Women's Basketball:

Hatchell signs new contract

According to a statement released today by the university, UNC's board
of trustees approved a seven-year deal for the Hall of Fame coach that
starts this month. Hatchell's agent, John Meadows, said the package
will improve her salary this year to $705,000 from $476,000, making her
one of the highest paid women's coaches in the nation.

Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino bumps into Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz. "Why the long face, Jeff?"

"Oh, we just lost to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, and our season is over."

"That's too, bad."

"You don't look so happy yourself, Rick."

"Yeah, well, we just lost to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, and now our season is over."

"Sorry to hear that, Coach."

"You too."

The ink hasn't yet dried on the Tar Heels' victory over Louisville, but the men's basketball team is headed to the Final Four in San Antonio next weekend. And the Tar Heel women's basketball, thanks to LaToya Pringle, came back from an 18-point deficit to get past Louisville and into the Elite Eight.

"The big fella" has a very nice jumper. I love the fact that Tyler Hansbrough can hit from 18 feet now. Twenty-eight and 13 for the national player of the year, when the Tar Heels needed him. Didn't get a lot of scoring help in the second half from the backcourt (save a big three from Lawson), so Hansbrough took the game into his own hands, and the Tar Heels move on to face the Davidson/Kansas winner. Funny that all of us that cheered for Davidson in Raleigh could see them on Saturday night. Funny thing: I just saw Jonas Sahratian blow kisses to the crowd from the podium and saying, "We love you!"

LaToya Pringle, the quiet one, the one that's always there, but you don't realize it until she's got 27 and 11, willed the Tar Heels into the Elite Eight past Angel McCoughtry (35 and 13) and Louisville. I thought the ride was over for Coach Hatchell's crew, but the Tar Heels regrouped, made a run, and held off a furious rally. They'll play LSU Monday in New Orleans for a Final Four berth. The #1 seed plays the #2 seed 65 miles from LSU's home floor. Right . . .

The Tar Heel women's basketball team took care of business yesterday, defeating Duke, 86-73. It was the third time this season that the Heels beat the Devils, and their fourth straight ACC Tournament Championship. Third-seeded Duke surprised Maryland on Saturday. The Tar Heels had beaten Duke 82-51 just last weekend, but the Blue Devils came out energized and ready to go. But Erlana Larkins, LaToya Pringle, Rashanda McCants, Cetera DeGraffenreid and the rest of the Tar Heels spoiled the party.

This has been an awfully fun team to watch, and I will enjoy watching them try for a third straight Final Four.

Tennessee beat Memphis, then promptly lost to Vanderbilt. According to ESPN, that puts the North Carolina Tar Heels back on top of the Power 16. Yay.

Actually, that is a good thing, because if Tennessee is ahead of the Heels in the final season polls, they probably get the #1 seed in Charlotte, because it's the regional closest to them, too. So, it's conceivable that both Tennessee and Carolina get #1 seeds. But, if Tennessee is the higher #1, they'll get Charlotte, and the Tar Heels could get Detroit, Houston or Phoenix. The crazy thing is, if Duke is a #2, for example, they could still go to Charlotte as the #2 there. But, for now, the Tar Heels are in the driver's seat. They just need to get the job done these next three games and in the tournament.

The Blue Devil fell off his surfboard and sprained his knee. In my best Nelson Muntz, "Ha ha!"

Rashad McCants has a web site. Yikes.

ESPN has hired Bob Knight as a studio analyst. Fantastic.

The Tar Heel women close out the regular season at home Sunday against Duke. The game's at 5:30 on FSN.

This story is interesting. It's an editorial from the Duke Chronicle about sneaking into Cameron for the 2006 Carolina game. This guy goes to great lengths to get into the game, and, well, Duke lost. He left that part out. Ha!

I recap the women's game at Duke, preview the men's contest against the Blue Devils, and give you a special treat - a dramatic reading of a Cameron Crazies Cheer Sheet. It's all on the podcast for February 5, 2008.

Hey Gang -
I set the next HeelsBlog podcast for today, but I'm pushing it back to Tuesday, so we can have a more complete show for you. We'll have recaps from the men's game against BC and at Florida State, and talk about the women's games at home against Maryland, at Wake Forest, and Monday night's game at Duke. Plus, we'll preview football signing day, which is Wednesday. And, we'll have a special guest. So thanks for your patience.

Nice win over Boston College last night. Ty Lawson's line for the last two games is amazing - 20 assists and one turnover. Deon Thompson played perhaps his best game as a Tar Heel, and Tyler Hansbrough was Tyler Hansbrough.

Will the team look past Florida State on Sunday? I don't think so. They might have if they had not lost to Maryland, but I think that game woke the team up. Toney Douglas will be tough to guard, but the guys can get it done.

Carmichael Auditorium was LOUD on Saturday afternoon. The North Carolina Tar Heels hosted Maryland. Both teams were ranked, 3 or 4, depending on which poll you looked at. Sylvia Hatchell's Tar Heels were up big in the first half before falling behind by 7 late in the game. A fortuitous Erlana Larkins steal and LaToya Pringle layup plus 1 tied the game, and the Heels dominated the second overtime to pull out the victory.

Check out the excellent article by Lauren Brownlow here.

The Tar Heels travel to Wake Forest on Tuesday before heading to Cameron Indoor Stadium next Monday. It's a great time for the seniors to step up and lead this team.

After nearly two years, the HeelsBlog podcast is back! Join me as I recap the Maryland and Miami games, look ahead to Maryland for the women's team, and pick the next ten ACC games.

Subscribe in iTunes by clicking here.

Traveled with the Tar Heel women to Blacksburg on Thursday. You can read my notebook on the game here. Erlana Larkins is still playing brilliantly, even with a cast on her left hand, and Rashanda McCants continues to fill up the box score.

The Tar Heels do miss Rebecca Gray, out a few games with a stress fracture in her right foot. She fills a valuable role with her outside shooting and minutes at the off-guard spot. The Tar Heels trailed heading into the break until McCants' three with seven seconds to go tied the score. A quick start to the second half took the crowd out of the game and left the Hokies behind.

Another big test on the road Sunday at N.C. State. The Pack aren't great, but they always get up to play the Tar Heels, and Reynolds Coliseum will be rocking. At 15-1, the Tar Heels need to get some wins in tough environments and gain some confidence before they head to undefeated #1 UConn on January 21.

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