Morning Heel: UNC Tar Heels Daily News Links
By Matt Hamm
Welcome to another edition of the Morning Heel, a daily feature here at Keeping It Heel. Along with The Hub we want to bring you not only our original content but a collection of all the best UNC news. Have a link to suggest? Send it keepingitheel@gmail.com
Rapid Reaction: Texas 85, North Carolina 67
Against Texas, the talent and playmaking was there for North Carolina, but the first-half hole they dug was just too deep. Texas led by as many as 19 in the first half. North Carolina cut it to four with under 8 minutes left in the game, but never managed to get any closer as UT quickly pushed the lead back to a comfortable 10 with less than 2 minutes left. (ESPN.com)
Unranked Texas upsets No. 23 Tar Heels 85-67
Sheldon McClellan scored 18 points and struggling Texas upset No. 23 North Carolina 85-67 on Wednesday night. Reggie Bullock led the Tar Heels (8-3) with 18 points. It was the first loss for North Carolina since being clobbered by then-No. 1 Indiana on Nov. 27, and this was mostly another humiliation after trailing by as many as 19 points. (ESPN.com)
No. 17 North Carolina Women Hold Off ECU, 76-67
Tierra Ruffin-Pratt scored 17 of her game-high 24 points after halftime and No. 17 North Carolina pulled away from East Carolina late, winning 76-67 Wednesday night at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Ruffin-Pratt beat the shot clock with a 3 inside the final minute to put away the Pirates, who led by a point at halftime. Krista Gross had 10 points and 10 rebounds. (GoHeels.com)
Dexter Strickland learning to excel in point guard role
A year ago Dexter Strickland was second on the team in assists before an ACL injury ended his season. But it also may have helped him play the point. “I think my injury helped me out a lot with that, not that it hurts now but it forced me to slow down a little bit and now I can change my speed and just keep my composure,” said Strickland. (WRAL Sports Fan)
Jonathan Cooper, Sylvester Williams named to Senior Bowl All-Futures team
North Carolina’s Jonathan Cooper leads a group of six ACC players on the inaugural Senior Bowl All-Futures team, an All-America squad whose members are seniors selected both on their college performance and future NFL projection. Cooper, an offensive guard, is joined on the team by UNC defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. (Wilmington Star News)
Go Figure: Attendance Woes
After North Carolina beat ECU last Saturday, head coach Roy Williams was asked how different the atmosphere in the Smith Center was with former Tar Heel point guard Jeff Lebo back in the Smith Center, coaching on the other sideline. “The atmosphere was sort of like my team – it was a little different,” Williams said with a wry smile. And it was…different. (Tar Heel Monthly)
How the 2012 All-ACC Team Ranked as High School Recruits
Athlon continues its look at how each all-conference team ranked as high school recruits with the first-team All-ACC team. North Carolina players on the list include Giovani Bernard, Jonathan Cooper, James Hurst, Kareem Martin, Kevin Reddick, and Sylvester Williams. (Athlon Sports)
Kendall Marshall Progressing in D-League, Will Rejoin Suns
Suns rookie point guard Kendall Marshall is nearing the end of his assignment with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. He’ll play two more games (Wednesday, Thursday) before re-joining the Suns this weekend in Portland. Thus far, in seven games, Marshall is averaging 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 32.1 minutes. (Arizona Sports)
UNC Quarterback Target Will Grier Commits to Florida Gators
The Florida Gators landed a commitment from arguably their top overall 2014 target as ESPN Watch List quarterback Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day) gave his pledge to Florida today. Grier, a dual-threat quarterback, chose Florida over in-state programs North Carolina and NC State, as well as Tennessee. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal-caller is the son of Davidson Day’s coach. (ESPN.com)
UNC Basketball: Texas Longhorns Crush Inspired Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels traveled down to Texas to face the Longhorns. The Tar Heels crushed the Longhorns this time last season and looked to put together a full 40 minute game for the first time this season after a frustrating win over East Carolina in their last contest. (KIH)