North Carolina
College basketball bubble winners, losers: North Carolina fails to improve dreadful resume
Which NCAA men’s teams to watch on the bubble before March Madness
USAT’s Jordan Mendoza gives his teams to keep an eye on for ‘bubble watch’ as March Madness selection Sunday approaches.
Sports Pulse
North Carolina could almost taste it.
For much of the season, the Tar Heels couldn’t get the job done against top-tier opponents. They’d come close, only to fall short and miss out on getting a signature victory.
Needing that mark on their resume, North Carolina hosted heated rival and national championship contender Duke in the regular-season finale. A golden opportunity to prove it belongs in the NCAA Tournament.
Early in the second half, it looked like North Carolina would finally get it done. It had limited Cooper Flagg’s impact on the game and with a seven-point lead, the Dean Dome crowd was in a frenzy. A win − and a spot in March Madness − was in sight.
But as has been the case so many times this season, it all fell apart. The sleeping giant in the Blue Devils woke up and decided to dash dreams. Duke closed the final 13 minutes on a 29-10 run and sucked any life out of those in Carolina Blue en route to an 82-69 victory.
Don’t let the 20-12 record fool you. Thirteen wins came against Quad 3 and 4 opponents, and only one − against UCLA in December − was against a likely March Madness squad. In Quad 1 games, North Carolina entered the night a horrid 1-10. Even with the name on the front of the jersey, North Carolina needed to prove it could beat a quality opponent after failing to do so time and time again.
One of the first four teams out in the latest version of USA TODAY Sports’ Bracketology, a win could’ve catapulted North Carolina into the projected field and fix what’s been a frustrating campaign for Hubert Davis. Instead, the chance was wasted yet again. There’s nothing impressive about its 20-win season.
Barring a perfect run through the ACC tournament, it will be two missed NCAA Tournaments in three seasons for North Carolina, far from the standard expectations in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels fell short when they couldn’t afford it. They lead the bubble winners and losers on the final weekend of the regular season.
Winners
Indiana
What an incredible send-off for Mike Woodson. Coaching in his final home game at Assembly Hall, Indiana overcame a sluggish start against Ohio State with an emphatic finish. A 15-3 run midway through the second half got Indiana back in the game, and a 12-0 run in the final minutes helped cap off the come-from-behind victory to get the season sweep over Ohio State in one of the most pivotal bubble games played Saturday.
The late surge toward a spot in the NCAA Tournament is very much alive for Indiana, shaking off the collapse at Oregon on Tuesday to get its fourth victory in the last five games. The Quad 2 victory pushed the Hoosiers to 5-0 in such games, and it’s notable because even though they have 12 losses, they all came against Quad 1 opponents − they don’t have any bad losses. Plus, they made a case to take Ohio State’s spot in the field. The win gave Indiana the No. 9 seed in the Big Ten tournament to avoid the first round and set up a second-round matchup against the Ducks. The Hoosiers fell just short in their meeting earlier in the week; if they can change their fortune, the Big Dance could be in the cards.
Oklahoma
What a week it was in Norman as Oklahoma snatched two Quad 1 victories to end the regular season. The cherry on top is the last one, which came on rival Texas’ home court. It was a back-and-forth contest that showed how desperate each team was for a win, but Brycen Goodine’s 3-pointer with just over two minutes to go extended the lead to six points and the Sooners were able to hold off the Longhorns the rest of the way for the statement victory.
Things looked grim for Oklahoma heading into the week with six losses in its last seven games, resulting in it being pushed out of the projected bracket. But now, mix Saturday’s win with the one over Missouri on Wednesday and the Sooners are now 6-10 in Quad 1 games. Their chances are much higher.
There’s still plenty of work needed, and it won’t be easy with Georgia in the first round of the SEC tournament and Kentucky awaiting the winner. But Oklahoma was the first team out and Texas was the last team in the field. A flip-flop could be happening; the Sooners could start the final week before Selection Sunday with a First Four projection.
As RJ Melendez’s potential game-winning shot for Mississippi State bounced off the rim, Arkansas felt itself inching closer to dancing. The Razorbacks survived a chaotic ending with a one-point victory over the Bulldogs. A strong start to the second half looked like it would lead to a convincing Arkansas win, but a late 12-0 run from the Bulldogs flipped the script and had the Hogs sweating. Luckily, some clutch shots and a free throw from Jonas Aidoo with 11 seconds left were enough to avoid a disastrous end of the regular season.
Arkansas recovered from the disastrous loss to South Carolina a week ago with two quality wins against Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. The loss to the Gamecocks pushed the Razorbacks back to the bubble. They needed a perfect week to avoid having a shaky fate. One Quad 1 and 2 win each does wonders for John Calipari’s team, and gave them great positioning in the SEC tournament. It will get a crack to avenge the defeat to South Carolina in the opening round. A win in that game may just be enough to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Losers
Ohio State
The win was right in Ohio State’s hands, but it let it slip away when it couldn’t afford to. Entering a hostile environment at Indiana, the Buckeyes settled the crowd down early and Indiana could only muster up nine points in the first 12 minutes. They stayed ahead for much of afternoon and led by 10 points in the second half. Then mistakes happened, Indiana got back in the game and Ohio State could only watch pandemonium unfold inside Assembly Hall. The Buckeyes didn’t hit a field goal in the last five minutes in the six-point loss.
Ohio State couldn’t build off the double-overtime win over Nebraska earlier in the week and missed out on a golden chance to secure its seventh Quad 1 win of the season. Now, the Buckeyes are 6-12 in the category. Their 14 total losses are the most among at-large candidates. As a First Four candidate, Ohio State could see itself fall out of the field and will need an impressive outing in the Big Ten tournament to stay alive. Playing against the No. 15 seed in the first round, that means getting two wins, and possibly a third.
Texas
The Longhorns are going to be haunted by what transpired at home. They uncharacteristically turned the ball over too much, which resulted in 21 Oklahoma points, including the final one that came on a failed last-second shot. It was a night Tre Johnson would love to forget. The Longhorns star has become a potential NBA talent this season, but he was completely off as he 0-for-14 from the field, with all seven of his points coming from the free throw line. An unusual night at the worst time for Texas.
Texas was the last team slated to make the NCAA Tournament, but that spot is likely gone thanks to Saturday’s loss. It was a chance to even its Quad 2 record, but instead it’s now at 3-5. A win could’ve given Texas some cushion on the bubble, but instead it’s now in a must-win situation heading into the SEC tournament. It doesn’t get an easy first matchup with Vanderbilt scheduled on Wednesday, a team it already lost to earlier this season. If the Longhorns want a shot at the NCAA Tournament, it will have to fix their mistakes immediately.
Boise State dropped a critical home contest against Colorado State on Friday night. It was back-and-forth for much of the first half and the Broncos had a nine-point lead with 11 minutes to go, but the Rams closed the contest on an impressive 32-13 run for a 10-point victory.
It was a crushing defeat for a Boise State team that entered the night with five straight wins and was gaining momentum toward an NCAA Tournament spot. One of the last four teams in the field, the Quad 2 loss pushes its combined Quad 1 and 2 record to 6-7 and it’s now No. 49 in the NET rankings. While Colorado State is a good team that will be the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, it isn’t projected to be an at-large tournament squad and those are teams Boise State has to beat. Now, with its March Madness hopes hanging in the balance, the Broncos must have a successful Mountain West tournament. It won’t be easy with San Diego State awaiting them in the quarterfinals.
The Republican-led North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) approved a plan Thursday to make it significantly easier for county election officials to throw out votes.
The rule change — which passed in a 3-2 vote along partisan lines — lowers the threshold for rejecting the form voters submit when they don’t have photo ID.
Previously, the local election board would need a unanimous vote to reject that form and, in effect, throw out the accompanying ballot. Now, members of local boards will only need a simple majority vote — likely a boon for Republicans in many counties.
The new rule is just the latest fallout from the GOP’s partisan takeover of the NCSBE last year.
Since then, Republicans have stripped Gov. Josh Stein (D) of election oversight duties and handed them to State Auditor Dave Boliek (R), who installed GOP operatives at the state board and in his own office. That has even been controversial among some local GOP election officials.
Now Democrats are sounding the alarm about NCSBE’s latest attack on voting.
Siobhan O’Duffy Millen, one of two Democrats on the board, argued the rule change will inject partisanship into the process of counting votes.
“I think that is highly destructive to voters’ trust in elections,” she said during the meeting.
Jeff Carmon, the second Democrat on the board, argued the rule change is motivated by the national GOP’s big lie: that election fraud is widespread and unchecked.
“I think we need to really be careful, as well as be prepared, for the blowback as we continue to do what appears to be an agenda throughout the country,” he said.
Cuts at the polls
Making it easier to reject ballots wasn’t the NCSBE’s first controversy. And it won’t be the last.
Next month, the board will meet to approve early voting hours and polling locations for all counties where local boards couldn’t approve their own plans in a unanimous vote.
In some counties, board meetings have erupted into heated arguments, as voting advocates and community members fought to protect weekend voting hours and polling places that are easily accessible for minority voters and students.
Millen warned her colleagues Thursday that they will need to create overflow space for their August meeting — she’s anticipating significant turnout.
Approving early voting plans may sound like a fairly innocuous administrative task. But this year the process has been mired in controversy after GOP operative Dallas Woodhouse, the state auditor’s liaison to local boards, was caught pressuring Republican election board members to enact partisan plans that often reduced voting hours and cut polling places in locations that were seen as more favorable for Democrats.
Woodhouse, who asked local boards to make similar cuts when he served as executive director of the state GOP in 2016, resigned from the State Auditor’s office this week — evidence his pressure campaign outraged local officials from both parties.
At Thursday’s meeting, Carmon blasted Woodhouse’s actions as a pattern of attempting to improperly influence local decisionmaking.
“Given the seriousness of these allegations and the public attention that they have generated, I believe we have an obligation to establish a complete and factual record,” Carmon said. He proposed that the board subpoena Woodhouse to answer questions under oath.
But Stacy “Four” Eggers IV, a Republican NCSBE member, was quick to dismiss Carmon’s concerns.
“If we start subpoenaing those who engage in First Amendment-protected political speech to come in and discuss things with us… there’s really going to be no end to that,” Eggers said.
Public scrutiny
Partisan tensions are also running high on the local level. When Granville County’s election board met this week to finalize its early voting plans, community members showed up in force.
They filled the room, hoisted signs and vocally opposed the GOP plan to close a polling place at a convenient location for Black voters. Even Democrats on the board seemed surprised by the high turnout at a meeting that rarely attracts public attention.
But this is no ordinary election year.
Last month, Granville County board chair Larue Ulshafer, a Republican, pushed to cut one of the county’s four early voting sites and relocate two others. At that time, she deferentially referred to Boliek as “the boss.”
But then, when Woodhouse’s influence campaign came to light, she abruptly resigned.
The board met Wednesday to reconsider the plan — this time, with just four members.
Sharyn Alvarez, one of two Democrats on the board, argued that closing one of the voting site would create long lines elsewhere while also inconveniencing voters who would need to drive to a different location. Most of all, the closure was unnecessary, she said, because county leaders had just worked to secure funding to make sure the fourth polling place would remain open.
Both Democrats on the board urged their GOP colleagues to keep the voting site open, particularly given the public turnout.
“We have never had a subject that brought out this much reaction,” Alvarez said. “We’ve got to take into consideration what has drawn the public to these meetings.”
Still, the two Republican board members voted to close the polling place. Now, without a unanimous vote, the state board will get the final word on Granville County’s early voting plan at its meeting next month.
Teresa Gilreath, the second Democrat on the board, criticized local Republicans for supporting a plan that seemed to align with the partisanship emanating from the state capital.
“When you take a look at what’s happening in Raleigh, we don’t want any part of that mess. It is a hot mess,” Gilreath said. “We’re on a trajectory that we don’t need to be on.”
Police shot and killed an armed man outside a gay bar in Asheville, North Carolina.
Shakey’s staff said in a social media post that police were called after a man who had been ejected from the bar earlier that night for concerning behavior was seen in the parking lot brandishing a gun, according to ABC affiliate WLOS. The Instagram post is no longer publicly available.
Asheville police officers responded to the dive bar around 1:57 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a report that a person had discharged a firearm, according to the department. Officers arrived to find the man firing a gun in the parking lot and returned fire, striking him. When Asheville Fire personnel arrived at the scene, the man was pronounced dead.
Phoenix man arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot up LGBTQ+ bar over Charlie Kirk killing
Asheville Police Department
“No officers were injured during the incident,” the police release states.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will investigate the officer-involved shooting. The bureau has not released further information. The name of the man killed has not been released.
Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp told reporters, “There is no evidence at this time that suggests the shooter had any type of bias or hate motive.”
Witness Taylor Pace told WLOS that he watched the man firing from inside the bar. “I was in the window watching, and then he started firing at the building where the window was,” Pace said. “He literally pulls the gun up and starts shooting at the building. You hear them hitting the bricks, and at that point, I’m like, ‘Everyone get down.’ Everyone’s screaming. Panic, chaos, and fight or flight set in.”
Related: Shots fired at Myrtle Beach gay nightclub, one detained
According to the bar’s social media post, staff members called 911 and were advised to lock all doors to prevent the man from entering. No one else was struck by gunfire.
“There are no words to fully express how grateful we are for our staff and patrons. In a moment of fear and uncertainty, everyone came together, stayed calm, looked out for one another, and followed directions without hesitation. Watching people care for each other in the middle of such a terrifying situation is something we’ll never forget,” the bar wrote in its Instagram stories.
“Because of everyone’s quick actions, cooperation, and concern for one another, every customer and every employee inside Shakey’s made it home safely. We are incredibly thankful.
“We also want to thank the Asheville Police Department, emergency dispatchers, EMS, and every first responder who responded so quickly and professionally.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s Charming Raleigh Suburb Is A Fast-Growing Town With River Views And A Historic Downtown – Islands
As North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh attracts no shortage of visitors each year for its downtown museums, historic sites, and restaurants. But about 20 miles southeast of downtown Raleigh, there’s another destination travelers might not think to explore: Clayton. With a thriving historic downtown and access to the scenic Neuse River, this often-overlooked Raleigh suburb is growing rapidly, its population increasing by nearly 27% since 2020 (according to World Population Review).
Downtown Clayton centers around Main Street, where restored commercial buildings now house restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Visitors can also follow the town’s outdoor sculpture trail, take a stroll through the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse, or get out on the river for some kayaking. With enough to see and do for a full day, Clayton makes an easy road trip from Raleigh and remains accessible to those coming from farther away.
Travelers visiting Clayton from outside the immediate region can fly into Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) or take an Amtrak train to Raleigh Union Station. Overnight options within town are limited to places such as the Clayton Magnolia Inn, a bed-and-breakfast offering seven guest rooms in a restored 1885 home, and the budget-friendly Comfort Suites Clayton–Garner, a practical hotel with free breakfast. However, travelers looking for a wider selection of hotels can stay in Raleigh or along the I-40 corridor near Garner.
The Clayton River Walk provides the town’s best river views
Begin your trip to Clayton by exploring the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse, a 4-mile trail open to walkers and cyclists, with the trailhead located just a five-minute drive from downtown. Much of the trail passes through forested areas along the Neuse River. You can expect to see wildlife, such as ospreys, along the route, which adds to the trail’s appeal for nature lovers. However, one Google reviewer notes that locals have also spotted bears in the area, making it worth reviewing what to do in the event of an encounter before hitting the trail. You can never be too sure, after all.
The main trailhead for Clayton River Walk includes a parking lot for visitors and is also near a boat access ramp for paddlers. If you’d like to enjoy the calm, peaceful waters but don’t have a personal canoe or kayak, you can rent one or book a group river excursion with Neuse Adventures Canoe & Kayak Rentals, located a 10-minute walk from the parking lot. The company’s FAQ recommends bringing essentials such as water, sunscreen, and extra clothes for the best experience on the river. For another underrated Neuse River destination in North Carolina, consider adding Smithfield to the itinerary.
Clayton’s historic downtown is filled with art and local landmarks
After spending time along the Neuse River, travelers can explore the Clayton Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Along East Main Street, you’ll find preserved 19th- and 20th-century buildings that now hold locally owned businesses. Fare Game, an arcade and bar known for its inventive pizzas, occupies the ground floor of the restored Carroll Building, a former family-owned dry goods store which dates back to 1915. A few doors down, Revival 1869 serves craft cocktails and hosts live jazz shows inside a restored commercial building.
In addition to historic buildings, a must-see while exploring downtown is the Clayton Sculpture Trail. This free outdoor art exhibition features more than a dozen works, most of which are located along East Main Street, with additional pieces on East Front Street and at the Clayton Community Center. Travelers can use the town’s online sculpture map to identify each installation and follow the recommended route. If you’re interested in viewing more public art in North Carolina, Rocky Mount is another town with artsy vibes you’ll want to visit.
Travelers should also check out the schedule at The Clayton Center, a former school complex just one block from Main Street that now serves as a 600-seat entertainment venue. Visitors can purchase tickets to a wide range of events, including comedy shows, live concerts, and theater. In addition to visitors praising the center’s friendly staff, one Google reviewer highlighted the building’s “beautiful architectural details” and the way its vintage auditorium contrasts with the “modern loft-like reception space.”
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