http://www.tarheeltimes.com/Your comprehensive source for Tar Heel sports newsen-US3/21/2010 12:57:15 AMhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24173.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24173.aspxUAB whipped N.C. State, 72-52, in a NIT second round game on Saturday in front of a crowd of 4,096 at Bartow Arena. Now you want the big news? North Carolina is coming to Bartow Arena. The Blazers will play host to the Tar Heels on Tuesday night in a NIT quarterfinal game. The game will begin at 8 p.m. and will be telecast nationally on ESPN. The line for tickets was at least 200 people deep more than an hour after the game.UAB whipped N.C. State, 72-52, in a NIT second round game on Saturday in front of a crowd of 4,096 at Bartow Arena. Now you want the big news? North Carolina is coming to Bartow Arena. The Blazers will play host to the Tar Heels on Tuesday night in a NIT quarterfinal game. The game will begin at 8 p.m. and will be telecast nationally on ESPN. The line for tickets was at least 200 people deep more than an hour after the game.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:56:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24172.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24172.aspxWith the game tied and the ball inbounded to him, UNC point guard Larry Drew II knew exactly where to go. “To the basket,” the sophomore point guard with a laugh. Drew took the ball the length of the floor with 8.2 seconds and made a game-winning layup over Mississippi State center Jarvis Varnado to give the Tar Heels a 76-74 victory. “We do work on those things (in practice) with four seconds so eight is plenty of time,” Roy Williams said.With the game tied and the ball inbounded to him, UNC point guard Larry Drew II knew exactly where to go. “To the basket,” the sophomore point guard with a laugh. Drew took the ball the length of the floor with 8.2 seconds and made a game-winning layup over Mississippi State center Jarvis Varnado to give the Tar Heels a 76-74 victory. “We do work on those things (in practice) with four seconds so eight is plenty of time,” Roy Williams said.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:48:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24171.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24171.aspxScoreless for 31 minutes, Gonzaga's Tiffany Shives had 14 of her 16 points in a crucial five-minute stretch of the second half and the seventh-seeded Bulldogs held off No. 10 seed North Carolina 82-76 on Saturday night in the first-round of the NCAA women's tournament. North Carolina used its superior size on the interior to stay close, but the Bulldogs closed on an 10-5 run.Scoreless for 31 minutes, Gonzaga's Tiffany Shives had 14 of her 16 points in a crucial five-minute stretch of the second half and the seventh-seeded Bulldogs held off No. 10 seed North Carolina 82-76 on Saturday night in the first-round of the NCAA women's tournament. North Carolina used its superior size on the interior to stay close, but the Bulldogs closed on an 10-5 run.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:46:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24170.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24170.aspxLarry Drew rose above the harsh criticism that has plagued him all season long on Saturday, driving the length of the floor and hitting an improbable left-handed high floater over three-time SEC defensive player of the year Jarvis Varnado with 2.0 seconds left to give UNC a 76-74 victory over Mississippi State. Mississippi State knocked down three early 3-pointers to jump out to a 16-4 lead, but UNC’s underclassmen rallied their squad.Larry Drew rose above the harsh criticism that has plagued him all season long on Saturday, driving the length of the floor and hitting an improbable left-handed high floater over three-time SEC defensive player of the year Jarvis Varnado with 2.0 seconds left to give UNC a 76-74 victory over Mississippi State. Mississippi State knocked down three early 3-pointers to jump out to a 16-4 lead, but UNC’s underclassmen rallied their squad.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:43:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24169.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24169.aspx"We were very lucky, and this has been the unluckiest year I’ve ever had in my entire life. I’m not saying that just one game evens everything out. It was bizarre. One time in the first half we deflected the ball it bounced between our guys legs to one of their guys and he made a three. There is no question, I don’t think Will intended to make his shot, but it went in and we have had some of those shots happen to us this year.""We were very lucky, and this has been the unluckiest year I’ve ever had in my entire life. I’m not saying that just one game evens everything out. It was bizarre. One time in the first half we deflected the ball it bounced between our guys legs to one of their guys and he made a three. There is no question, I don’t think Will intended to make his shot, but it went in and we have had some of those shots happen to us this year."Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:42:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24168.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24168.aspxIn a place UNC had never been, in a tournament they never expected to be part of, it seemed fitting that the ending to Saturday's game against Mississippi State would involve an ending you could never anticipate. The extraordinarily nice people of Starkville made it clear that the second-round NIT visit from the Tar Heels was a big deal. In a town with a population of approximately 21,800, almost half of that figure crammed into Humphrey Coliseum.In a place UNC had never been, in a tournament they never expected to be part of, it seemed fitting that the ending to Saturday's game against Mississippi State would involve an ending you could never anticipate. The extraordinarily nice people of Starkville made it clear that the second-round NIT visit from the Tar Heels was a big deal. In a town with a population of approximately 21,800, almost half of that figure crammed into Humphrey Coliseum.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:25:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24166.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24166.aspxIn retrospect, perhaps it’s a good thing Larry Drew II didn’t realize that the 6-feet-9 guy standing in the way of his game-winner was the NCAA’s all-time leading shot-blocker. Because instead of over-thinking, the sophomore drove the length of the court on instinct. Instead of missing, he laid it up with his left hand over Bulldog Jarvis Varnado – beating No. 1 seed Mississippi State 76-74.In retrospect, perhaps it’s a good thing Larry Drew II didn’t realize that the 6-feet-9 guy standing in the way of his game-winner was the NCAA’s all-time leading shot-blocker. Because instead of over-thinking, the sophomore drove the length of the court on instinct. Instead of missing, he laid it up with his left hand over Bulldog Jarvis Varnado – beating No. 1 seed Mississippi State 76-74.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:22:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24165.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24165.aspxLarry Drew II kept North Carolina alive in the postseason. He hit a shot over center Jarvis Varnado with 2 seconds to play to give the Tar Heels a 76-74 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday in the second round of the NIT. The 6-2 point guard drove to the basket and was able to get the shot over the 6-9 Varnado, who was second in the nation this season with 4.8 blocks per game.Larry Drew II kept North Carolina alive in the postseason. He hit a shot over center Jarvis Varnado with 2 seconds to play to give the Tar Heels a 76-74 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday in the second round of the NIT. The 6-2 point guard drove to the basket and was able to get the shot over the 6-9 Varnado, who was second in the nation this season with 4.8 blocks per game.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:21:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24164.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24164.aspxBecause of Carolina's travel schedule for Tuesday night's NIT game at UAB (9 p.m., ESPN), there will be no Roy Williams Live radio show this week. The program will resume live from Spice Street at University Mall next Monday, March 29, unless the Tar Heels are traveling to New York City for further NIT action.Because of Carolina's travel schedule for Tuesday night's NIT game at UAB (9 p.m., ESPN), there will be no Roy Williams Live radio show this week. The program will resume live from Spice Street at University Mall next Monday, March 29, unless the Tar Heels are traveling to New York City for further NIT action.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:20:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24167.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24167.aspxFreshman Chris Munnelly earned his first win of the season to lead No. 17 UNC over No. 4 Florida State 10-4 Saturday at Boshamer Stadium. Jesse Wierzbicki paced UNC offensively with three RBI and two hits. The Tar Heels improve to 15-5 and 2-3 in the ACC, while the Seminoles fall to 14-5 and 2-3 in the ACC. Starter Colin Bates allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out five in 3.2 innings.Freshman Chris Munnelly earned his first win of the season to lead No. 17 UNC over No. 4 Florida State 10-4 Saturday at Boshamer Stadium. Jesse Wierzbicki paced UNC offensively with three RBI and two hits. The Tar Heels improve to 15-5 and 2-3 in the ACC, while the Seminoles fall to 14-5 and 2-3 in the ACC. Starter Colin Bates allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out five in 3.2 innings.Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:06:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24163.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24163.aspxThe Tar Heels are still playing basketball. North Carolina won a nail-biter against Mississippi State Saturday afternoon, as Larry Drew's layup with two seconds left in regulation gave the Heels a 76-74 win in the second round of the NIT. The Heels now await the winner of N.C. State's game with UAB.The Tar Heels are still playing basketball. North Carolina won a nail-biter against Mississippi State Saturday afternoon, as Larry Drew's layup with two seconds left in regulation gave the Heels a 76-74 win in the second round of the NIT. The Heels now await the winner of N.C. State's game with UAB.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:13:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24161.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24161.aspxNorth Carolina will travel to Starkville, Mississippi for the first time ever to face Mississippi State (24-11) in the second round of the NIT. The Bulldogs are the No. 1 seed while UNC is the No. 4 seed. The winner will play the winner of a game between NC State (six-seed) and UAB (two-seed). Carolina is 10-4 in the NIT and is coming off of an 80-72 win in Carmichael Arena over William and Mary in the first round on Tuesday.North Carolina will travel to Starkville, Mississippi for the first time ever to face Mississippi State (24-11) in the second round of the NIT. The Bulldogs are the No. 1 seed while UNC is the No. 4 seed. The winner will play the winner of a game between NC State (six-seed) and UAB (two-seed). Carolina is 10-4 in the NIT and is coming off of an 80-72 win in Carmichael Arena over William and Mary in the first round on Tuesday.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:02:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24162.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24162.aspxOver the past two games, Tyler Zeller has scored 30 points, recorded his first double-double, and sealed a first-round NIT victory with a steal-and-dunk in the final minute. It makes you wonder what might have been - for both Zeller and the fourth-seeded Tar Heels, as they prepare to play at No. 1 seed Mississippi State in the second round today - had the 7-footer not missed ten ACC games with a stress fracture in his right foot.Over the past two games, Tyler Zeller has scored 30 points, recorded his first double-double, and sealed a first-round NIT victory with a steal-and-dunk in the final minute. It makes you wonder what might have been - for both Zeller and the fourth-seeded Tar Heels, as they prepare to play at No. 1 seed Mississippi State in the second round today - had the 7-footer not missed ten ACC games with a stress fracture in his right foot.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:58:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24155.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24155.aspxNorth Carolina senior Deon Thompson admitted that its been tough to watch the opening-round games of the NCAA Tournament the past few days. For the past three seasons, Thompson has been a part of teams that have contended for Final Four spots, and he made it to two. But this season, Thompson and his teammates are trying to reach a different final four, that of the NIT.North Carolina senior Deon Thompson admitted that its been tough to watch the opening-round games of the NCAA Tournament the past few days. For the past three seasons, Thompson has been a part of teams that have contended for Final Four spots, and he made it to two. But this season, Thompson and his teammates are trying to reach a different final four, that of the NIT.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:48:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24154.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24154.aspxPerimeter defense will be a key for North Carolina tonight when the No. 10 seeded Tar Heels take on No. 7 seeded Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament in Seattle, Wash. (10:30 p.m., ESPN2). "They all put it up from the outside," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. The Tar Heels know Gonzaga is loaded with outside shooters, including junior guard Courtney Vandersloot.Perimeter defense will be a key for North Carolina tonight when the No. 10 seeded Tar Heels take on No. 7 seeded Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament in Seattle, Wash. (10:30 p.m., ESPN2). "They all put it up from the outside," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. The Tar Heels know Gonzaga is loaded with outside shooters, including junior guard Courtney Vandersloot.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:47:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24160.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24160.aspxMike McGee's RBI single and first save of the season propels No. 4 Florida State over No. 17 North Carolina 4-3 Friday in front of 2832 fans at Boshamer Stadium. Florida State (14-3, 2-2 ACC) scrapped together a pair of runs in the eighth and ninth inning to rally past Carolina. A brilliant effort from Matt Harvey that featured 11 strikeouts and seven shutout innings results in a no decision.Mike McGee's RBI single and first save of the season propels No. 4 Florida State over No. 17 North Carolina 4-3 Friday in front of 2832 fans at Boshamer Stadium. Florida State (14-3, 2-2 ACC) scrapped together a pair of runs in the eighth and ninth inning to rally past Carolina. A brilliant effort from Matt Harvey that featured 11 strikeouts and seven shutout innings results in a no decision.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:56:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24159.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24159.aspxI suppose it's better to be at home than in Starkville, Miss. I've never been to Mississippi but from the looks of Ed Davis' latest tweet, I definitely don't think they have anything close to an "Everything's bigger in Texas"-type motto. The Carolina basketball team rolled into town on Friday to get ready for Saturday's second-round NIT game against Mississippi State. Davis' tweet did not speak well of the Tar Heels' hotel accommodations.I suppose it's better to be at home than in Starkville, Miss. I've never been to Mississippi but from the looks of Ed Davis' latest tweet, I definitely don't think they have anything close to an "Everything's bigger in Texas"-type motto. The Carolina basketball team rolled into town on Friday to get ready for Saturday's second-round NIT game against Mississippi State. Davis' tweet did not speak well of the Tar Heels' hotel accommodations.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:55:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24158.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24158.aspxLately the Tar Heels haven't displayed much good shooting, making just 280 of 736 shots (38 percent) from the field over their past 11 games. For the season, they are shooting 41.4 percent. Despite losing eight of their past 11 games, the Heels earned a berth in the NCAA tournament and face seventh-seeded Gonzaga on Saturday (10:30 p.m.) in the first round at the Bank of America Center in Seattle.Lately the Tar Heels haven't displayed much good shooting, making just 280 of 736 shots (38 percent) from the field over their past 11 games. For the season, they are shooting 41.4 percent. Despite losing eight of their past 11 games, the Heels earned a berth in the NCAA tournament and face seventh-seeded Gonzaga on Saturday (10:30 p.m.) in the first round at the Bank of America Center in Seattle.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:53:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24157.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24157.aspxSeeing a "10" next to North Carolina's seeding is certainly different for everyone associated with the Tar Heels program. It's the lowest NCAA seed in the program's history, although the Tar Heels will take it after dropping eight of their final 11 to put their NCAA hopes in jeopardy. It's a young team Coach Sylvia Hatchell brings into the tournament.Seeing a "10" next to North Carolina's seeding is certainly different for everyone associated with the Tar Heels program. It's the lowest NCAA seed in the program's history, although the Tar Heels will take it after dropping eight of their final 11 to put their NCAA hopes in jeopardy. It's a young team Coach Sylvia Hatchell brings into the tournament.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:51:00 -0400http://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24156.aspxhttp://www.tarheeltimes.com/article24156.aspxThis season has been horrible for the Heels. Mind you, the distance that really matters is the expanse from the head to the heart. And that would be the proverbial heart from which a group of kids found it within themselves to channel the spirit of their awe-shucks coach and proclaim, "Dadgummit, let's go out there and ball!" Carolina did that the other night at Carmichael Arena.This season has been horrible for the Heels. Mind you, the distance that really matters is the expanse from the head to the heart. And that would be the proverbial heart from which a group of kids found it within themselves to channel the spirit of their awe-shucks coach and proclaim, "Dadgummit, let's go out there and ball!" Carolina did that the other night at Carmichael Arena.Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:49:00 -0400