"... I couldn’t help but think of how many people had helped me along the way. One of those people I wanted to personally thank for opening doors was Jimmy Raye. This book tells how some of those doors got pushed open. I’m sure you will enjoy reading about the journey!" - Tony DungyNorth Carolina
Izzo long ago validated on Tobacco Road
Tom Izzo’s opinion that he needed a second NCAA title to “validate” his career sparked myriad responses. Mostly, the Michigan State basketball coach's innermost thoughts were met with rebuttals he has already proven himself. Let me tell you a story from the Heart of Tobacco...
Lipscomb travels reverse Tobacco Road
Tobacco is no longer North Carolina’s economic engine, Tobacco Road as an old label for college basketball in the state and Lipscomp University is located in Nashville, Tenn. But there is still a reverse Tobacco Road trip for the Bison to complete. Lipscomb, which won three NIT...
Bowman defies NFL with NBA draft promise
The smart NFL teams -- ones that find prospects in college basketball dating to Dallas Cowboys scout Gil Brandt converting Pete Gent and Cornell Green in the early 1960s from the hard-court to the gridiron -- safely tucked away their file on Ky Bowman. That meant once Bowman...
Luke Maye turned may develop into he can
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Luke Maye grew up a North Carolina fan. Both his parents are UNC graduates, including his father Mark having played quarterback for the Tar Heels’ football team from 1984 to 1987. But once he grew into a 6-foot-8, 225-pound power forward at Cornelius Hough...
Virginia adds more than a puff with Huff
College basketball teams with national title aspirations this time of year are balancing health with not disrupting a cohesive unit that can make a run through March Madness. In the ACC, the top three contenders are North Carolina and Virginia, tied for first in the...
A Little improvement means a lot to Tar Heels
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina appears to have benefitted from an NBA-like trade as March Madness approaches. Nassir Little’s talent and late-season improvement are that intriguing to consider down the stretch. Think of it this way: There are no trades in college sports, of...
Barkley and Magic story as advice for Zion
“When did we get to the point all people care about is money? … When did we get to the point we’ve got clowns on television saying, ‘Oh, don’t play.’ That’s what you do. That’s what we do. We play basketball. … I get so mad when people act like money is the only thing that...
Carolina and Duke rivalry rolls across globe
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams and his wife Wanda grew up in early 1960s America, a time when parents chided kids for not finishing their dinner with an indirect reference to the Great Chinese Famine. “There are 800 million people starving...
Beating Blue Devils secret is outscoring them
For people waiting to see if North Carolina and Basketball Hall-of-Fame coach Roy Williams has the secret formula to slow down Duke, college hoop’s football version of the Alabama Death Star, forget digging into his game-plan history. Syracuse Basketball Hall-of-Fame coach Jim...
Experience may not matter in Battle of Blues
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina seniors Luke Maye and Kenny Williams have played Duke twice a year and a third time in the ACC Tournament the past two seasons. They know what to expect from the Battle of the Blues. This also will be their fourth trip 10 miles down to the road...