The Daily Roundup: Free Throw Friday

The BEST ACC Sport Coverage!!

Getting your mind right:

The Weekend Smoke from the StogieGuys.com - Stogie Reviews: Cuban Crafters Cameroon Toro

Many rooting against Duke in Lacrosse final four: "Extra year of eligibility leads to widespread scorn of Devils."

The Life of Kings: "Kevin Van Valkenburg of the Baltimore Sun discusses his Lakers fandom and the ups and downs of rooting for Kobe Bryant, and explains why we need villains in sports."

Elite talent pool filling up again: "Basketball prospects ending drought in N.C. recruiting
Dave Telep instructed the top players in the state to look around them as they gathered in March for the start of his Carolina Challenge camp at Cary Academy."

N.C. 5 on the Rise

Pettigrew admits doping: "Olympic gold-medal sprinter Antonio Pettigrew on Thursday for the first time admitted taking performance-enhancing substances during a long track career in which he passed all drug tests."

Celtics lose homecourt, series lead: "The home cooking diet has been suspended. Now the Celtics have to produce where they have run on empty during this postseason - the road. Homecourt advantage - that precious..."

Speedway Motorsports purchases Kentucky Speedway :"Speedway Motorsports Inc. has agreed to purchase Kentucky Speedway, opening the door for the northern Kentucky track to perhaps one day host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event."

Fans' desires not important: "Mr. CFB says most fans want football playoff, but their voice is falling on deaf ears."


The conference headlines:

Andrew Jones, The ACC Insider - TOB Year Two: What To Expect

The ACC Baseball Tournament -
ACC Baseball Tournament Update

Wolfpack shows no mercy to Tigers : "After a sloppy loss in the opening round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, the N.C. State baseball team came out firing on all cylinders Thursday night."

Miami rallies past Georgia Tech

ACC HOPES GOING, GOING, GONE : "Georgia Tech center fielder Jeff Rowland watched this Miami home run head over the wall in the sixth inning. Things would get worse for the Yellow Jackets in the ninth.e Hurricanesin over the Hurricanes."


North Carolina
For Watts, the call finally comes from Tar Heels : "Justin Watts and Johnny Dawkins first met at the YMCA. Duke's assistant coach would bring his two sons to the Y to work on their basketball games. Watts, who was a standout player at Jordan, was there doing the same."


Duke

Devils rare underdogs in the NCAA semis:"Sometimes it can be fun to do something you're not supposed to do. The previous three seasons, the Duke women's lacrosse team successfully stuck to the script, entering the NCAA Tournament as a favorite to reach the Final Four and doing just that."


Clemson
Baseball: For Tigers, it’s all over but the mercy: "The only case Clemson has left to work is its suitcase. The eighth-seeded Tigers have one game remaining in the ACC tournament — and barring the unforeseen, their season as well."

Diamond united future recruits:"Clemson’s Kyle Parker might share the lead for home runs among ACC freshman. But one friend and future teammate is jokingly unconvinced Parker will be the best power hitter on the football team."




Miami

Coach Shannon sees familiar face in Middle East:"UM coach Randy Shannon is currently on a tour of the Middle East with four other..."

Allen Bailey to have surgery Wednesday:"The much-anticipated debut of Allen Bailey at defensive end may be on hold...."

From the Eye on the U Blog:
UM assistants on recruiting tour : "I still haven't gotten around to that interview with Derrick Crudup because the last 48 hours for me have…"




Florida State

P.T. Willis on Seminoles: 'Guess they don't want an analyst'

Former FSU TE Brandon Warren enrolled at Tennessee

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:

Humpy's out as rift simmers:"Track owner expected Wheeler's announcement to be next week
Humpy Wheeler said Wednesday that his retirement as president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway and as president and chief operating officer of Speedway Motorsports Inc. did not come entirely on his own terms."

LENOX RAWLINGS of the Winston-Salem Journal:Decision Time: Bobcats can stay with Felton at point guard or possibly move in another direction by drafting Augustin

Michael Wilbon - Allen Missing in Action: "Boston's Ray Allen has been one of the NBA's great jump shooters for a decade, but his prolonged playoff slump is simply impossible to ignore." He might be all done.....

Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun - M. Ryan's big contract makes timely point for NFL: "$72M deal illustrates one of owners' main arguments for abandoning CBA; what's next for Wieters?"owners

Bill Ordine of the Baltimore Sun: NFL's rookie pay scale out of whack

David Steele of the Baltimore Sun: Mayo case shows it's time for Congress to turn to college basketball

The conference headlines:

ACC Baseball Tournament-
Heels run out of miracles: "Virginia's 8-7 upset win in the ACC baseball tournament damages North Carolina's chances of defending its conference championship."

Pack gives it away : "N.C. State gave up five runs in the eighth inning, and the infield committed three errors in the ninth as Georgia Tech came from behind for a 10-9 victory on Wednesday."

Deacs drop opener in ACC baseball: "A pair of home runs by Buster Posey lifted Florida State to an 8-3 victory over Wake Forest on Wednesday in the Atlantic Coast Conference baseball tournament at Jacksonville, Fla."

FSU baseball downs Wake Forest at ACC Tournament

Tigers outclassed by ’Canes freshman star left-hander: "Clemson’s hitting approach was to go with the flow, punch Miami pitcher Chris Hernandez’s cut fastball to the opposite field and take what it could get. Good in theory, bad in application."

JACKETS WIN ACC OPENER

NC State
NBA a world away for Julius Hodge : "After being a man on the move, Julius Hodge knows where he wants to be grounded this time next year: In the NBA, hopefully in the playoffs and chasing an NBA championship. "You know me," Hodge said. "I'm still chasing that dream." And this past season, that meant chasing it all over the globe." Jewels from Harlem...on his way to stardom...until Chris Paul gave him that shot to the "jewels"....

North Carolina

Tar Heels sign 'insurance policy' : Why are the papers so late with information.....

Watts' wait pays off with UNC scholarship: " Jordan High guard Justin Watts signed a letter of intent to play with North Carolina on Wednesday, perhaps indicating that the Tar Heels expect to lose one of their three perimeter players who have declared themselves eligible for the NBA draft."

Jordan star picks Tar Heels: "Justin Watts, a 6-foot-3 guard from Durham Jordan, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at North Carolina."

Kenan revamp clears hurdle

Florida State

Florida State adds 10th commitment for 2009 football recruiting class : "The trend of early commitments -- very early -- to Florida State continued on Tuesday when South Carolina defensive back Justin Bright said he would sign with the Seminoles next year."

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!
PHOTO: Meet Justin Watts, the newest member of Carolina's entering class of 2008. Perhaps he's taking Stephenson's scholarship, but we suspect his signing indicates bad news for Tar Heel fans hoping for the return of Lawson, Ellingnton, and Greene. See his profile below.

Getting your mind right:
Bulls Win Draft Lottery

Advantage: Boston :"Kevin Garnett scores a game-high 26 points as the Celtics defend their home court for the 15th consecutive time with an 88-79 win over the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday in Boston."

For all of you gear heads - Checkered flag for 'Humpy': "Lowe's Motor Speedway president to retire this weekend. H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, one of stock-car racing's great showmen, will take his final bows as president of Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend."

LENOX RAWLINGS of the Winston-Salem Journal: Kyle Busch is just what NASCAR docs ordered

Tyson film floors critics at Cannes

Graham trial goes on: "Details of doping scandal revealed during testimony Tuesday at former track coach Trevor Graham's trial."


The conference headlines:
ACC Baseball Tournament -
Pack, Heels have real shot at title : "It takes a sound, analytical mind to decipher all the inner workings of the ACC Baseball Championship, which begins today at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Fla."

Underdog Tigers have work cut out: "Clemson hopes to imitate Wake’s low-seeded run to the ACC title game. Clemson coach Jack Leggett believes tournament success typically hinges on two keys: contagious hitting and a team’s ability to sustain focus for numerous days."

Michael Cunningham: 'The Light' keeps shining thanks to UM's Morris : "Jim Morris cuts short a question so he can turn his attention to Miami Hurricanes slugger Yonder Alonso."

Canes have a lot to prove in ACC baseball tourney: "Jim Morris said he would love to see the University of Miami win its first Atlantic Coast Conference baseball tournament, but he knows bigger things are waiting for his team."

ACC baseball tournament tidbits


North Carolina
Justin Watts of Durham Jordan High School commits to UNC Basketball. He joins the entering class of 2008. Here is his profile.

Green awaits NBA invite : "UNC basketball player Danny Green hasn't received his official NBA pre-draft camp invitation yet, but he expects to get it this week, his father said Tuesday."

Enjoying the reign: "After reaching the College World Series in 2006, the ACC Tournament was something of a final frontier to the North Carolina baseball team last season."

ABOVE THE RIM: UNC recruit to miss Gibbons event


Miami
Enough's enough for ex-Hurricane Dan Morgan, retires at age 29.

UM's Bailey hurt during training: "canesport.com reported Tuesday night. A UM representative confirmed the injury and said Bailey plans to undergo surgery this week. The representative said Bailey told teammates he expects to be back for the start of the season."

Jimmy Johnson Q&A

Allen Bailey to have surgery Wednesday:"The much-anticipated debut of Allen Bailey at defensive end may be on hold...."

UNC losses could help `Canes:"Ok, it's back to work after a few days off. I attended a friend's wedding in..."


Duke
Blue Devils aim for their one elusive goal: "Matt Danowski will finish his career with some of the greatest numbers in NCAA lacrosse history. Yet he and his Duke teammates are hoping to signify a very small number this weekend -- "one," which they want to be waving with their index fingers after winning the program's first NCAA championship five days from now in Foxborough, Mass."

Duke women's golf faces uphill climb: "The Duke women's golf team has some work to do if it is going to win its fourth consecutive NCAA championship."


NC State
Spurrier faces test vs. Pack : "Memo to Steve Spurrier: The last time N.C. State opened a football season on the road, it won at Texas 23-20 in 1999."


Maryland
Recruiting Report: Checking in with River Hill football's Malek Redd

Recruiting Report: Weekly Maryland recruiting roundup


Virginia Tech
Hokies in hunt with Hall: "Tech's 'country' shortstop is rocking the softball right now."


Florida State
FSU puts WR Preston Parker on probation - he'll miss 2 games

The Daily Roundup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:

NBA Draft Lottery:What's at stake tonight:"Tonight the NBA hosts its annual game show, better known as the draft lottery. In a weighted draw among the 14 non-playoff teams, the league will assign the top three draft picks, then align the remaining lottery teams by reverse order of their records."

Spurs Take Care of Business: "Manu Ginobli, right, scores 26 points and Tony Parker scores 17 as the defending champion Spurs outlast the upstart Hornets in Game 7, 91-82, to advance to the Western Conference finals where they will face the L.A. Lakers."

Smith scores gigas finances intern: "Receiver taking firm's training for fledgling financial advisers
Panthers receiver Steve Smith picked up the cell phone and sounded really, really happy."

NASCAR still seeks a female star: "Funding, chances limited in stock cars."

17-year-old girl struck out Ruth, Gehrig: "Jackie Mitchell, the minor league pitcher who struck out Babe Ruth during a 1931 exhibition game was no ordinary ballplayer. She was a 17-year-old girl."

Balls bounce a very different way : "For the second year in a row, the future of the Celtics will depend on the bounce of the ping-pong balls..."

The conference headlines:

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer:Thursday games handy, but not right -"Four ACC football teams will open the 2008 season on Thursday. That's one-fourth of the league's season-opening schedule."

Dascenzo: Culture of change for Devils: "I asked David Cutcliffe last month if he was changing the culture of Duke football. As if he anticipated my question, Cutcliffe pointed to some players standing inside the Yoh Center and abruptly said: "They're changing it; I'm just here to assist them.""

Miami

UM's Morris is ACC coach of the year: "University of Miami baseball coach Jim Morris was named Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year Monday. Morris led the Hurricanes to a 23-5 conference mark and 43-8 overall regular-season record. Miami, which has been ranked No. 1 in the nation since April 7, will be the top seed in this week's ACC Championship."

From the Eye on the U Blog

The Long Drive Home : "Just made it back home after my 13-hour drive down I-20, I-75 and the Florida Turnpike from attending Herald…"

Florida State

FSU receiver suspended two games: "Florida State receiver Preston Parker will have to sit out the first two games of the 2008 season after pleading guilty Monday to two misdemeanor charges in Palm Beach County."

Virginia Tech

Hokies rescind scholarship to Rose

Hokies win regional title

Wake Forest

WFU women hope that consistent play up and down the lineup can propel them to NCAA golf title

Duke

Greer, Quinzani spark Duke rout

Clemson

Baseball: Tigers rest hopes on ACC tourney: "A run to the ACC title game should clinch an NCAA berth for Clemson. A week ago, Baseball America analyst Aaron Fitt believed Clemson’s NCAA tournament ship had sailed. The Tigers had won one of three games in a pivotal series at Georgia Tech and were in jeopardy of missing the ACC tournament."

Football: Tigers boot Vincent off team: "Clemson will have to replace all three of its starting linebackers from a year ago. Junior middle linebacker Cortney Vincent will not be reinstated for the 2008 season, the school announced after Monday’s team meeting."

Georgia Tech

TECH TO FACE PERRILLOUX : "Not that one player will make a difference, but Mr. College Football believes Tech's season opener with Jacksonville State got a little interesting after the transfer of LSU outcast Ryan Perrilloux, the MVP of the 2007 SEC title game, to JSU."

The Daily Roundup: Monday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

PHOTO: Reggie, this is a much better picture of you than the last one we saw of you on a floor in a dorm room on the Duke campus. We love your new path in life!!!

Getting your mind right:

Beck and Call: Ex-Duke basketball player has become indispensable aide in Obama's campaign
"At 26, Reggie Love, a former basketball and football player at Duke University, isn't exactly sure how he ended up ..."

Pierce, Celtics get last word on LeBron, Cavaliers: "Late in the third quarter, after LeBron James hit an improbable shot to answer another of Paul Pierce’s improbable..."

Gut Check: Hornets Paul will be at home against Duncan's Spurs: Should be fun watching the two former Deac stars in a game 7.

'Dancing' paying off for NFL's Taylor

For athletes, when to quit is subjective

The conference headlines:

UM, FSU top two seeds in ACC : "Division champions Miami and Florida State enter the 35th annual Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championships as Nos. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively, this week in Jacksonville."

Former Clemson Tiger Whitley's wild journey meets heartbreaking end: "Cowboy at heart had talent, demons. Betty Whitley wore a black dress and carried a broken heart to her baby boy's funeral."

Wetherell: Playoffs coming to college football

Neil Amato of the Wilmington Star: Barth thinks big heading into tryout with Chiefs

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: 'One-and-done' needs an NBA do-over

Triple Crown curse: "The tragedy of facts is that, more often than not -- and not at all since 1978 -- a Derby-Preakness double will not lead to the sport's most celebrated sweep."

North Carolina
North Carolina holds off late UM rally

Hurricane rally falls short; UNC gets even

UNC reserve linebacker dismissed

UNC's Stepheson Transferring

Miami

UM receives verbal commitment from tackle

Latest verbal has more on mind than football: "For Fleming Island tackle Cory White, this is probably supposed to be one of the..."

UM track has top finishes: "University of Miami sprinter Tim Harris and hurdler Cory Nelms won their events in career-best times at the Georgia Tech Invitational on Saturday in Atlanta."

Duke
Duke men's lacrosse routs Ohio State: "Senior attack man Zack Greer registered a career-high 11 points on six goals and five assists to lead top-ranked and top-seeded Duke."

Clemson
Tigers face tough road to tourney: " If Clemson wants to get off on the right foot at the ACC tournament, it needs to quickly solve its Goliath complex."

Baseball: Tigers close regular season on high note: ""Jack Leggett hopes Clemson’s sudden stroke of good fortunes might not be too little, too late. The Tigers closed their regular season by completing a sweep of Central Florida, knocking off the Knights 8-5 in Orlando."

Baseball: Tigers slip into ACC tourney: "Clemson has survived to play another week. Duke’s 8-5 loss Friday locked the Tigers into the ACC tournament, which begins Wednesday in Jacksonville, Fla."

Georgia Tech

Johnson plans to give back: "Former Tech receiver to stage camp for youth wide receivers."

Miller's decorated career ends in quarterfinals

Jackets fall in tennis quarterfinals

Boston College

Boston College knocks off Wake Forest 11-7

Virginia Tech

Tech recruit faces felony drug charges

Metallica awakens Hokies: "The Tennessee PA announcer mistakenly plays "Enter Sandman" during a Game 2 delay."

Virginia

In the region: UVa netters advance

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

PHOTO: ACC says "so long" to the blue turf after the 2008 season.

Getting your mind right:

Paul's play pulls you into playoffs

Former LSU QB transfers: "Quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, kicked off LSU's national championship team after repeated off-the-field problems, signes with Jacksonville State."

Lots of Sizzle: NASCAR's All-Star weekend is all hype, but some drivers get into the events

NCAA may tinker with goaltending rule

The conference headlines:
Is ACC football in good shape? : "One way or another, the ACC is going to continue to tell us its football is in good shape. Mike Finn, an ACC associate commissioner, will point this out to you, I am certain of it. Finn works the angles better than most and carefully points to the positives, which is a wise thing to do in his position."

Saying bye-bye to Boise: "ACC officials announce ties to Humanitarian Bowl will be cut after '08 season."

Mr. Conference Football asks Why can't ACC play championship in ATL?

Andrew Jones, The ACC Insider: ACC Football Notes & Thoughts

Heels, Pack head to Florida for key series : "The Heels and Wolfpack are in Florida for their final ACC regular-season series. While Carolina has all but assured itself of hosting an NCAA Tournament regional, the Pack is out to solidify its bid to bring an NCAA regional to Doak Field."

Florida State
FSU golf sophomores Knight, Lauer unsung heroes

Powerhouse UCLA awaits 'Noles men's tennis

NC State
New golf course on N.C. State campus is taking shape : "The Lonnie Poole Golf Course, an Arnold Palmer design, is about 65 percent complete, on schedule and on budget."

Virginia Tech

Aaron McFarling of the Roanoke News: Tech focuses on Series

Calling the shots: "Hokies catcher Kelsey Hoffman has the trust of her pitcher and coach."

Hokies see victory as sign of progress

Clemson

Kyle Parker: The dual threat: "Parker establishes himself as a star at Clemson — just not at the sport everyone expected him to star in. Kyle Parker would be attending his senior prom Saturday, but something came up on his schedule a few months ago."

Miami

8 questions with the `08 Class (Tommy Streeter): "Today we catch up with Tommy Streeter, a 6-4, 190-pound receiver out of Miami..."

8 questions with the `08 Class (Joe Wylie): "Today we catch up with Joe Wylie, a 6-2, 187 pound safety out of Boyd Anderson..."

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!


Getting your mind right:
Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post"Preying on Stardom: "The primary villains in the brewing scandal at USC involving hoops star O.J. Mayo are the many predators who leeched onto him years ago."

Rodriguez says he felt pressured: "Former West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez says Gov. Joe Manchin and three members of the university's board of governors pressured him into signing a new contract before the start of the 2007 season, even though it had a $4 million buyout clause he didn't want."

A Family Driven to Succeed: "Seeking an advantage in the pursuit of a college scholarship, one family sends the three oldest of their five children, including former Severna Park quarterback Pat Morrison, above, to different high schools tailored to their athletic specialties." Interesting read.


New indictment charges Bonds with 15 felony counts

D'Antoni wants Knicks to run: "Mike D'Antoni is bringing his high-scoring brand of basketball to a Knicks team that seems ill-suited to run it."



The conference headlines:
ACC holds line on league skeds: "ACC schedules will not expand to nine games in football or 18 games in men's basketball, conference officials said Tuesday."

Dascenzo of the Durham Herald Sun: Hart still is one of Duke's best QBs: "They will induct Leo Hart, among others, into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday. It undoubtedly will be an emotional and well-deserved honor for Hart. But the most significant reason the three-time, first-team All-ACC quarterback is so ridiculously deserving may have come down to one rainy afternoon in October, 1970."


JOHN DELONG of the Winston-Salem Journal: Go, EX-DEACS: WFU fans cheering for players, not teams. Even for the "treasonous" Chris Paul, who so many Deac "fans" chastised and lambasted for leaving the program "holding the bag" when he decided to leave early. My...how things have changed.


LENOX RAWLINGS ofthe Winston-Salem Journal: Childress' story shows that patience, hard work pay off - Good read....


Andrew Jones, The ACC Insider: Duke's surprise addition; other ACC news & notes


Bama, Duke to meet at Dome: "Mr. College Football says programs close to finalizing deal for 2010 game in Atlanta."



NC State
Former Wolfpack DB Scott signs with Giants: "Former N.C. State defensive back Miguel Scott has signed a free agent contract with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants."

Doughtie medals at qualifying: "N.C. State's Lauren Doughtie shot a 1-under 71 Tuesday at Pinewild Country Club's Magnolia Course in Pinehurst, earning medalist honors in a local qualifier for the U.S. Women's Open."



Maryland
Departures don't cost UM

Tracking the Terps: Philistin named to Nagurski watch list



North Carolina
No. 2 Heels win finale at home: "The second-ranked North Carolina baseball team received a tying home run from Kyle Shelton in the sixth inning and scored three runs in the seventh for a 4-1 win over Winthrop on Tuesday in UNC's regular-season home finale at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary."



Duke
Duke stands out in a crowd: "In two weeks, when the semifinalists of the NCAA Division 1 men's lacrosse tournament arrive at Gillette Stadium, it's a good bet Duke will be among them."

Duke has two sports inductees : "Tom Butters and Leo Hart first crossed paths at Duke 40 years ago, when a tragedy thrust Butters into the role of baseball coach for a team that featured Hart on the mound."



Clemson
Baseball: Tigers show heart in rout of CougarsClemson honors the daughter of Charleston coach as she battles cancer. Even in one of Clemson’s worst seasons, there is something about College of Charleston that brings out the best in the Tigers —on the field and off.

Tigers add Charlotte safety to ’09 class:"Clemson added another highly regarded safety to its 2009 class with a commitment from defensive back Devonte Holloman (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) of Charlotte." That's bad for the NC Schools....NC State, UNC, Duke, Wake....when are you going to close the door?



Virginia Tech
Tech runner flips over meeting Obama: "Tasmin Fanning wins the 5,000 at a meet in Oregon and visits briefly with Democratic front-runner Barack Obama after the race."

Hokies kickers and golf surprises


Georgia Tech
Montgomery, Bulldogs edge Jackets at the Ted

Hadley's a key for Tech's golf team


Miami
Bills release Everett, clearing way for benefits
The Buffalo Bills released Kevin Everett on Tuesday, clearing the way for the former tight end to receive disability benefits for the spinal cord injury that ended his career.

UM's sleepy bats awake - just in time: "Whew, that was close. Imagine the University of Miami, the consensus No. 1 team in the nation, losing to North Florida. That is right, the Ospreys, who not only showed up at Mark Light Field in fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but started Jonathan Turner, who had a 7.26 ERA."

The Daily Roundup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:

Former Panther, Tiger Whitley dies: "Former Clemson standout and Carolina Panthers center Curtis Whitley has died. Family members said Monday night that they learned earlier in the day that Whitley, who turned 39 on Saturday, had been found dead in Texas, where he was living. They were awaiting details about the cause of his death."

Big Brown, Speed Racer: "No horse has won the Triple Crown since Affirmed three decades ago, but after winning the Kentucky Derby and captivating the racing world with his authority, speed and power, Big Brown is creating legions of true believers."

Youth coach gets 6 1/2 years for bringing gun to game

A little bit on the hometown team - JOHN DELL of the Winston-Salem Journal: Collins adds 4, subtracts 3 from WSSU basketball

The conference headlines:

Andrew Jones, the ACC Insider:

ACC & The NBA Draft

Dopke On The Atlantic Division

Dopke On The Coastal Division

Get over there!!!

BCS futility hurts ACC's credibility: "The ACC hasn't played in the BCS championship game since the 2000 season, when Florida State lost to Oklahoma. But the NFL draft offers some validation."

ACC Meetings 9-game conference football slate proposed

Seminoles, Hurricanes seek new glory days: "Miami athletics director Paul Dee said about half of Hurricanes fans tell him leaving the Orange Bowl for glitzy Dolphin Stadium was a mistake."

Furman Bisher of the AJC: Stumbles, fumbles don't faze Tech coach

Shaken team regains focus - Terence Moore of the AJC: Young Jackets baseball team streaks, even as it grieves.

Mr. College Football of the AJC: BC coach says ATL will love Ryan

College batters swing to own beat : "Songs played as hitters step to the plate vary from heavy metal to country -- as long as hits follow."

Georgia Tech

JOHNSON: EIGHT IS ENOUGH : "Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson believes he'll be among the majority of ACC coaches who'll work to shoot down a proposal to raise the number of conference games played from eight to nine when the ACC's spring meetings are held this week."

Tech's dugout divided by White

Jackets finish home schedule 36-15

Tech women win in NCAA tennis

Tennis: Georgia Tech opens title defense

Tech moms form team of their own

Cowboys owner high on Choice

Clemson
Baseball: Tigers lend a helping hand: "When 13-year-old Mary-Louise Pawlowski threw out the ceremonial first pitch for College of Charleston’s home game against Clemson three months ago, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house."

Football: USC, Clemson players named to Nagurski watch list

Longtime Clemson fund raiser honored by Hall

Baseball: Tigers salvage series, shot at ACC tourney

Miami
UM women win tennis regional: "Before each match, Laura Vallverdu, the University of Miami's superstitious No. 1 player, stops by the same Coral Gables sandwich shop and picks up the same prematch meal -- a power wrap."

Contact among players is OK at spring football practice, but head coaches are off limits For the next few weeks, football players across the state will brave the heat, strap on the pads and start hitting one another.

8 questions with the `08 Class (Antonio Harper): "Today we catch up with Antonio Harper, a 6-3, 220-pound linebacker out of..."

8 questions with the `08 Class (Vaughn Telemaque):"Today we catch up with Vaughn Telemaque, a 6-2, 190-pound safety out of Long..."

8 questions with the `08 Class (Davon Johnson):"Today we catch up with Davon Johnson, a 5-11, 170-pound receiver from Booker T...."

Miami, Virginia Tech split doubleheader

Tekotte powers UM to victory

UM's Ryan Jackson an infield leader

Florida State
Florida State’s Posey plays 9 positions : "Buster Posey was all over the field for Florida State. The Seminoles catcher played all nine defensive positions — and hit a grand."

FSU loses a pillar: "When Tech hosts the Seminoles Nov. 1, FSU will be without its best blocking tackle."

FSU sets season-high mark for runs in 23-4 rout of Savannah State : "Jack Rye, Buster Posey, Mike McGee, Stephen Cardullo and Ruairi O'Connor all homered as Florida State routed Savannah State 23-4 on Friday night."

Court documents: Fisher and West Virginia shared discussions about vacancy

Duke

Duke's football plan calls for 'changing the culture'

Virginia Tech

Hokies sent to Knoxville again

Virginia

Lineburg recruits SW Va.

We're off today.....

...but we'll leave you with a little taste.

The Weekend Smoke: Stogie Reviews: Arganese Connecticut Ambassador Torpedo

Devils, Heels to team up in Vietnam : "Duke and North Carolina are bitter rivals except, apparently, when it comes to reaching out to Vietnamese middle school students to show them the finer points of playing sports."

ACC will discuss 9-game football plan

: "When the ACC spring meetings begin Sunday at Amelia Island, Fla., discussions of expanded conference scheduling won't be limited to men's basketball."

Little E: Busch like dad: "It was only a few days ago that Kyle Busch and Ale Earnhardt Jr. collided chasing victory at Richmond International Raceway. Dale Jr. admitted with a smile that Busch's racing style reminded him of his old man's earlier, hard-charging stock-car days." Yep......

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

PHOTO: After UGA fans posted a "NERDS" sign over the Ga. Tech dugout, Tech outfielder Luke Murton (No. 34) countered with a sign of his own. Classic! (lede from Atlanta Journal Constitution).

Getting your mind right:
End of Tape: Davis, North Carolina's trainer, is stepping down after 31 seasons : "Marc Davis, North Carolina's longtime basketball trainer, will retire in July and move to a different job elsewhere on campus."

MEAC to visit Joel in Winston-Salem again

From the Above the Rim Blog: Caution to early entries: Beware cow tongue

Even NASCAR not immune to rising gasoline prices

The conference headlines:

Andrew Jones, the ACC Insider: ACC & The NBA Draft

Maryland

Evans not a Terp yet: "Maryland reviewing admission of recruit with troubled past" That spells trouble for Mr. Evens.....

Florida State

FSU left tackle Daron Rose ineligible for 2008 season
Daron Rose, who started 11 games at the critical left tackle position last fall for Florida State, is ineligible for the 2008 season, school officials said Wednesday.

From Andrew Carter's Chopping Block Blog:

And the hits keep coming: Loss of Rose a big blow to Florida State
Whatever happened to ... Florida State stud recruit Callahan Bright?

Get over there!!

Duke
James gets dream job at Duke : "In addition to hiring Nate James, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski promoted his other two assistants, Steve Wojciechowski and Chris Collins, to associate head coaches."

Duke assistant is excited about his chance on sidelines: "Nate James has played basketball in seemingly every corner of the earth, but each time he's come back to his favorite little corner of the world."

North Carolina

Difficult to tell whether three Heels will be back

Tar Heels take 40th victory: "Baseball team needs just 48 games to reach milestone."

Georgia Tech

Hamilton resigns post at Georgia Tech

No. 25 Georgia Tech pastes No. 8 Georgia

Hamilton apologetic after DUI arrest

Tech, UGA focused on conference play

Virginia Tech

Hokies ready for European trip

Miami

Let me know your questions: "I still have a few members of the `08 Class to interview. With inspiration.."

8 questions with the `08 Class (Jeremy Lewis):"Today we catch up with 6-3, 295-pound defensive tackle Jeremy Lewis of Palm..."

Clemson

Tigers warm up at the plate to get win: "Clemson rallies after Furman jumps out to early three-run lead. Ben Paulsen went 4-for-5 and drove in two runs to help Clemson beat Furman 11-5 on Wednesday night. The final score, though, does not indicate the struggles the Tigers had. Clemson trailed, 3-0 and 5-3, before scoring in each of its final five at-bats to break a three-game losing streak."

Pro career can wait for Tigers’ super sophomore:"Of all the spots Clemson tennis standout Ani Mijacika could choose to lay out in the sun, she prefers the small, square patch of grass by the tennis center doorway, surrounded by a mass of paved courts."

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
NCAA sees improvements in academics : "But NCAA President Myles Brand and other NCAA officials remain worried about men's basketball, which is up slightly after two years of declines."

Analysis: APR fails to back up tough rhetoric: "IT WAS SUPPOSED to be a day of dread for college programs across the country. Instead, it ended up being a day of yawns. Tuesday’s release of the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate didn’t shake up college athletics, as administrators claimed a year ago it would. For all the talk that the APR will change the landscape, big-name schools are finding ways around being penalized."

The conference headlines:

North Carolina Snap Shot on Academic Progress

Passing grades for Duke, UNC : "Duke and North Carolina's athletics teams easily passed the grade in the annual Academic Progress Rate report released by the NCAA on Tuesday, but a couple of their neighbors will have to pay a price for substandard scores."

Rick Maese of the Baltimore Sun: UMaryland's score boils down this -- How important is graduating players?

Dascenzo: Coach K rewards loyalty: "To that say Nate James was in the right place at the right time would be an understatement. Then again, James had a habit of being where he was needed most, especially on March 10, 2001, in Atlanta when his tip-in sent Maryland packing in an ACC Tournament semifinal as good as any before or after it."

Andrew Jones of the Wilmington Star:Adding games wouldn't help ACC: "The ACC's flirtation with an 18-game conference basketball slate wouldn't solve the league's problems with respect to the NCAA tournament.In fact, it would compound them.Last week, league officials discussed adding two conference games to the schedule, figuring it would strengthen schedule ratings and overall Ratings Percentage Index.This is born out of concern over the ACC landing."

More Andrew Jones: James A Good Hire For Duke

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald: Lots of optimism at UM: "Never too soon for college football chatter: Now that he has had time to reflect on the spring, new UM defensive coordinator Bill Young is convinced he has the talent to use all of his diverse schemes (including multiple blitz packages) that worked so well at Kansas. ''If anything, we might even be more talented that I expected,'' he said. ``We've got good speed and great size. I'm very encouraged.''"

Georgia Tech

Ex-QB Hamilton arrested: "'99 Heisman runnerup facing drug, alcohol, hit-and-run charges after incident near campus."

NCAA academic reports in for Ga. Tech

NC State
Bad move by Hickson? Rivals says yes: "Rivals.com lists charts the five best underclassmen to leave early and the five worst. N.C. State's J.J. Hickson tops their worst list."

Duke

Alleva twice as busy: "Outgoing Duke athletic director Joe Alleva has been serving two masters since he accepted the AD position at Louisiana State on April 4."

Duke makes James hiring official: "Duke made it official Tuesday, announcing the addition of Nate James as an assistant men's basketball coach. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski also announced the elevation of assistants Steve Wojciechowski and Chris Collins to associate head coach."

Maryland

Academic Progress Report: Departures don't cost Maryland men's basketball

Clemson

Tigers avoid penalties: "Clemson’s basketball team falls below the APR cutoff but shows improvement. Clemson’s men’s basketball team will avoid punishment despite not having a passing Academic Progress Rate."

Virginia

Lineburg recruits SW Va.

Ex-Cavs lineman in college FB hall

Florida State

Dennis Quinn's 3 RBIs help FSU baseball top Stetson : "Dennis Guinn drove in three runs to help lift Florida State to a 6-3 victory against Stetson on Wednesday."

Miami

Q&A: '09 hoops recruit Donnovan Kirk : "After making a few pit stops Monday at a trio of high schools in South Florida for spring football,…"

UM's Yaroshuk-Tews a coach and mentor: "University of Miami women's tennis coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews was at a family barbecue Sunday when her husband, Scott, picked up a football and flung it at a distant palm tree."

Boston College

Gerbe leaving BC, signs with Buffalo Sabres: "Last year, it took goaltender Cory Schneider well into the offseason to decide that he wanted to forgo his senior season at Boston College to turn professional. It took Nathan Gerbe a far shorter period."

The Daily Roundup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:

All Eyes on Academics: "The NCAA's vow that significantly more teams may face sanctions this year hangs over the release of the Academic Progress Rate scores." Of note: "Brand, who earlier this decade introduced the reform package as a "sea change" in college sports, said last month that 17 percent of Division I men's basketball programs will receive penalties. Some programs, including the University of Maryland's men's basketball team, could lose up to two scholarships next season if they did not demonstrate improvement."

Right place but at the wrong time:"The landscape of college football right now is somewhere between fair and unfair. The report that the NCAA Postseason Football Licensing Subcommittee has approved a 33rd and 34th postseason bowl game for the 2008 season made me think about two deserving Duke teams that obviously played at the wrong time."

John Feinstein: The BCS Blows Another Chance to Fix Itself

The conference headlines:

Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer: ACC forecast cloudy - UNC trio holds key to 2008-09

Mr. CFB forecasts the ACC: "Two teams make cut, three others don't as Mr. CFB presents the first third of the TB Top 30."

The Life of Kings: UM right to take chance on Tyree Evans even though Evans' criminal past suggests it's a major gamble as detailed by SI.com's Luke Winn today.

Andrew Jones, The ACC Insider: Bizarre Times Continue For UNC

Triangle golfers add to ACC strength : "Nine ACC teams get NCAA bids."

Duke
James to join Duke bench : "Nate James, a captain on the 2001 NCAA title-winning Duke men's basketball squad, will be named the new assistant coach for the Duke men's basketball team, four sources confirmed for The News & Observer on Monday."

Maryland

Sports Digest: Vasquez to remain with Terps

Georgia Tech

College drug testing varies by school

Hutts' death caused by morphine toxicity

Among Johnson's goals: Beat Georgia

Simmons inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

Florida State

Dennis Quinn's 3 RBIs help FSU baseball top Stetson : "Dennis Guinn drove in three runs to help lift Florida State to a 6-3 victory against Stetson on Wednesday."

Bowden not ready for a retirement tour

Thoughts on Marcus Ball ordeal

Florida State LB Marcus Ball to transfer

Virginia Tech
Fun at Miami beach costs Hall in draft: "Vince Hall had to have microfracture surgery on a "bruised" knee."

Miami

Hurricanes pick up first basketball recruit for 2009

UM cruising as end of regular season approaches : "A few minutes after the University of Miami finished its series sweep with a 15-3 pounding of Saint Mary's, Hurricanes coach Jim Morris was asked whether there was anything the team could work on in the last two series of the season."

UM star's goals reach beyond the track: "Before she became Georgia's high school thrower of the year and began rewriting the University of Miami track and field record book, Khadija Talley found her true calling during a middle school project."

Return of the Omar-velous One:"On the song "Got Yourself A Gun, the rapper Nas begins one verse by bragging..."

8 questions with the '08 class (Thearon Collier):"Today, I did something that most defensive backs have a hard time doing and..."

Good move by T-Good:"Spent most of Saturday afternoon at Boggs Field Park in Hollywood. Former UM..."

Virginia

UVa Insider: McDonald swears he wasn't axed

Clemson

Golf: USC, Clemson play role reversal: "Gamecocks claim No. 3 seed in East Regional; Tigers fifth seed in West Regional."

Baseball: FSU sweep pushes Tigers to the brink: "Clemson’s ACC and NCAA tourney lives hang in the balance with two weeks to go . A deflated Clemson assistant dragged an equipment bag into the locker room corridor, only to realize both bats had slipped out the bag’s unzipped back end."

FSU’s bats pick apart Clemson: "So much for the confidence Clemson gained in its five-game winning streak. Saturday’s collapse may have wounded the Tigers’ psyche, but Sunday’s 13-4 trouncing at the hands of fifth-ranked Florida State restored the sense of helplessness Clemson experienced during last month’s record losing streak."

Southern Cal lures USC, Clemson prospect:"A WRITTEN OFFER from Southern Cal arrived in the mail Friday for Columbia High defensive back Damario Jeffery (6-foot-3, 211 pounds). USC, Clemson, Oklahoma and Michigan are among Jeffery’s 16 offers."

We're off today.....

.......but you know we don't leave you completely hanging. We feel you, Tyler. After the Fianl Four performance by the Heels, we'd jump to. Ohhhhh to be in college again!!!

The Weekend Smoke: Stogie Reviews: Tatuaje Havana VI Verocu No. 1 (Exclusivo Lado Occidental)

Devils add late recruit : "Duke added one of the top high school senior basketball players in the country Thursday when 6-foot-10 Miles Plumlee picked the Blue Devils. He signed with Stanford last fall, but he sought a release after Stanford coach Trent Johnson left for LSU." And you thought Mike had love for Dawkins?

Sonics' Durant honored as rookie of the year : "Kevin Durant was so excited to learn he had just won the NBA Rookie of the Year award, he went back to sleep. That's what seven months and 82 games -- more than double the amount the lanky 19-year-old had played in any previous season -- can do to a teenager."

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Sports Coverage!!!

Getting your mind right:
BCS officials reject playoff proposal: "Bowl Championship Series officials rejected a plan Wednesday to turn the much-criticized system for deciding a national champ into a four-team playoff." Surprise, surprise.

Wilbon: Silence Is Golden

Graham prepares for trial: "Almost four years ago, track coach Trevor Graham sat in his lawyer's office with federal investigators and spun a gossipy tale of sex, greed, drugs and betrayal among the elite athletes he trained." Shame....

NCAA bowl list hits 34

: "The NCAA has approved applications for two new football bowl games for 2008 in Washington, and St. Petersburg, Fla."

A Bowl for Washington: "The NCAA approves Washington as host of The Congressional Bowl, a college football bowl game likely pitting Navy against an ACC team."

Bobcats hoping that Brown, 67, still has what it takes to mold a young, talented team into NBA winner

Durant likely to be named NBA rookie of year

The conference headlines:

North Carolina
UNC says coach didn't endorse Obama: "UNC basketball coach Roy Williams has not endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, the team's spokesman said Wednesday."

Boston College

Crawley wants to get BC in the running: "Sylvia Crawley always knew she wanted to coach women's basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference. She even left a little wiggle room in her contract at Ohio University, just in case someone wanted to give her the chance."

Former BC football player shot dead: "Authorities are investigating the death of former Boston College and NFL player Ivan Caesar at an Orlando, Fla., apartment building."

Miami

UM gets commitment from power forward Kirk: "The University of Miami men's basketball team, fresh off its best season in eight years, added another valuable piece to its future Wednesday when it picked up an oral commitment from a national Top 100 recruit -- 6-8, 205-pound forward Donnovan Kirk of Detroit (Mich.) Country Day School."

Q&A Double Play: Weeks, Hernandez : "I know the baseball Canes have been getting the short end of the stick when it comes to coverage…"

Quick hits: Hoops recruit, pitching, Ice : "Just got back from Wednesday's baseball practice and have a few quick tidbits of info I'd like to share…"

Canes pickup '09 lineman : "One of the biggest areas of need the University of Miami had when building its 2008 recruiting class was…"

Florida State

South Dade DE Stinson commits to FSU

Virginia

UVa Insider: Recruiting legacies not an easy task for Virginia

Virginia Tech

VT Insider: New faces, same ol’ defense at Tech

Clemson

Texas prep star commits to Clemson: "Clemson won the recruiting battle against LSU for defensive back Craig Loston (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) of Aldine, Texas. Loston committed to Clemson Wednesday."

Georgia Tech

ANOTHER HOLE TO PLUG : "The sudden departure of Trey Dunmon from the Tech football program leaves the Jackets thin at the center position. But this fourth player to transfer since Paul Johnson's may turn out to be best for all concerned."