Morning Heel: UNC Tar Heels Daily News Links
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 to keepingitheel@gmail.com!
Clemson to Face No. 1 Tar Heels
Clemson and North Carolina have met 181 times on the diamond, with the Tigers holding a 96-84-1 lead in the series dating to the 1901 season. The Tar Heels have won the last seven games in the series, their longest winning streak in series history. (The Times and Democrat)
North Carolina’s Attention Turns Toward No. 1 Recruit, Andrew Wiggins
With an early exit from this year’s NCAA tournament, the North Carolina Tar Heels now need to turn their attention towards next season. That of course starts with the decision of Reggie Bullock, James Michael McAdoo, and P.J. Hairston and if they decide to declare for the NBA draft.
Next on the list is Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins was the No. 1 recruit for the class of 2014 to start the year, but he then reclassified to 2013 and immediately became the top recruit for the upcoming class. (Rant Sports)
Stay or Go Pro: The Case for PJ Hairston to Stay Put at UNC
The NBA Draft takes place on Thursday June 27th at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. As is the question almost annually when the North Carolina Tar Heels season ends is who will stay in school and continue to hone their skills at the collegiate level and who will take the plunge and head to the NBA. While we all wish for everyone to follow the lead of Tyler Hansbrough whom despite being one of the best players in college basketball for the majority of his career, still opted to stay in school all four years chasing a national title, that’s just not realistic. This off season three UNC players could all make the jump with P.J. Hairston, James Michael McAdoo and Reggie Bullock all considering the move. (Keeping It Heel)
UNC Focused on Filling Hole Left by Gio Bernard
As Larry Fedora walked off the field following North Carolina’s first live scrimmage of the spring Thursday night in Charlotte, N.C., his running back, A.J. Blue, passed by on his way to media obligations. The Tar Heels’ head coach cracked at his veteran tailback that no one should be allowed to talk to the media that “dropped his ball.” Both burst into big smiles.
Blue also made light of his fumble in his post-game interview, saying he thought he played “great except for putting the ball on the ground.”
It’s these types of comments that seem to signal the elephant in the room, though: When replacing soon-to-be NFL running back Gio Bernard, near perfection is the expectation. That’s the territory that comes with replacing arguably the top running back in the nation a season ago. (FS Carolina)
Former North Gaston Star Ready to become North Carolina’s Top Runner this Fall
When A.J. Blue emerged as a dual-threat quarterback at North Gaston High School, he guided the Wildcats to their first-ever state playoff victories and even a state championship game.
Now a fifth-year senior at the University of North Carolina, Blue has another daunting task as he will try to replace record-setting soon-to-be NFL draft pick Gio Bernard in the Tar Heels’ lineup. (Gaston Gazette)
Larry Fedora on AJ Blue:
“For one, he’s the leader on the offense right now. Him and Bryn (Renner) are probably the two guys that have stepped up and been leaders. And Blue’s a hard nose runner. He does a great job in pass protection. He’s gone put his pads down and run behind his shoulder pads. He can catch the football and he can make plays.”
Fedora on Bryn Renner and Mitch Trubisky:
“I’m watching a lot of different things so I don’t really zero in on one or two guys but I mean Mitch ought to still be in high school and he commanded the offense pretty good out there today. He never lost it. He understood what was going on. They understand what he’s wanting to do so that’s a good thing. I think that was big for him just to get live reps tonight.”