Tarheels stomp Boston College 91-69

After suffering their first loss of the season against Maryland a swift turnaround was in order for the no. 4 ranked Tarheels. Determined to bounce back they put the petal to the metal and shifted into overdrive. Ty Lawson orchestrated the up-tempo run game and pushed the ball on almost every possession. As usual the game plan worked and the fans in Chapel Hill got treated to another high scoring blowout. It was a solid all-around team effort from UNC. Tyler Hansbrough was the team leading scorer with 18 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. Deon Thompson followed up his teammate's performance with a career-high 17 points in the 91-69 win.

Allowing Boston College to cut into a big lead before halftime Coach Williams was so irate he jerked all the starters from the court and inserted his bench players. When the starting 5 returned they all contributed in some aspect or other. The starters all reached double figures in scoring and refused to let up on the pressure they applied to Boston College. Ty Lawson helped cap off another strong performance by the Heels dishing out 10 assists. His health will be critical for the Tarheels late in the season. Having another key guard go on the shelf after the loss of Bobby Frasor due to his ACL injury could be devastating.

North Carolina bumps it's record up to 20-1 and 5-1 in the ACC. They're slated to face Duke next week. February will put UNC to the grind. They'll finish out the schedule playing Clemson, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, UVA, Florida State, and Duke one more time. Each team other than Duke and UNC has lost 3 games a piece in the conference. Once again the two top teams reign supreme in the conference.

Blockbuster deal in the works, Mets hope to lure in Santana

There has yet to be a big trade in MLB and one team is on the verge of completing a mega deal. Finally it looks like Johan Santana has found a new home in New York with the Mets. He's been the hottest acquisition in the off-season. I'm glad the flame-throwing southpaw looks to be joining the Mets instead of the Yankees. What I question about the deal is why the Twins agreed to trade him for 4 prospects. Do they think this is the best decision? They could at least obtain a veteran star hitter to add to their lineup or bench. Johan can propel the Mets to atop the NL East and enter the playoffs after a disappointing late season collapse in 2007.

Still a few kinks have to be worked out before the deal is finalized. Johan has to waive has no-trade clause and not be offered a contract extension. The deal the star pitcher expects is a 6-year contract worth $150 million. I don't see why the Mets wouldn't extend such an offer. Negotiations will continue as a deadline late Friday afternoon has been set to arrive at a finalized deal. The Mets will be able to compete with the Phillies and the Braves in what may shape up to be a tight NL East race. If the deal is sealed I still think the Twins are dumb for not getting a better mix of talent for arguable the best pitcher in baseball.

Warriors slap around Knicks, Biedrins snags 26 rebounds!

As usual the New York Knicks walk off the court after a road loss with a bitter taste left in their mouth. Sure, still a better record than Miami, but how long is that going to last? Isiah Thomas continues to take most of the blame for the team's dismal performance. Sunday didn't help matters either for his future coaching spot in New York as the Warriors welcomed their foes with open arms at Oracle Arena in Oakland. I'd like to say Golden State whooped up on the Knicks instead the game resulted in a 106-104 final in favor of the Warriors. Baron Davis and company will take a win however they get it (even against the most mediocre teams).

The real headliner of the game was GS center Andris Biedrins who dominated in the paint, ripping down 26 rebounds! I know this was against the Knicks yet it's still an unbelievable feat. The last time any player in franchise history exceeded such an effort was in 1981 when Larry Smith had 31 against Denver. Biedrins added 11 points for good measure to go along in the scoring effort with Monta Ellis' 24 and Baron Davis' 22 points. Despite the Knicks horrendous shooting on threes (18%) they managed to stay ahead until the 4th quarter where the Warriors went on a 17-5 run. The two teams traded baskets in the final minutes, but it was Stephen Jackson's free throws near the end that sealed the win.

Free agent reports claim the Warriors and Chris Webber are in negotiations. Despite his past feud with Coach Don Nelson the two are willing to put their differences aside. I think the veteran would make a good reserve to fill quality minutes off the bench and provide another reliable scorer. Webber's defense may be the real question. He's getting older and doesn't possess quite the leap in his step or quickness anymore. Still I think Golden State can really better from having a experienced leader like him on the court.

Duke dishes out loss to Virginia Tech

The Duke Blue Devils ran their win streak to 6 games after a 81-64 outcome Thursday night against Virginia Tech. Holding off any spurts late in the game Duke was able to keep a decent lead and makes stops when needed. This one didn't evolve into a high-scoring affair and leading scorers only had 16 points a piece, which were freshman guard Kyle Singler and Tech's A.D. Vassallo. Duke lead the game 42-38 at halftime and carried the momentum over into the second half. They didn't look back after maintaining a substantial lead early in the second half.

It wasn't a good night for Virginia Tech shooting from behind the arc as they hit just 15% of their shots to Duke's 36%. The closet the Hokies came to a lead change was in the second half when A.D. Vassallo connected on a three to notch the score at 42-41. From there on Duke took advantage of their opponents poor shooting and didn't allow the Blacksburg crowd to energize the atmosphere. The Blue Devils are now 4-0 in the ACC and ranked no. 4 with a 16-1 overall record. They have yet to face UNC which will most likely be their toughest challenge on the schedule. Both teams have lost only 1 game.

MLB free agents: Kenny Lofton expected to move to new team for 20th time

There was always free agent and trade talks during the off-season in baseball. It's too bad no real big names have come up other than Johan Santana. Okay, players that anybody cares about for that matter. Of course, Barry Bonds is on the block for bargaining bidders. I can't see him playing as a DH in the AL. He's still up against the steroids scandal and will deny and fight until the end it looks like. Few teams won't be willing to take a chance on old Bar-roid. If they do it will only cause a black cloud to loom over the team and drops of blood with dirty syringes to be found in the clubhouse.

Who else is available in the free agency? Well, once again Kenny Lofton is up for grabs (yeah, real big surprise here!) and I believe is trying to set the record for playing for every current MLB baseball team! The speedy centerfielder has been around and tossed from one place to the next. I think Lofton has yet to play for the Twins, Nationals, Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Royals. Most likely he'll be heading back to the NL then get traded in a year. With his speed and uncanny likeness to Major League's Willie Mays Hayes character he's hard to argue he only belongs on the Cleveland Indians. They both have a better chance at stealing home than hitting a homerun in a game.

The Texas Rangers have decided to pass up on extending a contract to Sammy Sosa. He might as well forget about any multi-million dollar deals coming his way and just be glad he can stay in MLB. Wherever he ends up I don't believe Sosa will serve much of role because his best years are over. He can still play in the outfield and and platoon at the DH, but the power numbers just won't be there anymore. The only real decent free agent on the market is Mike Piazza. Oakland has apparently parted ways with the veteran catcher. Any teams looking for another quality hitter in their lineup should cash in on Piazza. His numbers have been down in recent years, but he is a clutch performer. He'd make a nice addition to a team that has yet to win a World Series in about a century.

I'm sure other names will pop up on the radar for MLB teams looking to mix it up in the market. If more active and former players are brought up in the steroids investigation as the season starts the fans probably won't be coming out to the ballparks in droves and sales on souvenirs and at food concessions will drop big time. The worst case scenario for fans would be to find out their favorite player uses steroids during the middle of a game and plummet to their death by jumping from the upper deck because they can't take it anymore. Let's hope freak incidents like that don't happen.

Hoosiers push win streak to 12 with win over Penn State

The Indiana Hoosiers are on a roll as of late. Prevailing over Penn State this past weekend 81-65 they recorded their 12th straight victory and 27th at home. A game more dictated by defense the Hoosiers were able to wear out the Nittany Lions with a series of stinging plays in the second half. Indiana freshman guard Eric Gordon set the tone on offense, scoring 25 points. D.J. White sparked a complimentary with 22 points. The Hoosiers had a slow start, but finished the game shooting 57% from the field to Penn State's 44%.

Cutting down on the turnovers a major factor in route to the home team's victory. They had only 2 in the second half. Their defense clamped down, not allowing Penn State to get in any type of rhythm. Guard Talor Battle was the high scorer for the Nittany Lions with 20 points. So confidence with his starting lineup, Coach Kelvin Sampson left them in for the entire second half. Fatigue didn't seem to set for the 5 starters who pulled out the stops to earn a 16-1 record. The Hoosiers had ran a win streak as far as 12 games in 15 years.

Baron Davis nets 40, Warriors down Bulls

The intensity of the NBA Western conference is really starting to rise. There are several tough teams and so many difficult decisions to make for All-Star selections. One star guard definitely proved he belonged in this year's All-Star game. Last night at the United Center in Chicago the Warriors continued to demonstrate their prowess on the offensive end. I have to say the Bulls hung with them for most of the game despite eventually losing 119-111. Baron Davis tied a career high with 40 points on 13-of-23 shooting. He caught fire in the 3rd quarter and ignited the offense. The fast-paced transition game of the Warriors couldn't be contained by their opponent.

When 3 of the starting players score 20 or more points a piece then it's going to be an uphill battle for their counterparts. Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis combined for 47 points and as a team had 10 steals which lead to several fast break points. Despite the outcome the Bulls out shot the Warriors 50% to 46%. With GS gets out and runs the floor like they did Friday night it's hard to stop them. Their small lineup allows them to beat teams off the dribble and make them pay from both the inside and outside.

With the win the Warriors obtain a 24-17 record. If they can stay within 3-5 games of the Lakers and Suns around the All-Star break they'll still be in good position in the West. Few teams can match their run-and-gun, high tempo style of play. Now everyone knows there are several guards deserving of an All-Star selection in the West, but there are limited spots. If Baron Davis doesn't get chosen I will be stunned because he's played like a man possessed in the first half, averaging 22.5 points per game and around 9 assists. A few other star guards are worthy of such an honor too so it's going to be interesting to see who gets the most votes.

Good ACC matchups on tap for tonight

This is the time of the season I enjoy watching college basketball. ACC rivals are meeting at each other on the schedule and the games are tightly contested with emotion on the court running high. Tonight Duke (13-1) plays Florida State (12-5) with high-octane offense anticipated. Seeing how both teams' defense will hold up is the influencing factor. The Blue Devils are tough at home, but let's see how well they deal with pressure on the road. Look for Duke's Greg Paulus and Florida State's Tyrese Rice to be the two key players in the game.

UVA will take on Virginia Tech in what will most likely be a scrappy, up-and-down affair. The Cavs look to bounce back from their lost to Duke this past weekend and improve their 10-4 mark. Senior guard Sean Singletary (17.9 ppg) has tried his best to carry the scoring load, but he'll need his teammates to step up in bigger roles in order to pull off a victory against a conference rival. VT won't make this an easy contest as they'll push to exceed their 1-1 start in the ACC. Look for Tech's Deron Washington and A. D. Vassallo to have big scoring performances.

At the top of the conference and ranked no. 1 still in the nation the Tarheels will battle Georgia Tech will may be the game that gets out of hand. The only team that has served as a real challenge this season for North Carolina has been Clemson. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets aren't playing at the same level at this point and I don't feel they feel have such a pleasant game even though they are playing at home. Tyler Hansbrough continues to dominate in the low post, averaging around 21 points per game and 8 rebounds. If the sharp-shooting Wayne Ellington and him get hot look out Georgia Tech! UNC will definitely kick it into high and work to excel to 18-0.

Road roaring Hornets outlast Rockets, 87-82

The New Orleans Hornets are quietly putting together a magnificent season, posting a 15-5 mark on the road so far. Sunday they pulled out the stops to beat the Rockets, 87-82. Off a few steals the Hornets converged on a fast-break dunk and a free-throws late in the 4th quarter. With the win the Hornets snapped the Rockets' 5-game win streak. Chris Paul controlled the style of play for the young road team as he delivered 19 points and 11 assists. He's the glue that holds the team together. Without him forget about them being 25-12 and trailing the Mavericks by just a game in the Southwest division.

David West was the high scorer in Sunday's game with 26 points. He's proven his ability to be big scoring threat on any given night. He's another essential part of the Hornets' formula for success this season. All season the Hornets have been overlooked. Even at home the attendance has been low and on the road the players seem to excel at a high level. Strangely enough, they thrive off being ignored by the league. The Western conference is going to get real tight when it comes to capturing final seeds for the playoffs.

The Hornets have only had one televised game during the season, which was blowout against Miami. I've got to think these guys will be getting more exposure in the coming months. As a team they're averaging around 97 points per game and yielding about 93...not bad at all. Awaiting them this week on the schedule are the Bobcats, Sonics, and Bucks. I don't think any of these matchups will pose a problem. Keep up the hot streak Hornets!

NCAA wrap-ups and scores

Thursday night hot action brewed in the Pac-10 and Big Ten. Wisconsin knocked off Illinois 70-60 in a fierce match-up. The three-ball dagger was the big momentum changer for the Badgers in the final minutes of play. Trevor Hughes sank two huge threes to add to Wisconsin's lead. He finished the game with 22 points. Illinois lost their third straight game and dropped to 8-8 overall while their foes bumped up their mark to 13-2. The conference leader looks crisper than ever on the court.

Over in the Pac-10 Stanford whooped Oregon State in clash which resulted in a 66-46 finale. The poor performance for Oregon State can be contributed to 30% shooting from the field and having only 1 player score in double-digits. That will basically doom any team. The Cardinals on the other hand managed to capitalize on second-chance opportunities with their 16 offensive rebounds. They just took full control in the second half with the Beavers reeling without an answer on offense.

In a good Big East battle Louisville pulled out a win against West Virginia, 63-54. Both teams squared off to gain ground in the conference. It was Louisville's defense which clamped down hard and made the difference. The Mountaineers' Joe Alexander was the high scorer with 22 points, but it wasn't enough to save the day. His teammates provided little support as they combined for 32 points. Earl Clark help fuel the Louisville offense adding 11 points while snagging 12 boards. Both teams are now 11-4 in the Big East.

NBA's D-league provides less than flattering status for players

Believe it or not there are people who haven't heard of the NBA's Development league. It's not a big deal to basketball fans, but it sure is to the aspiring players. Being recognized in public and being allowed in upscale clubs and restaurants seems to be the main problem for these young athletes. Reading the NBA Experts Blog posted by D-league Dakota Wizards player Rod Benson I understand their struggles to gain acceptance amid the mainstream sports click and celebrity icons. This guy though complains about having to wait in a line to get in LA restaurant then never being admitted inside (He ought to be grateful the bouncer didn't hurl him onto the sidewalk for looking at him the wrong way).

I guess it's kind of discouraging to know as a D-league player you can't get a table inside a trendy hot spot or be allowed to go to the restroom to take a whiz....sure seems like crappy treatment to me. If fairly unknown players want to get VIP treatment why don't they just lie and hope people fall for it? From Rod Benson's experience, I know how he must feel (like a discarded, random bum), but if he saw football star Keyshaun Johnson not getting in the establishment then there was no chance for him and should've forgot about it. If he thought he could follow an entourage inside without being noticed or getting the crap beat out of him then I'd say go for it.

The NBA D-league, players must realize is a stepping-stone to the pros not the crem-del-la-crem of the sports talent. Instead it's more like the 'Bottom of the barrel wannabe something other than broke list'. Guys in this league can't expect glamour and fortune when they're playing in an arena where only the first 3 or 4 rows are filled. I feel for the low-level athletes like Benson, receiving any type of notoriety is difficult. For him to get ahead and be famous he'll probably have to sleep with a celebrity. Then he's sure to be a shoe-in among the star power elitists!

Tarheels remain undefeated after buzzer beater in OT

I knew ACC play would bring out the best in the Tarheels as well as their competition. Last night in Little John Coliseum it was a frenzied up and down battle between UNC and Clemson. Both teams brought their A-game with non-stop pushes to the basket and bunches of lead changes. As a college hoops fans you couldn't ask for better game. Wayne Ellington stole the show, netting the game-winning three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left. The Tigers set up in a zone defense for the final possession and got burned when trying to go for a steal on the left wing. Ellington was the player of the game with 36 points (11-19 FGA-M) in 90-88 thrilling victory.

With the pass Ty Lawson made in the corner to Ellington he almost turned it over and the game could've gone into double overtime. Tyler Hansbrough took a charge with under a minute in the second half then hit a free-throw on the next possession to tie the game. Although the junior forward was held to 7 shots he delivered with the big plays when the Heels truly needed them. Hansbrough also grabbed 14 rebounds. Free-throws were a major factor in the game, especially in the closing seconds. North Carolina's shot 80% from the line to Clemson's dismal 52%.

Both ACC teams were playing out of control at times with drives to the basket and rushed shots. UNC racked up 19 turnovers compared to the Tiger's 13. So far the Tarheel's undefeated streak stays intact at 15-0. The game really could've gone either way, but the Heels would have not still be ranked as the no. 1 team in the coach's poll. They are a couple other undefeated them in the nation which include Vanderbilt, Memphis, Kansas, and Mississippi. The best record UNC ever had in a season was a 32-0 mark in 1956-57.

Much of the remaining schedule for Tarheels have them playing their conference rivals: NC State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Duke. Wednesday the Tarheels will look to dispose another out of conference foe in North Carolina-Asheville. This one is expected to be another blowout as the no. 1 ranked team awaits their top competition. I expect more big games from the top starting 3 players in Hansbrough, Ellington, and Lawson.

Hornets kick it up a notch, buzz off Warriors

What a strong message the New Orleans Hornets are sending the rest of the Western conference. This team won't be denied. New Orleans is very much a contender and is intent on continuing to prove it. Last night lead by big games from Tyson and Chandler and Chris Paul the Hornets capped a 116-104 over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Baron Davis was left with a bitter chill after suffering a defeat from his former team. The star point guard scored 26 points and handed out 8 assists.

The player of the game was no doubt Tyson Chandler who had a major-influencing double-double, which consisted of 22 points and 22 rebounds! The Hornets Center is on a tear! Finding a way to slow down the Warriors and control the tempo was the solution. Much of Golden State's offense is fast-paced, slashing drives to the basket and points off transition. Luckily the Hornets managed to limit such chances and played good defense. Chris Paul played a major role in the win, scoring 24 points (10-20 FGM-A) and dished out 13 assists.

Everyone in the Hornets starting lineup scored in double figures and as a team shot 44% from three-point land while holding the opposition to 30% shooting from beyond the arch. Advancing to 101-88 lead with around 6 minutes left in the game the Hornets never gave the home team much breathing room. They stayed on the offensive and controlled the boards. All but 11 points came from their starting lineup. The league sooner or later will have to take the Hornets seriously because at 22-11 they are a force to reckon with and a unestimated threat in road games.

Who's more grizzled a coach: Bobby Knight or Mike Ditka?

There are several great coaches in sports history, but two prestigious names come to mind. I'm talking more about the fiery types who won't hesitate to get in an official's face and spew obscenities with a drop of a hat. I think Bobby Knight and Mike Ditka are two of the most grizzled coaches of all-time. One is retired of course and the other one occasionally gets in trouble for 'accidentally' shooting a neighbor with a pellet gun (he may have been drinking and got a little trigger happy). Neither one of these veteran sports icons seemed to show any weaknesses in coaching in their respective sport.

From the intense moments on the gridiron at his peak, Coach Ditka would get so wrapped up in the game and watch the refs cheat his beloved Chicago Bears team out of yardage due to bad calls that he'd get the impulse to land a tackle with a full head of steam. That or he'll suit up to play himself in the 4th quarter after getting riled up from a series of missed scoring opportunities near the 20-yard line. His pacing back and forth on the sidelines, directing instructions to the quarterback gave a clear indication he was reaching a boiling point. This raw emotion transferred over to his team which resulted in a turn in momentum. Deficits were erased and wins became etched into history. Ditka had a fiery passion for the game, but was he more grizzled than Bobby Knight?

Some of the best years for Indiana Hoosiers fans was in the early to late 90's when Bobby Knight was the coach. He always pushed his players to the limit and tested their strengths and weaknesses. There is a reason why he is one of the top coaches in college basketball. He moved past Dean Smith in 2006 for the all-time wins record in NCAA history. He's led Indiana to dubious records for a string of seasons and to a couple national championships. Seeing him explode with temper so hot it could ignite building a fire only seems to fuel his team's passion and energy.

Their performance overall is linked to his emotion and direction. Knight make statement to refs by tossing fold-out chairs across the court. He'll stomp out of the coach's box, debate a call before getting ejected for calling an official a blind SOB who needs glasses. His discipline he teaches his players and always striving for perfection are two striking qualities which make Knight one of the most grizzled coaches of all-time. I think he's got a little bit of an edge over Ditka...though it's pretty darn close.

Warriors wipe away Nuggets 7-game win streak

Baron Davis and the Warriors' upbeat, fast-paced style of play are keeping them afloat in the Western conference. They have shown there is no challenge to great for them to overcome. Sunday night Golden State sparkled with an offensive flair as they snapped the Denver Nuggets' 7-game win streak with a 105-95 victory. Allen Iverson had an off-night scoring and the Warriors took advantage. Running the ball hard GS flourished off fast-break chances. Baron Davis lead all scores with 28 points.

The defense was the x-factor for the Warriors in this game. They put much pressure on Iverson and forced him to take low-percentage shots while Carmelo tried to carry the scoring load, dropping 26 points. The Warriors lead the game from halftime as Harrington hit a three to put his team up 55-51. From there the Nuggets cut the deficit to 3 points in the 4th quarter, but couldn't force a tie or pull ahead. Another major contributing factor to the win was Coach Don Nelson having Baron Davis stick Iverson rather than lanky guard Stephen Jackson. The strategy resulted in 2-of-12 shooting for the Nuggets star guard.

Golden State establishes a 18-13 record, 4 games in back of the Suns in third place. I believe they have yet to play their best game of the season. If they can fend off the competition in the West they can probably garner a higher seed for the playoffs than last season. Baron Davis has a 50-point plus performance in him I just know it. Who knows it could be another Mavericks vs. Warriors showdown in the postseason.

No. 1 ranked Heels scorch Nevada 106-70

Coming home before New Years was a sweet gift for the Tarheels. They continued their winning ways, defeating Nevada Thursday night in Chapel Hill. The high-octane offense surfaced in full force. UNC built a small lead and it started to grow. Tyler Hansbrough and Wayne Ellington combined for 49 points. Ty Lawson kept the offense running smooth, finding teammates in the paint for quick buckets. He also provided a nice scoring touch with 16 points and pumped out 10 assists.

In the second half guard Bobby Frasor attempted to make a steal and while in the process twisted his ankle, apparently tearing his ACL as he landed on his leg awkwardly. He dropped to the hardwood and didn't get up for about 5 minutes. He was assisted to his feet by the team trainer and headed back to the locker room. The Tarheels may be without him for the remainder of the season. The Tarheels still have reserve point guard Quentin Thomas and should be okay, but Frasor will be missed.

12-0 are the Tarheels after picking up the win last night. They've yet to face their toughest competition which more or less lies within the ACC. I'd like to see Roy Williams give the 3rd string guys off the bench more minutes in blowout games so at least they can get further experiences on the court. There are 1 or 2 seniors on the bench that I know would relish any extra playing time they'd receive. The Heels will battle Valparaiso on Sunday before playing Kent State on January 2 at Chapel Hill.

Kobe, Lebron celebrate victories on Christmas Day

It was a happy holiday for Lebron James and Kobe Byrant. They both delivered in the clutch against their respective opponents in route to wins. The Cavaliers outlasted the Heat 96-82 as King James served a pivotal role late in the game with key shots and dishes to teammate Daniel Gibson for big threes. The superstar scored 25 points with 12 assists.

Cleveland jumped out to a comfortable lead in the 4th quarter and ran off transition for easy buckets at the rim.
Gibson hit 4-of-6 from three-point land and finished the game with 16 points. The only real memorable point the contest for the Heat was Shaq's rim-rocking jam which scared a camera crew behind the goal post.

In another good matchup yesterday the Lakers were able to defeat the Suns 122-115 behind Kobe's 38 points. It was a back-and-forth battle between two Western conference contenders. The Suns couldn't counter the Lakers' offensive output. Steve Nash mustered an effort of 24 points and 14 assists. However, his performance wasn't enough. I think Andrew Bynum isn't getting the credit he deserves as a scoring threat. The Center produced 28 points in the win on 11-of-13 shooting from the field! Having another guy in the starting who can dominate near the basket is big plus for the Lakers. The Lakers better be grateful they have a 20-year-old prodigy who only continues to develop and improve his game.

Game-winning shot seals comeback for Wake Forest

The Hokies may not have a happy Christmas after the results from Sunday's game in ACC play. Wake Forest pulled off a surprise comeback in the waning seconds. Demon Deacons guard, Ishmael Smith drained a jumper with 0.6 seconds left to go. Virginia Tech was simply out of luck as time expired. A.D. Vassallo helped keep Tech in the game scoring 19 points. Senior Deron Washington also made a nice defensive effort coming up with 14 rebounds. It was a spirited conference game with many lead changes with back-and-forth accelerated play.

Smith was the top scorer for Wake, completing 18-point output which included the biggest shot in his collegiate career. Both teams shot around 43% for the game while VT shot 91% compared to Wake's 56% from the free-throw line. Tech's defense put pressure on Wake, but within the final minute the game slipped away from them. A 10-point deficit was overcame with a minute and 23 seconds remaining. A bank shot three-pointer then another long bomb with a few fast break layups tied the game for Wake Forest.

Tech Coach Seth Greenberg couldn't believe his eyes after his star guard, A.D. Vassallo heaved up a quick three which allowed the opposition to score quick off transition. That single play probably killed the Hokies chance to win. With the final outcome the Demon Deacons advance to 8-3 overall and the Hokies fall to 6-5. The two ACC competitors will get a short rest for the holidays before heading back on the court this weekend. The action will start to sizzle in January as the big ACC match-ups are set.

Cavs hold off Lakers in 94-90 win

The Kobe-Lebron rivalry took center stage Thursday night in Cleveland. The Cavs won their 6th straight game against the Lakers. Coming down the final 3.5 seconds both teams were neck and neck until Daniel Gibson was fouled and iced two free-throws to seal the victory. Kobe got his shot to put the Lakers ahead with a three, but missed due to tight conference from his superstar counterpart. Although Los Angeles outshot Cleveland 45% to 41% the deciding factor came in the 4th quarter. There the Lakers were held to 5-of-22 shooting.

Closing this contest out was big for the Cavs. They still need to gain ground in the Central. Lebron had another outstanding performance, scoring 33 points while adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists. His teammates, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Daniel Gibson complimented his effort, combining for 27 points. Forcing the Lakers to take outside shots was the ticket for the Cavs. Center Andrew Bynum was seemingly having his way inside the paint earlier in the game and finished with 17 points.

Shutting down Byrant in the final 4 minutes as he shot 0-for-8 made all the difference. As a result Cleveland improves to 12-15. They're scheduled to face the Miami Heat who look to be be without Alonzo Mourning for the rest of the season. I expect Lebron and company to capitalize on the injured-prone Heat before heading to Dallas and New Orleans for two big games.

Jordan steps on court to show Bobcats' error of ways

Little by little the Charlotte Bobcats are developing into a winning team showing signs of beating league contenders. Earlier this week part owner of the franchise, Michael Jordan ran a few drills in practice with the Bobcat players in an attempt to give them some direction while serving as motivation to excel to the next level. No basketball player can take advice from the 44-year-old NBA legend and think the experience was pointless or get nothing out of it. The young-oriented franchise has watched leads evaporate in games.

First-year coach Sam Vincent seems to be on the same page as Jordan, realizing there are no real All-Stars on the team this year to carry them. It's going to take a combined team effort almost every night to win. Trying to find the right component for the inside game the Bobcats worked out a trade sending Primoz Prezec and Walter Herrmann to the Pistons in exchange for Center Nazr Mohammed. I think that was a wise move by the Bobcats management team. They got rid of two extra bench players who spent short time on the court and really didn't fit well into their offensive strategy.

At 8-14 the Bobcats still look to be the odd team out in the Southeast division. They don't quite generate enough offense per game to win the close games down the stretch. Raymond Felton and Jason Richardson are the top scorers and clutch performers for the team. Their ability to energize their teammates and get them involved will have the greatest impact on their overall success. Michael Jordan understands how important it is for Felton to start the offense and get inside the paint. When the speedy point guard does usually good things happen. Now if Charlotte can manage to keep those big leads like they had against Orlando and pull out the big victories.