As the the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, it must be recognized that there is reason to appreciate how many choices we have to make. How many friends and family can we visit and reunite with at one time? How many shopping deals can be found on Black Friday? How many different sporting events take place during this special weekend of the year? When you really think about it, quite a few.
This then begs the question, how do you decide what to pay attention to? Here are a few methods to help you decide:
It's still football season - start watching basketball now
If you are an NC State Wolfpack football fan, a bowl-eligible team at 8-3 overall will play for a spot in the ACC Championship game. The Wolfpack takes on the Maryland Terps in College Park, Maryland on Saturday. Follow the action on ESPN 2 or online on GameTracker (cbssports.com).
If you are a UNC (6-5) or Duke (3-8) football fan, Saturday's kick-off takes place at 3:30 pm in Wallace Wade Stadium, and watching this game will be a great pre-cursor for the basketball season. Tickets are still available online. If you don't want to weather this one in the cooler Carolina weather, catch it online on GameTracker (cbssports.com).
It's basketball season - start watching hockey too
The long and short of it so far in the Triangle is this:
The #1 Duke Blue Devils are 5-0 and recently beat Kansas State 82-68, captured the O'Reilly Auto Part CBE Classic, and coach Mike Krzyzewski earned his 800th career win. The Blue Devils beat Marquette 82-77 in the semi-final game before beating the Wildcats.
The #25 UNC Tar Heels (3-2) lost two straight road games to Minnesota (72-67) and Vanderbilt (72-65) in San Juan, Puerto Rico last weekend before coming home to beat UNC Asheville 80-69 on Tuesday. Next games for the Tar Heels are the College of Charleston (Sunday) and Illinois (Tuesday).
The unranked NC State Wolfpack (4-1) experienced some defensive lapses with its recent 82-67 loss to the #20 Georgetown Hoyas in the Charleston Classic, the first ranked opponent the team has faced season. The loss comes on the heels of two previous wins against East Carolina (85-65) and George Mason (78-65). Bright spots to watch each game are Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown. Watch them when you can.
Even if you are too excited about basketball season starting the Carolina Hurricanes have some good things going on. Have a look.
It's hockey season - don't forget about football and basketball season
The host of the 2011 NHL All-Star game, the Carolina Hurricanes, have made personnel moves recently to spark the team's performance after finishing 9-9-2 during the first quarter of the NHL season. It is still too soon to determine the effect of these changes in the locker room, but the theme for the entire season will be: how do you strengthen the defense while not spending any money?
A few exceptional young offensive prospects are developing in Charlotte providing for some great trade-bait to be offered later in the season. Some great deals may be made by mid-season. Wishful thinking? Maybe. However, like the old economy worked: if you don't want to spend money for something you want, you trade for it. If you are really curious about what/who I am talking about, email me.
The 'Canes are in Boston leading the Bruins 2-0 after two periods. Hopefully they hang on for the win (there's the reference to 'defense wins games'), and head to Washington for a rematch with the Capitals on Sunday. Ovechkin and his boys are 2-0 over the Hurricanes so far this season in Raleigh. Hopefully Staal, Skinner, and Ward will return the favor in the nation's capital.
Stay tuned.
(Updated: The Hurricanes beat the Bruins 3-0 - great win as the defense held on to give Ward his first shutout of the season)
