Tag: north carolina tar heels

Odds are shifting for the Commanders QB decision at No. 2

The odds took another dramatic shift Thursday regarding the Commanders the No. 2 pick.

Over the last few months, oddsmakers have been split on who the Washington Commanders would take at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Caleb Williams is expected to go No. 1 to the Chicago Bears, leaving Washington to decide between Jayden Daniels (LSU) or Drake Maye (North Carolina).

Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is an option, too, but not to the level of Maye and Daniels.

For the most part, Daniels has held a slight edge over Maye. However, the odds shifted to Maye earlier this month. In both instances, it was close. Daniels took a big step ahead of Maye last week when ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he thought Commanders fans could order their Daniels jerseys.

On Thursday night, we witnessed yet another significant shift.

What do we make of the latest shift? Let’s start with his: No one truly knows what Washington general manager Adam Peters thinks. That part is 100% true. Peters isn’t leaking interest to the media, nor are any members of his inner circle.

Some of this comes from Wednesday evening on Twitter. Daniels’ agent liked a pair of tweets that appeared to criticize the Commanders for holding top 30 visits with multiple prospects, including four quarterbacks.

The next day, the agent informs the media that Daniels is meeting the Minnesota Vikings for dinner on Thursday night after previously being hesitant to meet with them.

We are six days away from the NFL draft, and these odds could continue to shift up until next Thursday night. Usually, we learn more about a team’s intentions the closer it gets to the draft, but that doesn’t appear to be the case for the Commanders — so far.

Commanders GM Adam Peters doesn’t see trading down from the No. 2 pick

It sure sounds like Adam Peters is staying at No. 2 and selecting his quarterback.

Washington general manager Adam Peters and his assistant GM, Lance Newmark, met with the assembled media in Ashburn on Thursday to answer questions in the annual pre-draft press conference.

No one expected Peters to reveal any top secrets in his meeting with the media. While he is always positive and humble in his dealings with the media, he is also tight-lipped. The biggest mystery in the 2024 NFL draft is what the Commanders will do at No. 2 overall.

We do know one thing they will not be doing, and that’s trading down. Here’s what Peters said about potentially moving down from No. 2 overall.

We feel great about staying at No. 2,” Peters said. “I don’t see a whole lot of scenarios where we’d trade down, to be honest.”

That’s as close to a definite as you’ll hear from Peters. Yes, draft season is “lying season,” but the Commanders have a unique opportunity to find a franchise quarterback in the same year they hired a new GM and coaching staff. Why trade down and risk losing one of the top options at the most important position in sports?

Washington will choose between Jayden Daniels (LSU), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) next Thursday night. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears.

With so many teams looking to move into the top five to select a quarterback, the Commanders could receive a haul by trading their pick, but they have the same problem as the teams trying to make a move up the draft board: They don’t have a quarterback.

 

ESPN Films greenlights Stuart Scott 30 for 30

ESPN Films greenlights Stuart Scott’s 30 for 30 documentary. Giving an in-depth look at the Tar Heel journey that changed the way we view and hear sports.

Creating an impact in the sports world without playing it isn’t an easy task, but a few have succeeded in doing so by the use of their voice.

One person who left an everlasting impact, changing the way people viewed and heard sports, was the late [autotag]Stuart Scott[/autotag]. The Tar Heel legend, known for catchphrases like “as cool as the other side of the pillow” and “BOO-YAH!” added swagger to sports talk, forever changing how highlights are delivered.

Scott was an inspiration to many, as he laid the foundation for the style many followed. We will now get a chance to relive some of Scott’s memorable moments with a behind-scenes feel with ESPN films green lighting a 30 for 30 on Scott.

The documentary will be centered around Scott’s life and how he changed the look of a sports broadcaster. In the ESPN film press release film director Andre Gaines talks about the opportunity to present Scott’s life to the broader audience.

“He made his mark on so many people, especially young black men, and his legend has only grown since his passing. The opportunity I’ve had now to examine his life, visit his home, get to know his daughters Taelor and Sydni, and understand how incredibly vast and rich a life Stuart lived, I can only hope that audiences find the same catharsis I’ve already experienced in making this film.”

It will be awesome to see the trailblazing Tar Heel life remembered in such a unique way. 30 for 30 has done a great job telling stories, and the same should be expected in this one. There’s no timetable yet for when we can expect it, all we know is that it’s on the horizon.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Diamond Heels complete series sweep over Notre Dame

The Diamond Heels had a dominating weekend, completing a series sweep over Notre Dame.

It was a breeze of a weekend for the UNC baseball program, as they finished off the sweeping of Notre Dame Sunday.

After a rocky loss to South Carolina Tuesday, failing to get their offense going, UNC found their swing in the series against Notre Dame. Each game showcased the dominant season the Tar Heels have had, combing for 30 runs to the Fighting Irish’s 5 in the three game series and it all started in game one.

Game 1: UNC 13, Notre Dame 0

The bats were hot in game one, and UNC’s defense matched. The Diamondheels scored a run every inning they took the field except for the fifth, scoring 6 of 13 runs in the 6th inning.

On the flip side, Jason Decaro pitched lights out for UNC, giving up three hits and one walk in six innings pitched. The dominant performance from the mound was the ideal start to the weekend series.

Game 2: UNC 7, Notre Dame 2

Game two echoed game one success, dominating at the plate and securing wins on the mound. UNC finished with seven runs on 11 hits, nearly scoring in every inning outside the third and fourth.

Notre Dame did a better job getting hits, but couldn’t muster runs, finishing with two runs on nine hits. Shea Sprague secured his second win of the year, dishing out four strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched.

Game 3: UNC 10, Notre Dame 3

Game three put an exclamation point on the statement UNC sent, with another dominating performance on both sides of the ball. Aidan Haugh had a solid outing on the mound with six strikeouts and no runs in five innings pitched.

UNC’s hitting stayed on par with the rest of the weekend, exploding in the fourth inning with five runs scored. [autotag]Vance Honeycutt[/autotag] had three hits, including his 49th career homerun, which moved him second all-time for home runs in UNC history.

It was a perfect series win, adding to their promising season.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Raymond Felton calls out Rashad McCants for his remarks on UNC

Raymond Felton calls out Rashad McCants for his remarks on UNC, defending Roy Willams from his claims.

It’s a saying that time heals wounds, but that could be on the back burner for former UNC teammates [autotag]Raymond Felton[/autotag] and [autotag]Rashad McCants[/autotag].

McCant had left a legitimate Tar Heel legacy as one of the best scorers to wear the Carolina Blue threads, averaging 17.6 points per game (48% FG, 41% from behind the arch) in three seasons at UNC. McCants even won a National Championship while playing for the Tar Heels, doing so in his final season, easily stamping a memorable career.

However, following his departure to the NBA, McCant’s comments on his time at UNC, have made the once Tar Heel hero a villain. Many have let the Tar Heel know how they felt about him, but nothing like how Felton did when asked about his former teammate on the latest episode of Run Your Race.

Felton spoke the truth, while not diminishing McCant’s talents, crediting him as a top 3 scorer he’s played with. It’s undeniable that Roy Williams and UNC played a huge role in McCant’s success, so maybe the callout by a former teammate can help resolve the ongoing issue.

McCant has yet to respond, but seeing his frequent appearance as a regular co-host of the GilsArenaShow, a response could be here in no time.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Best photos from 2023-24 UNC men’s basketball season

With the 2023-24 UNC men’s basketball season coming to an end, we take a look at the best photos.

The UNC men’s basketball program didn’t fulfill its goal of winning the National Championship, but that does not take from the incredible moments this past season showcased.

The Tar Heels had one of their better seasons, a complete bounce back from the year prior that ended in UNC declining an NIT bid. This year, the Tar Heels won the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time since 2017, locking up a No. 1 seed for March Madness in the process.

This season welcomed new Tar Heels as the much anticipated Elliot Cadeau made his UNC debut. Along with the talented freshman came key transfers in Harrison Ingram, Cormac Ryan, and Jae’lyn Withers, delivering instant impact.

This season had its goodbyes, with Amando Bacot’s final collegiate playing year ending and RJ Davis’s status still in the air.

As UNC looks towards the future, we mustn’t skip the past, as we take a look at the best photos from the 2023-24 UNC men’s basketball seasons.

Duke softball comes in No. 3 in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Coaches Poll

The Blue Devils swept North Carolina to extend its winning streak to eight games over the weekend, and Duke now trails just two Big 12 powerhouses in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Coaches Poll.

The Duke softball team has a 33-3 record through nine weeks this season, and their eight straight wins have them No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Coaches Poll.

The Blue Devils swept Virginia Tech, who previously hadn’t lost a conference game, and North Carolina over the past two weekends. Duke outscored UNC 20-5 over the three-game series, and sophomore pitcher Cassidy Curd was named ACC Pitcher of the Week after she struck out 12 Tar Heels in five shutout innings on Saturday.

The Blue Devils now trail just Oklahoma and Texas in the Coaches Poll. The Sooners, who have won the past three national championships and beat Duke in the season opener, are 35-3, but the 31-6 Longhorns handed them two straight losses over the weekend to take the rivalry series.

Texas’ two wins over Oklahoma actually boosted Duke up to first in the Softball America rankings released on Monday, the first time in school history that the Blue Devils have ever summited a national ranking.

Duke’s Cassidy Curd named ACC Pitcher of the Week after North Carolina sweep

Duke sophomore Cassidy Curd struck out 19 batters across 9.1 innings, including a five-inning shutout of UNC, en route to her second ACC Pitcher of the Week honor of the season.

Duke sophomore Cassidy Curd was named ACC Pitcher of the Week for the second time after 9.1 stellar innings against Charlotte and North Carolina.

Curd started her week with 4.1 scoreless innings against the 49ers on Wednesday, striking out seven batters and only allowing two hits and a walk. She earned the win for her efforts in the 6-1 triumph.

Three days later, in the second game of a weekend sweep of the Tar Heels, Curd struck out 12 UNC batters in just five innings. She surrendered two hits and a walk again, and the Tar Heels got shut out in the 8-0 win.

Curd leads the nation with 11.4 strikeouts per seven innings, and her average of 3.73 hits per seven innings is the seventh-fewest of any pitcher in the country. She has an ERA of 1.39 and a 7-2 record.

Curd was previously named ACC Pitcher of the Week in early March after 12 combined shutout innings against Elon and South Dakota State when she struck out 18 batters and gave up a single hit. Teammate Jala Wright has also been named ACC Pitcher of the Week twice.

2025 NCAA basketball championship odds: Who is favored? Will UConn 3-peat?

Looking at the 2025 NCAA basketball championship odds as the 2023-24 season just wrapped up.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

It’s never too soon to think about next season.

While the UConn Huskies were finishing off the Purdue Boilermakers Monday in Glendale, Ariz, other programs — and players — have already set their focus on what it will take to get to the 2025 National Championship Game in San Antonio’s Alamodome next April 7.

Numerous players have entered the transfer portal, from FAU G Johnell Davis to Arizona C Oumar Ballo. Davis reportedly will test the waters and enter the NBA Draft.

Florida G Walter Clayton Jr., LSU G Jalen Cook and even USC G Bronny James are among a group who have declared or reportedly will declare for the upcoming draft.

Coaches are on the move, too. Sources have John Calipari leaving Kentucky for SEC rival Arkansas. He would replace Eric Musselman, who is headed to USC … which lost Andy Enfield to SMU.

So, who will win the championship next season?

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

2025 NCAA basketball championship odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, April 8, at 11:56 p.m. ET.

THE FAVORITES

  • Duke Blue Devils +1100 (bet $100 to win $1,100)
  • Kansas Jayhawks +1200
  • Alabama Crimson Tide +1500
  • Houston Cougars +1500
  • North Carolina Tar Heels +1500
  • UConn Huskies +1800

THE CONTENDERS

  • Arizona Wildcats +2000
  • Kentucky Wildcats +2000
  • Baylor Bears +3000
  • Gonzaga Bulldogs +3000
  • Purdue Boilermakers +3000
  • Tennessee Volunteers +3600
  • Texas Longhorns +3600

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

YOU NEVER KNOW

  • Arkansas Razorbacks +4000
  • Auburn Tigers +4000
  • BYU Cougars +4000
  • Illinois Fighting Illini +4000
  • Iowa State Cyclones +4000
  • Creighton Bluejays +4500
  • Marquette Golden Eagles +4500

NOTEWORTHY ???

  • Michigan Wolverines +5000
  • Miami Hurricanes +5000
  • Florida Gators +5500
  • Michigan State Spartans +5500
  • Ohio State Buckeyes +5500
  • St. John’s Red Storm +5500
  • UCLA Bruins +5500
  • Villanova Wildcats +5500
  • Wisconsin Badgers +5500

+6000

San Diego State Aztecs | USC Trojans

+8000

Indiana Hoosiers | Kansas State Wildcats

Louisville Cardinals | Virginia Cavaliers

Washington Huskies

+10000

Iowa Hawkeyes |  Oklahoma Sooners

Oregon Ducks |  Syracuse Orange

+15000

Colorado Buffaloes | NC State Wolfpack

Northwestern Wildcats | Notre Dame Fighting Irish

+25000

Arizona State Sun Devils

+30000

FAU Owls | Stanford Cardinal

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

LONGEST SHOTS (+50000 each)

McNeese Cowboys |  Oakland Golden Grizzlies

Oregon State Beavers | UC Irvine Anteaters

Vermont Catamounts | Yale Bulldogs

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 on Twitter/X.  Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

Theo Pinson explains what went wrong for UNC in March Madness loss

Theo Pinson breaks down what went wrong in UNC’s loss to Alabama, noting it was more of the Tar Heels losing it versus the crimson roll tide winning it.

With the dust settling from UNC’s nightmare loss to Alabama in the Sweet 16, many are now speaking up about the what-if season.

Despite a strong start to March Madness, similar issues that have plagued the Tar Heels this year showed in the loss against Alabama. Many were concerned about UNC’s ability to finish games, a narrative that has followed the team since their National Championship loss two years ago.

Inability to close out ended up being the nail in UNC’s coffin, with Alabama taking full advantage, outscoring the Tar Heels by 10 points in the second half to win the game by two points. UNC losing to Alabama left a lot puzzled, including former Tar Heel [autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag], who spoke about the loss on his recent Run Your Race episode, powered by Tidal League.

 

Pinson echoed what many believe. It wasn’t that Alabama was the better team, more so UNC losing the game due to their own mistakes. It’s hard to beat a team throwing haymakers when your jabs aren’t landing, and that’s what happened in the Sweet 16.

It’s time to move towards next season, with the transfer portal already off to a strong start. That said, it’s always nice to hear what former Tar Heels think.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.