UNC’s record could have been much better if they won half of those close games last year, but they did not. They have always had better talent than their record in bad years as evidenced by the number of Tar Heels in the NFL. I think Butch Davis gets them over the edge on the way to a bowl game again this year. Though don't be shocked if UNC seriously challenges for the Coastal title.

North Carolina preview

Congrats on a new word, or at least a very rare one. As for the merits of your argument, I'm kinda glad you didn't even try to back it up with any facts, because you would have wasted most of your time trying to find them.

That said, good luck in the series. I don't expect LSU to be able to win game one, it's through the loser's bracket that I see the Tigers coming through.

Hey Carolina March,

Today is the big day. We've switched your community over to the new SB Nation sports blog platform. My name is Trei, and I'm here to help you get adjusted to the new home we've built for you. If you have questions or trouble with the new system, post a comment in this thread and myself or one of the team (lovitt, sixfoot6 or odacrem) will try to point you in the right direction.

Before we begin, I want to let you know we still consider this a beta platform, so don't be surprised if you find a few bugs or if everything isn't exactly right yet. We hope you'll take the time to report any problems you encounter at bugreport@sbnation.com. We'll be continuing to make changes and improving things.

Please take a few minutes to read about what's new below. But if you just can't wait to jump in, here are some quick things to check out:

1. Sign up for your SB Nation network account and claim your old blog accounts
2. Once you're logged in, press your  Z  key in any thread with new comments
3. Explore your dashboard and setup your profile
4. Read the guide to the new FanPost editor
5. Install the FanShot bookmarklet and post videos to Carolina March from YouTube or images from Flickr
6. Click the "Rec" button on posts and comments to help other people find the good stuff.
7. Customize display options on your Edit Settings page

What Has Changed

SB Nation Network Accounts - the Big Change

Readers across all of our blogs told us they wanted one account to use on every SB Nation blog. To make this work, we're requiring that everyone create a new SB Nation network account. In most cases you should be able to keep your old username, but a few of you may have to choose something new, since every other community in SB Nation will be going through this same transition. We tried to be as fair as possible in deciding who gets to keep which name, using a formula that takes into account length of membership and frequency of activity.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to participate on all of our blogs, but we don't want to encourage everyone to start visiting rival team blogs and initiating flame wars. To maintain friendly communities we ask that you explicitly join each blog in order to participate. It's a two-click process, but it does means accepting each blog's community guidelines. Just as you join each blog individually, you can be banned on each blog individually.

You can claim old accounts from multiple SB Nation blogs, and your new username will be retroactively attached to all your old comments and diaries. So now you'll be able to access all your writings from your single profile page... like magic.

To get started, click here to claim your old blog accounts and create a new SB Nation network account.

FanPosts (the Section Formerly Known as Diaries)

We changed their name. Why? Because we took this major upgrade as an opportunity to leave behind some vocabulary that never made much sense for a sports blog. SB Nation is the network of, by and for fans, and these are the blog posts we make. So we call them FanPosts. When you're at a bar telling someone to check out your online sports opinions, you don't have to suggest they read your diary.

FanPosts are displayed differently on the homepage - we include your avatar to give more credit for the time you spend writing great posts. The new post editor has a WYSIWYG view that provides easy formatting. It also auto-saves drafts so you don't have to worry about losing your work when you compose a post within the web browser. And you can now associate teams, players and games with your posts: these tools promote your FanPosts on our new team, player and game pages - across the entire network.

The new system does not work like the old diary editor. For example, in HTML mode the new editor doesn't auto-create a new paragraph from two line breaks. But it does offer a whole array of new features. Look for the blinking help button on the right side of the FanPost editor for quick tips, and take a look at our full guide to writing FanPosts on the new platform.

IMPORTANT - if you write your posts in Microsoft Word or some other off-line editor, you will get the most reliable behavior if you cut & paste your post into the HTML view of the FanPost editor. And if you do that, remember to wrap <p></p> tags around each paragraph so your text doesn't run together.

Visual Redesign

This one is probably the most obvious change of all. Like other major websites working to improve readability for their audience, we've adopted a fixed-width layout optimized for the 1024 x 768 resolution used by the majority of Carolina March and SB Nation network users. Use the switcher below the user menu if you prefer the wider layout designed for 1280 monitors. We've introduced a top navigation bar with quick links into old and new sections of the site. We also polished a few edges, made some things larger, others smaller and moved a few boxes here and there. More changes and adjustments to come.

Search

We've completely replaced the old search engine with a new one. We're excited to make it easier to find old posts and comments, but we've only taken our first pass on the tools we're offering. We're focused on making search even better than what you had before, so please know that we're aware search is missing key features and we're working on it.

What's New

Schedule, Scores, Stats and Roster

Carolina March now has all the basic information about the North Carolina Tar Heels and hundreds of other teams. During games you'll see a regularly updated line score, and as the season progresses we'll track team stat totals and leaders. This is just our first step, so look for us to publish more detailed and archival stats in the future. The best part about all this sports data is that we've integrated it directly into the blog so. We now have special pages that aggregate all blog posts written about games, players and teams.

Recommending FanPosts

Some writing deserves more attention and more conversation. If you want to bump a FanPost up to the top and keep it there for awhile, just click the 'Rec' link under the body of the post. When a FanPost receives enough recommendations it will make the recommended list.

Auto-refreshing Comments

You no longer need to refresh the page to see new comments. If you're logged in, new comments will automatically appear on the page every few seconds. When you post a comment, the page will not refresh either. If you want to quickly cycle through all the new comments, you can press the C key on your keyboard. Unmark a new comment after you've read it with the X key. And use the Z key if you want to umark comments as you're cycling through them.

As you use these shortcuts to cycle through comments, press the R key to reply to the current comment. All these helpful keyboard shortcuts are listed at the top of each comments section for reference.

Recommending Comments

Now you can reward those folks who take the time to look up stats and make smart arguments in the comments. Next to each comment there is an 'actions' link that you can click to find the recommend and flag options.

Flagging Comments

To help the moderators on a site, we've built-in tools that let you flag comments that are spam, trolling or just plain inappropriate. Only moderators can see those flags.

FanShots

Many members of the community just want to post that one link, video, photo or quote, but don't need a full FanPost. We've got you covered: FanShots let you share YouTube videos, Flickr or PhotoBucket photos, quotes from articles, portions of chat transcripts, top 5 lists and simple links. If it's a video or image we'll put a thumbnail on the homepage when you post it.

For those of you who are experienced internet hunter-gatherers of North Carolina Tar Heels material, install the bookmarklet onto the links bar of your browser and share FanShots with the community from wherever on the web you find that killer quote or photo.

Archives

It's much easier to find that post about a certain deadline trade or prospect retro feature. You can browse by year and month.

Avatars

Upload an image so folks can see your custom avatar on your profile, your FanPosts, and all your comments.

Network Profiles

Now that we have unified SB Nation network accounts, your profile will be your central hub for all of your activity on any blogs where you are a member.

Network bar

The top bar stays with you on all SB Nation blogs. It's a quick way to login and logout. When you're logged in, you'll see your avatar and screen name which links to your profile. The icon to the right leads to your Dashboard area where you can edit your settings, profile, account details and any FanPosts or FanShots you've published. As we add more blogs to the new SB Nation network, the My Blogs menu will be a handy way to navigate between the blogs you've joined.

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There are plenty more small changes and additions we've made, so please take a careful look around and explore this new system. We appreciate your patience and hope you'll help us improve the new platform for this and all the other SB Nation blogs.

And in case you missed it, you'll want to start by claiming your old blog accounts and creating a new SB Nation network account.

I am a huge Tar Heel fan in the midst of USC fans that are full of themselves.  The Gamecock fans say that UNC doesn't want to play them in any sport.

Poll

Who would like to see a Carolina Cup??

• No
• Yes

  23 votes | Results

Continue reading this post »

[editor's note, by TH] Bumping up from the diaries because really, who can deny the name Bobby Blizzard?

Former Tar Heel Tight End Bobby Blizzard has finally gotten back in the NFL and its about time!! The Cincinnati Bengals are giving Bobby a second chance after his stellar play in NFL Europa this season ... Blizzard led the Centurions with 38 receptions for 494 yards and six touchdowns. Its only a one year deal, but all he has to do is keep himself from being arrested and that should keep him on the roster (kick a dog when he's (bengals) down), eh

GOOD LUCK BLIZZARD!!!! One of the Greatest Names in Carolina History, only behind Alge Crumpler, who happens to be a Tight End as well ... hmmm

Former Tar Heel Dexter Reid is in trouble with the law. He got pulled over for suspicion of driving drunk, in the process, the cops found Dexter in possession of 3 ounces of marijuana and a hand gun. It was said that he was intending to sell the Marijuana. In reference to the hand gun, Dexter provided this story: "Reid told an officer the gun belonged to his uncle and that he needed it for protection, the officer said"

Why carry a loaded weapon, why not hire a body guard like Rob and Big from the hit MTV Show, heh.

I basically posted this so I would have an excuse to share this memorable moment in Dexter Reid's collegiate career:

As a die hard Seminole/Tar Heel fan I was both Enamored and Embarrassed at the time of this play

I guess Dexter had the last laugh with a Super Bowl Ring

curious to how many wins everyone thinks that coach davis can get out of the team in his first season. yes, he has done a great job on recruiting in only his first year. and we have some talented recivers but is there anybody that can get them the ball. our defense should be descent with the defense line. but the offense is a wild card, i think that sexton can be a good player, but in just his second year he might not be what we need and there could be some one else taking the snaps later into the season.

Poll

how good will tar heel football be in '07

• our standard issue 4-5 wins
• 6-8 wins and bowl berth
• 8+wins
• 8+ wins ACC Title BCS game
• less than 3 wins

  53 votes | Results

34th Annual ACC Baseball Championship
Jacksonville, Fla.
May 23-27, 2007

Wednesday, May 23
G1: #3 Virginia beats #6 NC State 6-1
G2: #2 North Carolina vs. #7 Georgia Tech 1:00 p.m.
G3: #4 Clemson vs. #5 Miami 4:00 p.m.
G4: #1 Florida State vs. #8 Wake Forest 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 24
G5: #3 Virginia vs. #7 Georgia Tech 4:00 p.m.
G6: #2 North Carolina vs. #6 NC State 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 25
G7: #4 Clemson vs. #8 Wake Forest 4:00 p.m.
G8: #1 Florida State vs. #5 Miami 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 26
G9: #6 NC State vs. #7 Georgia Tech 10:00 a.m.
G10: #2 North Carolina vs. #3 Virginia 1:00 p.m.
G11: #1 Florida State vs. #4 Clemson 4:00 p.m.
G12: #5 Miami vs. #8 Wake Forest 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 27
Championship Game 1:00 p.m.

info courtesy of TheACC.com

[Editor's note, by TH] I'm bumping this up from the diaries as it's a more detailed look at the article I mentioned earlier that's definitely worth reading. I'll go further into my own thoughts on the subject a little later, and maybe eventually get around to writing that What If bit about the 2006 season this week...

I was gonna comment on the "Early Entry" Post you had, but the comments are disabled so I'll just state my opinion via the Diary Section ...

Here's the article stating which UNC early Draft entrants were or were not successful by leaving early. And here's my thoughts (i was born in 83' so let me start with):

Jerry Stackhouse, 1995: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - What more did Stackhouse have to do in his NBA career? Sure he excelled mightily at UNC, but not every UNC guy is destined for great success in the NBA. I feel Stackhouse had/has a very reputable career in the NBA. "Stackhouse could have developed into a Hall of Fame caliber player" - I think Stackhouse became what he is, a player who can be very electric but doesnt have the stamina whether it be conditioning or what not to sustain any time of consistent dominance. I definitely don't think added time in college would have helped him.

Rasheed Wallace, 1995: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - The writer says Wallace would have benefitted from staying by maturing more. Again Wallace is who he is. More seasoning/experience in the Div-I Basketball was not gonna make him more mature. Plus he's had an above average NBA career in my eyes.

Antawn Jamison, 1998: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - The writer claims Tawn made the right decision by making boat loads of money, but yet so did Stackhouse and Wallace. Also to say Jamison is the most successful Tar Heel since Jordan is a little lopsided. How about Vince Carter? Sure he doesnt have a Championship, but he's played the majority of his career in Toronto. In the end I too agree with the writer in that Antawn made the right decision of leaving when he did.

Vince Carter, 1998: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - "Carter could have developed leadership skills and a rugged exterior. As it stands, he's an entertaining but soft pro. He should have come back." - I'll give you "soft" but he wouldnt have become any more of a leader or gained any more ruggedness had he stayed another year. Carter is an outstanding player, but like Tracy McGrady, he lacks the role players it takes to win that championship. I mean what is New Jersey doing by wasting the tandem of Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson? eek

Joseph Forte, 2001: Writer's Opinion - Left too Early. - This guy absolutely left too early. He was barely wet behind the ears when he left (whatever that means). I was absolutely shocked when he opted to leave and I was equally shocked when he was drafted as early as he was by the Boston Celtics. We should see Forte on one of those "Where are they now?" episodes on VH1 in the near future. I don't fully comprehend how someone with such talent could completely turn into nothing more than a trivia question. Joe where are you man!?!?

Raymond Felton, 2005: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - Ray Felton absolutely left at the right time, its a shame what Bickerstaff has done with the talent in Charlotte: Sean May, Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace, and Omeka Okafur? Are you kidding me? Raymond will have a consistent and sometimes dominant career should he continue to keep his endurance up. This guy is easily my favorite Tar Heel next to Ed Cota and Shammond Williams (theres something about those point guards)

Rashad McCants, 2005: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - It's hard to argue that any player should stay after having won a National Title, but to me Rashad should have stayed. Raymond and Sean carried that team in 05' as did David Noel and Jackie Manuel, but Rashad to me faded into the background. Had he stayed one more year, he would had to carry the entire team and may have stretched his game to new heights.

Marvin Williams, 2005: Writer's Opinion - Left at right time. - We barely knew thee. I'm not even sure what led an NBA team to select him so high, maybe ESPN Showcasing, I dont know. I never saw what the media and hype saw in Marvin Williams and now that he plays for the Hawks I never will. He should have definitely stayed in college.

J.R. Smith, 2006: He wasnt on the list, but he did sign a letter of intent to UNC, but elected to jump straight from highschool to the nba. To me the kid will eventually turn into a key component on his nba team, but right now he's basically a fringe player and its sad because he can leap small buildings in a single .... ahhh, anyway I think J.R. Smith would have definitely benefitted from going to college, if anything NBA teams would have had a better idea of what type of player he is and what type of playing time he should receive (which he currently isnt).

That's it from me, feel free to rip the opinions if you wish

sooooo I've taken a long hiatus from being a full-fledged Tar Heel fan. Not because I piggy backed on another school (although FSU is my first love). My absence basically stems from graduating from college, a disappointing existence of Carolina Football under John Bunting, and the Mets finally playing GOOD baseball. I also have to admit that after Raymond Felton and the boys won that Title, I lost a little bit of interest in the BBall team. Okay a lot of interest. I still kept up with the team, but from a far.

I'm still infatuated with the Heels and with the new Coaching in place (Thank You collegiate jesus for Butch Davis) and I've got a UNC Tattoo so it's kind of hard to disown the university, heh. Anyway I was hoping you guys could give me a quick brush up on what the starting line-up for the football team is shaping up to be. Who's QBing? Who will replace McGill? Any potential Peppers come-ups?

Thanks in advance for the education.