Got To Be The Shoes – UNC Men’s Basketball Team Shoes Pt. III

bwineka — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 01:12:37 +0000

If you missed the mid-season review of the kicks the team was wearing, check here. But the other day a new Jordan Brand silhouette popped up on the internets and reminded me that I hadn’t finished the rest of the season’s shoe sightings. See, the new Jordan shoe is nostalgically referred to as the “Carmichael,” and since UNC has a penchant for wearing Jordan Brand footwear I’ve deduced that we’ll probably be spotting this shoe next year in a nice Carolina blue colorway.

Anyways, enough about possible shoes for next season. Let’s run back through last season’s games, picking up with the match against Albany. Before we do though, here are the shoes that were seen on the court this past season:

Jumpman Hallowed Ground

Jumpman Ol’ School III

Now the players:

Larry Drew II: Larry continued to sport the Jordan 2.5 for the Albany, College of Charleston and Virginia Tech games, but switched to the Jordan 16.5 from the Clemson game on through the rest of the season, and magic NIT run. With the exception being the Florida State game, Jordan Brand 25th Anniversary in which he wore the silver Jordan 2010.

Marcus Ginyard: Marcus had bucked the UNC trend early in the season by wearing the Nike Hyperize, which he continued to do through the Dook home game, seen here. After that he went with the Jordan 12 “Rising Sun” which some other players had already been wearing.

David Wear: The freshman changed up his footwear several times early in the season and continued to do so for the later half. For Albany and College of Charleston he was still in the Jumpman Ol’ School III. Starting with Clemson he went with the Jordan 12 until the NC State home game when he started wearing the Jumpman Icons before going down for the season.

Deon Thompson: Deon definitely took advantage of the shoe situation, as it was never a given what he’d be wearing. For Albany he showed up in the Jordan 16.5, which he also wore at C of C. Against Va. Tech and Clemson he showed up with a colorway of the Kobe IV that I don’t believe has surfaced anywhere else, although it is similar to the Minneapolis Lakers colorway that did come out. For Ga. Tech and Wake he was back in the Hallowed Ground before switching back to the Kobe IV for NC State, Virginia, Va. Tech and the 2nd half against Dook at home. Yep, the 2nd half. Deon wore the Jordan 12 in the first half. Back in the Kobe IV for NC State, Ga. Tech and Boston College. Number 21 took part in the 25th Anniversary schtick but was back with Kobe against Wake. For the first time of the season, the Jordan 10 made an appearance on Senior Night and stayed for Dook before being replaced by the Hallowed Ground and Kobe IV for the postseason.

Ed Davis: Easy Ed also switched up his flow a couple times before his season ended. He wore the Jumpman Pro for Albany, C of C, Va. Tech, Clemson, Ga. Tech, and NC State. Against Virginia it was the Jordan 16.5 but the Pro was back for the 2nd Va. Tech outing, Maryland and Dook.

Dexter Strickland: Maybe the person that most changed shoes, Dexter was wearing the Jordan 12 for Albany, C of C, Va. Tech, Clemson, Ga. Tech and Wake. The Hallowed Ground made a reappearance for NC State, Virginia and Va. Tech. Up in the snow at Maryland, Dex tried to camouflage his feet with the Jordan 12 and he wore it again against Dook. NC State brought out the Icons, as did Ga. Tech, Wake, Miami, Dook, Ga. Tech, Mississippi State, Rhode Island and Dayton. In the NIT though, Dex did wear the Jordan 12 against W&M and the Jordan 16.5 against UAB. And, of course, Dex took part in celebration Jordan.

John Henson: Although John did surprise me with his Hyperize choice, he settled into a couple shoes he wore for the rest of the season. Against Albany, C of C, Va. Tech, Clemson, Ga. Tech and Wake. The Hallowed Grounds came out against NC State, Virginia, Va. Tech, Dook, NC State, Ga. Tech, Boston College, Wake, Miami, Dook, Ga. Tech and the run to the NIT final. John wore the silver Jordan 2010s as well.

Will Graves: I rescind my previous statement that Dexter wore the most shoes. Will was all over the place. Against Va. Tech he was wearing those Jordan/Jumpmans that I don’t know the model, which he also wore against Clemson, Ga. Tech and Wake. Then the Jumpman Pro was out for NC State and the 2nd half of Virginia. The first half saw the Jordan 16.5. The first half at Va. Tech had the Jumpman Pro while the 2nd half had the mysterious Jordan. It was the Jumpman Pro again for Dook at home, NC State and Ga. Tech. BC was the no name shoe and FSU got the Jordan 16.5, as did Wake, Miami, Dook, Ga. Tech, W&M, Mississippi State, UAB, Rhode Island and Dayton.

Tyler Zeller: Tyler was one of the ones that picked a shoe and stuck with it. Z wore the Jordan 16.5 against Albany, C of C and Va. Tech. Upon his return against FSU, Tyler picked up the Jumpman Icons and didn’t look back for the rest of the short season.

Travis Wear: Travis also had a short rotation of shoes. For Albany and C of C he wore the Jumpman Pro before switching to the Jordan 12 for Va. Tech, Clemson, Ga. Tech, Wake, NC State and Virginia. At Va. Tech T-Wear brought the Jumpman Pro out but was in the Jumpman Icons against Wake and for the remainder of the season and postseason.

Leslie McDonald: Like some of his freshman teammates, Leslie was quick to change up the shoes. Against Albany and C of C he was in the Jumpman Ol’ School III. He switched to the Jordan 12 for Va. Tech, Clemson, Ga. Tech, Wake and NC State before a brief return to the Ol’ School III. Starting with the home game with NC State, Leslie balled in the Jumpman Icons until FSU when he went on a streak of several games in the silver Jordan 2010. After the ACC tourny he stayed with the Jumpman Icons until the NIT weekend in MSG where he wore the Jordan 12.

Justin Watts: Didn’t get as much PT after the ACC season started, but was in the Jordan 16.5 for C of C, Jumpman Hallowed Ground for Wake and Virginia, and the 16.5 against Mississippi State and Rhode Island.

Marc Campbell rocked the Jordan 2.5, James Gallagher had the Jumpman Icons, Thomas Thornton was about the Jumpman Hallowed Ground and Terrenece Petree wore both the Jordan 16.5 and Jumpman Icons.

Ah, there it goes. The wrap-up of the 2009-2010 UNC Men’s Basketball shoes. For the whole gallery, look here.

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Catching up

shwineka — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:19:37 +0000

Is it finally over? By that I mean the sick feeling in your stomach re: the most recent NCAA championship. Mine has finally subsided. So might as well cure the subsequent blogging hangover by getting back at it eh?

What better way to get over a case of the “I-can’t-believe-Gordon-Hayward-missed-that-shot”s than by looking forward to next year. Now that the NBA draft deadline has passed, we know that Easy Ed will be leaving us for bigger and better things. Can’t really blame him. He’s a projected lottery pick depending on how the draft day moves go, and he stands to lose a lot of money by staying in college for another year with all that lockout business.

So then there’s Harrison Barnes. The No. 1 recruit in the country is coming in with some highly touted classmates to add some more youth to what is already going to be a young team. But wait! Why not make it even younger?

Over the past few days it’s come to light that James McAdoo, nephew of former Tar Heel and NBA Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, and a Top 5 recruit in the class of 2011, might just pull an Andre Dawkins and come to UNC next year with Barnes and Co. Read this piece on SI.com and it will make you feel all warm and giddy inside. Here’s a throwback of ol’ Bob, sorry about the watermark. Only image I could find in a Heels uni.

Well if you read that article, it’s made clear by James McAdoo’s father that James came up with the idea once the Wear twins transferred. That gave me some piece of mind. I was afraid that Roy might have been pulling a Coach K. As in last year when Dawkins came to Duke as a 17-year-old. I never read any stories on him – why woud I? – but after Elliot Williams transferred I was sure it was K figuring out some way to bolster his roster. Unfortunately whoever initiated the Dawkins early graduation talks, it worked out for them, but that’s beside the point.

The other move I’m not sure we’ve covered here on the Rafters is the transfer of Justin Knox from Alabama. This should be a valuable pick-up. If he can put up his numbers from the SEC a year ago (6.3 pts., 3.7 rebs) that will be gravy. It’d be about equal to what two Wears were giving us, so even trade.

I don’t think the McAdoo Move would alter the potential starting lineup for next season, nor will the Knox pickup. At the beginning, I’m guessing Drew, Strickland, Graves, Henson, Zeller, with the expectation that Barnes will be starting by the ACC season.

The transfers and early graduations would give us a very solid bench, however, with McAdoo and Knox spelling Henson and Zeller. Graves and Barnes wouldn’t be forced to play much post, and Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall will provide the guards with respite.

Come to think of it, that would give the Heels exactly 10 players who would likely see minutes — one sub for each starter.

And if they start playing anything like last year, that would come in handy when Roy needs to make one of his full line-up substitutions.

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JJ Redick in Chapel Hill?

bwineka — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:25:41 +0000

Nice article by an Orlando Sentinel reporter who wore a Redick jersey in Chapel Hill the other day.

Spoiler alert: People still do not like JJ.

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March Sadness

rbarry — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:48:08 +0000

It goes without saying that the past few days have been solemn for all Tar Heel fans. I was one failed last second heave away from naming my first born child Butler. And those light blue Butler Championship tee shirts would have fit in so well next year at the Dean Dome. If there is any silver lining from all of this, it’s that all of America hates Duke even more. Many thanks to Jon Stewart for articulating this point so well.

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Dook wins National Title, Nobody Cares

bwineka — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:31:46 +0000

That’s a comparison of the front pages from last year’s title and this years. Greensboro News and Record’s John Robinson said this:

“The fact is, though, a UNC win is much bigger than a Duke win to advertisers. We produced an eight-page special section supported by advertising when the Heels won. This year? Not so much. Interest by advertising isn’t there.”

Apparently the state of North Carolina is already over this. Wonder what the front page in Trenton, NJ looked like?

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Roy Williams Tie Tracker, NIT Final Edition: Dayton

bwineka — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:36:13 +0000

One thing all UNC fans have come to know, love and expect of Roy Williams is his fashionable selection of ties, most often courtesy of Chapel Hill outfitter Alexander Julian. The same man who put the argyle on the side of the basketball uniform is still turning heads with what he’s putting around Ol’ Roy’s neck. So, here at The Rafters we decided to pay homage to the best accesory in college hoops, if not the entire sporting world, and document every tie Roy Williams wears this season.

@therafters has been too distraught since last Thursday to post the last Tie Tracker of the season. Here it is (typed in a very sad manner).

We’ve seen this guy already in the NIT. UAB felt the wraith, as did Miami. Blue and white paisley, which the paisley had held up pretty well during the season. Unfortunately, not so much this time.

Here’s this years stats:

Game 1: Florida International, W 88-72 – Small paisley in aqua and dark blue with pocket square

Game 2: North Carolina Central, W 89-42 – Large paisley in Carolina and navy blue and gold with pocket square

Game 3: Valparaiso, W 88-77 – Large paisley-ish in gold, navy, brown and Carolina with pocket square

Game 4: Ohio State, W 77-73 – Diagonal white stripes over light blue back with pocket square

Game 5: Syracuse, L 87-71 – Large paisley in Carolina and navy blue with pocket square

Game 6: Gardner-Webb, W 93-72 – Blue and white dotted with pocket square

Game 7: Nevada, W 80-73 – Carolina blue and white diagonal stripes with no jacket or pocket square, removed tie in first half, black arm sling

Game 8: Michigan State, W 89-82 – No tie, Carolina blue plaid shirt with no jacket or pocket square, black arm sling, AIDs ribbon

Game 9: Kentucky, L 68-66 – No tie, white shirt with no jacket, pre-game pinstriped jacket with pocket square, black arm sling

Game 10: Presbyterian, W 103-64 – No tie, white shirt with no jacket or pocket square, Old Well emblem on pocket, arm sling with Carolina blue patterned cover

Game 11: Texas, L 103-90 – No tie, white shirt with no jacket or pocket square, arm sling with Carolina blue patterned cover

Game 12: Marshall, W 98-61 – No tie, Carolina blue plaid shirt with no jacket or pocket square, arm sling with Carolina blue patterned cover

Game 13: Rutgers, W 81-67 – No tie, white shirt with no jacket or pocket square, Old Well logo on pocket, arm sling with Carolina blue patterned cover

Game 14: Albany, W 87-70 – No tie, black longsleeve shirt with no jacket or pocket square, arm sling with Carolina blue patterned cover

Game 15: College of Charleston, L 82-79 – No tie, white longsleeve shirt with no jacket or pocket square, NC logo on sleeve, blue sweater with white diamond pattern, arm sling with Carolina blue patterned cover

Game 16: Virginia Tech, W 78-64 – Carolina blue tie with pocket square, Carolina blue striped shirt with pinstriped suit

Game 17: Clemson, L 83-64 – FedExKinkos tie with unmatching pocket square, white shirt with pinstriped suit

Game 18: Georgia Tech, L 73-71 – Carolina blue tie with white diagonal stripes ['09 Championship Tie] with blue pocket square, white shirt and pinstriped suit

Game 19: Wake Forest, L 82-69 – Carolina blue and white diagonal stripes with white pocket square, white shirt and gray jacket

Game 20: NC State, W 77-63 – Carolina blue and brown diamond designed with white pocket square, white shirt and Carolina blue jacket

Game 21: Virginia, L 75-60 – Beige tie with dark spotted pattern and Carolina blue pocket square, Carolina blue shirt and brown jacket with plaid pattern, Jordans in first half, changed at halftime

Game 22: Virginia Tech, L 74-70 – Large pattern paisley in Carolina blue and navy with white pocket square, white shirt and pinstriped suit

Game 23: Maryland, L 92-71 – Cream color tie with white pocket square, white shirt and plain suit

Game 24: Dook, L 64-54 – Carolina blue tie with white diagonal striped and pocket square, vertical striped shirt with white collar and pinstriped suit

Game 25: NC State. W 74-61 – Carolina blue and brown diamond designed with white pocket square, white shirt and Carolina blue jacket

Game 26: Georgia Tech, L 68-51 – Black tie featuring blue and white dots with white pocket square, white shirt, gray jacket and Tar Heel lapel pin

Game 27: Boston College, L 71-67 – Pastel tie with lily pad pattern in Carolina blue, yellow and purple, with no pocket square, white shirt, Tar Heel lapel pin

Game 28: Florida State, L 77-67 – Vertically striped tie in blue, brown and tan with no pocket square, Carolina blue shirt, no Tar Heel lapel pin

Game 29: Wake Forest, W 77-68 – Plain Carolina blue tie with white pocket square, white shirt and pinstriped suit, no Tar Heel lapel pin

Game 30: Miami, W 69-62 – Large paisley in white on a Carolina blue tie with blue pocket square, white shirt and tan jacket, no Tar Heel lapel pin

Game 31: Dook, L 82-50 – Carolina blue and white diagonal stripes with white pocket square, white shirt and gray jacket

Game 32: Georgia Tech, L 62-58 – Carolina blue tie with white diagonal striped and pocket square, vertical striped shirt with white collar and pinstriped suit

Game 33: William & Mary, W 80-72 – Large paisley-ish pattern in gold, navy, brown and Carolina with matching pocket square, Carolina blue shirt with white vertical stripes and tan suit

Game 34: Mississippi State, W 76-74 – Large paisley print in navy blue and lilac with pocket square, white shirt and Carolina blue jacket

Game 35: UAB, W 60-55 – Large paisley in white on a Carolina blue tie with blue pocket square, white shirt and tan jacket

Game 36: Rhode Island, W 68-67 – Large paisley print in navy blue and lilac with pocket square, white shirt and Carolina blue jacket

Game 37: Dayton, L 79-68 – Large paisley in white on a Carolina blue tie with no pocket square, white shirt and tan jacket

[Photos by N&O]

http://www.twitter.com/RoysTieTracker

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Duke Plays Butler for the National Championship

shwineka — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:12:35 +0000

Never was a tougher headline typed than the one you see above. As I began the word “Natio…….” my fingers literally gave pause. Is this really happening?

For the past six years or so, we’ve come to expect Duke to be highly ranked, but underachieve. This year was the third time – yes, third time – that Duke was a No. 1 seed since their last Final Four. They’ve also been a No. 2 seed twice since then, so when they received yet another favorable seeding and region, we could only expect them to fail again right? No, they actually lived up to their seeding this year, even looking like a championship contender at times.

Ouch. That was another one of those painful sentences to type. How did it come to this? I dream of that dark-haired, sinister man, grinning and dangling gold medals and basketball nets as he puppeteers the blue-clad menaces all over Indianapolis. I wake up screaming. And on another note, how is Brian Zoubek getting double-digit rebounds?!

Needless to say, but I’ll be rooting for the under(Bull)dogs tonight. And it’s not because I want to see the latest version of Hoosiers play out for my enjoyment. It’s because my sanity has been questionable since the Final Four teams made official. C’mon Butler, I need this.

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Roy Williams Tie Tracker, NIT Final Four Edition: Rhode Island

bwineka — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:28:57 +0000

My, weren’t we treated Tuesday night in the Garden. Not only did we get the OT thriller, but per usual, Roy was the best dressed man in the building.

Now, we’ve already seen this combo in the NIT, but what @therafters missed previously is that the tie is in fact not a white background, but light pink/lilac. I think this only strengthened the case for this possible being the best tie of the season.