Andrew Carter
@_andrewcarter
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Journalist at the Chicago Tribune. Native North Carolinian. Tips, pitches and comments: [email protected].
Joined January 2009
Meet Robert Simmons. Was stuck in his house since last night, when floodwaters began to rise in New Bern. A boat came and rescued him just now. He was sad to leave his father but left with his kitten hugging his neck. Cat’s name: Survivor, Simmons said. #HurricaneFlorence2018
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This is Tracey Howard, sitting on the porch where he found his wife yesterday after she’d been shot and killed. The shooter also killed their dog. Howard had gone to Lowe’s for lightbulbs and came back home to the unimaginable scene. “This is my life now,” he said.
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Armando Bacot said he couldn’t really jump in the moments before tip-off. Needed help moving around afterward after aggravating his already-injured right ankle. Played 38 minutes.
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Honestly having a hard time remembering anything in the ACC/college football as unintentionally funny as a school suing a league, its fans talking for nine months about how it was too good for said league . and then starting 0-3, as a double-digit favorite 3 straight weeks.
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Armando Bacot was so emotional tonight, after his final UNC home game, he even teared up when thinking about his regular postgame sessions with the media. He always sits in the same place, and gives thoughtful answers. He fought back tears and said this, of his five years at UNC:
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For those wondering, Robert wanted his father to leave on the boat, too. But his father wanted to stay behind. There was probably about a half-mile of waist-deep water between their place and the street that led out of the neighborhood. #HurricaneFlorence2018.
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The saddest part of what happened in Chapel Hill today (outside of the very obvious) is that it’ll soon be forgotten in the endless news cycle. And yet the people locked down in classrooms and buildings, wondering what was happening, will remember that fear forever.
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Mack Brown said he won't miss playing App State. Asked him if these kinds of games should continue, given the statewide interest. “It’s a great thing for the state of North Carolina to have (these games)," he said, "and I encourage N.C. State and East Carolina” to play them.
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Candlelight vigil at ACC Kickoff for the sentient boxed breakfast pastry. It’s too much.
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In Howard’s mailbox out front: a bullet hole. The 15-year-old shooter lived two doors down.
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Response to the photo has been overwhelming. Thanks to everyone who has shared a reaction to it. Means a lot to me it’s touched so many. Robert has a captivating story, too, that I’m working on now. Hope to have it up first thing in the morning. Stay tuned. #HurricaneFlorence2018.
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UNC's practice helmet will feature the Jump Man logo, as well. Here's Larry Fedora holding said practice helmet .
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(One small correction to the first tweet, and it'll bother me if I don't set it right: Howard went to "the store" for light bulbs, not necessarily a Lowe's. I misheard it live and just listened to the interview audio again and wanted to have that correct.).
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A woman (pictured) tells me that she and her people have brought out about a dozen dogs, with more to come on boats. There were about 18 stuck inside of a house, by themselves. They were heard barking and whimpering. #HurricaneFlorence2018
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DJ Burns, folks. “We know what it’s about. They ain’t really cheering for us, so we move on. Thank you, though.”. “They were cheering for Duke to lose; not for us to win. There’s a difference.”. “I don’t know where it’s been, I’m just glad it’s here now.”
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The closing scene in the above story references Shana Tucker playing America on the Beautiful on her cello while the statue of the Confederate soldier came down. Powerful scene. A sampling of what it sounded like:
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The most updated story with what we know about the mass shooting in Raleigh yesterday that killed five and injured two others:
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Here's the NC GOP's response to the NCAA. I made sure it was not a parody account.
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Last thing Roy Williams did before driving out of the Smith Center parking lot right at 6 p.m.: sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans who were waiting outside.
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Incredible scene here now outside of Kinston, where several people are rescuing dogs from a flooded kennel. Really powerful, emotional scene. #HurricaneFlorence2018
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Caleb Love answered every question today in the Arizona locker room. He deserves credit for that. Couldn't have been easy. On his time at UNC: . "There was a lot of extra stuff that I think that I went through that I didn’t deserve.”. But: "Everything happens for a reason."
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Everyone who defends the presence of the Silent Sam statue and/or who doesn’t know the context in which it was erected should know the history, some of which is detailed here . .
From white supremacist Julian Carr’s speech at the dedication of Silent Sam in 1913
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Fun nugget: UNC arrived at its hotel in LA last night to a bunch of folks wearing light blue and white, lined up. Wow, the Tar Heels thought. What an LA reception!. Turned out they were fans of the Argentinian soccer team, which played here earlier this week. Fans were confused.
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Many of you have seen the photo. Now here’s the story of a man and the kitten who clung to him, awaiting rescue from the floodwaters of Hurricane Florence in New Bern. #HurricaneFlorence2018
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Kevin Keatts: a winner of State’s first ACC title in 37 years.
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One nugget after talking with UNC AD Bubba Cunningham:. Belichick will continue his regular appearances on McAfee and the Manning Cast while UNC’s head coach. Very high visibility for UNC football, especially among a younger audience.
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For 125 years the tallest Confederate monument in downtown Raleigh had cast a long shadow, literal and figurative. A pair of Black musicians, two friends, didn't want to miss its removal. While the statue came down, they provided a powerful soundtrack:
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Seeing these poor dogs, cold and wet, scared, some shaking, is a sight powerful enough to bring you to tears. Some of them seem thrilled at the sight of people. These two, especially. #HurricaneFlorence2018.
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Here is that letter from Cameron Johnson, in which he makes his case for a full release from University of Pittsburgh:
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Seth Trimble with arguably the most poignant remark from a somber UNC locker room:. "Of course, everybody was ready for last year to be done. Nobody wanted this year to end. So that says a lot.".
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A bill that'd require UNC and N.C. State to play App State, ECU and Charlotte more often in football (and basketball) passed through a House committee today in about 30 seconds. (Bill would also put into law that UNC and State play every year.).
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During the podium portion of UNC's postgame media session (which I missed while in the locker room) Cormac Ryan with some strong words of support for RJ Davis. "For anybody to come and say anything negative about RJ is unacceptable, and I'm just going to say that."
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A couple of weeks ago, when Woody's health took a bad turn, he expressed a desire that if he were to pass away during the ACC tournament, he wanted his son, Wes, to stay in Brooklyn and work the games. And so Wes Durham will be on the mic tonight. It's how he'll honor his dad.
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This little guy was trapped under the stairs in a house, I’m told, in standing water. He’s been shivering but seems to be doing better now that he has a towel. #HurricaneFlorence2018
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Regarding the biggest story in NC this week, no — Roy Williams will not be in Lawrence Friday night for UNC at Kansas. Had a long talk with him last night for stories to come. “There is no way that I can go into Allen Fieldhouse and clap when the other team scores a basket.”.
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Not that I ever doubted it, but now fully understand the acclaim for Allen Fieldhouse. Special place. Pure. All about college basketball. Had never been there until yesterday. Huge thanks to @ctheisenKU for taking time to show us around. Tonight will be fun.
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Several UNC players spoke of Michigan State's unrelenting propensity to talk trash, both before and during the game today. "They were talking, and it feels good to send them home," Harrison Ingram said.
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If UNC is going to the Final Four, it'll have to get out of the West. And, perhaps, against Arizona and Caleb Love. "We don't do this for TV!" . OK, Committee.
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I covered many years of this. Not there tonight, but it's the same: Roy Williams is an ultimate team builder; Coach K is an ultimate talent collector. No one way is the right way, but if you're trying to win in college, can't imagine it hurts to have guys who'll be there a bit.
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Rode the U.S. Open Express earlier, from Raleigh to Pinehurst for the 124th U.S. Open. A lot of quality of North Carolina Americana outside the window, and if you thought I wouldn't spam you with photos I took along the way, you don't know me. The trip, in images:
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Palm Sunday mass in an empty church at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, in Raleigh. Quiet, eerie and yet beautiful. The service is streaming live online.
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What the UNC bench looked like when Kanler Coker scored on a reverse in the final moments:
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An NCAA lawyer just said this during an argument in the Supreme Court: "Our own view is if you allowed them to be paid, they will be spending even more time on their athletics and even less time on academics.".
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NCAA: "We're not in the business of academics, nor do we have anything to do with overseeing the quality of education that 'student-athletes' receive.". Also NCAA: "Look at these rad grad rates -- aren't they great and see how we care about education!?".
Since 2002, Division I graduation rates (GSR) have increased from 64% to 85% for Hispanic/Latino student-athletes and 56% to 79% for Black student-athletes.
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Henry McCollum and Leon Brown spent nearly 31 years in prison for a crime they didn't commit. A jury today awarded them $31 million each in compensatory damages, part of a $75M judgement against two former SBI agents. The quick story, with more to come:
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Will never understand the love for UFC. Just don't see the appeal of getting fired up to watch a guy kick another guy in the face, punch him into a daze, then walk off all triumphant-like with blood splattered everywhere. Seems like a societal regression. *shrug emoji*.
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I thought Armando Bacot summed things up well tonight, after he received one last question comparing this UNC season to last season. "Really, the story of this year was just talking about last year," he said. ". I think it was just an overdue, long hangover.”. Yes.
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ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips calls it “unfathomable” that Florida State was left out. “Florida State deserved better. College football deserved better.” . Statement from him:
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And a . "ACC! ACC! ACC!" chant breaks out among Clemson fans. I didn't know you could do that when your school is suing to get out of the conference, but hey. ACC Pride! Tigers are back in it!.
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Messages on the brick at UNC, where students are grieving the loss of their own who recently died by suicide.
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I’ll never forget what I saw today in Kinston for as long as I live — people rescuing dogs down a flooded country road south of town. It was hard not to be emotional. Here’s hoping this guy is OK tonight. #HurricaneFlorence2018
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The scene at the Old Well about 20 minutes ago. Quiet, especially, with class not yet in session .
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A rough graphical representation of the Sweet 16. Three of the 16 remaining teams are from that “Triangle”-shaped area, between Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. The other 13 will be from that larger geographical area, outside of the blue dot.
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Honest question: How did Charlotte's airport get so bad? Every time I fly through here, it's the worst airport experience I've had since the *last time* I was here. Gridlocked gates. Long walks. Laid out in a nonsensical, frustrating way. Anyway: onto Omaha (eventually).
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The scene here in Elizabeth City, where police in riot gear are standing off with a small group of protestors who refuse to disperse. Maybe 25 or so. (Probably more media out here.)
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Kevin Keatts: "Everybody expected this to be Carolina and Duke. Well, it's Carolina and N.C. State.".
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UNC freshman PG Elliot Cadeau with a harsh self-evaluation after his first NCAA Tournament game. Didn't score, three assists, four turnovers in 19 minutes. "I think I played terrible." . Says, "I'll play a lot better next game."
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In related news today, UNC's 2017 national championship team will not visit the White House. The story about why:
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Here’s how that image came together, if you’re interested. When Survivor crawled out of Robert’s jacket, I just started taking photos. When he sat perched on the shoulder, it was a perfect scene. Some pics are out of focus. Some aren’t framed well. Then there’s the moment.
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N.C. State vs. Duke, for the Final Four. Everett Case, godfather of the ACC, finding reason to wave. (Clip from a 1999 retrospective from The NandO.)
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And one more time for the ACC as we know it – before the further dilution of the conference; before it becomes even more unrecognizable – it's State-Carolina in the ACC Tournament final. Amen. On a fitting finale to the last ACC Tournament of its kind:
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Check on your friends who are N.C. State football and Carolina Panthers fans.
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Train from Raleigh to Pinehurst for the start of the U.S. Open tomorrow is 100 percent full, with one seat left. I’m doing this, and have to say I’m pretty stoked. 🚂 ⛳️
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Tar Heels warming up in the bowels of the Spectrum Center; boombox blaring; mascot of a No. 16 seed looking on in the background. This is March.
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Bill Belichick term sheet at UNC. $50 million over five years, but years four and five are not guaranteed. Includes membership at Chapel Hill Country Club and other perks. Deal is laden with bonus opportunities.
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The N.C. State Wolfpack: onto the Round of 32. Folks, this is America’s team.
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Feeling emotional for all those Wolfpackers out there, but especially for *my* Wolfpackers. Was adopted into an N.C. State family when I was a teenager, without a place to go. Mom, Dad, brothers, all State folks, have seen a lot of Wolfpack misery. But not today.
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Asked Bubba Cunningham, UNC athletic director, if he'd ever had a first-year head coach win a national championship. "Well, we came pretty close in basketball.". Ah, yes. Correct you are.
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If Dabo received half of this, and half went into a pot for players, Clemson could pay every scholarship player nearly $55K/year for 10 years. If the full $93 million went to players, every scholarship player could be paid almost $110K/year for 10 years.
Clemson wants to keep Dabo Swinney at all costs. He's now on the receiving end of a 10-year, $93 million contract. @Matt_Fortuna has all the details already for @TheAthleticCFB:
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Source confirms @InsideCarolina report that Bill Belichick interviewed for UNC’s head coaching vacancy. “He blew them away in the interview.”. Am told Belichick’s interest is high, and genuine. But extremely unlikely to happen due to his age (72) and lack of college experience.
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This video from @vizjourno takes you into the scene (and the floodwaters) of what we experienced in New Bern yesterday. Also captures the heartbreak of Robert Simmons after he’s rescued from his home. Please watch and see what folks are dealing with here:
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There are stories of people helping each other, and helping animals, all over North Carolina right now in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Here is one such story, on an impromptu dog rescue on a flooded stretch of Will Baker Rd. in Kinston:
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No one will ever convince me that North Carolina isn’t the best state in the nation, and perhaps the world.
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App State now with victories at No. 5 Michigan and No. 6 Texas A&M in the past 15 years. Last time UNC and N.C. State beat any team as highly ranked on the road:. UNC -- never.N.C. State -- 1967, at No. 2 Houston.
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Just announced: UNC-CH will co-lead a long-range study of the neurological consequences of concussions among former NFL players. Study will track as many as 2,500 former players (largest number ever studied). NFL is funding w/overall grant of $14.7 million (UNC receiving $4.7m).
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After 4,864 days of bylines, datelines and deadlines (some of which I actually met), last night’s Duke-Carolina game was my final assignment at The News & Observer. It has, very literally, been a dream come true to be a part of it. I’m grateful beyond words.
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"I wish the NCAA was this concerned about the women who were raped at Baylor.".--The N.C. Republican Party
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Hubert Davis here at his pre-NCAAT presser in Charlotte: “No, I really do listen to Lil Durk,” basically. “I’m not that old.”
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On the Saturday that was: UNC and State have (much) bigger budgets and more highly-regarded recruiting classes, but App State proved again that North Carolina’s best program resides in Boone.
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Red Panda showing up for this State game is like walking into your local dive bar and seeing Paul Simon or Elton John. But what a gift for those in attendance.
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Rare is the sporting event that exceeds its considerable hype before it even begins but that’s pretty much this. Whether it’s competitive or dramatic is an afterthought. This is already among the coolest events to come to Raleigh.
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He suffers from MS. His dad's heart is failing. His fiance lost everything. His roof has leaked for more than a decade. Amid Hurricane Florence, all Robert Simmons Jr., had were faith, family and the neighborhood he'll never leave. (And a kitten.)
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As a UNC player, Eric Montross was a hero to a dying teen. But it was the teen, a 15-year-old named Jason Clark, who taught Montross what a hero is. Upon Montross' death on Sunday, a story of a legacy that extends well beyond basketball:
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Fact-checked this, and it’s true: in the almost 150 years since its founding, not one student who has attended NC State got into Carolina. Ever. A remarkable stat. In all seriousness, this is what makes college sports fun. Need more of this banter, not less.
#UNC QB Drake Maye: “I didn’t want to miss out on the home state… growing up in Carolina, you’re gonna be a Carolina fan. Some people may say State, but really people who go to State just can’t get into Carolina…”
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Well, the ACC clearly sold its soul to the devil to win a football championship, and this is the price.
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A more in-depth story about Tracey Howard and his wife, Nicole Connors, and the future they never got to share. Another American mass shooting, this time in Raleigh, proved again nowhere is safe -- not even a front porch:
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ACC men’s basketball coaches heard from ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi at spring meetings today, about how league can get more teams in the NCAA Tournament. (Not a joke.). Lunardi was an invited guest here to give a talk.
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Spotted, in shops along the main drag in downtown Lawrence, Kansas:
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Am told Belichick camp is lobbying “hard” for UNC opening, and that there’s some chaos surrounding candidates and who is best, among decision makers. Resolution expected as soon as Sunday. Jon Sumrall remains a leading candidate.
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This is wild. A reader who came across the Robert Simmons photo I took wrote to say it reminded her of a similar image that’s stayed with her. For 26 years. The other is from 1992, and Hurricane Andrew. And she still has a copy she shared. Some things stay with you.
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No point in covering it, then. Frees up time to see what kind of cars they're driving, check in on police reports, etc.
#LSU announces that it is completely closing preseason camp. No media access at all. School to provide photos and videos from practice.
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The atmosphere in Brooklyn through the first two days of the ACC tournament has been … lacking. Went into Manhattan last night to check out the vibe of the Big East Tournament. In NYC, the ACC plays in the shadow of the league it decimated:
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Asked N.C. State's Jayden Taylor, among others, how this Wolfpack run to the Final Four should be remembered. Thought he gave a good answer. "We made people believe," he said. Full quote:
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