While Tyler Zeller and John Henson get accolades for their skills on the court, a former Tar Heel receives some for his skills as a coach, or should I say head coach! Wes Miller, who played for coach Williams and was part of the 2005 national championship team, has gone from UNCG’s interim coach to its new head coach, as he and the university agreed to a five year contract. With this move Miller, who lead the Spartans to a Southern Conference North Division title, becomes the youngest Division I head coach. UNCG is definitely not the mecca of basketball, but with the school giving the head coach a five year deal it makes it feel as though they are going to give Miller the time to be able to turn this program around. That time is also going to be plenty for the former Tar Heel to be able to get the proverbial feet wet in this industry and become as good as he can as the man at the helm of a program.

“I am extremely proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to coach our team at UNCG over the last two months,” said Miller. “I believe in our players and the leadership at our university, and I believe that we have the foundation to take UNCG to the next level as a basketball program. I am honored to be named UNCG’s next basketball coach and I am extremely motivated to make the most of this opportunity.”

But coach Miller does not only have talent on the hardwoods, he has also penned “The Road to Blue Heaven“, a diary of his experiences as a basketball player while at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (On a side note: if you have not gotten to it yet, buy this book, it’s an awesome read) If the young coach can do just as well as a mentor as he did as a player we might be reading another book soon. Until then let me just say how excited I am for Wes Miller to get a chance like this, one that is totally deserved and am sure will bring about some great things for both the coach and the program. I, along with many others I am sure, wish all the best to coach Miller as he becomes yet another coach in the Carolina tree.

It seems that for former Tar Heel Raymond Felton, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, could be seeing a move in his future, again. The former 2005 national champion, who has played for Charlotte, New York, Denver and now Portland, could be now headed to play for the LA Lakers. The low down is that the point guard has had a run in with his coach over lack of confidence following a seven point quarter against LA, while the Lakers are in need for help at that position, makeing the rumors seem pretty believable. In my view point this could be a great thing for a floor general that knows how to dish the ball with the talent that he would have to play with. Now, this is not the move that puts the LA franchise over the top, but it is a move that would definitely help both parties.

According to HoopsVibe.com, “Reports indicate the Los Angeles Lakers are speaking to the Portland Trail Blazers about Ray Felton, who is upset after losing his starting spot.”

While the former UNC guard has not had a great first part of the season with the Trail Blazers, the fact is that going to the Lakers would mean that Felton would be running an offense close to the one he ran with the Knicks, and did well, where he averaged 17.1 pts, 9.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 42% from the floor and 32% from beyond the arc. With the talent he would be surrounded in LA you have to believe those numbers could even be better.

Roland Lazenby, who has written several books on the Los Angeles Lakers, said the following using my favorite tool, twitter…

“I hear they want both Felton and (Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael) Beasley. That’s their goal. But talk is cheap right now. The source is good (though).”

Some other sites say this won’t happen since Portland is going to need a PG back for Felton and LA would not have anything they want. On the other hand I am sure that the Trail Blazers would take someone they might use than to keep someone that their head coach won’t play, or not play enough to make a difference. I guess as the old saying going, time will tell, but for now the thought of this move brings a smile to this old Heel. And of course if more comes out I will make sure to update this.

After the break that people call NBA All-Star Weekend the National Basketball Association was back in action last night with nine games overall with plenty of former Carolina players in action. Which means it’s time once again to get going with the “Heels in the Pro’s” (NBA) post. It’s also time to remind all the UNC fans that some of these players are still from the Dean Smith era, who turned 81 yesterday. In a shortened season the second half will come and go quickly and so hang on to your seat if your team is close to being in the playoffs, because one bad week, depending on whom, can take you out of the race or put you right back into it. But enough with the what if’s and let’s get going with this edition of “Heels in the Pro’s” for 02/29/12…

In the first game of the night it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers {EC ~ Central} (13-19 ~ 8-10 at home) hosting the Boston Celtics {EC ~ Atlantic} (16-17 ~ 5-9 on the road) for the third match up (out of three) between the franchises after having split the first two games. The game was played at the Quicken Loans Arena in front of a crowd that numbered 15,971. For the home squad it’s Antawn Jamison, who started at power forward and played a total of 37 minutes in all. For the 14th year pro it was not a great shooting night as he scored eight points (4 for 15 ~ 0 for 3 ~ 0 for 0) to go to with eight rebounds, two steal, an assists and three TOs with a -6 pts differential. In the end it was Boston winning this one, defeating Cleveland by the final of 86 to 83. With the loss the Cavs are tied for third in the conference, 13 games behind the leading Bulls, and are 2.5 games behind the last playoff spot.

In the next match up it’s the Indiana Pacers {EC ~ Central} (22-12 ~ 11-4 at home) to host the Golden State Warriors {WC ~ Pacific} (13-18 ~ 4-9 on the road) for the second and final match up between the two teams, with the first one going to Indiana. The game was played in front of 12,111 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. For the home squad we have another former Tar Heel who plays power forward, Tyler Hansbrough, who comes off the bench and plays 16 minutes in all. The third year pro was close to a double double, scoring 15 points (4 for 8 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 7 for 8 ) and grabbing 9 boards, along with a steal and a TO while having a pts differential of -7 for the game. In the end it was Indiana winning this one by a land slide, taking down Golden State by the final score of 102 to 78. With the win the Pacers are in second place in their division, 5 games behind the leading Bulls, while having the third slot in the playoff chase, also 5 games back of the top spot.

The third game of the night it’s the Toronto Raptors {EC ~ Atlantic} (10-24 ~ 5-13 on the road) going to the lone star state to take on the Houston Rockets {WC ~ Southwest} (21-14 ~ 15-4 at home) for the first of two match ups. The game was played at the Toyota Center in front of a crow that numbered 13,337. For the team from north of the border it’s former Heel Ed Davis, who comes off the bench for 22 minutes in all. In that time the second year player scored five points (2 for 2 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 1 for 2), to go with a game high 15 rebounds and a block along with a -2 pts differential. As far as the game it was a close one that Houston won, defeating Toronto by the final of 88 to 85. With the loss the Raptors are now last in their division, 10.5 games behind the leading 76′ers, and are 6.5 games out of the playoff race.

In the fourth game of the night it’s the Dallas Mavericks {WC ~ Southwest} (21-14 ~ 13-7 at home) hosting the New Jersey Nets {EC ~ Atlantic} (11-15 ~ 8-12 on the road) in the only game between the two franchises. The game was played in front of an attendance of 20,170 at the American Airlines Center. For the defending NBA Champions we have three former Carolina players on the roster. The first one is center Brendan Haywood, who starts and plays 29 minutes in all. In that time the 11 year pro has a double double, scoring 18 points (7 for 10 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 4 for 5) and 10 rebounds, to go with three blocks, an assist, and a steal while having a pts differential of +8. The next one is Vince Carter, who starts at the shooting guard and plays 22 minutes. For the 14 year pro it’s fairly quiet night, scoring two points (1 for 4 ~ 0 for 2 ~ 0 for 1) to go with a board, two TOs and a 0 for pts differential. And lastly it’s Brandan Wright, who comes off the bench for seven minutes in this one. The fourth year power forward scores 4 points (2 for 2 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 0 for 0) to go with two blocks and a pts differential of -3. In the third close game of the night it was New Jersey winning this game by one point, squeezing by Dallas by the final tally of 93 to 92. With the loss the Mavs are now tied for second in the division, 3.5 games behind division leading Spurs, while being tied for fourth place in the playoff race, 6.5 games behind the first place and just 0.5 games in front of the next squad.

And in the final game of the night we have the Minnesota Timberwolves {WC ~ Northwest} (18-17 ~ 8-7 on the road) going to the long beach state to take on the Los Angeles Clippers {WC Pacific} (20-12 ~ 12-5 at home) in the second (of four) games between the franchises, with the first one going to Minnesota. The game, played at the STAPLES Center, had an attendance of 19,243. For the visiting team it’s former Tar Heel shooting guard Wayne Ellington, who comes off the bench for one minute in all. In that time the third year pro does not do much with the exception of having a -4 pts differential. As far as the game went it was Minnesota taking this one by a dozen, defeating Los Angeles by the final of 102 to 97. With the win the T’Wolves are tied for third in the division, 9.5 games behind the leading Thunder, and are just 0.5 games behind the last team in the post season chase.

All that I can say, as a old Tar Heel, is: happy birthday Dean Smith. The legendary coach turns 81 today and I thought that putting up this picture of him closing out his career would be the best way to remember the man who gave us some many memories of his own. And while you are at it, check out this graphic on what coach Smith while being the head man at North Carolina. For someone like myself, who watched most of the years that coach Smith roamed the bench as the head coach for the Tar Heels, it was tough to watch him step down and even tougher to hear about his declining health.

So maybe I was wrong, I can say: happy birthday Dean Smith, but can also add: thanks for all the memories and best wishes to you!

With the National Football League being over and done, congrats of course to former Tar Heel wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and the New York Giants, it is time to check out what the NFL draft, which is divided into three sections this year, could bring to the next wave of Carolina players going to the next level. This year round one will be on Thursday, April 26, where it seems that not one but two defensive players from Chapel Hill should hear their names called by a team. With a bit more than two month away from this I decided to start looking at what some of the sites are saying about all of this. So, without further ado, let’s look at what eight mock drafts are predicting…

• First, from ESPN Insiders, it’s Mel Kiper, the man who made mock drafts popular, saying that DE Quinton Coples will be called seventh overall, by the Jacksonville Jaguars, while OLB Zach Brown will end up at the 23rd slot, heading to the Detroit Lions.
• At another main stream media site, CBS Sports, two different mocks are found. The first one is by Rob Rang, who has Coples also going seventh to the Jags, while Dane Brugler has the defensive end dropping to the 12th spot, heading to the Seattle Seahawks. Neither of them have the UNC line backer in the first round.
• At the Sporting News Russ Lande puts down his mock draft. In it he has not one, not two, not three, but four former Tar Heels going in the first round. First surprise is that he put Zach Brown as the first one going in the draft, in the tenth spot, to the Arizona Cardinals, two slots later it’s Quinton Coples’ turn, going to the Cincinnati Bengals. At the 20th spot it’s another DE from Chapel Hill, Donte Paige-Moss, going to the Oakland Raiders and finally at the 26th spot we have WR Dwight Jones to the Houston Texans.
• From a mock draft with four Heels in the first round we go to one with just one, in the Walter Football. In this one the only player from Chapel Hill is DE Quinton Coples, going eighth to the Miami Dolphins.
• Drafttek also has the defensive end going to Miami, plus it puts OLB Zach Brown joining Nicks and the Super Bowl Champs NY Giants with the 32nd pick.
• Over at the site NFL Draft Geek they see it like ESPN and one of the two at CBS with Coples going seventh overall to the Jaguars. On this site the DE is the only one going in the first round.
• And finally, on National Football Post, there is just Quinton Coples going in the first night of the NFL draft, just like the prior site, going seventh to Jacksonville.

In all I looked around at seven sites, and will check more in the next few days, but from this small survey you have to believe that Quinton Coples is a Top 10 pick, which is a big slide for him as he was thought of as a Top 3 before the beginning of the college season, while Zach Brown could or could not hear his name called in the first round. If he does not I am sure that he will hear it early on in the second day of the draft. The other thing to consider about all of this is if, as predicted by most, Andrew Luck goes first there would be a lot of movement for Robert Griffin III. Depending on which teams does what the position of Coples and other UNC players could easily shift either way.

The Tar Heels took care of the Tigers for the 56th time in a row at home, the longest streak in any college basketball series. Here is my recap of the game over at isportsweb. You can also check out recaps of the 74 to 52 win by UNC at Tar Heel Blog, Keeping it Heel or Carolina March. North Carolina has four games left to play in the regular season, with three on the road, two of them against Top 25 teams in Virginia and arch-rival Duke. As of right now head coach Roy William’s squad seems to be locked into a second seed for the NCAA Tournament, they will have to keep winning if they hope to step up to the top line, and they can ill afford to fade away if the do not want to drop from that spot.

However, with the inside game going well and with the outside shooting coming around this team could be gearing itself up for a good post season run. The young man leading the way is point guard Kendall Marshall, who could break the single season career mark this year. Harrison Barnes is also coming into his own and has led the scoring the last two games and has poured in 20+ in the last three games the Heels have played.

And once again it’s time to check out what the former North Carolina basketball players are doing at the next level by doing today’s “Heels in the Pro’s” (NBA). If you are interested in someone who might become a Tar Heel check out my small blog on isportsweb about Troy Williams. As far as yesterday went in the National Basketball Association there was a total of ten games in all, of which four had a touch of carolina blue in them. So, without any more interruptions let’s get going with this edition of “Heels in the Pro’s” (NBA) for 02/06/12…

The first game of the night has the Toronto Raptors {EC ~ Atlantic} (8-18 ~ 5-12 on the road) going to the capital to take on the Washington Wizards {EC ~ Southeast} (5-20 ~ 4-10 at home) in the third of four games between the teams, with the first two games being split. The game, played in front 14,687, was at the Verizon Center. For the team from up north it’s former Tar Heel Ed Davis, who comes off the bench for 16 minutes. In that time the power forward went scoreless (0 for 1 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 0 for 0), getting three rebounds, two steals and a turnover while having a +2 points differential in the game. As far as the game went it was Washington winning the game in OT, beating Toronto by the final of 111 to 108. With the loss the Raptors stay in last place of the division, 10.5 games behind the leader and are four games back of the last playoff spot in the East.

The second game of the night that has a touch of carolina blue is a inter conference match up between Phoenix Suns {WC ~ Pacific} (10-14 ~ 5-8 on the road) and the Atlanta Hawks {EC ~ Southeast} (16-9 ~ 8-4 at home) in the first of two games between the franchises. The game was played at the Philips Arena in front of 11,823. For the home team there are two former UNC players on the roster, the first one is Marvin Williams, who starts and plays for 32 minutes. In that time the seventh year pro scored eight points (3 for 8 ~ 0 for 3 ~ 2 for 2), to go with five rebounds, two assists, a turnover and a pts differential of +4. While Jerry Stackhouse came off the bench for just four minutes, going scoreless (0 for 0 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 0 for 0) and doing nothing much else but having a +7 pts differential. In the end, the game went to Phoenix, defeating Atlanta by 9, with the final score being 99 to 90. With the loss the Hawks slide to 2.5 back of the division leader while being in fifth place for the post season, just one game back of the fourth squad.

The next game is a inter divisional match up as the San Antonio Spurs {WC ~ Southwest} (17-9 ~ 4-8 on the road) takes on the Memphis Grizzlies {WC ~ Southwest} (12-13 ~ 7-4 at home) in the third game of four between them, with the first two going to the Spurs. The game was played in front of 13,527 fans at the FedExForum. In this for the visiting team it’s Danny Green, who comes off the bench and plays for 30 minutes in all. The former Heel guard scores two points (0 for 8 ~ 0 for 3 ~ 2 for 2) to go with four rebounds, four assists, one block and a pair of turnovers while having a 0 for points differential. As far as the game was concerned it was San Antonio winning this one, defeating Memphis 89 to 84. With the W the Spurs keeps first place by 2.5 games while being in second place for the post season, 3 games back of the top spot.

In the last game we have the Houston Rockets {WC ~ Southwest} (14-11 ~ 4-8 on the road) going to the mile high city to take on the Denver Nuggets {WC ~ Northwest} (15-10 ~ 7-5 at home) for the first of four match ups between the squads. The game was played at the Pepsi Center in front of an attendance of 14,501. For the home squad it’s former Tar Heel floor general Ty Lawson, who starts and plays a team high 39 minutes. In that time the third year point guard scores 13 points (5 for 14 ~ 1 for 5 ~ 2 for 3) to go with a game high seven assists, one rebounds, one steal and three TOs while having a -2 pts differential. In the end it was Houston taking this one, beating Denver by the final of 99 to 90. With the loss the Nuggets are now in second place in the division 4.5 behind the leader, while in fourth place for the playoff race, also 4.5 games back of the top spot.

Now that I am back from my health problems, which I will not get into, I am once again going to pick up the “Heels in the Pro’s” (NBA) where I check on the former North Carolina players who are now in the National Basketball Association. With the basketball season about a third of the way over there is much to see what is going to happen, which team will make it to the post season and which will not. With yesterday being Super Bowl Sunday there was not much action but let’s get right to it with this edition of “Heels in the Pro’s” for February 5, 2012…

In the only game with a touch of carolina blue it’s the Toronto Raptors {EC ~ Atlantic} (8-17 ~ 5-11 on the road) going to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat {EC ~ Southeast} (18-6 ~ 11-2 at home) in what is the first of three games between the franchises. The game was played at the AmericanAirlines Arena in front of a crowd that numbered 19,802. For the team north of the border it’s second year pro Ed Davis, who comes off the bench for a total of 30 minutes. In that timeframe the power forward scored eight points (4 for 5 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 0 for 0) to go with eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal while having a pts differential of -9. As far as the game went it was Miami taking this one, defeating Toronto by the score of 95 to 89. With the loss the Raptors are in last place in their division, 9.5 games behind the leader and in 12th place in the conference, 4 games from the last playoff spot

Unfortunately due to family matters I been a bit absent from posting, but that should have been settled and now I can come back and give you my daily post about the former Carolina players now in the NBA which I call “Heels in the Pros” (NBA) for 01/03/12. In all there were six games on tap last night in the National Basketball Association, of those games half had a former UNC player on their roster. With the new year ranking third in the AP and fourth in the ESPN/USA Todays polls it is nice to see that the present team is following in the shoes of players before them. So, without further ado, let’s get this edition of “Heels in the Pros” (NBA) for January 3, 2012…

In the first game of the night it’s the Charlotte Bobcats (EC ~ Southeast) going north to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (EC ~ Central) in what is the first of three games between the franchises. The game was played in front of 14,173 at the Quicken Loans Arena. For the home team it’s long time pro Antawn Jamison, who starts at the power forward slot and tets a total of 26 minutes. In that time the 16 year veteran scores 19 points (7 for 16 ~ 2 for 5 ~ 3 for 5) to go with six rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist while having a +11 points differential. As far as the game went it was Cleveland (3-2, 2-1 at home) beating Charlotte (1-4, 0-2 on the road) by the final of 115 to 101. According to Jeff Sack, at Pro Hoops Central, Irving and Thompson were key in this win. With the W the Cavs second in the conference, half a game behind division leader Chicago.

Clipped from: scores.espn.go.com (share this clip)

The second game of the night with a touch of carolina blue is the one that has the Atlanta Hawks (EC ~ Southeast) going to the windy city to take on the Chicago Bulls (EC ~ Central) in what is the first of four game between the clubs. The game was played at the United Center in front of an attendance that numbered 22,166. For the visiting team we have Marvin Williams, who starts at the small forward spot, where he gets 32 minutes in all. In that time frame the seventh year man score 14 points (5 for 10 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 4 for 7) to go with eight boards, two assists, a steal and a TO while having a pts differential of +7. The other former Tar Heel on the team, Jerry Stackhouse, does not play in this one (DNP) due to a coach’s decision. In the end in this one it was Chicago (5-1, 2-0 at home) winning by a duece, taking down Atlanta (4-2, 2-2 on the road) 76 to 74. With the loss the Hawks slide to second place in their division, one game back of division leading Miami.

Clipped from: scores.espn.go.com (share this clip)

Finally, in the last game of the night, we havea divisional match-up between the Portland Trail Blazers (WC ~ Northwest) taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder (WC ~ Northwest) in what is the first of four games. The game, played at Chesapeake Energy Arena, had a crowd that numbered 18,203. For the visiting squad we have seventh year pro Raymond Felton, who starts at point guard and plays 36 minutes in all. In that time the floor general scores a dozen points (4 for 11 ~ 1 for 3 ~ 3 for 4) to go with six boards, steals, two assists, a block and three TOs to go with a +7 pts differential. As far as the game went it was Portland (4-1, 1-1 on the road) winning this one by ten, defeating Oklahoma City (5-2, 3-1 at home) 103 to 93. With the W the Trail Blazers are tied for first place with OKC in the division, half a game ahead of Denver.

Clipped from: scores.espn.go.com (share this clip)

With ten days gone in the season there are no undefeated teams in the league, and four with one loss, while there is still one team without a win, the Washington Wizards, along with two teams with just one win. In all there are four teams 2.5 games (or more) back of their division leaders. In Hollinger’s NBA power rankings only the Denver Nuggets are a team with a touch of carolina blue in the Top Five. Three more join them, Spurs/Mavs/Trail Blazers, in the Top 10.

Check out my article from isportsweb about the 2013 five star recruit Troy Williams. I will be interviewing several people in the coming days/weeks about this (and other) young man that are on the Heels’ radar. If you have any questions to ask about any possible recruits for North Carolina please let me know in the comments and I will make sure to ask the analysts. This is what Bobby Bancroft, who covers Mason and G’Town for “106.7 The Fan” and the Big East & recruiting for National Hoops Report, said this of the young man who plays AAU for the famous Boo Williams team…

“I’ve seen him a few times both last season in HS and during the summer in AAU. He’s got incredible athleticism that would be best served on a team that gets up and down the court. His shot needs work but it’s fixable. I really think it’s a top 3 of Kentucky, UNC, Georgetown. I’d put Kentucky as the favorite.”