Roy Williams Answers McCants Allegations: Naturally, They Deny It...

((HT: ESPN/OTL))

Roy Williams has answered the allegations in the recent Rashad McCants interview saying he took "sham" classes while he was on campus in Chapel Hill. McCants even made the Dean's List when most of his classes were in the Afro-American Studies Department- which has come to the center of an investigation since late 2011.

The University, naturally, is circling the wagons that includes an interview with Williams.


The interesting part of the Williams interview was that 11 former players attended and were there as a show of support. None would go on camera, but they backed up their coach.

The other interesting part of the interview was that Williams would not directly address the McCants claims.

WRAL-TV has more response from the UNC teams of the past and the campus:

McCants' 16 teammates signed a statement that said, "With conviction, each one of us is proud to say that we attended class and did our own academic work."

McCants’ allegations are the first direct claim involving the Tar Heels basketball program and the 2005 National Championship team. The other UNC athletes on that team, and those who issued the statement were: Sean May, Jesse Holley, Melvin Scott, Raymond Felton, Charlie Everett, Reyshawn Terry, Jackie Manuel, Quentin Thomas, Jawad Williams, Wes Miller, Marvin Williams, Damion Grant, David Noel, C.J. Hooker and Bryon Sanders.

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham released a statement to WRAL News Thursday saying it's disappointing anytime a student isn't satisfied with his experience.

"The university hired former federal prosecutor Kenneth Wainstein in January to conduct an independent investigation into past academic and athletic irregularities. While these are the first allegations we have heard from Mr. McCants, I encourage him to speak with Mr. Wainstein. We are confident Mr. Wainstein's inquiry will provide us with a full understanding of these issues," Cunningham stated.

Rashad McCants Says He Took Sham Classes (UPDATED)

((HT: ESPN/Delsohn))

Yes, the HQ knows you're shocked and stunned...

Steve Delsohn over at the Mothership has been chasing the problems at the University of North Carolina involving their alleged joke of an African-American Studies Department and how it was, basically, an assembly line for not attending class and getting good grades as long as you played along.

McCants and as many as 14 other players were involved in the major and he even had an appearance on the Dean's List with that as his major.

The Raleigh News and Observer reported that basketball players were in the major back in that championship season of 2005 in their initial reporting back in 2012.

Here's a snippet of McCants interview


And here's the initial Sara Ganim report on CNN with UNC whistleblower Mary Willingham


Obviously, the University is refuting McCants' claims and Willingham's study into the department.

CBS' Gary Parrish caught up with Williams, via Parrish's Twitter is the response:

“In no way did I know about or do anything close to what he says.”

BUZZER BEATER: UNC Beats NC State Again

((HT: ACCDN))

Wasn't it just a little bit ago that we were all throwing dirt on North Carolina and head coach Roy Williams...???

Now, after last night, they've won ten in a row and are causing some serious trouble in the ACC...

Last night, Marcus Paige was responsible for the 16th win in the last 17 efforts against the Wolfpack


We'll leave the Roy Williams silent sit-in to Brother Wilkie...

Look Out Here Comes Carolina. Tar Heels Take Round One 74-66 Over Duke

After starting ACC play 0-3 North Carolina may have righted the ship right on time.

Thursday night the Tar Heels won their eighth in a row defeating rival Duke 74-66 in round one of the Battle of the Blues.

Here's the highlights, Thanks GoHeelsTV



Marcus Paige scored all of his 13 points in the second half to lead the Carolina comeback.

This game morphed into a heavyweight slugfest you would expect from the rivalry.

"For a few minutes there both teams were fighting so hard it wasn't very pretty."  North Carolina head coach Roy Williams said.  "It's really two teams that fought awfully hard and understand where they stand in this 
rivalry."

"I think it's an emotional game."  Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said.  "No matter what you talk about until you're in it, you don't know. They're kids, kids, men-it can affect you. The atmosphere was sensational, but we should want that and we do. That's a great atmosphere to play in, but sometimes it can hurt your communication patterns. You can start to think of what you're doing instead of what we're doing. That can have an impact, no question."

On Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina it was party time.

Thanks WTVD Raleigh, NC

5 AM Practice This Morning For North Carolina, Texas Upsets #14 UNC 86-83

That's how pissed off North Carolina head coach Roy Williams was when the Tar Heels lost at home to Texas Wednesday night 86-83.

It wasn't a classic rant like Barry Hinson but it was Roy Williams going off.

(Note the Barry Hinson reference)

Thanks WRAL-TV Raleigh, NC


Here's the highlights with FOSG Jones Angel on the call.

Thanks GoHeelsTV


The Tar Heels only shot 39 percent from the field and a much worse 51 percent from the free throw line which has been North Carolina's problem.

"I know we miss a lot of them, and it hurts when you're trying to make runs." North Carolina guard Marcus Paige said.  "We shouldn't have been in a position where free throws determined this game in the first place. Our first half was probably the worst first half of basketball we could have possibly played. I mean, it doesn't help when...if you miss two free throws it's basically like turning the ball over or giving the ball right back to them. It's frustrating to not take advantage of those opportunities."

I'm sure the 5:00 am practice was hell on the floor.  If you are a Tar Heel can you can only hope this is a wake up call to the team.

Coach Roy Apologizes To Players Left On Court At FSU

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com/ACC Digital Network))

UNC head coach Roy Williams officially apologized to the five left on the floor during the last 14 seconds of the 33-point loss in Tallahassee.

He actually thought that all of them were leaving at the 14-second mark, but the message apparently, didn't get through to all of them. And he didn't see that the five were left on the floor until he watched game film.

It was the worst loss for any Williams-coached team and the worst loss for him in Chapel Hill.

Here's the highlights, from a Florida State point-of-view...


Williams was concerned for the safety of his traveling squad since a student manager was injured when she was pushed to the ground after UNLV's upset of UNC earlier this season.

Hear UNC Associate AD For Communications Jason Kirchner's explanation to the "Adam and Joe" show on 99.9 the Fan Monday morning hyah...

And here's SVP's One Big Thing on the topic...
((HT: ESPN))