Jim Szoke's Sports Blog

Roy's Revenge

University of North Carolina basketball managed to hold up under some pretty heavy pressure this season.  They survived a string of injuries and some media expectations that they could actually go undefeated, which is ridiculous to put on any program. To their credit, the Tar Heels are back in the Final Four for a record 18th time and 9th time in the past 19 seasons.  They'll have a tough match-up with Villanova, but unless the Wildcats shoot lights out (like they did in 1985's championship), Carolina should advance past the semi-finals this time.  I'll stick with my brackets with North Carolina winning the national title over Louisville...oops, guess that side of my bracket fell apart.  So, I'll take Michigan State over Connecticut with what amounts to a home game for the Spartans, who are the most physical team of the four remaining.

Wonder if Kansas coach Bill Self will wear a Tar Heels sticker like Roy Williams did for the Jayhawks last year during the national championship?  That was pretty bizarre considering Kansas had just ended UNC's season.  But if it took a sticker to make Kansas fans forgive Williams for leaving them, then small price to pay, I say.  When I speak to elementary school groups on occassions like career day, I find that stickers are always a big hit.  Apparently it works on the college level too.

If Seth Curry is only partially as good as big brother Stephen, he will be a big hit at Duke.  The younger Curry will have to sit out for a season as he transfers from Liberty, but that will give his body a chance to fill out and then still have three years to play.  As for Stephen, it probably would not improve his draft status by waiting another year to turn pro, but I think his ability to succeed in the NBA would improve with another season of playing point guard under Davidson College coach Bob McKillop.  Too may others, like former ACC player of the year Joseph Forte have bolted early and then slipped into NBA obscurity.  Although Forte had other issues that involved guns and drugs.

Speaking of Davidson, another former point guard is moving on.  After 16 seasons as an assistant coach, Matt Matheny gets his first crack at being a head coach with another Southern Conference team, Elon.  Matt was a guard on the Davidson teams that I called play-by-play for in the early 90's.  Now I feel very old. 

Former Charlotte Hornets guard, Tony Bennett has become a fine college basketball coach and moves from Washington State to Virginia.  WBT listeners may know that part-time radio host and full-time pastor, David Chadwick's son committed to play at Washington State.  Our "source" tells me that David Banner Chadwick of Charlotte Latin remains committed to the Cougars, but will watch to see where the coaching search ends.

      

Bracket Business

The only thing better than watching the NCAA Tournament Selection Show is the hours and then days of analyzing the brackets.  But by the time you're done watching Jay Bilas, Dick Vitale and most every expert pick four number-1 seeds to reach the Final Four, it seems a little disappointing.  Of course, last year for the first time all of the top seeds did actually advance to the Final Four.  Come on, give me a George Mason or Davidson type pick.  What makes the tournament memorable is that team that breaks though and goes much further than a first-round exit.  

Sometimes I spend more time filling out my brackets than I did studying for college exams.  I couldn't stomach picking all top seeds for my brackets, so here goes...a pair of number-1's in Louisville and North Carolina, a number-2 in Memphis, and 3rd seed Villanova beating Pittsburgh.  Louisville beats Memphis, and North Carolina over Villanova.  Then it's Carolina finally over Louisville, despite the Cardinals being the best team from the best conference, the Big East.  A healthy and rested Ty Lawson can help UNC wear down opponents as they are a terrific second-half team when they can push tempo.  Their focus from the beginning of this season is a national championship, and only the loss of Marcus Ginyard has diminished the belief that they can follow through.

Even though their record is not very impressive, it's good to see the Bobcats in the hunt for a playoff spot. The only thing that can warm Charlotte up to this NBA team is winning.  It's a team that plays hard under Larry Brown, who has brought credibility to the team and tweaked the roster closer to his style of player. It would be nice to put behind the numerous mistakes made by the Bobcats organization since arriving in town and just give area basketball fans a team they can get behind.  It would have been nice if the NBA had at least reserved the Hornets name and logo for Charlotte's return to the league.  It's hard watching Chris Paul in those colors playing for New Orleans instead of here.

Wonder what colors Julius Peppers will be wearing next season?  If not black, blue and silver, then New England makes the most sense.  They were reportedly on his list of four teams that he would accept a trade from Carolina.  The Patriots have the cap space and draft picks to trade with the Panthers.  The Panthers would also gain nearly $17-million in deleted salary for 2009 by trading Peppers, but most of this year's free agency class has already made their moves.  Speaking of which, it's been one of the least intriguing off-seasons in regard to the quality and depth of this season's free agent potentials.

Hope A-Rod and his cousin Yuri are enjoying their downtime from baseball.  Maybe passing the time enjoying a video at home, like Dumb and Dumber....then there is Roger Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee, who saved a used steroids needle in a Miller Light beer can in 2001 to save as evidence..."builds muscle mass, less filling!"