As the regular season of college basketball starts to wind down, and all the Tar Heel faithful are hoping for a stellar March in both the ACC and NCAA tournaments, I’ve been thinking about my daily Carolina bias in everyday life.

The Carolina bias I’m talking about doesn’t have to do with watching sports per se, but in daily interactions, commuting to and from work and the like. It’s a bit sad, but everyone has their prejudices and ways to filter and group people, objects day-to-day. Driving comes to mind. Someone that is flying a Carolina flag, has a UNC license plate, or a University of North Carolina decal, I’m more likely to let into traffic and even dismiss being cut off, etc. By the same token, I form a preconceived notion about someone with the same items themed from NC State or Duke (especially Duke!)

Meeting someone via work, or wherever, finding they went to Carolina automatically ups their status in my mind subconsciously, though half the people aren’t people you would have hung out with during the college years at UNC. Regardless, it steps them up a notch. Unreasonable? Possibly. But just wanted to share an observation I’ve had over the last nine years since graduation (man, has it been that long). Schools can unite people and it shows in post-college networking, informal meetings and even on I-40.

This would have been cool to see in person. The former UNC players team included Jawad Williams, Jackie Manuel, Melvin Scott, and Jerry Stackhouse. Wish we could have been there to check it out!

UNC Basketball Current Players VS. Formers

Carolina basketball fans worldwide had fingers, toes and whatever else crossed. Today was the day where we found out one way the other of whether a trio of players would return for another season at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, or make the leap to the NBA. Lucky for Tar Heels everywhere, Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington will be back this year. Let’s hope their return will bring a great season and hope it doesn’t blow up like it did this year against Kansas.

Let’s also hope that Lawson can keep from behind the wheel and away from the alcohol.

UNC’s Lawson, Ellington, Green to Return

As both a die-hard Tar Heel and a democrat (who still is unsure who to vote for in the primary), I just had to post this video of Obama scrimmaging with the Tar Heels:

Obama Scrimmages With UNC Tar Heels

Amanda and I are down in South Carolina for the weekend, but I still jumped on watching the Heels play tonight in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. We struggled at first to find the game, but eventually found it. To no one’s surprise, the Heels had very little trouble with Mount St. Mary’s. Tyler Hansbrough had 17 points in the first half alone. It wasn’t the most exciting, nor nail-biting game, but it’s been a nice and welcome change after a couple of close calls in the ACC, to have an easier game before meeting some tougher teams in the next couple matchups.

Congrats to the Heels, playing so close to home. I’m happy they’re playing this opening round just down I-40 in Raleigh at the Hurricanes/Wolfpack’s arena – the RBC Center. It’s gotta help to be able to sleep in your own bed after these first couple games.

UNC Overpowers Mount St. Mary’s, 113-74

So even with our impressive defense and victory over rival Duke University Saturday night, we still didn’t get unanimously voted #1. Sure, we’re #1, but some defuses out there voted for Kansas (they’re a freaking #2 seed), UCLA, Memphis and Tennessee!

Oh well. It’s so awesome to finish the regular season as #1 in the nation, to have the regular season ACC title and now hoping for a great run in the ACC and NCAA tournaments!

Voting for No. 1 Spread Out, Even in Wake of UNC’s Win Over Duke

Sweet! Congrats to the hardest working player in NCAA basketball – Psycho T, Tyler Hansbrough. I love too that he said the only way he won’t be back for his senior year is if the Heels win the national championship. Either way, the Tar Heels and Tar Heels fans win.

March Madman

Nice interview from one of, if not the most famous Tar Heel. Jordan has lots of nice things to say about Carolina’s current coach, Roy Williams and Williams’ teacher, Dean Smith.

*sigh* The higher seed won. We severely missed Ty Lawson, and couldn’t sink threes all night to save our lives. There’s always the second matchup at Cameron.

Duke Knocks Down 13 3′s, Ends 3-Game Skid vs. UNC

Tomorrow night’s matchup should be a good game – number 3 Carolina versus number 2 Duke. But, Carolina’s own personal Road Runner isn’t looking good for tomorrow’s matchup. The hope is that Marcus Ginyard steps it up and Quentin Thomas has the freaking game of his career. Here’s to hoping the Heels defense is on like it was against Boston College.

I’m nervous, yet anxious for tomorrow night’s matchup. Go Heels!

Lawson’s Ankle Injury Becomes Huge Factor in Duke-North Carolina Game

Williams Not Expecting Lawson to Return From Ankle Injury to Face Duke