Live From Late Night (10:01 p.m.)

October 12, 2007 | Men's Basketball

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Oct. 12, 2007

Welcome back to another installment of the Live from Late Night blog. Just as in past years, this page will be updated constantly throughout the day. From the opening moment of this morning's Fast Break Against Cancer breakfast to the very last play of tonight's Late Night scrimmage, if it happens in or around the Smith Center, you'll read about it here.

As always, the readers are a big part of this production. Send in your questions throughout the day (regular Mailbag readers please note that today's address is different than usual) and we'll get to as many of them as we can.

8:30 a.m.: Roy Williams gives his opening remarks at the Fast Break breakfast. Some highlights: everyone on the roster made their conditioning times in both the Carolina Mile and yesterday's 33's. And, as Williams notes, "No one threw up." So that's always good. Williams also notes that after reviewing last year's defensive grades, three of the four best defenders (Brandan Wright, Reyshawn Terry, and Wes Miller) are gone from last year's team.

8:40 a.m.: Williams addresses this year's home schedule, which is light on marquee names. Arizona asked for a one-year delay in that series--they'll come to Chapel Hill next season--and a planned series with Texas fell through unexpectedly. The head coach also pointed out that the Tar Heels will play four true road non-conference games this year. Find another team in the top 25 that can say that. Let us know if you find anybody.

9:30 a.m.: The auction is in full swing. Hubert Davis, who was terrific in his role as the event's featured speaker, unexpectedly offers the opportunity for two bidders to join him on the ESPN Gameday set on March 8. As the bidding nears five figures, Williams adds an even better carrot--two tickets behind Carolina's bench for the game. Bidding eventually closes at $20,000, putting the auction total near $60,000.

10:15 a.m.: The Tar Heel Tip-Off set is almost fully operational. It's outside of Entrance A, where a half-dozen people are already lined up and have been there since before 9 a.m. Good news--Massie Minor's group is planning to grill brats again this year.

10:55 a.m.: It's our first reader question of the day. It comes from Thomas Millisor, who says he's in Richmond but soon planning to hit I-85 and head south for tonight's festivities. Thomas writes: "What has been the response from students to a more family friendly environment and how has that changed the scope of the event?"

Thomas is referencing the fact that Late Night used to actually be late. The team couldn't practice until midnight and for that reason the crowd was usually dominated by students. The NCAA pushed the start time back a couple years ago. In all honesty, it's still a student-driven event. They're largely the ones who are willing to camp out all day for good seats, and they're also heavily involved with the night's production--from writing the skits to teaching the players the dances to almost everything else that will happen tonight.

You can join Thomas in the inbox and submit your question by clicking here.

11 a.m.: Stuart Scott did a good job of planning this year. He's already in the Triangle and had an early morning tee time this morning. He'll stop by football practice this afternoon to address the team before coming over to the Smith Center tonight.

12:30 p.m.: We've gotten some questions about this year's team poster. It will, of course, be available tonight. The theme plays off the movie 300, and you'll also find the poster tagline--Take Everything, Give Up Nothing--on this year's team shirt. The good folks from Chapel Hill Sportswear are set up both outside the Smith Center and inside the building selling those shirts, although given the response already it's doubtful they are going to last all day.

1:55 p.m.: Billie Grigg checks in from Haw River with a question about tonight's parking and bus situation. Buses will be running from the Friday Center starting at 5 p.m., for $5 round-trip. Parking will be available beginning at 4:30 in the Ram's Head Deck adjacent to Kenan Stadium. Parking will be available in the Manning, Bowles, Business School Deck and Craige Deck Lots beginning at 5 p.m. Public parking will be available at the Jackson and Dogwood Decks beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The The Tar Heel Tip-Off show is just minutes away from starting. Guests for today's show include Hubert Davis, Roy Williams and Marcus Ginyard.

2:20 p.m.: Hubert Davis is in the building. He'll be the first interview subject on the Tar Heel Tip-Off show. Coach Roy Williams will be here in about 20 minutes. There's a pretty good crowd here in person for Carolina's own ESPN Gameday-type show. They're currently enjoying a highlight video from 2006-07. Tonight will officially introduce the 2007-08 Tar Heels to the fans, and they'll practice at 11 tomorrow morning after tonight's scrimmage.

The faces on this year's team are familiar, but Marc Campbell (transfer from UNCG) and William Graves (redshirt freshman) will be eligible to hit the court, officially. Yesterday at media day, Graves said he didn't mind redshirting last season. "It was great, you know I got a chance to work on my body, work on my skills, work on my intensity level on the court, and as a fan I had the best seat in the house," he said. Wouldn't we all love to have had Graves's seat?

2:40 p.m.: Roy Williams is preparing to make his appearance on the Tip-Off show. Meanwhile, inside the Smith Center, Bonnie Clarke and her Sports Marketing Committee are testing out the new on-court graphics and music in preparation for tonight's show.

3:15 p.m.: Robert Veronee checks in from Charleston, South Carolina with a couple of questions: "My question is will the team shirt be avaiable through Chapel Hill Sportswear like last year or is it a limited time supply that will only be sold today? Also if you could you you guys talk about why Wayne Ellington and Marc Campbell both changed their numbers?"

We walked over and talked with the Chapel Hill Sportswear folks, and there's good news. If you can't make it to the Smith Center tonight, or if the shirts run out tonight, they will be available at their Franklin Street store, on TarHeelBlue.com, and at ChapelHillSportswear.com.

Wayne told us yesterday that he'd always worn #22, but last year he deferred to senior Wes Miller. This season, Ellington took the opportunity to switch to #22, and that opened up #2 for Marc Campbell.

Just under three hours until the doors open to the public. Submit your question by clicking here.

3:45 p.m.: Wilson Andrews emails from the Undergraduate Library: "How's the crowd looking? Tailgating? Who's replacing Wes Miller this season as Roy?"

We'd guess there are about 300 people around entrance A, and more just hanging around. As we mentioned above, the tailgating got started early with Massie Minor and his crew. The "Who'll be Roy?" question has been a popular one, but the answer is simple: We don't know. There are rumors that Bobby Frasor could don the jacket and tie, but Wes's Roy may be irreplaceable. We'll let you know if and when 'Roy' makes an appearance.

4:10 p.m.: The first part of The Tar Heel Tip-Off show is a wrap, and we're moving inside. There are currently seven people in the arena. In a matter of hours, there will be 20,000. The excitement in the air is palpable. People have high expectations for this team, and 'Late Night' signifies the tip-off of another season of Carolina basketball. By the time tonight's scrimmage wraps up, there are people who will have been here for more than 14 hours. That's dedication.

4:40 p.m.: The first thing you'll notice when you enter the Smith Center tonight is the floor graphics. Right now the famous 'NC' logo is projected onto the court, and it stretches from three-point line to three-point line. Bonnie Clarke and members of the Sports Marketing Committee spoke to Tar Heel Monthly about some of the changes for this year's event, and you can check out that article here.

4:55 p.m.: Tonight's atmosphere feels more like a rock concert than a basketball event. Spotlights are shining all over the arena and smoke is hanging. We've had our first LaToya Pringle sighting - she's taken a seat on the front row.

5:10 p.m.: The team is here. They just arrived from the Carolina Inn - in their suits - and the crowd gathered outside entrance D went crazy. T-minus 50 minutes until the doors open and the mad scramble for seats begins.

5:30 p.m.: There's about to be a mad scramble for seats. The line at entry A stretches from the Smith Center doors to the driveway to the Kenan-Flagler Business School. The team posters are going to be a hot item. They are on tables at each entrance, but they're sure to be snatched up within the first ten minutes. The posters are - in a word - awesome. Based on the movie 300, as mentioned above, they feature the players standing amongst shattered rims and crushed basketballs, and with Trojan-style shields. Pretty cool.

5:40 p.m.: While we have a moment before the rush begins, how about a hand for the Smith Center maintenance staff? They're in the middle of a long day. This morning, the Smith Center hosted the Fast Break breakfast. That had to be broken down, and the building readied for tonight's events. Directly after 'Late Night,' they'll handle the changeover to get ready for practice tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. By the time it's all said and done, they'll have been here for nearly 24 hours.

5:58 p.m.: We have roster's for tonight's scrimmage: Coach Steve Robinson will lead the White squad, with Tywon Lawson, Deon Thompson, Wayne Ellington, Alex Stepheson, William Graves, Marc Campbell, J.B. Tanner and Jack Wooten. Coach Joe Holladay will head up the Blue squad with Bobby Frasor, Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, Marcus Ginyard, Michael Copeland, Surry Wood and Patrick Moody. Quentin Thomas will miss tonight's scrimmage due to a knee injury.

6:08 p.m.: The doors opened at 6:01:20 by our watch, and it's taken about six minutes to fill every non-reserved seat in the lower-level. Tar Heel legend Charlie Scott is in the house. Don't forget to send your questions to uncallaccess@gmail.com.

6:17 p.m.: A couple of other former Tar Heels have been spotted. Al Wood and Charlie McNairy. Wood's daughter Martina plays for the women's basketball team.

6:25 p.m.: We now have rosters for the women's scrimmage, though we're not sure who's wearing what color. One team will consist of Alex Miller, Cetera DeGraffenried, Rashanda McCants, Erlana Larkins, Rebecca Gray, Iman McFarland and Meghan Austin. The other includes Italee Lucas, Trinity Bursey, Jessica Breland, Martina Wood, Laura Barry, LaToya Pringle and Heather Claytor.

Hot tip: we've just been told that Tyler Hansbrough's affection for ESPN's Erin Andrews may play a part in tonight's festivities.

6:45 p.m.: The lower level is just about full now, and the upper level seats go about 2/3 of the way up.

6:55 p.m.: Fans were just welcomed to "The real Carolina." That drew the biggest cheer of the night - so far. We've also received word that Stuart Scott is in the house.

The women's basketball team has arrived and is tossing t-shirts to the crowd. It never fails to amaze us what people in crowds will do for free t-shirts.

6:59 p.m.: Stuart Scott is on the mic. He's sporting the team t-shirt and currently introducing the women's basketball team. They're receiving a standing ovation from what's now a near-capacity crowd.

7:05 p.m.: "Can a brother get an All-American?" That's how Scott introduces Erlana Larkins. Oh, and he also shares that he once lost a dunk contest to Charlotte Smith.

7:08 p.m. The women's team has begun their skit portion of the night. They're sporting big wigs- looks like Rashanda has lost hers- and dancing to Beyonce at center court.

7:12 p.m.: The women's team is playing "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" When the question was, "Who invented basketball?" a spectator shouted out "Dean Smith!" Stuart agreed.

7:30 p.m.: The women's team is about to scrimmage, and the pep band just fired up 'Here Comes Carolina.' And here they come. Looks like it'll be navy blue against light blue for tonight's scrimmage.

7:40 p.m.: The women's team's scrimmage just wrapped up. Unofficially, Rashanda McCants led all scorers with 9 points in a seven-minute scrimmage.

It's good to see Martina Wood running the floor, and running it well. She joins post players like Jessica Breland, Iman McFarland, LaToya Pringle, and of course Erlana Larkins.

In addition to the touted freshman class, sophomore Trinity Bursey looked good with four points of her own.

7:50 p.m.: One fan just nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to win an LG 42" HDTV.

Stuart Scott is preparing to introduce the men's team. No one is sitting - and we can't see an empty seat. We thought it was loud before Roy Williams walked to the bench. He's taking his customary seat with Steve Robinson, Jerod Haase and Joe Holladay. Coach Williams doesn't like to know about the skits and dances for 'Late Night.' He likes to be surprised, too.

7:55 p.m.: Carolina's Loreleis sang the national anthem and the Alma Mater. During the Star-Spangled Banner, the bombs burst in air. Literally. A row of pyrotechnics behind each basket added a little flavor.

8:03 p.m. The pyro didn't stop with the anthem. As each Tar Heel is introduced, flames shoot up beside the baskets, and the players make their way out of the stands and through the crowd to the court. It's one of the coolest things we've seen in the Smith Center that didn't involve an alley or an oop.

At the same time - and it's a little hard to see from our seat courtside - video highlights of each player are being projected onto the court.

8:10 p.m.: Quentin Thomas was given a makeshift tunnel to walk under as fans across the aisle reached out and joined hands for him.

8:13 p.m.: An enterprising fan was able to convince Roy Williams to hand him a t-shirt that a cheerleader dropped in another t-shirt toss.

The "TAR""HEELS" chant is back and strong as ever as the skits are about to begin.

8:16 p.m.: The early returns are in: Tyler Hansbrough is still the worst dancer in Late Night history - as a routine to Kanye West's 'Stronger' indicates.

8:22 p.m. 'Wayne's World' is the first skit of the night, featuring, naturally, Wayne Ellington as Wayne Campbell and Danny Green as Garth Algar.

8:25 p.m. Costume of the night so far - Bobby Frasor as Flavor Flav. Who knew he had that in him. And Martha Vineyard is back for a third year.

8:35 p.m. The sophomores nod their heads to Haddaway's 'What is Love,' a la Saturday Night Live's Roxbury Guys. But the surprise of the night so far is when the juniors are joined by Kenny Mann and Liquid Pleasure singing The Temptations' 'Get Ready' And yes, Roy Williams does don a sequined Carolina blue jacket.

8:41 p.m.: The players grabbed audience members to dance, and William Graves went straight to his mother to dance to Van Halen's 'Jump.'

9:00 p.m. It's Soulja Boy for one team dance, but the biggest hit tonight has been outtakes from Roy Williams' Coca-Cola commercial. And so the question of the night has been answered: It's Bobby Frasor as 'Roy,' and the torch has been passed. The outtakes played on Williams'love of Coca-Cola, and his recent bouts of vertigo. What's his cell phone ringtone? "Vertigo,' by U2. His favorite show? 'Spin City.' The choice for movie night? 'Twister.' All in good fun, of course.

According to Stuart Scott, the outtake tape should have been a surprise to Williams, but the script was left on his desk. Whoops.

Surry Wood and Quentin Thomas just shared their 'Last Dance' as seniors.

9:02 p.m. It's the ever-popular circle dance to close out the skit/dance portion of the event. This year, it's T.I.'s 'Big Things Poppin''.

. . . and out comes the coaching staff. Roy Williams shows off the only move he knows. You know the one if you've ever been to 'Late Night:' knees bent slightly, rocking back and forth, elbows in, fingers snapping. It's in a very tight package, Roy Williams-style.

9:07 p.m.: While we've got a break in the action and a highlight video from 2006-07 is playing, we need to thank the new media staff for all their hard work to make the Tar Heel Tip-Off Show and the 'Late Night' broadcast happen on All-Access. Thanks go to Justin Burnette, Jason Andrews, Ken Cleary, Mike Crowe and Bob Ellis.

9:12 p.m.: Just a reminder: tonight's scrimmage is 20 minutes with a running clock.

Stuart Scott just put on one of Liquid Pleasure's sequined blue jackets. He said he ought to wear it on SportsCenter. This is called stalling for time. The coaching staff and players are in the locker room and haven't begun to warm up just yet.

9:17 p.m.: . . . And hear they come, in the Carolina blue and white warm-ups. This is what the fans have been waiting for.

9:21 p.m.: Just noticed: For now, at least, Wayne Ellington is back to #2, and Marc Campbell is wearing #35.

In the interest of time, this game will be played according to some funky rules: a shooting foul will result in one automatic point, plus one free throw. We'll try to keep some unofficial stats and give you some numbers following the scrimmage.

9:38 p.m. Michael Copeland left the scrimmage early with what looked like a mouth injury. So far, Danny Green is impressing with his range from outside, and his ability to get to rebounds off the glass.

Tyler Hansbrough just executed a beautiful drive and dunk. He too showed off some range, hitting from about 18 feet.

9:45 p.m.: Carolina fans, meet William Graves. By our unofficial count, he's got nine points so far and has displayed some range and ability to use his body to get to the basket. As we type that, he just hammered down a dunk follow off an Ellington miss.

It's still amazing to us how good this team is in transition. We know the Carolina break is a signature of this program, but this team is extremely fast and able to remain "in control," the one thing that Roy Williams wants. It's not helpful if you turn the ball over, no matter how fast you're going. But we've seen players big (Hansbrough) and small (Lawson) handle the ball in transition and make something happen toward the basket.

9:50 p.m.: Tywon Lawson just drew a blocking charge when Tyler Hansbrough stepped out to guard him. It's a tie game and Lawson has the back end of a one-and-one coming up as Joe Holladay calls time for his blue squad.

9:53 p.m.: If Roy Williams wants the rules to change, dadgummit, then the rules will change. His white squad down one, Tyler Hansbrough backed down Alex Stepheson and drew a foul. No more one point for a foul, shoot one free throw for the easy tie and chance to win. Roy Williams changed the rules. "Tell him as old as he is, he's got to earn something," he instructed official Scott Smith. Hansbrough made one to tie, but the second rimmed out. A last-second jumper attempt from Lawson hit the back iron, and the scrimmage ends in a tie. A perfect appetizer to the season.

10:01 p.m.: Some very unofficial stats following tonight's scrimmage. We stopped trying to keep track of rebounds, but Danny Green had a lot. Points? For White: Lawson, 10, Thompson, 4, Ellington, 5, Stepheson, 5, Graves, 11, Campbell, 2. Blue: Frasor, 4, Hansbrough, 10, Green, 11, Ginyard, 12. Final score, tied at 37. Mike Copeland saw action early for Blue but left with that mouth injury. We saw him after the game, giving his parents a thumbs-up.

Also, we ought to recognize Patrick Moody, J.B. Tanner and Jack Wooten, players from Carolina's fantastic junior varsity program who suited up for tonight's scrimmage.

We're going to sign off for tonight, but hopefully you enjoyed following today's events through the blog. We also hope to see lots of Carolina blue at tomorrow's football game as the South Carolina Gamecocks come to Kenan. Good night!