The Rafters

Tagged: Kansas RSS

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  shwineka 12:28 pm on June 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ACC (32), ACC Sunday Night Hoops, Austin American Statesman, Baylor, Big East (3), Charlotte (2), Coaches' Poll (2), Duke (41), expansion, K-State, Kansas, Kentucky (6), Missouri (2), Pac-10 (3), Pacific, Raleigh (4), Roy Williams (70), SEC (5), Tar Heel Fan, Texas (4), Texas A&M, UNC (120), WRAL (2)   

  Taking the offensive: the ACC Superconference 

  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.

  kikus is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    kikus 9:40 pm on June 12, 2010 Permalink

    может у кого нить есть ещё информация по этому поводу??

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  shwineka 11:41 am on January 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: andy katz (2), Basketball (13), Carolina (33), Chapel Hill (12), Clemson (12), Dean Smith (5), dexter strickland (18), espn (6), Final Four (9), Jay Bilas (2), Kansas, national championship (4), News & Observer (10), Robert Willet (8), Roy Williams (70), tyler hansbrough (14), UNC (120)   

  UNC Falls to…….Clemson? 

  

  I’m bummed today, sad even. Something that rarely happens is really bringing me down.

  In falling to Clemson Wednesday, UNC added an “L”  to a, well, I guess you can call it a “rivalry.” But for the most part, it isn’t one. After last night, the series stands at 122 wins for UNC, 20 for Clemson. Carolina has, and will always hold the trump card over its brothers to the south.

  So why does this loss hurt so much?

  Is it the fact that even though both teams held similar national rankings, Clemson students stormed the court? Andy Katz feels it was justifed. Though I might (actually certainly do) disagree.

  Is it because the Roy Williams era has more or less consisted of Williams spoiling us with Final Fours and National Championships, and we just can’t take this average team?

  Are we just suffering Tyler Hansbrough withdrawal?

  In my opinion it’s a combination. Starting with the withdrawal part.

  For the previous four years, Heels fans watched arguably the hardest-working  player to ever wear the baby blue. Hustle has been the standard. Players fed off that, and tried to match intensity with their floor leader. (Who certainly led by example, not charisma.)

  This year that’s absent.

  Roy’s teams need that general to run the floor and get after loose balls and just exemplify the Carolina philosophy. The whole system is about “getting it” and frankly it appears this team just doesn’t “get it” yet.

  Roy looked drained throughout the Clemson game. He used an old Dean Smith tactic, putting in the “blue team” and pulling the five on the floor to sit them down and tell them why they were sucking, for lack of a better word. Even the mid-half line change didn’t rouse the Heels.

  Commentator Jay Bilas even said something to the effect of, “Roy Williams is getting older with every turnover.” Last night UNC coughed it up 26 times.

  So back to last night’s game’s lingering sting.  When you have players that buy into the Carolina system, you will typically not lose by 20. If everyone’s playing tough that doesn’t happen. Sure you might lose a game, but it’s not going to be the lopsided affair we witnessed last night.

  To top that off, it wasn’t to an eventual national championship team, like the previous biggest loss for Roy at Carolina, Kansas. It was to Clemson.

  Clemson, folks. Clemson.

  The team that has NEVER won in Chapel hill, and the team that hasn’t beaten Carolina since I was in high school in 2004. The other losses this year have all had their reasons to be justified. Three of them were to top teams and the other, although a stretch, could be called a trap game. But now the eternal optimist in me is fighting really hard with the pessimist. It could possibly be a long season.

  So go ahead and be sad today. It’s OK. Carolina lost to Clemson. And if you’re sad every time that happens, you’ll live a mostly happy existence.

  (photo by Robert Willet of the N & O)

   
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  shwineka 12:30 pm on November 21, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: 2K Sports Classic (3), Coaches vs. Cancer (3), Final Four (9), Kansas, Ohio State (9), Roy Williams (70), Syracuse (3), Tar Heels (49), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96)   

  Coaches Vs. Cancer Wrap-Up: 'Cuse Hands Heels First Loss of Season 

  (photo by Jack McIssac – Getty)

  After a nail-biter against Ohio State, one could almost see it coming. The way UNC sloppily handled its double-digit lead Thursday didn’t bode well for the contest on Friday against a Syracuse team that is seemingly firing on all cylinders. The Heels lost 87-71.

  Carolina’s turnovers are starting to become a broken record, 19 this time, and ball security seems to be their biggest weakness. Syracuse scored more than 20 points off those turnovers, but it wasn’t until the second half that the game got out of hand. UNC’s defense kept them in the game in the first half, creating some turnovers of its own and  helping the Heels to a three-point halftime lead.

  In the second half, two different teams showed up than had played in the first. UNC, whose offense hadn’t been very effective all night, suddenly forgot how to play D as well. Syracuse became an unstoppable force, hitting 10 of it’s first 14 shots in the half and going on a 22-1 run that effectively won the game. UNC made a late charge to bring it within eight, but it was a short-lived rally.

  Sometimes you hear coaches say that it’d be good for their team to get a loss, so what good will come of this?

  How about just the sting of a blowout loss? The Heels haven’t had a loss like this since the 2008 Final Four loss to Kansas, which ended 84-66. Last year’s team lost four games by a total of 16 points combined. This year’s team equaled that in one game. Pride can be a great motivator.

  The parts are all there — and I’m sure Roy hadn’t spent too much time on playing against a zone like Syracuse’s — so this loss may sting now, but it will be something to build on. And with the Heels non-conference schedule, they better get building.

   
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  rbarry 6:17 pm on November 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Brandan Wright, Cameron Indoor Stadium (5), Carolina (33), Christmas (2), cigar, coach K (12), Duke (41), Harrison Barnes (11), Iowa State (2), Kansas, kendall marshall (4), oklahoma (4), reggie bullock (4), Roy Williams (70), Skype, Tar Heels (49), tobacco road (2), UCLA (3), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96)   

  Barnes Burns Duke, Signs with Carolina 

  Christmas has come early for the Heels.  This afternoon, top rated prospect Harrison Barnes selected UNC over Oklahoma, UCLA, Iowa State, Kansas and most notably, Duke.  Landing Barnes makes Carolina’s Class of 2010 one of the best in the country.  He will join PG Kendall Marshall and SG Reggie Bullock on a team that should undoubtedly challenge for the 2011 National Title.

  Barnes announced his decision in an unusual fashion-Skyping Coach Williams to inform him of his intent to play for the Heels.  I am rather impressed with Roy’s technical savvy.  As Coach would say himself, he has had the same putter and wife for the past 30 years.

  As for Duke, this is yet another blow to Coach K’s recruiting prowess.  Roy has outmaneuvered Coach K for other prized recruits in the recent past (Brandan Wright), and Barnes’s decision solidifies Williams as the top recruiter (and coach) on Tobacco Road.  All this should make for an interesting trip to Cameron for Mr. Barnes in February of 2011.

  Now, time for a victory cigar.

  vucceewly, and English Drama are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    English Drama 6:57 pm on November 14, 2009 Permalink

    RBarry, a new addition to The Rafters?

    Look out Chapel Hill, Harrison Barnes is coming to town

    *puts on sunglasses*

    things should be heating up, no winter this year.

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    vucceewly 1:01 am on November 15, 2009 Permalink

    Hey there everyone i was just introduceing myself here im a first time visitor who hopes to become a daily reader!

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  shwineka 4:23 pm on November 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: 2K Sports Classic (3), ACC (32), Austin Peay, Big 10 (3), Cal State Northridge, Clemson (12), Coaches vs. Cancer (3), Cole Aldrich, Connecticut, Duke (41), Fairleigh Dickinson, Florida Gulf Coast, Georgetown (2), Greg Monroe, Hofstra, Jay Wright, John Calipari (2), Kalin Lucas (2), Kansas, Kemba Walker, Kentucky (6), master of your domain, Michigan State (10), Mississippi State (3), Morehead State, Penn State (2), Pennsylvania, Presbyterian (3), Purdue, Rider, Storrs, Tar Heels (49), Tennessee, The Rafters (14), Top 10, Trevor Booker (4), Tulane, UConn, UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96), UNC Greensboro, Villanova, William & Mary (4)   

  Official College Basketball Opening Night 

  

  Unless you’re one of the lucky fans whose team is playing in the 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer — as per us at The Rafters — then tonight begins the best four and a half months of the year.

  And unless you are a Master of your Domain (DVR), you’re going to have to miss some of the action as many teams are playing at the same time.

  SCHEDULE SNAFU:

  Six Top 10 teams are playing overlapping games tonight. Kentucky (5)– perhaps one of the most anticipated debuts — plays at 6:30 p.m., while Michigan State (2), Villanova (6), Purdue (7) and Duke (8) play at 7 p.m. To top it off, the preseason No. 1 Kansas plays at 8 p.m., further complicating things  for the second half of the 7 o’clockers.

  As an ACC junkie, and Tar Heel alumnus, naturally I’ll be glued to the Duke game “just to see if they lose.” It’s amazing how many Duke games I watch under that pretense. I’ll also watch the first half of the first half of Kentucky, because I desperately want the Calipari experiment to fail.

  But what about during breaks in the despised Durhamites’ matchup?

  Of course, when there are multiple games on, it’s inconceivable that one would watch commercials. Here’s my hierarchy of channel flippage for tonight. (We ordered the college hoops package, so yes, be jealous. Or order it, too!) If No. 1 is at commerical, I proceed down the list until I find a game.

  6:30 p.m.

  1. Kentucky vs. Morehead St.

  7:00 p.m.

  1. Duke vs. UNC Greensboro – For Obvious Reasons
  2. Kentucky vs. Morehead St. – I told you I want him to fail!
  3. Michigan State vs. Florida Gulf Coast – Love Kalin Lucas
  4. Purdue vs. Cal State Northridge – Is it me, or is the Big 10 scary this year?
  5. Villanova vs. Fairleigh Dickinson – Will Jay Wright continue to wear pinstripes for an entire season!?

  7:30 p.m.

  Otherwise same as above:

  5. UConn vs. William and Mary – Down year in Storrs?
  6. Penn State vs. Pennsylvania – Hopefully I won’t make it down this far
  7. Villanova vs. Fairleigh Dickinson – Just not that interested for some reason

  8:00 p.m.

  1. Duke vs. UNC Greensboro – Still anticipating failure!
  2. Kentucky vs. Morehead St. – See above
  3. Kansas vs. Hofstra – Are they really THAT good?
  4. Clemson vs. Presbyterian – ACC with a capital A!
  5. Michican State vs. Florida Gulf Coast – Remember when UNC beat them twice last year?
  6. Purdue vs. Cal State Northridge – Again, I hope I don’t make it down this far.
  7. UConn vs. William and Mary – Kemba Walker is fast

  9:00 p.m. and on

  1. Kansas vs. Hofstra – I will never forgive you, Cole Aldrich
  2. Clemson vs. Presbyterian – Can Trevor Booker carry you guys?
  3. UConn vs. William and Mary – W&M has a nice campus
  4. Georgetown vs. Tulane – Greg Monroe should be beastmode
  5. Tenneessee vs. Austin Peay – It rhymes!
  6. Mississippi State vs. Rider – Blocks, blocks and more blocks
   
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  shwineka 1:22 pm on November 10, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Chapel Hill (12), Duke (41), durham (9), Friday the 13th, Harrison Barnes (11), Iowa State (2), Kansas, national championship (4), oklahoma (4), Research Triangle, UCLA (3), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96)   

  Harrison Barnes Still Undecided 

  

  Apparently as of yesterday, Harrison Barnes was still undecided as to which college he will attend next year. The No. 1 recruit in the class of 2010 even said that all six schools on his short list (North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Iowa State, UCLA and Oklahoma) were still in the running, giving his hometown Iowa State a fading bright spot.

  I don’t buy that. It’s been pretty well-documented that Barnes is likely down to two schools in the Research Triangle Area. What’s that, Kansas and Oklahoma? Never heard of the Triangle? That’s OK, it’s an area right on the border of YOUR two states. Promise.

  If he’s still undecided, which might not be true if he’s just being PC, I’m obviously hoping he’s leaning heavily in the direction of Chapel Hill. His arrival on either campus could have national championship implications in 2011, and I don’t know if my brain could handle another one in Durham.

  Let’s hope this Friday the 13th is our lucky charm.

  shwineka, gonzologist, and hiphopobserver are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    hiphopobserver 2:08 pm on November 10, 2009 Permalink

    Barnes will be announcing his decision live on ESPNU Friday at 4 pm – http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/tv-for-barnes-announcement

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    shwineka 2:16 pm on November 10, 2009 Permalink

    I believe that’s 4 p.m. Central, 5 p.m. Eastern for us folks in ACC country

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    gonzologist 3:50 pm on November 10, 2009 Permalink

    I’ve seen on several sources that the announcement is coming at 3:10 pm on Friday, which would be 4pm on the east coast. Also, the announcement has been opened up to the public, which some people are reading as an indication that he’s staying in Iowa, as ESPNU wouldn’t want to broadcast a bunch of people booing Barnes decision to come to UNC, baby! I don’t know if I would read that far into it, and I’ll be tuned in for sure.

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    shwineka 3:53 pm on November 10, 2009 Permalink

    Confirmed. I’ve now seen East Coast papers say 4 p.m., whereas before I was reading an Iowa paper that said “starting at 3:10″ and assumed it would be at 4 Central.

    Opening to the public because he’s staying home? That does seem possible. Honestly though, as long as it’s not Duke, I’m cool with it.

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  shwineka 5:08 pm on November 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Duke (41), espn (6), Harrison Barnes (11), Iowa, Kansas, NBA (10), oklahoma (4), Recruiting (4), Tar Heels (49), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96)   

  Harrison Barnes Will Announce School Choice 

  The waiting is almost over.

  The No. 1 recruit in the class of 2010, Harrison Barnes, will make his choice of college — or “university of the people,” whichever — public next week. Hopefully his “public” decision will be the “public” choice. It’s been pretty well documented that his two leading contenders are UNC and Duke.

  In my opinion, Barnes is the quintessential Carolina kid. He  maintains a good GPA and is ultra-talented. He seems grounded (He kept Iowa in his top schools with the likes of UNC, Duke, Kansas, Oklahoma to be close to home), which is a great reason to join the Carolina basketball family. He wants to play in the NBA, but he recognizes the importance of an education, and may not necessarily leave after one year — though this kid is definitely of the breed that could and might.

  The downside to being a perfect fit for Carolina? That kind of fit is pretty good for Duke as well: good school, family-ish (clique-ish?) with a tight community surrounding the basketball program.

  According to the blog linked above, his announcement will be live on ESPN. (Commence biting nails)

   

   
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  shwineka 10:12 pm on October 29, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: andre dawkins (3), Cameron Indoor Stadium (5), coach K (12), Duke (41), Harrison Barnes (11), Kansas, oklahoma (4), seth davis (2), Sports Illustrated (6), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96)   

  Harrison Barnes Visits Duke 

  

  Well, we knew this was coming. Harrison Barnes visited Duke last weekend. I don’t want to sound somber, but it sounds like he had a really good time. Apparently he is good friends with Duke freshman Andre Dawkins.

  What a move, K! Pull in Dawkins a year early, probably knowing full well that Barnes is his buddy. Already has a homey feeling over there in Cameron eh?

  It’s hard to read into these things. Barnes has sounded like he enjoyed his visits to UNC, Oklahoma and Kansas as well. One thing that made me feel nervous though, was Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis tweeting this afternoon:

  @sethdavishoops Duke has slight lead over NC, Kansas a clear 3rd RT @JeffVT03: @SethDavisHoops seth, where do you see Harrison Barnes going?

  …….constant updates on the Barnes sweepstakes are sure to come.

   

   
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  shwineka 4:57 pm on October 29, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Coaches' Poll (2), Duke (41), Kansas, Tar Heels (49), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96), USA Today   

  UNC No. 4 In First Preseason Coaches' Poll 

  UNC was ranked No. 4 by the USA Today/Coaches poll today.

  I think for the preseason, the Heels are deservedly in the top five. After all, they did win the title last year and have a ton of talent this year. And EVEN though they tied with Duke for No. 1 in the ACC and received less first place votes in that poll, they’re ranked higher that the dukies in the national coaches’ poll. What’s surprising was the first place vote they received in the national poll. This points out a pretty vast discrepancy in my opinion between the way coaches see things and the media see them.

  Now the obvious question is which of these coaches gave us the No. 1 nod IN THE COUNTRY??!

  The USA TODAY/ESPN Board of Coaches is made up of 31 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The board for the 2009-10 season: Mike Adras, Northern Arizona; Dana Altman, Creighton; Tommy Amaker, Harvard; Tevester Anderson, Jackson State; Ronnie Arrow, South Alabama; Randy Bennett, Saint Mary’s; Eddie Biedenbach, North Carolina-Asheville; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse; Rick Byrd, Belmont; Charlie Coles, Miami (Ohio); Steve Fisher, San Diego State; Greg Graham, Boise State; Rob Jeter, Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Billy Kennedy, Murray State; Billy Lange, Navy; Dan Leibovitz, Hartford; Fran McCaffery, Siena; Mike McConathy, Northwestern State; Bob McKillop, Davidson; Phil Martelli, Saint Joseph’s; Ron “Fang” Mitchell, Coppin State; Matt Painter, Purdue; Tom Pecora, Hofstra; John Pelphrey, Arkansas; Mike Rice, Robert Morris; Doc Sadler, Nebraska; Herb Sendek, Arizona State; Scott Sutton, Oral Roberts; Bob Williams, UC-Santa Barbara; Gary Williams, Maryland; Doug Wojcik, Tulsa.

  I will update this post as soon or if I find out.

  Here’s the full rankings. No surprise, Kansas is at the top.

   
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  shwineka 12:29 pm on October 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: 100 Years (4), Duke (41), Ed Davis (26), Harrison Barnes (11), Kansas, Luke Winn (4), Marvin Williams (3), Missouri (2), Sports Illustrated (6), UNC (120), UNC Basketball (96), Xavier Henry   

  SI's Power Rankings 

  Sports Illustrated writer Luke Winn posted his first version of Power Rankings for the coming season last week. I’d have liked to have seen a little more analysis of the Heels than he included. Half of his post, which he admits, is just plugging the SI commemorative for 100 years of UNC basketball, (which I will be buying, but that’s not the point) and the other half is about the current recruiting battle with Duke over Harrison Barnes. Winn is usually more on his game, so I’m gonna chalk this up to preseason malaise.

  The best UNC part of the rankings is in the entry about Kansas. It states that KU’s current situation is similar to UNC’s in ‘05, bringing in a major recruit to a veteran team a la the Marvin Williams effect.

  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gavYCSp6Pa8&hl=en&fs=1&]

  Whether Xavier Henry is the next Marvin remains to be seen. We’ll know for sure when he hits a last minute jumper to win over KU’s arch rival, Missouri. Wow, that sounds as exciting as UNC-Duke doesn’t it?

  Read it if you want, preseason rankings are hit or miss anyway, but if you want to know what it says in a nutshell, it’s: “Buy the SI commemorative issue. College teams wore funny uniforms in the past. Ed Davis name drop. Harrison Barnes is a big-time recruit!”