Tag: UNC

Rutgers softball defeated UNC in the second game of the Mizuno Invitational

After defeating Lafayette on the opening day of the Mizuno Invitational, Rutgers softball defeated North Carolina 4-0 on Saturday.

Rutgers softball has taken wins from its first three games in the Mizuno Invitational,

On Saturday, Rutgers softball defeated North Carolina (14-3) 4-0. One day prior, Rutgers won over Lafayette. They followed that up with a second win on Saturday over Campbell.

With the win, Rutgers is now 13-6.

In their second game of the Mizuno Invitational, Rutgers pitcher Morgan Smith went the distance, recording six strikeouts and a shutout victory over North Carolina. Morgan captured her fourth victory on the mound while contributing a solo home run at the plate.

At the plate for the Scarlet Knights, Smith, LA Matthews, Payton Lincavage, and Leilani Chavez contributed RBIs to secure their victory. Rutgers logged 11 hits, four RBIs, three doubles, two walks, and six strikeouts throughout 31 at-bats as a team.

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North Carolina left six runners on base in this matchup while recording a team batting average of .208 (5-24). UNC combined for five hits and went scoreless throughout seven innings.

The Scarlet Knights resume action on Saturday with their third game of the Mizuno Invitational against the 2023 Big South Champion Campbell.

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Last season, Rutgers finished the season 32-25.

ACC Basketball Stadiums Ranked by Capacity

Which is the best venue in ACC basketball?

You can’t tell the story of college basketball without a long discussion about the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Duke-North Carolina speaks for itself as a rivalry but it is so much deeper than just those two.

Louisville has won multiple national championships and been a force despite falling on tough times of late.

North Carolina State provided perhaps the greatest Cinderella story in the history of the NCAA Tournament.

There are too many to name here but every other program has had their moments in the sun and star players as well.

And all of those players played in some of the most-known arenas in college basketball.  How do they rank in terms of seating capacity?

Here are the 15 men’s basketball arenas in the ACC ranked from the smallest seating capacity to the largest.

Bubba Cunningham confirms North Carolina’s potential NIL changes

Bubba Cunningham confirmed that North Carolina will look to join one collective for NIL.

North Carolina is attempting to re-tool their NIL collective, moving it all under one umbrella. The university currently has three collectives but the goal is to move them to one but will not prevent fans from donating to specific sports.

Inside Carolina reported the news earlier this week and it was confirmed by athletics director Bubba Cunningham confirmed in a letter distributed to fans on Thursday.

Here is what Cunningham said in the letter:

“This coming April, the NCAA will vote on whether to allow universities and athletic departments greater involvement in facilitating NIL for student-athletes,” Cunningham and Rams Club executive director John Montgomery said in the letter. “We anticipate that increased involvement will be allowed, and we are working to be ready. In preparation, the three collectives are in discussions to move under one umbrella so that both our Department of Athletics and The Rams Club can collaborate with them more effectively within the rules. This should help streamline communications and the process for those who want to support NIL efforts.”

The three collectives Heels4Life, Secondary Break Club, and NC Hall of Fame currently serve as UNC’s NIL efforts. The goal is to help promote them all under the one umbrella if possible.

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

New Orleans Saints spotted scouting UNC’s loss to Clemson

The New Orleans Saints were spotted scouting UNC’s loss to Clemson, giving them insight on a potential rival quarterback in Drake Maye:

The New Orleans Saints were spotted scouting UNC’s loss to Clemson on Saturday, possibly giving them insight on quarterback Drake Maye, a potential future rival. The Tar Heel Times’ R.J. Bynum noted the Saints as one of six NFL teams with scouts at the game, including the Atlanta Falcons — who were one of a few teams to send multiple representatives to the press box.

Atlanta is projected to pick inside the top-10 next April, putting them in range to trade up to the top of the draft for their chosen passer (just like the Carolina Panthers did in targeting Bryce Young this past cycle). There’s a non-zero chance that Maye could end up being a dirty bird.

If so, his performance on Saturday may have been illuminating. Maye had a bit of a meltdown in the game, completing just 16 of his 36 pass attempts for 209 yards, throwing both a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked four times but rushed for 67 yards, doing his best to give the offense a spark. He’s been pushing USC star Caleb Williams for the top spot in the 2024 draft class and a rough game like this will give NFL evaluators a lot to mull over.

What about the other NFL hopefuls on the field? Clemson’s first-round cornerback prospect Nate Wiggins intercepted Maye to seal the win late in the fourth quarter, forced a fumble on a touchdown-saving play earlier on, and finished second on the team with 7 tackles (6 solo).

Clemson linebackers Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter each played well (Trotter had 11 combined tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection) and are both projected to be top-50 picks should they declare for the draft. But it remains to be seen which underclassmen will enter the draft, and it’s anyone’s guess who the Saints were eyeing on Saturday.

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Social media reactions to Tez Walker’s immediate eligibility

Social media reacts to NCAA’s decision to grant Devontez Walker immediate eligibility to join the UNC football program.

Finally, we have all been waiting to hear the news: UNC transfer wide receiver Devontez Walker is immediately eligible to lace up for the Tar Heels.

The national fight to “Free Tez,” a chant echoed in stadiums, is finally over. The UNC football program announced that the NCAA has ruled to allow Walker immediate eligibility, sparking virtual high-fives across social media.

Mack Brown stated following the announcement, thanking the NCAA for re-examining Walker’s case.

“We are so happy for Tez,” Brown stated. “Everything that’s transpired over the last few months has been with the sole purpose of helping and supporting him, and now he is going to have a chance to live his dream.”

Walker also released a statement following the news, showing gratitude for the verdict change.

“I always knew UNC was a special place, but it has proved it over and over again throughout the last few months,” Walker stated. “I’ve received so much support from the University, the athletics department, my coaches, the staff, and my teammates. Most of all, I’ve felt so much love from the fans.”

It is safe to say it is a GDTBAH. Let us look at how social media reacted to the breaking news.

Social media reacts to Mack Hollins’ heated exchange with Desmond Ridder

Social media reacts to former North Carolina Tar Heel Mack Hollin’s heated exchange with teammate QB Desmond Ridder.

Week four of the NFL season has brought some exciting moments from the 1 P.M. slate, one being former Tar Heel wideout Mack Hollins appearing to get upset with Falcons starting quarterback Desmond Ridder.

The broadcast caught the moment briefly, with many speculating it coming from Ridder’s lackluster play in the game. While others suggested it could be Hollins’s low numbers on the season due to a lack of targets, failing to snag a reception in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars.

The viral clip has garnered more than seven million views.

Hollins this season has seven receptions for 114 yards and zero touchdowns. When Hollins was a member of the Las Vegas Raiders this time last year, he had already had 17 receptions for 273 yards.

Hollins’s heated exchange with Ridder caused quite a stir on social media, with major sports media platforms sharing the encounter. Let us look at how social media reacted to the viral moment.

UNC’s Mack Brown ripped into the NCAA over the Tez Walker appeal, and it was absolutely justified

The NCAA has completely lost the plot

It wouldn’t be the start of the college football season if we didn’t have a reason to be furious with the NCAA. This time, it’s over the handling of the waiver for North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker. During the off-season, Walker transferred to join the Tar Heels from Kent State, a school that was his second stop.

A Charlotte native, Walker started his college career at North Carolina Central University, but the Eagles didn’t play in the fall of 2020 due to the pandemic. As a result, Walker transferred to join the Golden Flashes, where he saw action in 20 games.

Before the move to North Carolina, Walker saw a new coaching staff take over at Kent State after the 2022 season. In addition, the move closer to home seemed to make sense as Walker’s grandmother would be able to watch him play in Chapel Hill (which wasn’t possible for her heading to Ohio).

Seems like a no-brainer approval, right? Guess again. Walker had his third — and final — waiver denied on Thursday afternoon, meaning the wideout is out for the season.

North Carolina head coach Mack Brown was unhappy to put it lightly, and he didn’t hold back making his sentiments known in a strongly-worded statement.

“I don’t know if I have ever been more disappointed in a person, a group of people, or an institution than I am with the NCAA right now,” Mack said. “It’s clear that the NCAA is about process and it couldn’t care less about the young people it’s supposed to be supporting.”

Mack continues to state that the NCAA has made a mockery of the mental health efforts it purports to support, and that the NCAA and the committee, “should be ashamed” with their decision. He closes with a strong “Shame on you, NCAA. SHAME ON YOU!”

The NCAA’s flimsy argument is that as a two-time transfer, Walker has to sit out due to more stringent waiver rules. The problem is the stricter waiver guidelines didn’t go into effect until spring of 2023. Walker transferred to North Carolina in December of 2022, months before the NCAA publicly changed its policy. It’s understandable that Mack would be so frustrated and vent that anger. It’s a ridiculous situation.

Georgia football offers 4-star UNC commit

The Georgia Bulldogs have extended a scholarship offer to UNC’s second-best commitment in the class of 2024

Head coach Kirby Smart and the University of Georgia has extended a scholarship offer to four-star North Carolina Tar Heels commitment Malcolm Ziglar.

Ziglar is a member of the class of 2024. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety committed to North Carolina in July 2023.

Georgia has had a strong recruiting presence in North Carolina in recent seasons. The Bulldogs have signed top North Carolina recruits like Todd Gurley, Jordan Davis, Jalon Walker, and Jamaal Jarrett.

Malcolm Ziglar plays high school football for Fuquay-Varina High School in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Ziglar is ranked as the No. 207 recruit and No. 17 safety in the senior class. Ziglar is the fifth-ranked recruit in North Carolina.

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Ziglar announced his scholarship offer from Georgia football via social media:

The four-star safety is North Carolina’s second-best recruit in the class of 2024, per 247Sports. UNC has the No. 25 recruiting class in the nation. Georgia has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.

Saints’ scouts got a good look at Drake Maye in North Carolina-South Carolina

The New Orleans Saints’ scouts got a good look at Drake Maye in UNC-South Carolina. They were one of 19 NFL teams in attendance:

The New Orleans Saints’ college scouting department got a fast start to their 2024 NFL draft prep. And they were one of many pro teams on hand for one of the week’s most anticipated matchups: North Carolina’s rout of their major rival South Carolina.

The Tar Heel Tribune’s R.L. Bynum reports that the Saints were one of 19 NFL teams credentialed for seats in the press box at Bank of America Stadium. UNC quarterback Drake Maye was the marquee prospect, and there’s a good chance he lands in the NFC South next April. With the Arizona Cardinals going all in to tank for the first overall pick (and USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams), Maye is a more realistic target for needy division rivals like the Atlanta Falcons or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But Maye had an up-and-down night in the Tar Heels’ big win. He completed 24 of 36 passes for a respectable 269 yards but threw as many interceptions as touchdown passes (2). He’ll need to protect the football more effectively to keep pro coaches off his back, even if he has a talented enough roster around him to get away with it at the college level.

He was hardly the only NFL prospect on the field. North Carolina senior linebacker Cedric Gray led his team with 9 tackles (3 solo, 1.5 tackles for loss) and 1.5 sacks, though junior tight end Bryson Nesbit was limited to 3 catches for just 22 receiving yards.

And let’s not forget the other sideline. Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler didn’t turn the ball over while completing 30 of his 39 pass attempts for 353 yards, but he also didn’t take advantage of scoring opportunities. His favorite target was senior wide receiver Xavier Legette, who broke out with the best game of his career — totaling 9 receptions for 178 yards, more than he’s ever had in an entire season. He’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds and did a great job using his size to fight for contested catches. He might be someone to keep tabs on as the college football season (and the long march towards the 2024 NFL draft) continues.

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PHOTOS: UNC’s season opening win over South Carolina

We take a look at some of the best photos from Saturday’s UNC football win over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The North Carolina Tar Heels opened its season with a 31-17 over South Carolina.

The stage was set as both teams met on neutral grounds at Bank of America Stadium, looking to start their season with a win and the naming rights of the REAL Carolina.

In recent memory, UNC played one of their better defensive games, slowing down South Carolina’s momentum. What worked the most for the Tar Heels defense in this game was their ability to get to Spencer Rattler, tacking on five sacks.

On the offensive side, Drake Maye and company made it look easy. They consistently drove the ball down the field, using a balanced run and pass attack. Many wondered if the news that Nate McCollum would be sidelined due to a lower-body injury would impact the game plan.

However, it appeared that whatever plan the Tar Heels schemed up before their 142-mile travel stayed in place as they walked out victorious.

Let us look at some of the best photos from Saturday’s win: