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
UNC Football Recruiting: Ryan Switzer Affirms He’s a Tar Heel Despite Interest From Other Programs
Ryan Switzer a four star athlete out of Charleston, WV who committed to North Carolina way back in March revealed via his twitter account that Kentucky and Florida State were coming to visit him at his school today. Switzer quickly calmed any concerns by reassuring everyone that he is a Tar Heel! (KIH)
UNC alum wins on CBS show
Three continents. Nine countries. Twenty cities. More than 25,000 miles. That’s how far Randleman native Brent Ridge traveled with partner Josh Kilmer-Purcell to win $1 million. The pair won CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” which aired Sunday night. (Greensboro News & Record)
Michael Jordan goes one-on-one with his Charlotte Bobcats
It’s a safe bet no NBA players but Charlotte Bobcats were posted up by the team owner Tuesday. It has become an unofficial annual event: Bobcats owner Michael Jordan shows up at a home practice in workout clothes. He watches, he instructs, he gets the old itch. Eventually he wanders out on the court and ends up playing one-on-one with the midsize guys. (Raleigh News & Observer)
For young Tar Heels, now is the time for hoop growth
With only a few more games left before the calendar turns and the start of conference schedules arrive, the time to work has only just begun. It’s especially true for a team such as North Carolina, which is still in the process of defining roles, settling on a rotation and finding an identity. (Wilmington Star News)
Lots of Tar Heels on all-time ‘Madness’ list
As part of its season-long celebration of 75 years of March Madness, the NCAA on Tuesday named its top 75 All-Time March Madness Players, 25 All-Time March Madness Teams and 35 All-Time March Madness Moments. This will no doubt give fans — even at North Carolina, Indiana, Duke and UCLA — plenty of fodder for debate. Here’s a breakdown of how the Tar Heels fared on the various lists: (ESPN.com)
Associated Press adds to the consensus: Jonathan Cooper is an All-America
Go ahead and consider North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper a consensus first-team All-America. Tuesday, the Associated Press added its vote to the ballot by selecting Cooper to its elite squad of the nation’s best college football players. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound senior has previously been selected a first-team All-America by the AFCA, CBSSports.com, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Foundation. (Wilmington Star News)
Radio show notes: turnovers, drives, exams
North Carolina head coach Roy Williams was out recruiting on Monday night, so Director of Basketball Operations Joe Holladay took his place on “Roy Williams Live.” Some notes from the weekly radio show: UNC’s coaches would like James Michael McAdoo to actually slow down a smidge — at least when he gets the ball. Because even though he leads the team in points, he also leads it in turnovers. (ESPN.com)
Three Things: UNC Basketball Notebook
By the time Joel James met the media on Saturday night, he had already iced his knees and his right ankle. The ice on the knees was nothing more than what typically happens when an 18-year-old grows to seven feet tall, 260 pounds. But the ankle? “I twisted my ankle stepping on Dexter’s foot,” James said. “I’m just icing it down.” (Tar Heel Monthly)
UNC basketball falls to 21, 18 in polls
North Carolina slipped one spot, to No. 21, in the Associated Press poll, and two spots, to No. 18, in the USA Today Coaches poll; both sets of ratings were announced Monday. Around the ACC: undefeated Duke remained No. 2 in both polls; NC State is No. 25. (ESPN.com)
Desmond Hubert, Joel James, Brice Johnson continue to vie for fifth starting spot at UNC
Through UNC’s first nine games, three players have started alongside James Michael McAdoo in the Tar Heels’ frontcourt. Joel James, the freshman forward, was the latest to have that opportunity. Before him, Brice Johnson and Desmond Hubert started, too. UNC coach Roy Williams made clear on Saturday, that he isn’t close to figuring out who will become the team’s permanent starter. (Raleigh News & Observer)