It was an ending almost too corny for Hollywood. The hometown kid playing in his hometown arena against the No. 1 team in the conference with the ball in his hands in a tie game with six seconds left.

But this afternoon, with Pitt and UConn knotted at 74 in the Big East quarterfinals, there stood the Huskies’ Kemba Walker, a Bronx native, at the top of the key defended by the Panthers’ 6-11 center Gary McGhee with a trip to the Big East semis on the line. Read More »

I had seen the games on TV, read about them in the newspaper, and listened to Dick Vitale rant and rave about how “there’s no better rivalry in college sports.” But I truly didn’t understand the magnitude of the Duke-North Carolina rivalry until I physically stepped foot in Chapel Hill.

These universities do not like each other, and these fans loathe each other – to the point I even had a journalism teacher tell my class last year that if we spelled Duke “Dook,” he wouldn’t take off points. Read More »

Some surprising news hit campus this morning: North Carolina junior point guard Larry Drew II will transfer from the university, Coach Roy Williams announced Friday.

“This morning, around 9 o’clock, I got a message to call big Larry,” said Williams at his Friday press conference in reference to Drew’s father, the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. “At that point he informed me Larry was leaving, and we had a long discussion, most of which should be kept private.” Read More »

Jimmer Fredette does not play in a conference with seven ranked teams. Nor does he have the majority of his games nationally televised. He will not wow you with a handle straight from the playgrounds of New York City or Chicago, and his athleticism leaves a lot to be desired.

But the Glen Falls, N.Y., native has emerged as the best player in college basketball. Read More »

Trying to get information on Kyrie Irving’s injury and its potential impact on his future is about as difficult as my Physics final was last year. As was announced early last Thursday, Kyrie — who is averaging over 17 points and five assists for No. 1 Duke — will be out indefinitely with ligament damage to his right big toe, which he sustained in the Blue Devils’ win last Saturday over Butler.

Thursday morning, Kyrie tweeted, “Situation not looking good and I’m not feeling good…smh worst thing ever.” Read More »

It is hard to imagine a freshman having a better start to his career than Kyrie Irving. The Duke point guard has already held preseason All-America Jacob Pullen to 1-of-12 shooting, dished off nine assists in a game twice and had a 31-point explosion against the then-No. 6 team in the country that practically had Dick Vitale at a loss for words. Read More »

Since it began 39 years ago, Midnight Madness has become one of the most creative events in sports because it brings the past, present and future together. Schools honor their old stars and introduce their current rosters, all while high-prized recruits sit courtside in awe. But beyond the basketball element, it’s a chance for fans, players and coaches who are generally very serious to have fun and celebrate the college basketball new year. Celebrities sometimes make unexpected cameos, future NBA Lottery picks often don ridiculous costumes, and Hall-of-Fame coaches in their 60s throw on baggy clothes and dance to hip-hop.

Friday night, Late Night With Roy – North Carolina’s Midnight Madness tradition hosted by ESPN’s Stuart Scott – epitomized what the once-a-year event should be about. Read More »

University of Florida’s Erving Walker wants you to underestimate him. He is 5-8, 170 pounds and looks more like a team manager than the starting point guard at a perennial power. But when the Christ the King alum is on the floor, he gets into the paint at will, drills shots from well-beyond the NBA line and forces turnovers with his persistent defensive pressure. Walker’s dexterity and determination have drawn rave reviews from announcers and have made him a fan favorite in Gainesville. Dime got a chance to catch up with the Brooklyn native this past weekend as Walker talked about last season, the incoming talent and being undersized in the SEC. Read More »

When I first heard the name Zydrunas Ilgauskas, I laughed. I was about nine years old at the time, and it didn’t really occur to me that people from different countries had names that didn’t sound like mine. But when I saw him play, I was impressed. He wasn’t just a big guy who ran around setting screens and missing opportunities at the rim. He could shoot, pass and above all else, wasn’t afraid to mix it up down low or stand up for his teammates. Read More »

Trevor Cooney knows the Andy Rautins comparisons are inevitable. They’re about the same size, have in the gym range and are highly valued by Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. But the Wilmington, Del., native isn’t settling for a pre-determined fate. While he admits the Rautins comparisons are flattering, the high school junior has his own goals. We caught up with him this weekend at the Boo Williams Invitational following a tough loss to E1T1 Elite (featuring Austin Rivers) to discuss his AAU team, his Syracuse future and some of his other interests. Read More »