Friday, March 28, 2008

Quick hits: Two Winston-Salem legends in the news

Maya Angelou celebrates her 80 years of joy and pain
"In the dining room of her elegantly restored Harlem town house, beneath painted clouds on a light blue ceiling, Maya Angelou is asked how it feels to be turning 80.

" 'Exciting! she says with a broad smile, then adds: 'The body knows. The bones don't let you forget.'

"The woman who defies a simple label — Angelou has been a memoirist, poet, civil rights activist, actress, director, professor, singer and dancer — is getting an early birthday gift," says USA Today.

"Two longtime friends and her niece, who is Angelou's archivist, have collaborated on an illustrated book, Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration (Doubleday, $30), a tribute and scrapbook, that will be published Tuesday. ...

"What she does like is to be called Dr. Angelou. Although she never went to college, she has been awarded more than 30 honorary degrees. Since 1981, she has been a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. ..."

Grier to be honored in her hometown
"Actress Pam Grier will be honored next month during an N.C. film festival.

"The Winston-Salem Journal reports Grier will receive a master of cinema award during the RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem. The festival runs April 23-28," says the Associated Press.

"Grier appears in the Showtime series 'The L Word.' She's best known for starring in movies in the 1970s.

"Grier was born in Winston-Salem in 1949. Her family later settled in Colorado, where she graduated high school. ..."

Monday, March 24, 2008

Sweet Davidson

It's a lead too easy not to write.

Easter Sunday. Davidson ("Son of David") slays the Giant. And, heck, if I were a sportswriter, I would probably have done the same thing.

The Davidson Wildcats have done the unthinkable. No, not getting to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament; anyone who actually followed them this season knew they were more than capable of that. No, the amazing thing that Bob McKillop's team has done is upstage the UNC Tar Heels in what basically became Carolina's home away from home, the RBC Center. And the Wildcats did it at the same time as the Heels were awing the basketball world with complete beat-downs of Mount St. Mary's and Arkansas. Thorough beatdowns, at that.

What Davidson is showing is that playing good teams makes you better, a novel concept, that.

Davidson's miracle run, in all likelihood, will hit a dead end at some point. But for now they have captivated the country, and have kinda sorta united N.C. basketball fans. Carolina fans were pulling for the team in red, on N.C. State's home court. And McKillop himself admits to stealing ideas from Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams.

"In the NCAA Tournament, that basketball reality show brought to you by 60 Minutes, the drama reaches such a crescendo that 15 minutes of fame can stretch into 48 hours," writes Lenox Rawlings.

"By then, most Americans tire of the gritty spud sprouts from Southwest Idaho State and start looking for a fresh thrill. Short attention spans usually match the limited staying power of the ’Taters, who flop about seven minutes into the second round.

"A grateful nation considered putting Davidson in the hall of fleeting fame yesterday. The Wildcats fell 17 points behind Georgetown moments after halftime, and shooting star Stephen Curry finally displayed mortal flashes.

"As it turned out, any skeptics gave up too quickly, and perhaps Georgetown started counting to Sweet 16 too early. ..."

"The Wildcats are so corny that they carry stacks of textbooks into the locker room and sing a Neil Diamond song with their fans, 'Sweet Caroline.' After the hand-in-glove show, that’s precisely what Davidson did, right in front of the team’s main booster section with the pep band pumping up the music and drawing North Carolina fans into the refrain. The scene amused [guard Jason] Richards.

" 'We definitely know the words,' he said. 'The whole school knows the words.'

"Right now, the whole basketball world knows about the small school with the big team. Davidson, sweet Davidson."

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Quick hits: Say hello to Asheville, but goodbye to 'Kinchloe'

Asheville one of 10 easy spring weekend getaways
"Nestled in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains region, Asheville is showing up on travelers' radars thanks to its dynamic downtown area, lively cultural offerings, thriving arts scene, New Age nuances, and breathtaking mountain scenery," writes ShermansTravel.com. "Architecture buffs delight in the town's Art Deco-influenced buildings, as well as the Biltmore Estate, modeled after a French castle, that ranks as the largest private residence in North America. Shoppers can scoop up fine arts and crafts at local artisan galleries, while nature enthusiasts can foray into the surrounding mountain preserves that burst with colorful wildflowers come spring."

'Hogan's Heroes' star Dixon passes away in Charlotte
"Ivan Dixon, an actor, director and producer best known for his role as Kinchloe on the 1960s television series 'Hogan's Heroes,' has died. He was 76," says the Associated Press.

"Dixon died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte after a hemorrhage and of complications from kidney failure, said his daughter, Doris Nomathande Dixon of Charlotte. ...

"Born April 6, 1931, in New York City, Dixon graduated in 1954 from North Carolina Central University in Durham. ..."

Clooney, Zellweger to promote movie in N.C.

"The Facts of Life" aside, George Clooney typically doesn't do bad projects. So I'm giving "Leatherheads" the benefit of the doubt.

The movie, about an early-20th century football team, was filmed in Greensboro, Salisbury and other parts of the Carolinas, opens April 14. Clooney, along with co-star Renee Zellweger, will sally forth to the "Old North State" to promote the film.

The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that Clooney, who directed and stars in the movie, and Zellweger will be in Salisbury on March 26 and in Greenville, S.C., the next day.

"In Salisbury, Clooney and Zellweger will appear about 11 a.m. at the Historic Salisbury Station as part of what they're calling the 'Whistle Stop Express.' In Greenville, S.C., they'll appear about 11 a.m. at The Westin Poinsett Hotel," says the Greensboro News & Record.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Quick hits: N.C. visitors like to spend money, N.C. residents do not

N.C. visitors spent a record amount in 2007
"North Carolina visitors spent a record amount in 2007 – more than $16.5 billion – Gov. Mike Easley announced Monday."

"That was an increase of 7.2 percent from 2006 when visitors spent $15.4 billion," according to WRAL.com.

"Employment in the travel and tourism industry for 2007 also saw an increase of 2 percent compared with the previous year.

" 'From skiing in the winter to an endless variety of summer vacation opportunities, the many wonderful attractions in North Carolina make our state one of the nation’s top travel destinations,' Easley said in a press release. 'Our aggressive efforts to promote tourism are paying off in good jobs and more recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.' ..."

Poll finds support for rail, transit, wider roads
"North Carolinians overwhelmingly say improving public transportation and widening roads are the best ways to deal with traffic congestion, according to a new poll. But they don't like the idea of highway tolls to pay for them," says the N&O.

"The poll, released today by Elon University, found 82 percent support for widening roads and improving public transportation to address traffic congestion. Majorities also favored building more roads (72 percent), increasing park-and-ride lots (73 percent) and adding carpool or high occupancy vehicle lanes (52 percent).

"The poll found strong support for rail systems, including commuter rail in urban areas (72 percent), high-speed trains between the state's largest cities (70 percent) and regional rail (64 percent).

"To pay for regional rail, 67 percent supported extra fees. To pay for work on bridges and roads and other transportation projects, 66 percent supported a $2 billion statewide bond issue. ..."

North Carolina basketball report

The second annual All-North Carolina teams ...

First team
Forward: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
23.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 54.6 2-point shooting,
81.7 free throw shooting

Much more polished than last season, Hansbrough edges Curry and Reid for player of the year in the state.

Forward: Arizona Reid, High Point
23.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 56.1 2-point shooting,
74.6 free throw shooting

Reid is sixth in points and sixth in rebounds nationally.

Forward: Kyle Hines, UNC Greensboro
19.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 56.2 2-point shooting,
62.8 free throw shooting, 3.06 blocks

Hines ranks ninth in the country in blocks.

Guard: Stephen Curry, Davidson
25.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 54.6 2-point shooting,
43.8 3-point shooting, 89.8 free throw shooting

Curry is fifth in the nation in points, and his total shooting percentage (2-point + 3-point + free throw) of 188.2 is better than any season by J.J. Redick.

Guard: Ty Lawson, North Carolina
12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 58.6 2-point shooting,
81.5 free throw shooting

Nobody is better from free throw line to free throw line.

Second team
Forward: Jonathan Rodriguez, Campbell
20.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 51.8 2-point shooting,
76.5 free throw shooting

Forward: James Johnson, Wake Forest
14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 57.4 2-point shooting,
68.9 free throw shooting

Johnson is the pick over J.J. Hickson of N.C. State, Kyle Singler of Duke, Vladimir Kulianin and T.J. Carter of UNC Wilmington and many, many others.

Center: Kenny George, UNC Asheville
12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 69.0 2-point shooting,
66.2 free throw shooting, 3.41 blocks

George is 7-foot-7! He also leads the nation in field goal percentage and is seventh in blocks.

Guard: DeMarcus Nelson, Duke
15.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 54.7 2-point shooting,
40.8 3-point shooting, 60.7 free throw shooting

Nelson is the best perimeter player on a team full of them.

Guard: Jason Richards, Davidson
12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 51.5 2-point shooting,
73.6 free throw shooting

Richards passes to Curry and does it well, leading the nation in assists.

Final rankings
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)
WITH whether each team made the NCAA tournament and how

2. North Carolina (32-2, 6-1)
Last week: 2
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State (2), Wake Forest, Duke
lost to Duke

IN: automatic berth, ACC

UNC beat Clemson 86-81 in the ACC tournament final, winning their record 17th conference championship.

7. Duke (27-5, 5-2)
Last week: 4
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State (2), North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest, North Carolina

IN: at-large berth

Duke lost to Clemson 78-74 in the ACC tournament semifinals.

35. Davidson (25-6, 11-4)
Last week: 41
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State (2), Western Carolina (2),
Elon (3), UNC Greensboro (3)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

IN:: automatic berth, Southern Conference

The Wildcats were 23-0 in the conference, including the tournament.

68. UNC Charlotte (20-13, 5-0)
Last week: 86
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

OUT: lost to Temple 60-45 in Atlantic 10 semifinals

100. Wake Forest (17-13, 4-3)
Last week: 87
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke, N.C. State
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, North Carolina

OUT: lost to Florida State 70-60 in ACC first round

103. N.C. State (15-16, 4-6)
Last week: 92
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina (2), Duke (2), Wake Forest

OUT: lost to Miami 63-50 in ACC first round

State closed the season with nine consecutive losses, finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2001.

125. UNC Greensboro (19-12, 7-4)
Last week: 130
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State (2),
Western Carolina (2)
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson (3)

OUT: lost to Davidson 82-52 in Southern Conference semifinals

126. UNC Wilmington (20-13, 2-1)
Last week: 133
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

OUT: lost to George Mason 53-41 in CAA semifinals

143. UNC Asheville (19-9, 4-2)
Last week: 143
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

OUT: lost to Winthrop 66-48 in Big South championship

154. Appalachian State (17-13, 5-6)
Last week: 157
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina (2)
lost to Charlotte, Davidson (2), Elon, UNC Greensboro (2)

OUT: lost to UNC Greensboro 63-46 in Southern Conference quarterfinals

200. Gardner-Webb (15-16, 2-2)
Last week: 201
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

OUT: lost to Jacksonville 89-80 in Atlantic Sun semifinals

210. Elon (13-18, 2-7)
Last week: 218
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (3), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

OUT: lost to Davidson 65-49 in Southern Conference championship

231. High Point (13-14, 1-3)
Last week: 233
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

OUT: lost to Winthrop 61-53 in Big South semifinals

234. N.C. A&T (11-16, 1-1)
Last week: 215
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Winston-Salem State

OUT: lost to Delaware State 64-62 in MEAC quarterfinals

255. East Carolina (9-18, 2-1)
Last week: 251
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

OUT: lost to Tulsa 66-49 in Conference USA opening round

279. N.C. Central (3-23, 1-7)
Last week: 293
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

OUT: independent

Saturday: beat Winston-Salem State 60-56

293. Western Carolina (9-21, 2-10)
Last week: 296
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State (2), UNC Greensboro (3)

OUT: lost to Wofford 58-49 in Southern Conference opening round

312. Winston-Salem State (10-18, 1-3)
Last week: 303
beat N.C. A&T
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T, N.C. Central

OUT: independent

Saturday: lost to N.C. Central 60-56

311. Campbell (9-20, 1-4)
Last week: 311
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb

OUT: lost to Belmont 75-66 in Atlantic Sun quarterfinals

Monday, March 17, 2008

Another 'C' becoming a 'U'

Wouldn't you just know: I go and buy my dad a Lenoir-Rhyne College sweatshirt, and lo and behold, LRC is changing to LRU.

"The board of Lenoir-Rhyne College has voted to change the school's name to Lenoir-Rhyne University," says the Charlotte Observer. "The new name, which was approved Saturday, 'better reflects the expanded offerings the college is planning to pursue,' said Margaret Allen, associate director of marketing and communications."

The move was recommended by a commission created to examine the possible expansion of the 117-year-old college, she said. The change will take time to implement; officials hope to put it into effect in late August.

Among other initiatives, the school is planning to add academic programs and degrees, launching some major construction and renovation projects and is adding a residential neighborhood with houses for sororities, fraternities and other groups.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Granted, I attended a large state university, but I've always romanticized the thought of the small colleges. To me, Elon University just doesn't carry the same cache as Elon College. Same goes for LRC, my father's alma mater. And I've never gotten over Elon changing its mascot ...

Friday, March 14, 2008

'Fatal Vision' house to be a fatality

According to the Fayetteville Observer, the infamous house where former Army Special Forces doctor Jeffrey MacDonald killed his wife and daughters will be torn down Saturday to make room for a new neighborhood center.

"The house is on Fort Bragg, at 544 Castle Drive in the Corregidor Courts subdivision.

"Picerne Military Housing, the private company in charge of building and maintaining homes on Fort Bragg, has been systematically renovating or demolishing older homes on the post to make room for new homes," said the paper.

The case is legendary in Fayetteville and was made famous across the country in the book “Fatal Vision.”

Colette MacDonald — Jeffrey MacDonald’s wife — and their two daughters, 6-year-old Kimberly and 2-year-old Kristen Jean, were stabbed to death in the early morning of Feb. 17, 1970. Colette MacDonald was pregnant when she was killed.

Jeffrey MacDonald, then an Army captain, told investigators that day that four people dressed like hippies broke into his house and attacked him and his family.

Army investigators linked MacDonald to the murders, but the Army’s version of a grand jury hearing found there was not enough evidence to try him. A federal grand jury indicted MacDonald in 1975; he was free until 1979, when he was convicted of their murders. He is in federal prison and has maintained his innocence for the past 38 years.

A spokesperson said the house, one of 28 to come down, was not targeted because of its notoriety.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Monday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

2. North Carolina (29-2, 6-1)
Last week: 3
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State (2), Wake Forest, Duke
lost to Duke

The latest installments of the best players in ACC history from Patrick Stevens, The Washington Times’ ACC basketball beat writer, and myself: 1975-86 and 1987-95.

Tom Knott of The Washington Times writes about Tyler Hansbrough.

Hansbrough: 10th in the country in points (23.1)

4. Duke (26-4, 5-2)
Last week: 4
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State (2), North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest, North Carolina

41. Davidson (24-6, 11-4)
Last week: 44
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State (2), Western Carolina (2),
Elon (3), UNC Greensboro (3)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

Monday: beat Elon 65-49 in Southern Conference championship

Stephen Curry scored 23 points as the Wildcats completed a 23-0 run through the conference, including the tournament.

Stephen Curry: fifth in points (25.2)

Jason Richards: first in assists (7.9)

86. UNC Charlotte (18-12, 5-0)
Last week: 94
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

Wednesday: vs. Rhode Island in first round of Atlantic 10 tournament, 9 p.m.

87. Wake Forest (17-12, 4-3)
Last week: 85
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke, N.C. State
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, North Carolina

92. N.C. State (15-15, 4-6)
Last week: 83
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina (2), Duke (2), Wake Forest

State has lost eight consecutive games.

130. UNC Greensboro (19-12, 7-4)
Last week: 139
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State (2),
Western Carolina (2)
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson (3)

Sunday: lost to Davidson 82-52 in Southern Conference semifinals

Kyle Hines: ninth in blocks (3.06)

133. UNC Wilmington (20-13, 2-1)
Last week: 135
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

Sunday: lost to George Mason 53-41 in CAA semifinals

Vladimir Kulianin: second in field goal percentage (.667)

143. UNC Asheville (19-9, 4-2)
Last week: 131
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

Saturday: lost to Winthrop 66-48 in Big South championship

Kenny George: first in field goal percentage (.690), eighth in blocks (3.41)

157. Appalachian State (17-13, 5-6)
Last week: 153
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina (2)
lost to Charlotte, Davidson (2), Elon, UNC Greensboro (2)

Saturday: lost to UNC Greensboro 63-46 in Southern Conference quarterfinals

201. Gardner-Webb (15-16, 2-2)
Last week: 206
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

Friday: lost to Jacksonville 89-80 in Atlantic Sun semifinals

Thomas Sanders: ninth in rebounds (10.8)

215. N.C. A&T (11-15, 1-1)
Last week: 227
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Winston-Salem State

Thursday: vs. Delaware State in MEAC tournament quarterfinals
in Raleigh

218. Elon (13-17, 2-7)
Last week: 249
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (3), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

Monday: lost to Davidson 65-49 in Southern Conference championship

233. High Point (13-14, 1-3)
Last week: 238
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

Thursday: lost to Winthrop 61-53 in Big South semifinals

Arizona Reid: seventh in points (23.9), sixth in rebounds (11.0)

Mike Jefferson: fourth in assists (7.0)

251. East Carolina (9-17, 2-1)
Last week: 251
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

Wednesday: vs. Tulane in opening round of Conference USA tournament

293. N.C. Central (2-23, 0-7)
Last week: 292
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

Saturday: vs. Winston-Salem State, 4:30 p.m.

296. Western Carolina (9-21, 2-10)
Last week: 291
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State (2), UNC Greensboro (3)

Friday: lost to Wofford 58-49 in opening round of Southern Conference tournament

303. Winston-Salem State (10-17, 1-2)
Last week: 309
beat N.C. A&T
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T

Saturday: at N.C. Central, 4:30 p.m.

311. Campbell (9-20, 1-4)
Last week: 317
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb

Wednesday: lost to Belmont 75-66 in Atlantic Sun quarterfinals

Thursday, March 06, 2008

A nice rendering of Cape Hatteras

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is one of the most recognized lighthouses in the world. Area artist Lin has sketched a wonderful rendering of Cape Hatteras.

"My reference photo (I live four hours from the lighthouse!!! LOL)," she writes on her View From the Oak blog, "showed a sunny summer day, so I thought, also fitting for our predicted showers today, to add a bit of a storm approaching.I'd like to do this again on a larger sheet of paper so I can extend the lighthouse."

Check out more of Lin's sketches and art here.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Dawson's what? 'One Tree Hill' picked up for a sixth season

To hear the folks at One Tree Hill talk, the specter of Dawson's Creek has always hung over them.

Until now.

It was announced on Monday that One Tree Hill will be back for a sixth season, effectively matching Dawson's run in Wilmington.

“It’s sort of unimaginable,” Mark Schwahn, One Tree Hill’s creator told the Wilmington Star-News.

"Dawson’s Creek is a huge, big, wonderful show that when you come to Wilmington to make a pilot, you have this spectre of this show looming over you and it seems unattainable to go as long as they would,” Schwahn said.

Locals crew members expressed a relief in knowing that after wrapping the recently ordered six episodes to be filmed for season five, they’ll go on a short hiatus and get right back to work.

Michael J. Hall, a construction coordinator on the show who also worked on Dawson’s Creek, was “a bit surprised” to learn the show had been renewed. He first learned about the sixth season approval when called by the Star-News for comment. He was in New Orleans working on a feature film.

“Yee ha!” he said. “I came here to do a show during the strike and I was unaware that after the strike was resolved, they’d come back and shoot a few more episodes for season five. So I’ll definitely be home for season six.”...

A sixth season for the show, which employs between 125 and 150 locals, is good news for the local economy, said Johnny Griffin, director of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission. In the past, One Tree Hill has spent roughly a million dollars an episode, he said, “If they order 12 or 13 or 22, that’s how much more we’re going to get in the local economy.” ...

The One Tree Hill pick-up is just the most recent good news for Wilmington’s film professionals. HBO confirmed Thursday that an adaptation of the BBC series Little Britain will begin filming here this month.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Best 'sammich' in the state?

KBrew sent along this Esquire link which describes the best sanwiches/wraps/gyros in America. On this list is Chapel Hill's Allen & Sons barbecue sandwich. I just can't fathom that it could be any better than Wilber's, but I digress. (This list also includes McDonald's McRib and Chik-Fil-A's chicken sandwich, for what it's worth.)

What is the best sandwich you've ever had in the Old North State? The aforementioned Wilber's (Goldsboro) takes the crown in the pulled pork category. I'm a HUGE fan of Sunflower's (Raleigh) chicken salad sandwich. Until it closed recently, The Grape's (Raleigh) $15 steak sandwich was one of the best things I had ever tasted. (Perhaps the fact that a sandwich cost $15 led to The Grape's demise?)

Any other votes?

North Carolina basketball report

Rankings (results through Monday’s games)
RPI rankings, team (overall record, record vs. North Carolina teams)

3. North Carolina (27-2, 5-1)
Last week: 3
beat Davidson, UNC Asheville, N.C. State (2), Wake Forest
lost to Duke

At The Washington Times, Patrick Stevens, our ACC basketball beat writer, and I are selecting the best players from each era of ACC basketball. The second installment is 1965-74.

The teams feature N.C. State’s David Thompson and Tom Burleson of the 1974 national champions, Charlie Scott, Larry Miller, Bobby Jones and Dean Smith of North Carolina and Charlie Davis of Wake Forest.

Tyler Hansbrough: eighth in the country in points (23.4)

4. Duke (25-3, 5-1)
Last week: 4
beat N.C. Central, Davidson, N.C. State (2), North Carolina
lost to Wake Forest

44. Davidson (22-6, 9-4)
Last week: 61
beat N.C. Central, Appalachian State (2), Western Carolina (2),
Elon (2) UNC Greensboro (2)
lost to North Carolina, Duke, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State

Davidson, which moved up 17 spots in the RPI, finished the Southern Conference regular season undefeated at 20-0.

Stephen Curry: fifth in points (25.3), ninth in free throw percentage (.894)

Jason Richards: first in assists (8.0)

83. N.C. State (15-14, 4-5)
Last week: 74
beat Davidson, Western Carolina, N.C. Central, Wake Forest
lost to East Carolina, North Carolina (2), Duke (2)

The current issue of Sports Illustrated includes “Over the Top,” an article about out of control college basketball fans. A sidebar, “Pattern of Abuse,” includes Washington, N.C., native Dominique Wilkins, whose first choice as a school was N.C. State.

85. Wake Forest (16-11, 3-3)
Last week: 62
beat N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Duke
lost to UNC Charlotte, N.C. State, North Carolina

94. UNC Charlotte (16-12, 5-0)
Last week: 99
beat High Point, Appalachian State, Wake Forest, Davidson,
Gardner-Webb

131. UNC Asheville (17-8, 4-2)
Last week: 154
beat Campbell (2), Western Carolina, High Point
lost to North Carolina, High Point

Kenny George: first in field goal percentage (.713), sixth in blocks (3.75)

135. UNC Wilmington (19-12, 2-1)
Last week: 143
beat N.C. Central, East Carolina
lost to UNC Greensboro

Vladimir Kulianin: second in field goal percentage (.664)

139. UNC Greensboro (17-11, 6-3)
Last week: 151
beat UNC Wilmington, Elon (2), Appalachian State,
Western Carolina (2)
lost to Appalachian State, Davidson (2)

153. Appalachian State (17-12, 5-5)
Last week: 158
beat Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Elon, Western Carolina (2)
lost to Charlotte, Davidson (2), Elon, UNC Greensboro

206. Gardner-Webb (14-15, 2-2)
Last week: 207
beat High Point, Campbell
lost to UNC Charlotte, Campbell

Thomas Sanders: fifth in rebounds (11.2)

227. N.C. A&T (10-14, 1-1)
Last week: 123
beat Winston-Salem State
lost to Winston-Salem State

238. High Point (12-13, 1-3)
Last week: 249
beat UNC Asheville
lost to Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville

Arizona Reid: seventh in points (24.2), sixth in rebounds (11.1)

Mike Jefferson: fourth in assists (7.1)

249. Elon (10-17, 2-6)
Last week: 244
beat Western Carolina, Appalachian State
lost to Davidson (2), UNC Greensboro (2), Western Carolina, Appalachian State

251. East Carolina (8-16, 2-1)
Last week: 262
beat N.C. State, N.C. Central
lost to UNC Wilmington

291. Western Carolina (9-19, 2-9)
Last week: 294
beat N.C. Central, Elon
lost to UNC Asheville, Elon, N.C. State, Davidson (2),
Appalachian State (2), UNC Greensboro (2)

292. N.C. Central (2-23, 0-7)
Last week: 295
lost to Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, Western Carolina,
UNC Wilmington, East Carolina, N.C. State

309. Winston-Salem State (9-16, 1-2)
Last week: 311
beat N.C. A&T
lost to Wake Forest, N.C. A&T

317. Campbell (9-19, 1-4)
Last week: 315
beat Gardner-Webb
lost to UNC Asheville (2), Appalachian State, Gardner-Webb