Latest news with #UNC-Duke
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ACC commissioner reveals national network wants more 2025 UNC football games televised
ACC commissioner reveals national network wants more 2025 UNC football games televised How many times will UNC play in front of a national audience during its 2025 football season? Love him or hate him, Bill Belichick is must-watch television. I'm not talking about Bill being a comedy show or reality TV star, but Bill being the greatest football coach to walk this Earth. Belichick won eight Super Bowls in the NFL: two as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator, plus six more as the New England Patriots' head coach. Belichick will now try to prove his coaching prowess entering Year One at the college level, with the North Carolina Tar Heels hiring him to be their head coach, back in December 2024. Despite making bowl games in each of its past six seasons, UNC doesn't exactly provide must-watch football on television. With Belichick leading the show in Chapel Hill now, that could very well change. On Wednesday, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said ESPN wants to televise more North Carolina football games in 2025. "ESPN ran to us, before we could even run to them (about televising more UNC games)," Phillips said. "It's a great thing for the ACC, a great thing for North Carolina and we are all following the massive coverage that Coach Belichick draws." We know ESPN will feature at least one Tar Heel football game this coming fall: their 2025 season-opener on Monday, September 1 at 8 p.m.(previously reported at 7:30 p.m.) against the TCU Horned Frogs. North Carolina features a few other national television-potential games on its schedule: Saturday, Sept. 20 at UCF, Saturday, October 4 against Clemson in Kenan Stadium and Saturday, November 29 at NC State. You can make a case for UNC-Syracuse on Friday, Oct. 31 being a national TV game, while UNC-Duke on Nov. 22 is the always-popular Victory Bell battle. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Off-season: has The White Lotus become a letdown?
Over three seasons, The White Lotus, HBO's acclaimed limited series-turned-anthology, has specialized in a particular type of scene: a group of American characters on vacation abroad – always rich and usually white, as per the real patrons of international luxury resorts – engage in conversation with the veneer of politeness but intent to draw blood. None of the players are considered 'good' – in the world of the show, not too far removed from ours, to be rich enough to vacation at the White Lotus implies some level of moral rot that blossoms like black mold – but one has leverage over the other in the small-scale arena of taste. Think Sydney Sweeney's terrifyingly gen Z dismissal of Alexandra Daddario's journalist in season one, or Aubrey Plaza's blase assurance that she 'doesn't watch Ted Lasso' in season two. Though distinct from the its viral moments – 'these gays, they're trying to murder me' rightfully lives on and on – these cringe-inducing send-ups of the privileged's code of conduct are the engine of the show. Yet it took until the third episode of this season, set in Thailand and maintaining the vague whodunnit setup of the first two, for the set-up to finally click. Three childhood friends now in their 40s – Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Laurie (Carrie Coon) and Kate (Leslie Bibb), all bottle blondes simultaneously entreating and competing with each other – are having dinner at the hotel's restaurant, one of the show's consistent set pieces. LA-based Jaclyn and New York resident Laurie press Kate, who lives in Austin and is the least self-absorbed friend to date, about the fact that she regularly goes to church with 'conservative' people. Wait … she didn't vote for Trump, did she? 'Are we really going to talk about Trump tonight?' Kate replies, eyes crinkling, lips pursed in a smize universally recognized as the suburban white woman's sign of judgment. It's a serrated, loaded exchange familiar to anyone who's attended a dinner party outside of New York or LA in the past year; creator Mike White is the star student of human denial and delusion, and of white women's foibles in particular. It was the first moment I felt the show's signature bite: the hair-bristling, too-close-to-home dialogue that has become White's signature. And it stood in noticeable contrast with the rest of the season, which has spun its wheels around a repetition of theme that has grown stale. Once again, The White Lotus revolves around a cast of miserable rich people: the aforementioned friends; an insular UNC-Duke family with the douchiest eldest son of all time (a too-good Patrick Schwarzenegger); and a sourpuss rich floater up to no good (Walton Goggins) and his younger girlfriend (Aimee Lou Wood). And once again, all hijinks, entanglements, betrayals and misunderstandings will culminate in the violent death of someone at the resort. But whereas previous outings conveyed strains of delusion with clear visual motifs – the self-justifying allegiance to wealth and status rotting like Hawaiian fruit in the season one title sequence, the wandering eyes and creeping lust of season two in Sicily – season three has an emptier stare. It has interstitials of a churning sea, a lush jungle, a Buddhist temple conveying … trouble in paradise? The show, also directed by White, is still gorgeous to look at. It's still achieved moments of appointment television virality – Parker Posey's extravagant North Carolina accent (Piper, nooooaaughh!'), pissing off Duke University, the incest storyline. It's sticking to the form, playing the hits, but to diminishing results. Three seasons in, The White Lotus finds itself in a similar position to its oft-compared prestige HBO brethren Succession, another satire of wealth and privilege (though of the most extreme kind) that found itself stuck in a rut in its penultimate season, the same characters cycling through the similar beats and always landing in misery, thus continually lessening the stakes. The White Lotus's characters are new, with a few nagging exceptions (does anyone want Tanya's sinister ex Greg back?), and its locale far from Hawaii or Sicily, but its players sub into the same game with the same result: rich and unhappy, doomed to be themselves. White billed this season as exploring eastern spirituality – or, more pointedly, white westerners' Orientalist conceptions of spiritual enlightenment in Thailand. And while there are hints of it: Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) naively committing to a year in a Buddhist monastery to escape her family, Goggins's Rick admitting his revenge plot to healer Amrita (Shalini Peiris) in a confession so bald I thought it had to be a joke. But any statement on foreigners' attraction to eastern religion takes a backseat to the machinations of a mystery with minimal dramatic engine; complicated whodunnit with a dose of financial crime is not White's strong suit as a writer, and I mean that as a general compliment. And the show's operating logic for locals – embodying the attitude of the guests by keeping them mostly tangential and outside the frame unless directly related to the action – was, I'd argue, justifiable for the first two seasons, and sputtering in this one. Tayme Thapthimthong's sweet but simple-minded security guard Gaitok acts purely as a sympathetic plot mover. Why cast Blackpink's Lisa, one of the most popular and charismatic pop performers in the world, yet barely feature her? (It should be noted that the series was made in conjunction with Thailand's ministry of tourism.) The stasis – the staff used, the guests using in a vicious cycle – has the feel not of satire but, in its third outing, a sitcom of self-repeating structure. Or, as Slate's Sam Adams argued, a slasher movie, with every character set for self-inflicted, blindspot-ridden downfall other than Natasha Rothwell's Belinda, a recurring character given little to do besides maintain connections to prior seasons. As the Final Girl, Belinda remains impervious to The White Lotus's ethos: a deceptively cynical view on the human capacity for progress, enlightenment or marginal betterment, particularly in the face of potential material sacrifice or social discomfort. In other words, a resistance to change.
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness 2025: UNC women's basketball vs. Duke Blue Devils Sweet 16 Preview
March Madness 2025: UNC women's basketball vs. Duke Blue Devils Sweet 16 Preview Here's everything you need to know for the UNC-Duke women's basketball Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament matchup Friday. The North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils just can't seem to avoid each other in the postseason, no matter which sport both archrivals are playing. On Friday, March 28 at 2:30 p.m. ET, the UNC and Duke women's basketball teams will face off in the Sweet 16 from Birmingham, Alabama's Legacy Arena. If the Tar Heels (29-7, 13-5 ACC) and Blue Devils' (28-7, 14-4 ACC) two regular-season matchups are any indication of how Friday's decisive NCAA Tournament rematch will play out, we're in for a tremendous battle. North Carolina needed overtime to down Duke, 53-46, on January 9 from Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill. UNC kept February's rematch close, leading by a point at halftime, then the Blue Devils charged ahead in the second half for a 68-53 victory. The Tar Heels were fully healthy during Round 1, led by a 10-point, 12-rebound performance from star forward Alyssa Ustby. Round Two was a different story, with Ustby and guard Reniya Kelly both injured. Duke took full advantage of this: Reigan Richardson scored 23 points, Toby Fournier added a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench and Ashlon Jackson recored 11 points. Both teams are fully healthy, which should create for plenty of exciting action. There's plenty on the line in Friday's rivalry matchup besides bragging rights: North Carolina is hunting for its first Elite Eight appearance since 2014, while the Blue Devils are looking for their first Elite Eight appearance since 2013. If you're going to Birmingham or already there, enjoy your time and cheer the Tar Heels to victory. If you're watching on TV, your favorite streaming device or listening on the radio, keep reading below for broadcast information. Key to victory for UNC During its Round of 32 matchup, UNC pulled away from West Virginia thanks to a big third quarter from Ustby, who finished the win with 21 points. Kelly and Lexi Donarski each added 11 points, giving North Carolina a well-rounded scoring attack. The Tar Heels didn't shoot the ball well from deep, though, making just three of their 15 attempts. Donarksi was an ice-cold 1-of-7 from deep, Kelly drained just one of her three attempts, while Lanie Grant nailed one 3-pointer off the bench. I have no doubt Duke will try and double-team Ustby and Maria Gakdeng, UNC's 6'3" center. When this happens, North Carolina will need to make shots from the perimeter. If the Tar Heels can shoot a serviceable percentage from deep, they'll be advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time in over a decade. Something to Watch North Carolina was the ACC's worst free throw-shooting team during the regular season, recording a paltry 67 percent mark from the line. UNC wasn't much better against West Virginia, making just 15-of-22 attempts (68.2%). If the Tar Heels are aggressive and keep feeding the ball to their Ustby-Gakdeng duo, they'll go to the charity stripe a bunch. I'd keep my eye on how efficient North Carolina is from the free throw line on Friday, which could very well be a deciding factor between a win and loss. What you need to know What: North Carolina Tar Heels (29-7, 13-5 ACC) vs. Duke Blue Devils (28-7, 14-4 ACC) When: Friday, March 28 at 2:30 p.m. ET Where: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. TV: ESPN Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 203) All-Time Series: UNC leads, 56-54 Last meeting: Duke 68, UNC 53 on February 27 in Cameron Indoor Stadium Statistical Leaders North Carolina Points: Maria Gakdeng, C, 11.1 points per game North Carolina Rebounds: Alyssa Ustby, F, 9.4 rebounds per game North Carolina Assists: Alyssa Ustby, F, 2.9 assists per game Duke Points: Toby Fournier, F, 13.4 points per game Duke Rebounds: Jadyn Donovan, G, 6.5 rebounds per game Duke Assists: Taina Mair, G, 3.8 assists per game 2024-2025 UNC basketball schedule Nov. 4: vs. Charleston Southern (W, 83-53) (1-0) Nov. 7: vs. UNC-Wilmington (W, 77-50) (2-0) Nov. 12: at North Carolina A&T (W, 66-47) (3-0) Nov. 15: vs. UConn in Greensboro, NC (L, 69-58) (3-1) Nov. 23: vs. Ball State in Battle 4 Atlantis (W, 63-52) (4-1) Nov. 24: vs. Villanova in Battle 4 Atlantis (W, 53-36) (5-1) Nov. 25: vs. Indiana in Battle 4 Atlantis Championship Game (W, 69-39) (6-1) Nov. 29: vs North Carolina Central (W, 119-42) (7-1) Dec. 5: vs. Kentucky in ACC-SEC Challenge (W, 72-53) (8-1) Dec. 8: vs. Coppin State (W, 72-46) (9-1) Dec. 11: vs. UNC-Greensboro (W, 80-56) (10-1) Dec. 15: vs. Georgia Tech (L, 82-76) (10-2, 0-1 ACC) Dec. 18: vs. Florida in Jumpman Invitational (W, 77-57) (11-2, 0-1) Dec. 21: vs. Norfolk State (W, 90-47) (12-2, 0-1) Dec. 29: at Miami (FL) (W, 69-60) (13-2, 1-1) Jan. 5: vs. Notre Dame (L, 76-66) (13-3, 1-2) Jan. 9: vs. Duke (W, 53-46) (14-3, 2-2) Jan. 12: vs. Boston College (W, 80-67) (15-3, 3-2) Jan. 16: at SMU (W, 64-33) (16-3, 4-2) Jan. 19: at Pitt (W, 75-58) (17-3, 5-2) Jan. 23: vs. Wake Forest (W, 76-51) (18-3, 6-2) Jan. 26: vs. Florida State (L, 86-84) (18-4, 6-3) Jan. 30: at California (W, 65-52) (19-4, 7-3) Feb. 2: at Stanford (W, 69-67) (20-4, 8-3) Feb. 9: at Clemson (W, 53-51) (21-4, 9-3) Feb. 13: vs. Virginia Tech (W, 67-62) (22-4, 10-3) Feb. 16: vs. NC State (W, 66-65) (23-4, 11-3) Feb. 20: at Syracuse (W, 68-58) (24-4, 12-3) Feb. 23: at Louisville (W, 79-75) (25-4, 13-3) Feb. 27: at Duke (L, 68-53) (25-5, 13-4) March 2: vs. Virginia (L, 78-75) (25-6, 13-5) March 6: vs. Boston College in ACC Tournament (W, 78-71) (26-6, 13-5) March 7: vs. Florida State in ACC Tournament (W, 60-56) (27-6, 13-5) March 8: vs. NC State in ACC Tournament Semifinals (L, 66-55) (27-7, 13-5) March 22: vs. Oregon State in NCAA Tournament Round of 64 (W, 70-49) (28-7, 13-5) March 24: vs. West Virginia in NCAA Tournament Round of 32 (W, 58-47) (29-7, 13-5) We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. 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USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Legendary college basketball head coach criticial of Jae'Lyn Withers lane violation
Legendary college basketball head coach criticial of Jae'Lyn Withers lane violation Jae'Lyn Withers' solid late season play was overshadowed by one costly mistake in the ACC Tournament semifinals. I still think about the ending of Friday night's UNC-Duke ACC Tournament Semifinal matchup, but most of my focus is now on Selection Sunday. The North Carolina Tar Heels were in desperate need of another signature win to boost their NCAA Tournament chances, with the top-seeded Blue Devils providing a chance for that scenario. UNC staged a massive comeback from 20+ down, but a missed free throw and unfortunate blunder halted those chances, with a 74-71 loss resulting. With four seconds remaining in the second half Friday night, Ven-Allen Lubin backed down Duke center Khaman Maluach and drew the foul. Lubin missed his first free throw, then Jae'Lyn Withers committed a lane violation on Lubin's second attempt. Withers played some great basketball in helping anchor North Carolina's late-season turnaround, including seven made 3-pointers in a 76-56 win over Notre Dame earlier in the ACC Tournament, so please don't go blaming Withers for Friday's loss. Legendary Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is one of many who feels for Withers after his costly mistake, but as 247Sports' Cody Nagel pointed out, Boeheim also highlighted how it was a momentum-buster for the Tar Heels. "He's gonna have to live with that — nobody's gonna wanna live with that," Boeheim said after UNC's ACC Tournament Semifinals loss. "It's an effort mistake. You can say that, but in that situation, it's just one you can't make. And it cost Carolina an awful lot. They dominated the last 10 minutes. Duke hung in there. Duke had control of the game until 7-8 minutes to go. Then, Carolina just kept going, kept going, kept going. It was a great effort spoiled by just a mental mistake." I hope Withers gets another chance to redeem himself and end his UNC career on a high note. Even if North Carolina doesn't make the NCAA Tournament, there's a chance at playing in the NIT, but head coach Hubert Davis could turn down that invitation again. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
New York Times
27-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
UNC at Duke women's basketball: How to watch the in-state rivalry on national TV
North Carolina is 9-0 in true road games, the last undefeated team on opposing floors. It walks into Cameron Indoor Stadium as a loathed rival, slight favorite and massive ACC litmus test. UNC-Duke is always a good time, but it's best when both sides are nationally ranked. Thursday night's blue bash is Picasso-approved. Advertisement The Tar Heels hit their penultimate game as winners of seven straight. Five of those were by five or fewer points, and Sunday's double-digit comeback at Louisville was tense. Courtney Banghart's team grinds out close games and triumphs in the turnover margins. First-year Lanie Grant is coming off a shocking breakout moment. She had scored just two points in three of her five previous games but dropped 19 at Louisville to save UNC. The team is paced by a trio of seniors — perimeter shooter Lexi Donarski, inside-out talent Alyssa Utsby and paint presence Maria Gakdeng. Utsby's versatility in playmaking and on the glass leads to a full box score and a thorough highlight reel: And sophomore Reniya Kelly is heating up, averaging 15.3 points per game in February. At 13-3 in their conference, North Carolina is one game behind NC State and two behind Notre Dame in the ACC standings. Duke is right behind them, tied with Louisville and Florida State for fourth at a 12-4 conference mark. Kara Lawson's crew has played the fifth-hardest schedule in the nation, per Basketball Reference, and they have a deep reserve that ranks third in bench scoring. They dropped back-to-back games for the first time all season this month, then took it all out on Syracuse in Sunday's 31-point demolition. The Blue Devils lead the ACC in rebounds, steals and 3-pointers allowed this year. The defense sets the tone, though guard Ashlon Jackson is letting it fly behind the arc, and forward Toby Fournier dropped a 24-piece on Miami and had 22 against Syracuse. All-time series: UNC holds a very slim lead, 56-53. It won last time out, a free-throw-heavy scrapper on Jan. 9. (Photo by Nicholas Faulkner / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
