Off the cuff:The announcers at the College World Series have been arguing about whether baseball players or basketball players are better athletes. Not sure if that's the proper question but the answer is that it's tougher to play baseball than to play basketball. UNC basketball great Phil Ford was accomplished at both and once said that baseball was tougher. Michael Jordan might agree with that as well. I think a lot more people can hit a 20-foot jump shot than can hit a 95 mph fastball.
In the first six games of the NCAA tournament, the Heels committed only two errors but in the last two games, they have committed three. Two of the errors are by Ryan Graepel who came in to play shortstop late in the season because of his defense. Ironically, he had three hits in one game and started the rally against LSU Friday night with a double in the ninth inning.
Of the four teams left, Carolina would seem to be the favorite. The problem is that UNC has to win two straight against Fresno State because the Bulldogs have yet to lose in the double elimination tournament.
Carolina has a tough road but the Heels have the best and deepest pitching staff left so they have a decent chance. The Tar Heels could play six days in a row. They have to beat Fresno State Saturday and Sunday to make it to the best-of-three-game CWS finals against either Georgia or Stanford.
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Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson and Danny Green have all decided to return. Its probably a good move for all three but especially Ellington and Green. Lawson's recent arrest has him in Coach Williams' doghouse but he must not have thought he would be drafted in the top 20 or so. Check back for a fuller analysis once the Carolina baseball team finishes its run for the College World Series. In the meantime, see UNC's release announcing that the basketball players will return. Also, check out my articles for the UNC alumni Web site on Carolina's 8-4 win over LSU, the 5-3 loss to Fresno State and the 7-3 win over LSU.
Carolina in the College World Series once again
Flack does it in the clutch again as Tar Heels fight on
You go back, Flack, do it again.
North Carolina 's Chad Flack did it again. For the third year in a row, he won an NCAA tournament game with a home run. In the bottom of the eighth, Flack whacked a 3-2 pitch over the bleachers in left to give the Tar Heels a 4-3 victory over Fresno State and stave off elimination.
“Wow, I don't really know what to say,” UNC coach Mike Fox said at the post-game news conference. “I know Chad Flack is the most clutch player I'll ever be fortunate enough to coach. He's proven that time and time again.”
UNC, now 54-13, goes back to play Fresno State again Sunday night at 7 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament in Omaha, Neb. for the right to play in the finals of the College World Series against Georgia.
“I keep thinking we're dreaming,” Coach Fox said, “but we're happy to be here for another day.”
Heel Prints reviewed each UNC basketball game
As a student sports editor years ago, prior to the season, Clifton Barnes predicted a national championship for the Tar Heels and indeed they won. In fact he wrote his lede paragraph for the national championship game almost a year early. He regrets that he didn't keep a journal after each game. While he didn't predict a championship this season, he did have those same feelings. He kept a journal after each game of the 2007-2008 season and you can reach them here. He now writes once a week or so about baseball and then after each UNC football game. Carolina basketball's run ends after comeback falls short
