Friday night’s college basketball game between North Carolina and Michigan State on the navy carrier ship was a great night for America. It was a fitting occasion to celebrate Veteran’s Day with many servicemen and servicewomen in attendance.
Our country has gone through a lot in recent years, but it was great to step aside from the problems and celebrate America and the men and women’s service for this great nation. It reminded me of July 4th in the middle of November.
It was one of the few times I have ever watched a basketball game and concluded that there were no losers. Yes, the Tar Heels did defeat the Spartans on the scoreboard, but both teams were winners on this night. I imagine Michigan State was disappointed in the loss, but what an experience for all the players and staff involved.
Sounds like this might become an annual event playing a college basketball game on Veteran’s Day. I think that would be awesome.
We never have too many opportunities to celebrate this great nation and the sacrifices of our military personnel. Playing college basketball on Veteran’s Day is a fitting tribute.
Showing posts with label Tar Heels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tar Heels. Show all posts
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Harrison Barnes: Preseason All-American
Freshman Harrison Barnes hasn’t even played a game for North Carolina and he is already gaining honors.
Barnes was named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Team recently.
Barnes is probably the most celebrated player ever to come out of the state of Iowa. Barnes prepped at Ames High School and averaged 19.7 points per game and 8.8 rebounds last year in leading the Little Cyclones to another state title.
I watched Barnes’ press conference when he selected North Carolina. It was a big production. Iowa State, located in Ames, was also a finalist, but the Cyclone fans knew that was a long shot. It’s pretty tough to say no to the elite programs in America when EVERYBODY wants your services.
But we Iowans will still watch Barnes’ career closely.
We have been hearing about this guy in Iowa for years. I have watched him played on TV. It was like wow—what a player. He’s 6-8, quick and can jump. He was rated the No. 1 high school player in the country last season.
But he still needs to perform in college. And apparently people are firmly convinced he will. At least the AP voters are.
The Tar Heels need Barnes. North Carolina was an average team last year. North Carolina doesn’t do average. It plays for national championships. Coach Roy Williams wants Barnes to help the Tar Heels return to the top of the ladder. Ole’ Roy loves cutting those nets down.
Based on his potential, Barnes might just give Williams his wish.
Barnes was named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Team recently.
Barnes is probably the most celebrated player ever to come out of the state of Iowa. Barnes prepped at Ames High School and averaged 19.7 points per game and 8.8 rebounds last year in leading the Little Cyclones to another state title.
I watched Barnes’ press conference when he selected North Carolina. It was a big production. Iowa State, located in Ames, was also a finalist, but the Cyclone fans knew that was a long shot. It’s pretty tough to say no to the elite programs in America when EVERYBODY wants your services.
But we Iowans will still watch Barnes’ career closely.
We have been hearing about this guy in Iowa for years. I have watched him played on TV. It was like wow—what a player. He’s 6-8, quick and can jump. He was rated the No. 1 high school player in the country last season.
But he still needs to perform in college. And apparently people are firmly convinced he will. At least the AP voters are.
The Tar Heels need Barnes. North Carolina was an average team last year. North Carolina doesn’t do average. It plays for national championships. Coach Roy Williams wants Barnes to help the Tar Heels return to the top of the ladder. Ole’ Roy loves cutting those nets down.
Based on his potential, Barnes might just give Williams his wish.
Friday, September 24, 2010
A Little Honesty in College Sports, Please
Regarding the ongoing investigation of troubles in the North Carolina football program, Coach Butch Davis basically said Thursday that the Tar Heels need to do a better job monitoring the program.
Wow, that was it. I was hoping for a little more. I’m not just going after Davis specifically with his situation. It could be some other coach at some other school. Believe me, there have been many other examples.
I would love for a coach someday said to say something like this: “We messed up. We tried to fool people. We made a huge mistake. We let our fans and the university down. We are ashamed. Please forgive us.”
You might hear some of those above statements after the NCAA or the institution comes down on a program, but generally not before.
Come on folks, confession of guilt is good for the soul. There is something healing about confessing your wrong doings. America loves to give second chances after people confess. What America doesn’t like are dodgers.
One other thought. These coaches that claim they don’t know what’s going on with certain aspects of their program. What, huh? The coach is the boss. He should know the situation. If he doesn’t, he should have someone report to him that knows. Some one time incidents do happen like drunken driving, but I strongly question whether the coach doesn’t know when a player receives a bunch of money (re: drives a fancy car and exhibits fancy clothing) or is doing something else on a repeated basis.
Wow, that was it. I was hoping for a little more. I’m not just going after Davis specifically with his situation. It could be some other coach at some other school. Believe me, there have been many other examples.
I would love for a coach someday said to say something like this: “We messed up. We tried to fool people. We made a huge mistake. We let our fans and the university down. We are ashamed. Please forgive us.”
You might hear some of those above statements after the NCAA or the institution comes down on a program, but generally not before.
Come on folks, confession of guilt is good for the soul. There is something healing about confessing your wrong doings. America loves to give second chances after people confess. What America doesn’t like are dodgers.
One other thought. These coaches that claim they don’t know what’s going on with certain aspects of their program. What, huh? The coach is the boss. He should know the situation. If he doesn’t, he should have someone report to him that knows. Some one time incidents do happen like drunken driving, but I strongly question whether the coach doesn’t know when a player receives a bunch of money (re: drives a fancy car and exhibits fancy clothing) or is doing something else on a repeated basis.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Carolina Blues
North Carolina won its third game in the ACC today. Yes, the same Carolina team that won the national championship last year and seem to compete for the title each season.
The victory over North Carolina State keep the Tar Heels out of last place in the conference. They are only 3-7 (14-11 overall).
Forget about defending the national championship , Carolina probably won't even make the tournament.
How bad Carolina has slipped this season came home to me about two weeks ago when it played Virginia in Chapel Hill. Virginia just crushed the Tar Heels in their backyard. Yes, that was surprising but something else caught my eye. Toward the end of the game coach Roy Williams put his deep reserves in. That act has happened many times before, but when they were doing the crushing. I then realized how far Carolina has fallen.
New players and injuries have plagued Williams' team. The Tar Heels are getting a taste of what average or below average teams often experience.
It's a sickness, but Carolina is having difficulty finding a cure. One problem is that the Tar Heels don't have much experience being sick.
Apparently, this season it is time for such experience.
The victory over North Carolina State keep the Tar Heels out of last place in the conference. They are only 3-7 (14-11 overall).
Forget about defending the national championship , Carolina probably won't even make the tournament.
How bad Carolina has slipped this season came home to me about two weeks ago when it played Virginia in Chapel Hill. Virginia just crushed the Tar Heels in their backyard. Yes, that was surprising but something else caught my eye. Toward the end of the game coach Roy Williams put his deep reserves in. That act has happened many times before, but when they were doing the crushing. I then realized how far Carolina has fallen.
New players and injuries have plagued Williams' team. The Tar Heels are getting a taste of what average or below average teams often experience.
It's a sickness, but Carolina is having difficulty finding a cure. One problem is that the Tar Heels don't have much experience being sick.
Apparently, this season it is time for such experience.
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