Duke Defeats Carolina 69-63; Readies For ACC Tourney

(Photo: Gerry Broome/AP)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Duke traveled to Chapel Hill to face Carolina in game two of this years rivalry. Carolina lost the first meeting with Duke, 96-56, in Durham. Duke, on the other hand, won the ACC regular season title and clinched the #1 seed for The ACC Tournament, by virtue of their 74-64 victory over Miami a few days ago. Motivation coupled with playing on their home court, seemed to favor Carolina-at least on paper.

Coach Joanne P. McCallie and her Duke team must not read the papers. Duke led Carolina 44-30 at the end of the first twenty minutes. The Tar Heels regrouped and played a determined 2nd half. Duke withstood a furious rally in the closing minutes of the game, to sweep the season series with The University of North Carolina Tar Heels. North Carolina Head Coach Sylvia Hatchell said it best, “You know, if we had played the first half like we did the second half, we’d be a lot happier right now.”

Tricia Liston (15 points), Elizabeth Williams ((13 points), Chelsea Gray (12 points), and Allison Vernerey (10 points) led Duke in scoring. What’s interesting is, Liston and Verenerey, scored their points off the bench. Duke’s bench became very important in the game when starter Haley Peters was inadvertently elbowed by Carolina’s Chay Shegog, and knocked to the floor. Peters mouth was flowing with blood from the contact. She was led to the locker room where the doctors stitched both the inside and outside of her mouth. Coach McCallie commented on her teams fortitude, “ It was a great basketball game. It was sort of a season in a game, relative to some of the adversity. I didn’t think we could get more adversity, but we did and I think the team handled the game very, very well.” Peters returned to the game in the 2nd half and was a key contributor down the stretch.

Next up for Duke and Carolina is The 2012 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament starting March 1, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The schedule is:

Thursday
Game No. 1 - Seed No. 5 North Carolina vs. Seed No. 12 Clemson 11:00 a.m. (RSN)
Game No. 2 - Seed No. 8 Florida State vs. Seed No. 9 N.C. State 3:00 p.m. (RSN)
Game No. 3 - Seed No. 7 Wake Forest vs. Seed No. 10 Virginia Tech 6:00 p.m. (RSN)
Game No. 4 - Seed No. 6 Virginia vs. Seed No. 11 Boston College 8:00 p.m. (RSN)

Friday
Game No. 5 - Seed No. 4 Georgia Tech vs. winner of Game 1 11:00 a.m. (RSN)
Game No. 6 - Seed No. 1 Duke vs. winner of Game 2 3:00 p.m. (RSN)
Game No. 7 - Seed No. 2 Miami vs. winner of Game 3 6:00 p.m. (RSN)
Game No. 8 - Seed No. 3 Maryland vs. winner of Game 4 8:00 p.m. (RSN)

Saturday
Game No. 9 - ACC Semifinal 1 11:00 a.m. (ESPNU)
Game No. 10 - ACC Semifinal 2 1:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

Sunday
Game No. 11 - Championship Game 2:00 p.m. (ESPN2)



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Kate Upton-Too "Chubby" For A Supermodel?

http://technorati.com/entertainment/celebrity/article/kate-upton-too-chubby-for-a/

Kate Upton, newly crowned 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover Girl has the Supermodel World in uproar. The nineteen- year old, 5ft” 11” inch leggy, buxom model, reportedly wants to revive the Supermodel era. Supermodel ‘experts’ have responded, “Thanks, but no thanks, Ms. Upton. Uhh.. you‘re too, how would we say it, healthy (fashion speak for chubby)." What’s good for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is not good enough for a Runway Fashion Supermodel, or so the 'experts' say.

Supermodel-what a word! The images conjured up by the very mention of the word, are fascinating. Let’s face it, Supermodels are fascinating! Unlike ‘Superman’ these are real women that do wield “superpowers” in the pop culture we live in. Sports Illustrated and Kate Upton have launched the latest round of debate regarding Supermodels impact on what's beautiful and healthy and what's not, for women.

Why do I care? I’ve been, shall we say “aware” of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, about as long as I’ve been “aware” of sports. A Sports Illustrated subscription was given to me as a gift, in my pre-teen years. It truly was a case of, I like to read the articles. One day something different arrived in the mail from Sports Illustrated…the Swimsuit issue. Yes, my enjoyment of reading the articles continued. Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Elle MacPherson, Kathy Ireland, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Rebecca Romijn and now Kate Upton, first came into my “awareness”, courtesy of Sports Illustrated. Interesting, never actually reflected on this aspect until just now…the more I read Sports Illustrated, the less ‘yucky’ girls became.

Anyway, back to the issue at hand. This debate over Upton and her desirability,or lack thereof in the Supermodel world, is intriguing. The reason why-"chubbiness"-is incredulous. After revisiting the cover of the 2012 SI Swimsuit cover featuring Upton, my complaint is not her size, but the unimaginative, fashion-less bikini chosen. Oh well…

The ongoing conversation regarding Supermodels, beauty, “chubbiness” and women, polarize our society. Magazine covers displayed at grocery store check-out stands, Barnes and Nobles, online, everywhere... seem to scream out -these women are happy because they're beautiful. Learn how to wear your hair, shoes, makeup, etc. so you too will be beautiful and therefore happy. Articles detailing workout and diet tips fill the pages, supposedly sharing the secrets of beauty, love and happiness. Is the media pressure exerted to be beautiful as defined by pop culture and fashion ‘experts’ so powerful that what is truly healthy is labeled as undesirable? Are the women of the United States and other developed countries truly enthralled by the pursuit of media beauty and the resultant rewards of love and happiness they suggest?


What do i know-i'm just a guy. This thought-provoking paraprosdokian injects a bit of humor into the conversation - Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

Kate Upton and the controversy surrounding her, has been eye-opening for me. Living in Manhattan and now Los Angeles, has provided me with quite an education about size 0 to 4 women. I won’t confess my ignorance about sizes 6, 8 and above, except for the occasional dalliance. Since the Kate Upton furor started, I’ve found myself observing fans at the live sporting events I cover as a member of the media. My observation has yielded this thought-beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and skin tones.

I thank and applaud Sports Illustrated, and for purposes of this writing, the SI Swimsuit Issue. The SI Swimsuit issue personifies beauty in all shapes, sizes and skin tones. Kate Upton as the 2012 cover girl-Awesome Choice! The furor it’s caused is great. Hopefully the great light Sports Illustrated and Kate Upton have cast on what true beauty is and can be, will be a big step in squashing the ignorance regarding beauty and women, staring with my own.

Kate Upton-”Chubby”- LOL. How about Kate Upton, Supermodel of today!

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Will Carmelo Anthony End 'Linsanity'?

(Photo: Bill Kostroun/AP)

New York Knick fans have been debating what impact the return of Carmelo Anthony would have on the team. A day after the Knicks defeated last years NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks, without ‘Melo’ in the lineup, the Knicks lost to the lowly crosstown rival New Jersey Nets, with ‘Melo’ in the lineup. Surprising? Not really. Team chemistry and flow are hard to develop on the fly. The question I’m pondering is, “Will ‘Melo’ end ‘Linsanity’?

‘Linsanity’ was launched by Jeremy Lin the bench warmer, transforming into Jeremy Lin starting point-guard for the Knicks. With Lin starting the team has won 7 of the 9 games playing winning team basketball, unlike losing basketball, Knick fans are weary of. Carmelo Anthony was traded to New York amid much fanfare last season and along with Amare Stoudemire, guided the Knicks to the playoffs. This season looked to be even more promising with the addition of free-agent Tyson Chandler and the drafting of Iman Shumpert. Promise quickly turned to disappointment.

Injuries, survival instincts, Carmelo Anthony suggestions to Knick head coach Mike D’Antoni, etc. led to Jeremy Lin being given a chance and what is commonly referenced as ‘Linsanity’-winning Knick basketball led by Jeremy Lin was launched. Again i wonder, ‘ Will ‘Melo’ end ‘Linsanity’–the Knicks playing winning basketball?

One night doesn’t a season, make or break. However, in this lock-out shortened campaign, the importance of each NBA game is magnified. New players in new places are having to learn team chemistry without the benefit of the usual practice time, playing more games on consecutive nights. Change is hard. Human nature is to resist change, to go with what one is comfortable with. Carmelo Anthony won a NCAA Championship with Syracuse in his one year of college. Anthony can create his own shot and score with the best in the NBA. Does that lead to championship basketball? How would Kobe Bryant, Shaq , and The G.O.A.T. respond?

Teams win Championships. Teams led by players with amazing talent, players like Carmelo Anthony. Will ‘Melo’ merge his superior talent with the New York Knick team? Is ‘Melo’ capable of bucking human nature and allowing the new starting point-guard, Jeremy Lin to guide the team to it’s full capability? The Knicks on paper, are as deep as any team in the league, certainly the East. This season is up for grabs. The Knicks could compete for a NBA Championship, something New York fans crave. ‘Melo’ holds the key.

Will ‘Melo’ end ‘Linsanity’ and the Knicks winning ways? The Knicks play Miami on Thursday. What a great opportunity for ‘Melo’ to begin to answer the question!

Stay Tuned…..

'The Vow' and The Beauty of True Love...

Love, love, love….today is love day. The one day love is especially celebrated. It’s estimated that over 190 million exchanges will happen , all in the name of love. I’ve always been fascinated by two elements of established days that become traditions for exchanging gifts and kind thoughts.

#1- Have you ever wondered how special days like Feb. 14th were picked and why? How did they become so important, at least in the United States? A bit of research indicates that early Christian martyrs, Romantics of the Middle Ages and business in the late 18th century somehow are the basis for Feb. 14th as love day. I’m still scratching my head, the only part that makes sense is the business side of it. A stationary store owner in England, found a sure way to generate a lot of revenue-encourage your customers to exchange cards expressing their feelings of love- and the rest is history…

#2- The guilt-giving of these special days like Feb. 14th. This is where special days become very interesting. Feb. 14th , for many people might as well be relationship contest day. The size or creativity or expense of the gift one receives and how many people know about determine the winners. Especially does this seem to be true for the adult female side of the equation. The gifts and cards family members and friends exchange aren’t being discussed here. We all know what we’re talking about. A movie titled ‘Valentine’s Day’ starring Ashton Kutcher , Julia Roberts, Jessica Biel, Taylor Swift, George Lopez, Jamie Foxx etc., comically, some say disastrously, depicted the travails of love day in the United States. The pressure, yearning, lying etc that go on all in the name of love, art imitating life. Do we really need a movie to show us, what we are all too familiar with?

Actually, possibly the answer to that question is ….Yes!

What about a a movie that inspires and is based on a true story of one couple’s true love? Which brings me to the just released film ‘The Vow’ starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams (yes, the same actress from ‘The Notebook’ ) Ok, where I am going with this. ‘The Vow’ is a movie that is inspired by real life. Yes, the real life of Kim and Krickett Carpenter. The Carpenter’s were married, then experienced a horrific event that truly tested their love. Their story and the film it inspired ‘The Vow’ demonstrate what true love is and can be about.

True love starts with one being more concerned about what one gives, more so than what one receives. Mama Romano shared a thought with me when I was a kid, a thought from the best selling book in the world, “There is more happiness in giving than there is receiving.”

Secondly true love is self sacrificing, the best interests of the other person come first, sometimes at the expense of self. Not $$$, although $$$ giving is very highlighted on love day, giving from one’s soul. Once again Mama Romano shared some thoughts about that too, from the same book, “ Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for it’s own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

‘The Vow’ inspired by Kim and Krickett Carpenter attempts to show the beauty of true love.

New York Knicks and LinSanity... Really? Yes, Really!!

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New York Knick guard Jeremy Lin is "en Fuego", has launched "LinSanity" and just about any other sports cliche that comes to mind. The Knicks season has been, shall we say-disappointing. All of a sudden the New York press has coined a new phrase, "LinSanity", to describe the play of Knick guard Jeremy Lin. When Lin scored 25 to lead the Knicks past the Nets, ok great,  New York got a win. My initial reaction was Jeremy who? The Knicks have now won three straight, and LinSanity is upon us.

Let's face it-New York is the media capital of the world. The love/hate affair the New York press has with it's hometown athletes,  is an ever revolving door-just ask Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. Sure Lin has been impressive in his last three games, and sure the Knicks have won those games, but once again i ask, Jeremy who? So research time...

The beauty of living in the information age is,  the access to information. Jeremy Lin is 23 years old and is 6 ' 3". Lin grew up in the Palo Alto area of California and is the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Lin led his high school basketball team to a state championship by defeating California powerhouse Mater Dei. Lin was on most everyone's list as the California High School Player of The Year. After sending out a DVD highlight package to several colleges (including his dream school UCLA), only Ivy league schools Brown and Harvard assured him of a spot in the rotation. Harvard, at first, wasn't interested, then changed their mind. Good move by Harvard. Lin accepted their offer and by his senior year paced Harvard to new highs for their basketball program. Lin graduated from Harvard with an economics degree in 2010.

The NBA draft came and no team expressed interest. The summer league offered Lin a chance to showcase his skills and Golden State, his hometown NBA franchise offered him a contract, which he accepted. Lin's rookie season was nondescript. When the NBA lockout was resolved, Golden State waived Lin. Houston claimed Lin off waivers , then waived him a few days later. New York looking for guard help after Iman Shumpert was injured in the Knick-Celtic game,  claimed Lin off waivers on Dec. 27, 2011.

Did anyone suspect this was the beginning of what is know known as LinSanity? Feb. 4th,  Lin scores the aforementioned 25 points in the Knick victory over the Nets. Wins over the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards have followed with New York looking somewhat respectable-LinSanity is launched!

LinSanity... Really? Yes, Really?

Absolutely, ya have to love LinSanity!! Jeremy Lin has been a difference maker with a basketball in his hand since high school. The perseverance he's shown is remarkable. Once again, what have the basketball decision makers been 'seeing', when it comes to Jeremy Lin. His play-making ability OR his 'look'? Lin's story is "Insane" and for sure INSPIRING!!  Sure, as NBA teams become familiar with Lin's game and get tape on him, adjustments will be made, and we'll have to see if Lin's success continues.

I, for one, will enjoy this. The Knicks are winning again, and why not? For any and all of us that have been told we couldn't make it for whatever reason, there's Jeremy Lin playing under the bright lights of 'Broadway', proving hard work, belief in self and never giving up, do payoff!

LinSanity... Really? Yes, Really!!

Duke's Austin Rivers Stuns Carolina; Duke 85-Carolina 84

Photo: Bob Donnan /U.S. Presswire

It will be called the shot heard around Chapel Hill and the world. As time expired Duke’s budding Superstar freshman Austin Rivers, connected on  a 3-pointer  over Carolina’s Tyler Zeller, to win the game. Shocking, Incredible, Stunning, pick any adjective that describes utter amazement.  Zeller in particular, must be numb over this game.

Duke doesn’t win this game without Zeller’s assist-literally.  Carolina was up 83-80 with just under 15 seconds  to play.  Duke’s Ryan Kelly shoots an errant 3-pointer that Carolina’s Zeller accidentally tips in, while trying for a rebound. WOW-when that play happened, everyone watching must’ve thought-Uh-oh, is the impossible, possible? The officials conferred  and granted Duke 2 points, Carolina 83-Duke 82.  Zeller is fouled and makes 1 of 2 free throws, Carolina 84-Duke 82. Duke grabs the defensive rebound, with no timeouts and 12 ticks of the clock, Rivers drives the ball down court and well, the rest is history.

Carolina was in complete control and led the entire second half , until Rivers shot went in as time expired. The Tar Heels were up 11 with 5:11 left in the game, up by 10 with under two minutes to play,  on their home court against rival Duke. Zeller, Barnes, Bullock were completely dominating Duke in the paint, having their way. Carolina had Duke right where they wanted them, or in actuality was it Duke that had Carolina positioned? I guess the final score best answers that question.

Carolina head coach Roy Williams is now 9-11 vs. Duke. The pain of the stunning loss was obvious in his post-game interview. He must still be wondering on the drive home, how his team lost this game, especially on their home court. The Carolina players especially Zeller , who was outstanding in the 1st half with 19 points, surely must be in a state of shock.

Austin Rivers- a superstar was born in this game! Rivers scored 29 points, the most points a freshman has ever scored against a Carolina team. With his famous Dad- head coach of the NBA Boston Celtics- sitting behind the Duke bench, Rivers willed his team to victory.

What a difference a few days and one game can make. Duke lost at home a few days ago to Miami, and looked completely deflated. Water cooler, had whispers of Duke being overrated. Conversely, the debate in the media was about Kentucky and Carolina  being the best, most talented and athletic teams in college today.  In reality, most thought Duke would be taken to the woodshed. Duke, Carolina and Florida State are now in a three-way tie for 1st place. Florida State lost earlier in the night to Boston College. Oh well…

Once again Mike Krzyzewski [Coach K] proved he is one of, if not the best coaches in the game. On paper, Carolina’s players  are bigger and stronger than Duke’s players. The game demonstrated that for all to see. What though does the final score show?

By the way, this game is the second win for the Duke basketball program in three days. Earlier in the week, the Duke Women defeated the Carolina Women 96-56. How do Coach K and Coach P continue to find ways to win? They just do!

Duke Clobbers Carolina 96-56

Duke Fans pre-game in Cameron Indoor Stadium

DURHAM, N.C. - The 2012 Duke -Carolina basketball rivalry was kicked off with the Duke Women hosting the Carolina Women in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke fans were in form, cheering on their beloved Duke team.

Carolina was the offensive aggressor for the first few minutes of the game, building an 8-4 lead. Duke was pushing the ball, playing with energy, almost hyper. As a result,  the Duke offense struggled for the first ten minutes or so, with their shooting percentage dipping  as low as 17% at one point in that span.  Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie sent in Tricia Liston and Allison Vernerey off the bench and switched to zone defense. “For us, actually, I thought we were a little bit hyper early. And so I actually switched to that [zone defense] for us, not for our opponent, to settle us down because we were going fast.”

Coach P’s strategy worked and  a Tricia Liston 3-pointer- the first of four she made on the night- gave Duke a 12-10 lead with 11:26 left in the 1st half.  Duke had found their rhythm and never relinquished the lead. The halftime score was Duke 50- Carolina 24.

The Tar Heels were ranked #22 coming into the game. Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell defended her team, “ I think we’re a better team than what we showed tonight. Three-point shooting was unbelievable, they got 30 points from the three and we got 6. “ Hatchell continued, “ I kept thinking Duke was going to miss some shots once in a while, and they hardly missed any. Duke is a great offensive team, but I think we’re a lot better team than we showed tonight. We have to keep working and getting better.”

Tricia Liston sets to make her fourth 3-pointer  of the night

Tricia Liston and Chelsea Gray kept raining three’s on Carolina, almost in spectacular fashion. One of Gray’s 3-pointers seemed to be shot from the parking lot, ok, certainly from well beyond NBA 3-point range. Five Duke players scored in double figures led by Tricia Liston’s 23,  Richa Jackson with 17, Chelsea Gray had 15, Elizabeth Williams totaled her fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Shay Selby scored 10 points and dished out a career high six assists. Williams also blocked six shots and now holds the ACC single season freshman blocks record with 85 blocks on the season.

The final score says it all….

Duke fans were thrilled with the final score and look forward to the next game in the Duke -Carolina rivalry. The Duke Men visit Chapel Hill to face the Carolina Men Wednesday night Feb. 8 at 9 p.m.