This season has been a whole lot of fun. The Tar Heels are one of the most exciting teams to watch, and very easy to pull for.

Robbie Pickeral has a nice article in Tuesday's News and Observer about what's working for the Heels this season.

Ivory Latta and Erlana Larkins made first team All-ACC. Latta and Duke's Monique Currie (is it me, or is she vastly overrated?) were the only unanimous selections.

Check out this quick hit from Mike Krzyzewski on how he doesn't like the term 'working the refs.

Q: Do you think coaches have an influence on the referees and how the game is called?

A: No, I don't. An official cannot allow that to happen. That doesn't mean an official, a referee, would not listen to a coach, as far as there might be a call or the way that the game is going or whatever. ... [The referee] has to be influenced only by what's happening out on the court.

How great would it be if he actually believed that?

Tar Heels beat Duke

It wasn't pretty, but it was a win securing the ACC regular season championship and probably the #1 ranking in the nation.

The Tar Heel women beat Duke yesterday, 77-65, in Carmichael Auditorium. The Heels gave Duke just their second loss of the season. They seem to have Duke's number.

Carmichael was sold out and loud Saturday. Games like this are an opportunity for young kids and local folks to see a Carolina game, those fans that might not often get to see their heroes up close. I  would guess maybe 1/6 of the fans were pulling for Duke, but they weren't loud for long.

I'm really proud of the way the Tar Heels have been able to exorcise the demon that had been the Blue Devils, and have now beaten them five times in a row. There's no rest for the weary, as a likely showdown awaits in Greensboro.

Big weekend for UNC sports. Today at 2, the Tar Heel women take on Duke at Carmichael. The winner of this game wins the ACC regular season outright, and the #1 seed in the tournament next weekend. Carmichael is sold out, and should be rockin'. I'm looking forward to an atmosphere not seen in a long time at a women's game. The past two years, this game has been played to big crowds at the Smith Center, big crowds, but not intimate, and not sold out. This one will be intense.

The baseball team continues their season today at 1 and Sunday at 1:30 against George Washington.

Gymnastics Sunday at 1. A chance to see Courtney Bumpers in action.

Men's basketball Sunday at 5:30 against Maryland. Heels need to continue the momentum they've been carrying since the Duke game. I think the fanbase is energized by the way the team's been playing, and the fans will be out in full force. Maryland needs wins to look good for the NCAA Tournament committee, so they'll be playing hard, too.  Should be a good one.

Tar Heel Blue story

Well dang. Maryland beat the Tar Heels in overtime in Carmichael, 98-95. Apparently Ivory was fouled shooting a potentially game-tying three, but it was not called. Taylor Zarzour, the voice of Tar Heel women's basketball, called the foul in the play-by-play very matter-of-factly, but the officials ran off the floor.

The loss of the game does not hurt as bad as the loss of players. Alex Miller went down hard in the second half, and was taken to the hospital. Erlana Larkins did not play in overtime due to cramps. Here's hoping those two can play again really soon.

The loss brings the Tar Heels back to a three-way tie for first in the ACC, with Maryland holding the tiebreaker. Now Carolina has to win out and hope that Maryland falls to Duke in Cameron, for the ACC regular season crown (Maryland holds the tiebreaker, obviously, if the two finish with the same record in conference).

HBG was at the game, and said it was very rough. I didn't see it, but Sylvia Hatchell herself called it a "bloodbath."

I hate it when people say you need a loss to re-focus, but maybe this can do that. Still think we're the national champs.

So HBG and I sat down to record the first HeelsBlog podcast on Sunday night. We look back at the week in Tar Heel basketball, HBG gives out her report cards, and preview Tuesday night's matchup.

It's the very first one, so it may be a little rough, but check it out. I welcome your suggestions on improving the podcast, what you'd like to hear, or suggested topics.