"It's been the greatest two years of my life."

Harrison, Henson and Kendall all announced they are going pro. I'm not surprised (although maybe a tiny bit about Kendall) and I don't blame them one bit.

But I cried. I didn't cry at the fact they are going pro. I cried at their sweet quotes about the school that owns my heart.

Kendall says, "it's been the greatest two years of my life." I sincerely believe him when he says that.

Harrison says, "Chapel Hill is a special place. Over the past two years I've enjoyed every single moment of my Tar Heel experience."

I know most people would say these boys are just saying what we want to hear. But if you've been to Chapel Hill, you know. And if you haven't, you must go.

Spring is one of the best times in Chapel Hill. The sun is shining, the dogwoods are out, there is a sense of carefree among everyone. It owns the hearts of many and this girl's is no exception.

Good luck in the NBA, boys.  Thanks for all that you've given us. And may you always be Tar Heels for life.

Kendall Wins the Cousy and Possible Announcement Today

Kendall won the Bob Cousy award, the award given to the best point guard in the country. He absolutely deserved it and I'm so excited for him.

On another note, rumor has it that Harrison has made a decision about leaving and announcement will come today. I'll keep you posted!

Shammond???

Jerrod Hasse, one of our assistant basketball coaches, announced today that he is leaving to become the head coach at UAB.

Honestly, I'm cool with this. Truthfully (and I admit this with shame as an avid Carolina basketball fan), I always got him and C.B. McGrath, another assistant, confused. Now I just have to remember C.B.

More importantly, I'm cool with this, because if Roy decides to hire a guy with little to no official coaching experience, word is, Shammond is on the list.

I.would.die. Legit.

Fingers crossed!

Monday Morning Review

The weekend started off well! Friday night was spent grilling out and watching the Heels win (in overtime!) to make it to the Elite 8. My best friend Emily ended up having to cancel her trip because of work so our friendship is still in tact.

Most of Saturday was spent at Dave Telep's Carolina Challenge. The star of the day? UNC commit Isaiah Hicks - a man among boys out there. This was also one of the highlights:

Man, were these cupcakes good.

Saturday night was for Chubby Taco's and basketball watching with Marcus. He just received some good news so we celebrated with taco salads and margaritas! Yum!

Sunday started on a high note with this:

Mac and Cheese from Poole's Diner

And ended on a very low note with this:

Kansas 80, UNC 67.

It was actually a great game and the score makes it look worse than it was (because of last minute fouls). In the end, we just couldn't overcome the injuries. Stilman did an amazing job though and combined for 13 assists/ 0 turnovers in his two games as a starter. Overall, it was a great season. It's easy to think "what if?" considering 4 of our top 6 players were out for the tournament (two for the season), but we have to remember how spoiled we are as Carolina fans. Elite 8 and ACC Champs is an incredible season. So proud to be a Tar Heel! Now the waiting game... who will be back next year? 

Friday!

Happy Friday, kiddos! It has been a long week and I'm excited the weekend is here. What are your plans? Mine involve watching my boys win tonight and working at Dave Telep's Carolina Challenge, a basketball camp for the top 80 high school players in the state, tomorrow!

It's a basketball kind of weekend!

LET'S GO HEELS!

#WristWatch Update

Kendall's cast has been replaced with a removable splint. Status still unknown.

Best Friends and Basketball

This is the story of two best friends.

One was the new girl at school in 4th grade. The other had been there since Kindergarten and knew everyone. The new girl had blonde shiny hair and wore a cute jean jumper. She also tried to steal the established girl's crayons. At first, they were enemies. But soon, this happened.

Check out my sweet bangs.

Emily entered my life at 9 years old and has been my best friend ever since. She moved to Ohio (the worst state ever) in 8th grade, but we've remained close and always visit. (Let's be honest, she usually visits me. I hate Ohio and she fell in love with the South). 

We grew up in age and height, but always remained ridiculous and silly when were together. The way best friends should.

Thursday night, Emily is making her annual voyage to Raleigh for some much needed BFF time. I've been looking forward to this weekend for months. And then yesterday...

Yesterday we found out that our alma maters play each other in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament tomorrow night. Em went to Ohio University and I went to Carolina (duh). Em is a Carolina fan through and through but is understandably excited at her team's surprising run in the Tourney. She hasn't decided who she's going to pull for. She needs to soon - our 17 year friendship depends on it. 

Monday (Close enough!) Morning Review

The Tar Heels won our game against Vermont on Friday rather handily which advanced us to the next round to play Creighton on Sunday.

Unfortunately, I had to work during the game. I literally work one Sunday a year for an event one of my clients puts on and it was at the exact same time as the Carolina game. Le sigh, right? Fortunately, the company's management is a group of Carolina fans so we all checked my phone for updates regularly.

This was Henson's first game back and from what I understand, he got a technical that really fired up the team. We won 87-73 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. We play Friday against Ohio University (more on that later).

My mom sent me a few texts about how Creighton played dirty, but I didn't think much of it.

I didn't think much of it until I saw tweets saying that Kendall Marshall had fractured his wrist. I think Roy said it best a few weeks ago when he said, "No team has one player that is indispensable. But if we do, it's Kendall Marshall."

Kendall is the heart of our team. With Dexter out for the season, we don't have a very experienced backup. Kendall is second in assists in the country and our only experience ball-handler.

He had surgery this morning and his status is unknown for Friday's game.

The one thing that this awful turn of events has shown me is what an incredible guy Kendall is. I listened to his post-game interview last night and all he could talk about was how excited he was to be in the Sweet 16 and how much he loved his teammates. He is exactly the kind of person I want representing my University.

Step 1

Today is the first step in our journey to the national championship. We play Vermont at 4:10! GO HEELS!

ACC Tournament

The first game of the ACC Tournament has ended with Maryland beating Wake pretty soundly. That means we take on the Terps tomorrow at noon. Let's Go Heels!

ACC Champs!

Hey y'all! Forgive my absence the past few days, there are lot of excuses (including a trip to ATL which I'll report on later!), but the point is, I'm back!

I'm back and happy to report the Tar Heels took the regular season ACC title with a pretty definitive beatdown (18 points) of Duke in Cameron Saturday night. Ohhh it felt so, so sweet to get back at them for that Austin Rivers 3! ACC Tourney (aka the best time of the year) starts Thursday night.

I'm so grateful to live in North Carolina where people "get" it. When I was in school, teachers would have TV's brought into the classroom so that we could watch the games. While I'll be at work when the Heels first play on Friday at noon, I'll get it to catch most of it during lunch!

Let's go Heels!!!

State game aka the Kendall Marshall Game

Tuesday night the boys headed to the RBC Center to play NC State. State was all fired up after two of their former players were ejected from their last game by the ref for being unruly fans. They even honored the two at halftime.

But it didn't matter. We came out strong and Kendall dominated the entire game with 22 points, 13 assists and zero turnovers. He was playing the best basketball I've ever seen him play. Earlier in the day, the N&O gave the edge to State's point guard, Lorenzo Brown. Thanks N&O, you can give Kendall that type of motivation every game if you want.

I love this for him and for our team. It shows that Kendall can be a scoring threat and it gives him some much deserved attention for the hard work he does every night.

Up next, Virginia at Virginia Saturday!

I was in denial...

A quick Dook recap, since I've been in denial until this post.

Daddy and I got over to Chapel Hill early and hit up Spice Street for a drink before dinner at Weathervane. We saw a lot of people we knew and Chapel Hill was buzzing with excitement. I love it when it's like that.

Weathervane was delicious! It was half-price bottle of wine night so we enjoyed a nice sauvinon blanc. We shared an an appetizer of pimento cheese fritters. I wish I could explain to you how delicious these were. They were like deep-fried, but not greasy, gooey bites of love. Like, legit, I'd eat them for ever meal if they wouldn't make me blow up like a whale.

Daddy had the steak frites, the blue cheese bacon butter on the steak was especially amazing, and I had short rib ragout, which was mouth-wateringly tender. We split a HUGE piece of chocolate peanut butter cake for dessert.

In a word, YUM.

We got over to the Dean Dome and in our seats for what is always one of the highlights of my year. If you've never been to Carolina for a Carolina-Dook game, it's extremely different than any other game. The words "wine and cheese" would never be used to describe us on Carolina-Dook game night. We're loud, the players are pumped and I usually shed a tear during warm-ups. That's the moment when I remember I am, at heart, a basketball girl.

The game was close and intense throughout like most Carolina-Dook games are. We took a twelve point lead in the second half and things looked good. Things looked good until about four minutes left in the game, when it looked like we were playing not to lose. We were up two with just a few seconds left in the game when at the buzzer, Austin Rivers hit a three to win the game 85-84. It was awful. It was by far the most devastating Carolina-Dook game I've ever attended. Everyone was stunned. I've never heard the Dean Dome so quiet or seen this team's faces so upset.

Here's to using that as motivation to KILL them at Cameron.

Game Day!

....Now I realize that school spirit is a pretty goofy thing to some people, but I’ll tell you something: I hate Duke with an infernal passion undying. I hate every leaf of every tree on that sickening campus. I hate every fake cherub Gothic piece of crap that litters the buildings like hemorrhoidal testaments to imagined superiority. When I see those Dookie boneheads shoe-polishing their faces navy blue on television, squandering their parents’ money with their fratty elitist bad sportsmanship antics and Saab stories, I want to puke all over Durham....

It's that day, folks! Game day in Chapel Hill against Dook.

It's hard to describe how I feel about Dook. Hate is much too tame of a word. Despise, disdain, abhor... those come a bit closer, but there really is no word. The word "Dook" should be a verb in itself, because that is how much I hate Dook. 

To add to Ian Williams famous DTH quote above, I dook Dook because of Coach K's paint on black hair. I dook Dook because Gerald Henderson broke Tyler Hansbrough's nose. I dook Dook because they are only 8 miles from us, but so incredibly different. I dook Dook for their superiority compex. I dook Dook for the same stupid cheers they have been cheering for all 25 years of my life. I dook Dook because Dook players come to Chapel Hill to hang out - stay in your own town. I dook Dook because it's so obvious Carolina is better in any and every way, but Dook acts as though they are God's gift to college sports. 

I dook Dook because I ADORE Carolina and there are not two more opposite things in the world. Carolina is green quads, Southern hospitality, Franklin Street and family. Dook is gothic darkness, Northern harshness, Durham and strangers.

Good battles evil tonight and I can't wait for good to dominate. GO HEELS! 

Sports Update

The bball boys have started the ACC season 2-0!

Saturday, Dad and I went to a Coaches Circle party in the Blue Zone before we took on Boston College. We enjoyed barbecue biscuits, chips and dip and wine (for me) and Blue Moons (for Daddy). The most exciting part? We got to meet Coach Fedora! I literally stalked him around the party until he was forced to stick out his hand and meet me. I loved it! He gave a speech to the entire party that included the words,  "When we bring an ACC Championship to Chapel Hill" and "I'm Larry Fedora and I'm a Tar Heel."

You earned yourself some points with me there, Larry.

My dad had to go back to Raleigh so La met me and we went to the game. It got a little close in the second half, but for the most part, we dominated.

Tuesday night the boys took on Miami at home. It was a solid victory despite awful shooting. Kendall was our leading scorer, if that tells you anything. But I think it shows what this team is capable of, even on off nights.

Next up: Florida State at Florida State.

In other sports news, the Texans won their first playoff game on Saturday! TJ and his boys took down the Bengals and I don't think I've been so excited in a while. (Apologies to my best friend who lives in Cincinnati who may have received a few menacing phone calls from me. I'm new to this caring about the NFL thing, Em, but I love you!)

Next up: Baltimore Ravens at the Ravens, one of the top teams in the league. Yikes.

Do it, Teej!

Trying this thing called being a good, frequent blogger

Daddy and I had a great time at the basketball game last night. The Heels won 97-48 - my kind of game! I've decided James Michael McAdoo is my favorite, mostly because he goes by James Michael. I sort of have a thing for calling people by their first and middle names so he makes my heart happy. Plus he's cute and good at basketball.

Thanksgiving Update

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was busy and AMAZING.

Wednesday night we had a party for one of my best friends' 26th birthdays. We had a blast dancing the night away to Lisa Loeb, Natalie Imbruglia and Sophie B Hawkins (90s party!). Thursday I headed to Jamestown with Mom to spend Thanksgiving with one side of my family. We had a blast. The day was filled with fried turkeys, wine and lots of joking around.

Friday Mom and I hit the road back to Raleigh early. I knew I was tired when I slept the entire ride home - I can never sleep in the car. That afternoon I went to my Dad's for Thanksgiving and another day filled with food, fun and family. Friday night my bball boys took on USC in a tournament in Las Vegas and won soundly.

Saturday my football boys took the field against the Dookies. Victory! It was a 3:30 game so we had a great tailgate prior including grilled steak, beans, broccoli salad, chips, cake batter blondies, etc. YUM! Because of the game time, we were also able to enjoy the most amazing sunset. This picture = my heaven.

Can someone please explain to my why blogger is rotating my pictures when they are saved in the correct way? Ughhh. I'll try to fix that later.

Saturday night the bball boys took on UNLV in Vegas and... lost. We did not play well at all. We have dropped from #1 to #5 and head into a tough week of games vs. Wisconsin and Kentucky. Hopefully we'll bounce back! 

Hope you all had a happy happy Holiday!

UNC Sports Round Up

It's been WAYYYY too ridiculously long since I've written about my Heels!

The bball boys had a press conference yesterday. Nothing really big or new, but this made me smile.

Henson's reaction to LDII's repeat criticism of UNC: "I guess he didn’t have the view that I had, but I love this place and love this school."

That makes my heart so happy.

The baseball boys are in the college world series and play Vandy today. If they lose they are out, so I am pulling hard here from my desk.

The football boys received the notice of allegations yesterday which basically states everything the NCAA says we did wrong. We have 90 days to respond. 

Monday Morning Review: ECSTATIC Style

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacccckkkkkk.

Harrison announced today that he will return to UNC for his sophomore season, joining Tyler Zeller and John Henson in their earlier decisions.

I loved his statement.

"As an 18-year old, I'm in the early stages of my life journey," Barnes says. "I'm honored and blessed for the chance to play in the NBA. And because of my family, teachers, passion, and work, I have the ultimate dream of one day playing and experiencing a fulfilling career in the NBA.

"Opportunities, both beneficial and life changing, can seem to make the next phase of my journey an easy decision. But I am a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina. I'm here to experience college life, grow as a person, receive a quality education, and be part of the greatest basketball family in college sports.

"The experiences I've enjoyed on and off the court will be invaluable. These experiences will help fuel my journey in the NBA and beyond.

"I look forward to meeting the challenging journey in the NBA, but my decision on November 13, 2009, still holds true. I'm focused on being a student-athlete. And my decision is to continue this part of my journey at the University of North Carolina.

"As a team, we're preparing for a special season. My off-season plans are to diligently work on honing my basketball skills in all areas with one team-goal in mind -- to bring the 2012 national championship home to UNC."

The great thing is, as much talent as next year's team will have, I think they have equally, if not more, heart. Those are some loveable boys and I cannot wait to watch them play. Let's go Heels!

Big Z and Sweet Baby Henson...

...announced yesterday they are returning for next season. We have yet to hear from Harrison. Here's hoping...