By R.L. Bynum Because of pandemic restrictions, it will be harder for me to get into the Kenan Stadium press box Friday when No. 2 Notre Dame visits Chapel Hill than when the Irish played UNC in 1975. With only a limited number of reporters allowed into the press box this season, I’m unlikely to […]
Author Archives: R.L. Bynum
Williams eager for Heels to play two true post players and push the pace
By R.L. Bynum Basketball has evolved into a more positionless sport with post play a lost art in many games. That’s not about to happen for North Carolina when Coach Roy Williams has the players to use two post players and work the ball inside. During an ACC video conference on Thursday, Williams remembered talking […]
Even if UNC beats Irish and somehow they lose another game, percentages could still deny Heels spot in ACC title game
By R.L. Bynum Mack Brown’s North Carolina team has been fortunate to escape without too much disruption during the football season because of COVID-19. But one scenario could throw a major 2020 curveball at the Tar Heels. Beating No. 2 Notre Dame on Nov. 27 at Kenan Stadium will be quite a challenge for North […]
Tar Heels in NFL: Ebron, Steelers move to 9-0; Hurst starts for Saints; Holcomb plays every Washington defensive snap
By R.L. Bynum One week, it’s hurdling over a defender on the way to scoring a touchdown. Sunday, it was making a one-handed catch to convert on a third down. Tight end Eric Ebron is contributing however he can to help the Pittsburgh Steelers remain the NFL’s only undefeated team. It wasn’t his best day, […]
Howell throws UNC back into the coaches poll at No. 24, gets national honors; odds of making ACC title game low
By R.L. Bynum Two weeks after Virginia shoved North Carolina onto the Top 25 football poll exit ramp, Sam Howell impressively navigated a victory and directed the Tar Heels down the on-ramp — at least in the coaches poll. After being left out of the Top 25 for two consecutive weeks following Carolina’s 44–41 loss […]
UNC rallies from 21 down to beat Wake Forest behind a record-setting day for Sam Howell
By R.L. Bynum Years from now, North Carolina fans will fondly reflect on the record-shattering career of quarterback Sam Howell while watching him pick apart NFL defenses. There will be many more opportunities between now and the end of next season. But Saturday’s sterling effort against Wake Forest will be one memory that will stick […]
A much deeper, more talented UNC women’s team will look nothing like last season’s team
By R.L. Bynum Forget anything you saw from Coach Courtney Banghart’s first women’s basketball team at North Carolina last season. She didn’t come to Chapel Hill for 16–14 seasons that end with eight consecutive losses. Yes, there were successful stretches, including a 9-game win streak, and a signature 66–60 victory over then-No. 9 N.C. State. But […]
UNC No. 16 in AP preseason basketball poll, ending a streak of 14 unranked weeks
By R.L. Bynum Before North Carolina’s rough 14-19 finish last season, the Tar Heels were ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP college basketball poll and were up to No. 5 by Nov. 18. This season, with the influx of freshman talent to go with preseason ACC player of the year candidate Garrison Brooks, the […]
Tar Heels in NFL: Hollins’ first reception is big one; Ebron makes game-winning TD catch for 8-0 Steelers
By R.L. Bynum Mostly a special-teams player for the Miami Dolphins this season, Mack Hollins picked an excellent time to get his first reception this season. In his only reception of the game, Hollins caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, making the catch above the defender’s helmet at the far-right edge […]
UNC’s defense plays well; Tar Heels, Williams pour on the offense in romp at Duke
By R.L. Bynum DURHAM — North Carolina found the cure for its struggling defense in Durham and with the Tar Heels’ offense as potent as ever, possession of the Victory Bell was never in doubt. Javonte Williams, with 24 points, scored as much as Duke in Carolina’s 56–24 romp over the Blue Devils (2–6, 1–6 […]
