Morning Heel: February 25th

Welcome to another addition of the Morning Heel. This morning, we have a couple of article about former UNC players at the combine, about UNC Basketball’s final five home games, and about the Diamond Heels winning their series with Xavier last weekend. Make sure you tell them who sent you, and let us know if the comments or by email if there are any links you’d like to see on a future Morning Heel. Here we go!

Eric Ebron performs well at NFL Combine

“Former North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron, a Smith High School alumnus, turned in some impressive numbers at the NFL combine on Saturday.
Ebron, considered the top tight end in the draft class, ran a 4.60 40-yard dash, completed 24 repetitions on the bench press at 225 pounds, recorded a 32.0-inch vertical leap and a 120.0 inch broad jump.
Ebron’s 40-yard dash time was the second-fastest among tight ends. He tied for the sixth-most bench press reps and the ninth-best vertical leap. Ebron’s broad jump tied him for the third-highest jump among tight ends.”

From Mark Thompson of news-record.com

Bodine, Hurst Attend NFL Combine

“Saturday, who retired after the 2012 season, spent the majority of his 14-year career playing for the Colts. He will go down as one of best undrafted players in league history.
“The Colts had a one-back offense, running inside, outside zone a lot, like what we did (at North Carolina),” Bodine said. “Obviously, he had a very successful career and that’s something every offensive linemen would what to emulate.”
In late December, Bodine decided to bypass his senior season and enter the NFL draft. He averaged 73 snaps per game in 2013 and was an honorable-mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.”

From Ron Musselman, Special to InsideCarolina.com

UNC Basketball: 5 Questions for Tar Heels’ Home Stretch in ACC Play

“Twenty-seven games are already in the books for North Carolina. With 20 wins and seven losses, UNC sees itself in prime position to reach the NCAA tournament after a rocky start to conference play.
The team’s recent hot streak pushed it from unranked last week to No. 19 in the most recent AP Top 25 poll that came out Monday. The Heels ironically sit just behind Michigan State at No. 18 and Kentucky at No. 17, two teams they’ve already beaten this season.
However, even with all the elite wins and the hot play recently, questions still remain for UNC finishing out the season. With four games remaining before the conference tournament, there is still work to be done if UNC hopes to get where it wants to be.”

From Todd Salem of Bleacher Report

UNC baseball finds bats in the 9th to claim season-opening series against Xavier

“North Carolina had been waiting for it.
A big hit, a clutch single, a lucky bounce — anything to alleviate some pressure. Baseball coach Mike Fox said Saturday that such a moment could give his scuffling young offense the chance to exhale.
And he was right.
On Sunday, freshman Adam Pate was practically panting as he exited the Boshamer Stadium locker room. The first hit of his UNC career was just a little dribbler to short, but it came with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, game tied 2-2 against Xavier, sending Michael Russell sprinting home.”

From Michael Lananna of the Daily Tar Heel