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It has almost been four years since we posted this hilarious Duke basketball parody entitled ”This is Why Duke Sucks”. Today seemed like the perfect day to bring out this classic since UNC travels to Duke tonight to reinvent college sports greatest rivalry. Even a month ago this matchup didn’t seem as enticing, but the Tarheels are on a roll and Duke has been exposed a bit. Vegas has the Blue Devils as ten-point favorite which seems rather high. Enjoy!
It is sounding more and more like Marvin Austin will be suspended for his entire senior year due to reported infractions with agents and other middlemen. While Austin is still currently on the team some leaks have indicated the next time Austin will be on a football field will be at the NFL combine and he might not be the only UNC football player in trouble. Other players recently interviewed by the NCAA were Deunta Williams, Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdivant, Kendric Burney and Greg Little who were grilled about the possibility of their interaction with agents and the NCAA has also requested phone records. With a lot of rumors swirling that money has also been exchanged this investigation could be a huge blow to a program that is on the rise and to a team that is one of the frontrunners for an ACC Championship this year.
Weslye Saunders is the latest player the NCAA has been investigating for possible relations with a sports agent. The NCAA visited the South Carolina tight end last week and it is believed the investigation is linked with the NCAA’s probe of UNC football players and their alleged dealings with agents. The number one rated tight end for the 2011 NFL Draft is from Durham, North Carolina and is friends with Marvin Austin and other UNC players. Saunders, Steve Spurrier and USC media relations director are all being tight lipped so it seems we will have to wait for the investigation to end before we found out if either football program will receive infractions.
UNC Tar Heels outside linebacker Bruce Carter is rated the number-one player in his position by many scouting sites heading into his senior season. Carter is a complete specimen considering he can bench 440 pounds, has a 40 ½ vertical and can run a 4.39 40 at 6’3 240 pounds. “Bruuuuuce” can be seen regularly running the Keenan Stadium steps with 60-pound bags of cement on him so he must have an incredible diet. Well, that is what one would think, but Bruce recently divulged what is included in is daily diet regimen. “I eat a lot of McDonald’s and fast foods, but I do work out real hard … Almost every day. I usually get three double cheeseburgers, medium fries, large tea and a six-piece McNuggets. I don’t think eating healthy as far as eating salads and that stuff really works for me.”
I personally don’t know how long the Super Size Me diet will work for Bruce, but I’m pretty sure no one is complaining in Chapel Hill right now. Carter, DT Marvin Austin, DE Robert Quinn, ILB Quan Sturdivant, FS Deunta Williams and CB Kendrick Burney are by far the best defense in the ACC and quite possibly the best in the NCAA.
The very young UNC basketball squad lost again last night leading to their third loss in a row which is something they have never done under head coach Roy Williams since he took over in 2006. The Tar Heels were beat soundly last night at home by unranked Wake Forest and they are clearly missing sophomore forward Ed Davis and sophomore forward Tyler Zeller who are injured. Tension is in the air right now in Chapel Hill and if you don’t want to believe me then just look at the statements from ole Roy Williams on Wednesday after the game. Williams clearly frustrated after another loss decided to rip freshman Dexter Strickland for his actions earlier in the day. During practice this morning we ran a set play and I said, ‘Dexter, what are you doing?’ And he said, ‘Coach, I don’t know what to do.’ ‘Well, whose fault is that –mine or yours? This is practice No. 53, son.’ I know Williams is frustrated, but Strickland is about the only wing that can create a shot for the Heels right now. The bigger issues are the injuries to Davis and Zeller in conjunction with senior wing Marcus Ginyard playing very poorly and super frosh John Henson who looks more like something from Avatar running up and down the court these days rather than a real ball player.
North Carolina is currently 1-3 in the ACC and an unimpressive 12-7 overall. The Heels have crucial games coming up on the road at NC State, at home against UVA who leads the ACC, and then at Virginia Tech. When you consider the Heels haven’t won a true road game yet this year you understand why fans are freaking out. It’s obvious the media has been in love with UNC all year long, but they will now finally fall out of the top 25 in the next poll and with a RPI ranking of 55 before the Wake game they need to tread lightly or their bubble just might pop.
The college basketball season returns tonight with a whimper, but it is back nevertheless. The defending national champion UNC takes on Isiah Thomas and Florida International while Ohio State takes on Alcorn State to kickoff the 2009-10 season. Then later on in the evening Syracuse plays Albany and California takes on Murray State. Things unfortunately don’t really heat up in college basketball until the Maui Classic in late November when teams like Arizona, Maryland, Gonzaga, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Colorado and the home team Chaminade throw down. Like it or not it’s back so if you want to watch the Heels destroy Isiah’s new team which are 31 point dogs then by all means get jiggy with it.
Surprise Team
Maryland – The ‘08 season started out with the Terps losing to Delaware, but then 2 weeks later defeating Cal. This team was a Jekyll and Hyde winning games they shouldn’t have and losing those they were supposed to win. 2009 promises big time talent due to the recruiting of Ralph Friedgen and friends. Also, Maryland is returning on offense a sophomore playmaker in receiver Torrey Smith who will be taking over for the #7 pick in the NFL Draft Darrius Heyward-Bey. Smith is not as fast, but a more complete receiver overall. Junior running back Da’Rel Scott is back and the 2nd leading ACC rusher has his sights set on back to back first team All ACC. On the defensive side of the ball the new coordinator Don Brown will scheme a ton of blitzes using linebackers Adrian Moten and Demetrius Hartsfield. Maryland’s schedule is pretty easy once they go to Cal for the opening weekend and try to stop the best running back in the nation Jhavid Best. Next comes James Madison, Middle Tennessee State, Rutgers and Clemson all at home before playing at suspect Wake Forest then home against Virginia in a payback game and then to Duke. Could it be that Maryland will be 8-0 when they visit the ACC Sleeper NC State on November 7th?
Disappointing Team
Virginia Tech – Very tough schedule as usual and the loss of Orange Bowl MVP running back Darren Evans is a death blow. Evans was the only running back that had any real game experience so they will have to lean on their defense even more than usual.
Game of the Year
Virginia Tech vs. Alabama in Atlanta. The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff opener isn’t just about Virginia Tech getting off to a good start to their season. The reputation of the ACC to an extent is involved with the outcome of this game. If Virginia Tech could somehow pull off the upset then the ACC would have a top five team and a nice win over a very good SEC team. The ACC can’t afford to have another embarrassing loss like Clemson suffered in this same game last year against Alabama or the blowout Georgia Tech suffered to LSU in the Peach Bowl.
Wagering history
Maryland is 7-4 SU but 1-7 ATS first month of the season last 3 seasons
V Tech last 3 seasons 9-1 SU & ATS on the road against non conf
Miami is on an 11-3 SU & 10-2 ATS run on road when total is 45-49
NC St is on an 11-3 ATS run vs. winning teams
Prediction
Don’t give the BCS berth just yet to Virginia Tech even though most of the media are predicting them to win. Georgia Tech and their wishbone offense is will be much better this year and coach Paul Johnson is a winner. Miami and Florida State are definitely not back to their former powerhouse programs and even though UNC is on the rise they aren’t a top 25 team in the end. So who will win the ACC this year? I am going with NC State and this isn’t a biased selection. That’s right, eight home games and two early tough non-conference foes in South Carolina and Pitt will prepare the Pack for ACC play. The Pack only have four away games and they don’t even start until October 3rd when they drive ninety miles to face a weak Wake Forest team and then back home against Duke. NC State can potentially be 6-0 when they travel to play BC with a new coach and system before they get a week off before heading to Florida St. They do have to play at Virginia Tech in late November which will be very tough to win, but in the end they will make the Championship game.
Russell Wilson an All ACC quarterback is back with another year under his belt and a slew of returning players on both sides so I can see 9-3 record and an ACC BCS crown!