THE DAILY HOOP

Chuck Amato is in real trouble. I know that phrase is thrown around a little too much, but this time it is a factual comment. Lee Fowler, State’s AD, refuses to talk. And Amato’s press conference started yesterday with the provision that any “status” questions would bring an end to the festivities. So, the fine people at the Technician decided to test the waters.

Unless the Pack just obliterates ECU on Saturday, I can’t imagine a scenario where Chuck keeps his job. As many have pointed out, Amato has reached the point where every game is a referendum on his job. That’s a horrible place for a coach to live (see: Sendek, Herb). It’s time for Amato to find a new neighborhood.

Early in the college basketball season, I’ve been very impressed with Georgia Tech and Maryland from the ACC. If Tech can be consistent with its defense and ball-handling, they will be a monster later in the year once their young folks get some experience. The Terps handled a solid Winthrop team last night and currently sit at 6-0. With all the attitudes gone, this year’s Maryland squad looks like one of Gary Williams teams from back-in-the-day. They press, they work, they’re smart, and they have some moxie. Mike Jones and DJ Strawberry provide Williams with a super backcourt. Both teams should make the big dance easily.

Call me crazy, but I think Duke will make it to the Final Four this year. The Devils have some size (McRoberts, Zoubek, Thomas), some versatility (Nelson, McClure, Henderson), good guards (Paulus, Scheyer, Henderson), and a great coach. This team reminds me a little of K’s Final Four groups of 1988 and 1990. Neither of those teams had superior players (although Danny Ferry certainly could be considered as such), but they were both extremely good defensively and very versatile (with good passing big men). This year’s Duke team is similar. If they can hit the 3 ball enough, they’ll be difficult to beat.

It’s true that the Tar Heels might be struggling some right now (although this is relative…just ask Boston College, Kansas and Texas). But Tyler Hansbrough is not part of that struggle. He’s been awesome. Mike DeCourcy has a great piece on Psycho T.

A sad day in Ann Arbor. Bo Schembechler was an icon, and a terrific coach. I’d like to see OSU win the game this weekend, but it would be nice if the Wolverines could squeak out a victory for Bo.

I realize that the Ohio St. and Michigan folks take their annual get-together seriously, but I’m not sure the people running the OSU side of this rivalry really want to promote this. Somebody please tell me the Buckeyes aren’t letting folks bring these things in to the stadium.

The college hoops season is just getting underway, but it’s never too early to size up the brackets. Maryland is my pick to make it in to the projected bracket next week, especially if they can beat Michigan St.

As I was watching the first half of last night’s Carolina-Winthrop game, I thought there would be no way the Heels would come back and win the game. When a guy from a mid-major (Torrell Martin) hits 6 three’s in a half on his way to 20 points you generally don’t overcome that. When you throw the ball away 14 times in a half giving the opposition multiple fast break opportunities, you usually lose the game. Add to these things to the fact that Winthrop is well-coached and is used to winning and you have a have an upset in the making.

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The North Carolina Tar Heels played their first basketball game of the season tonight. After the lackluster effort in the last four minutes of their preseason game against Pheiffer, it was assumed that the Heels would come out with fire and passion and crush the Pioneers of Sacred Heart. The crush part happened, but it happened much later than anticipated.

Employing an offense UNC is likely to see over and over again this season, the Pioneers spread the floor, worked the shot clock and launched one three-pointer after another. Unfortunately for UNC, Sacred Heart knocked down a good many of those threes. The Pioneers kept the game close for a half, and never really let Carolina put them away. It’s hard to be disappointed with scoring 103 points in a 22 point win. However, Sacred Heart did expose several glaring weaknesses the Heels have right now.

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A big question looms out in the world today: The Tar Heels scored 140 points in their pre-season game against Pheiffer yesterday. I have to say, that’s the most points I’ve ever seen scored by one team in a college basketball game. Obviously, UNC won the game. The Heels won by 39, which is a sizeable margin. In fact, Carolina led by 50 or more for most of the second half.

But do the math. UNC won by 39 and scored 140. That means, of course, that Pheiffer scored 100 too (101 to be exact). Scoring 140 is good. Giving up 101 is not. Roy Williams was none to pleased. To be fair, the Heels defense was non-existent only in the last 4 minutes of the game. At the last time-out of the game, UNC led 128-73. Had both teams emptied the bench at that point, the final would have been something like 135-85. 135 points and a 50 point win - all would have been joyful on the Hill.

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How about those Rutgers Scarlet Knights? They scored 21 unanswered points and held Louisville to about half their average in winning last night’s game. The Knights have no chance of playing for the national title, but they sure did open the door for a bunch of one-loss teams (USC, Texas, Notre Dame, just to name a few). And check out the scene after the game on the Rutgers site. You think those kids were ready to party?

At roughly 1am on election night the focus of attention turned to 2008. While the Democrats grabbed control of Congress, it appears that the GOP is in good shape at the moment to keep the White House. A variety of polls indicate that the Republican candidate would defeat any Democrat in a general election. And look who is at the top of several GOP-nominee polls (not McCain).

If you’re a fan of good songwriting and country music, you’ll enjoy Vince Gill’s new 4 CD box set. That’s right, 4 CD’s. Gill has lots of great folks helping him with these songs. If you’re curious (like I was) why Vince would attempt something like this, read CMT’s insightful interview with him.

It has become fashionable to push the Tar Heel basketball team all the way through the season and in to the Georgia Dome (the site of this year’s Final Four). The Heels are good, no doubt about it. But they’re young.

Of course, they do have Roy on the bench. So, that’s a plus. But Coach Williams will have to figure out a way to get minutes for a slew (10-12) players on a nightly basis.

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Wow, what an amazing day yesterday. Never in my wildest thoughts did I ever imagine the Democrats pulling off the trifecta - winning back the House, the Senate and taking over the majority of the country’s Governorships. In fact, the party of the left was able to flip 43 House, Senate and Governor seats. 43! That is one huge number.

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All parents have pet names for their kids. This is my funny name for my son. It’s a great name, it sounds cool, and it rhymes with lots of stuff.

You’ll see some other interesting names on this site from time to time. If you’d like to see a short history of my names, stay tuned for a link on our Forum page.