Thursday, March 24, 2011

2011 NCAA Tournament: An inside view

The entrance ramp to the floor and 'the show' at Time Warner Cable Arena.
P. Koutourmpis
It started on a Friday at Noon and finished on Sunday at 6 pm. The 2011 Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament had come to Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC featuring some of the country's best collegiate basketball teams including the defending 2010 champion Duke Blue Devils and the 2009 champion North Carolina Tar Heels. Local fans had the opportunity to support their team while they sought to advance to the Sweet 16 by weekend's end while others traveled from Michigan, New York, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and across the country from Washington state to do the same.

As most only get the opportunity to experience such an event from the stands watching these talented teams battle it out for a chance to advance closer to winning a championship title, getting a view from the inside can provide an appreciation for the simplicity and complexity of the event that creates March Madness.

Even the media and players can check out a tournament bracket under the stands.
P. Koutroumpis
The Tar Heels prepare to take on the Washington Huskies.
P. Koutroumpis
Press Row view as Michigan and Tennessee plays on Friday. Not a bad view.
P. Koutroumpis
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl congratulates Michigan players. He got fired days later.
P. Koutroumpis
North Carolina coach Roy Williams shaking hands with LIU players.
P. Koutroumpis
Defending champion Duke Blue Devils warm-up.
P. Koutroumpis
Michigan coach John Beilein drawing up the play for the Wolverines.
P. Koutroumpis

Post-game press conference with Mike Krzyzewski, Nolan Smith, and Ryan Kelly.
P. Koutroumpis
Mike Krzyzewski leaving the floor with win #900.
P. Koutroumpis

Latest Raleigh Sports Examiner news:

2011 NCAA Tournament: Who's going to the Elite 8?

Now that the first three rounds of the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship have been completed, this weekend's upcoming Sweet 16 round of games feature a number of intriguing match-ups. Analyzing and predicting what teams...

2011 Women's NCAA Tournament: #2 Duke Blue Devils continue to dance

Freshman Chelsea Gray scored 13 points in the second half to lead the #2 Duke Blue Devils (31-3) to a 71-66 victory over the talented and hard-working #10 Marist Red Foxes (31-3) at Cameron Indoor Stadium...

2011 NCAA Tournament: Duke’s thrill of victory and Michigan’s agony of defeat

As the 2011 NCAA Championship Tournament third round of play concluded on Sunday night, the West Regional‘s #1 Duke Blue Devils (32-4) jogged off the court with a 73-71 victory over the #8 Michigan Wolverines (21...

2011 NCAA Tournament: Blue Devils and Tar Heels fans have reason to cheer

As the #1 Duke Blue Devils (31-4) and the #2 UNC Tar Heels (27-7) took to the floor for their respective second-round games in the 2011 NCAA Championship Tournament at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte...

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

2011 March Madness: Duke tips-off defense of its title

2010 NCAA Champions - Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
The defending 2010 NCAA champion Duke Blue Devils (30-4)  begin defense of their title on Friday at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC. Coach Mike Kryzyzewski leads his team back into this year's 2011 NCAA Championship tournament as the #1 seed in the West Regional. Duke earned its top seeding just after it had won its third consecutive ACC tournament championship title on Sunday. After losing the ACC regular season title to the tournament #1 seed UNC Tar Heels (26-7), the Blue Devils reassured everyone that they deserved a top seed by  beating the Tar Heels 75-58 in front of a packed Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC.

After last-season's progression through the NCAA Tournament in which a "good team became a great team", Krzyzewski and his team were once again recognized as the gold standard of success in college basketball. Preseason predictions putting them in contention for a title defense were no longer considered unreasonable after the program struggled in recent years. The outlook for the 2010-2011 season was a bright one and so far they have not disappointed themselves or their fans. With a healthy and deep roster, the chances to repeat as NCAA champions is a definite possibility in 2011.

Video preview: #1 Duke Blue Devils vs. #16 Hampton University Pirates (24-8) - Friday, Mar. 18 - 3 p.m. 

Raleigh Sports Examiner coverage from the NCAA Tournament in Charlotte
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Sunday, March 13, 2011

2011 ACC Championship - Battle of Tobacco Road III - Duke vs. North Carolina

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

 Here is the latest over the last week in 2011 ACC Championship play:

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Saturday, March 5, 2011

The battle of champions: traveling along Tobacco Road to March Madness

With only a few hours to go before defending champion NCAA champion and #4-ranked Duke Blue Devils (27-3, 13-2) face the #13 UNC Tar Heels (23-6, 13-2) for the ACC regular season championship title, looking back at events of just a year ago seems fitting. Alot has taken place. Duke versus Carolina and the Battle of Tobacco Road always takes on historic billing locally, nationally, and globally.

Watch online: Duke Blue Devils vs. UNC Tar Heels - Sat. Mar. 5 - 8 p.m. - (GameTracker)

Before you watch the Battle of Tobacco Road locally or follow it online, take some time to recap what the Raleigh Sports Examiner brought to you in March Madness coverage over the past year. Be sure to follow again this year to get all the latest updates on this this month's upcoming ACC and NCAA Championship coverage.




Duke fans cheeer on the Blue Devils in Indianapolis.
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