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Duke women’s basketball’s defense still a bright spot, but offense sinks Blue Devils against North Carolina

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Duke women’s basketball’s defense still a bright spot, but offense sinks Blue Devils against North Carolina


Coming into Sunday’s regular-season finale towards North Carolina, Duke managed its personal future. A win would assure no less than a share of the ACC regular-season title and a No. 1 seed within the convention match. Nonetheless, the Tar Heels introduced some of the harmful challenges in sports activities: a group with nothing to lose and the whole lot to realize from beating its archrival. 

The guests performed spoiler, and a sellout crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium witnessed the Blue Devils’ first residence lack of the season as Duke fell 45-41. 

Now typical for Duke’s suffocating protection, the Blue Devils held North Carolina to its lowest scoring complete of the season. Nonetheless, Sunday additionally marked Duke’s fourth-lowest scoring efficiency in historical past, its 41 factors the fewest since scoring 41 in a loss towards Florida State in March 2019. Whereas the explanation Duke completed the common season 24-5 was its protection, the Blue Devils fell wanting the title due to their incapacity to attain when it mattered most. In different phrases, protection alone can not win championships. 

The rationale for Duke’s offensive struggles started within the half-court, the place North Carolina’s stress protection compelled 25 turnovers. The sport acquired going with an Alyssa Ustby steal which led to a fast-break layup, and the Tar Heels amassed 16 factors off Duke errors when all was stated and performed. Head coach Kara Lawson tried placing almost each mixture of rotation gamers on the ground in an try to interrupt via the Tar Heel entrance, however other than 9-0 and 6-0 scoring runs, the sport featured a slew of missed alternatives. 

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The Blue Devils did not convert on a number of transition probabilities, particularly early within the sport. Celeste Taylor and Shayeann Day-Wilson, two of Duke’s main scorers, mixed to shoot simply 4-for-17 from the sector, and every handed up a number of fast-break alternatives to both pull the ball out or throw an ill-advised go to a teammate.  

All through the season, buckets created from forcing turnovers on protection have been a significant element in Duke’s scoring. Coming into Sunday’s matchup, Duke averaged 11 fast-break factors per sport, and the one two video games all yr that the Blue Devils failed to attain on the break each got here towards North Carolina. Discovering success in transition can usually relieve stress confronted within the half-court. As a substitute, the Tar Heels successfully eliminated this whole space of the sport, forcing unproductive possessions that solely compounded Duke’s woes.  

“We had a plethora of transition alternatives that we didn’t end on, the place we had the benefit. Whether or not it was two on one, three on two, we turned it over, or we missed layups and issues like that,” Lawson stated after the sport. “It wasn’t one participant, however a few of that is simply changing the performs. I assumed we acquired beauty, and we did not make them.” 

Most groups that go into halftime with solely 20 factors discover themselves in search of a solution to a deficit. The Blue Devils did so with a four-point lead. North Carolina regarded simply as uncomfortable on offense and completed the sport taking pictures simply 34.1%, and it appeared as if Duke would discover a solution within the second half and journey the help of a sellout crowd to a victory. 

The Blue Devils’ protection continued to maintain them into the sport via the fourth quarter, which Duke opened with a 7-0 scoring run that, in the intervening time, appeared to be precisely what they wanted to tug away. Nonetheless, North Carolina adopted that up with a 16-5 run to finish the sport, fueled by 9 fourth-quarter free throws. The Blue Devils, who did a implausible job all sport of stopping the Tar Heels from making subject objectives, gave the guests alternatives to steal the sport while not having to get by the protection. 

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Within the sport’s deciding second, with Duke trailing by two with lower than a minute to go, North Carolina guard Deja Kelly drew a foul from Day-Wilson. Kelly transformed each from the charity stripe, sealing the win for the Tar Heels. 

“In video games like this, the best way to buffer should you’re struggling within the half-court, is to get transition alternatives, or get to the free-throw line,” Lawson stated. “So, [North Carolina] did an excellent job of buffering a poor offensive night time by attending to the free-throw line.” 

Sunday was not the primary time Duke’s offense acquired in the best way of its protection’s domination. In its final loss to Virginia Tech, the Blue Devils solely mustered 45 factors on 34.0% taking pictures. And so they scored simply 50 factors towards Miami, a sport the Blue Devils gained on account of their protection. In ACC play, they eclipsed 70 factors simply twice whereas managing a second-place end. That clearly factors to the energy of their protection, however it additionally highlights a obvious weak point. 

Because the postseason progresses and the extent of competitors will increase, this offensive output merely might not be sufficient. Duke has proven its potential to beat good groups behind its protection, a lot in order that the Blue Devils have positioned themselves to be a top-four seed within the NCAA match. However they might want to discover a method to rating if they’re to make a run within the upcoming ACC match or the NCAA match.

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“They’re annoyed and upset,” Lawson stated. “… Each time we have misplaced this yr, they’ve performed an important job of snapping again, not wallowing in it and simply being prepared to provide an excellent effort.”  

Because it so occurs, barring any upsets, the Blue Devils’ first matchup within the ACC match Friday shall be towards a well-known foe: No. 7-seed North Carolina, which performs the winner of No. 10-seed Clemson and No. 15-seed Pittsburgh in Thursday’s second spherical.





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North Carolina

Thaddeus Dixon Joins in Husky Exodus to North Carolina

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Thaddeus Dixon Joins in Husky Exodus to North Carolina


In a postseason recruitment that was raw and revealing at times, where decorated cornerback Thaddeus Dixon suggested in social media postings that University of Washington football fans wanted him to come back more than the coaches, apparently received all the assurances he needed at North Carolina.

On Saturday, the senior defensive back from Long Beach, California, told On3 he would join the Tar Heels for his final season of college football, adding to a growing list of one-time UW players and coaches headed to Chapel Hill.

So far, the departing group includes linebacker Khmori House, safety Peyton Waters, wide receiver Jason Robinson Jr., defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and defensive analyst Armond Hawkins, all moving from Montlake to the ACC.

The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Dixon would have given the Huskies three highly accredited corners, joining fellow UW starter Ephesians Prysock and Arizona transfer Tacario Davis, to fill out a secondary that could have had few equals this coming season, and still might.

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Dixon reportedly took recruiting visits to Mississippi and North Carolina, and fielded overtures from Michigan, before settling on the Tar Heels.

The disconnect for Dixon appeared to show up when the Huskies landed a portal commitment from the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Davis, a second-team All-Big 12 pick this past season, presumably to take his vacated spot.

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The 6-foot-4, 193-pound Prysock and Davis teamed together at Arizona in 2023, with both earning All-Pac-12 honorable-mention accolades.

Dixon originally was supposed to run out of college eligibility when the season ended, hence the Huskies went looking for cornerback help, but the NCAA gave the veteran an extra year when it changed the rules governing players with junior-college backgrounds. He came to the UW from Long Beach Community College.

One of the Huskies’ top individual success stories this past season, Dixon went from a back-up player in 2023 to unseat returning starter Elijah Jackson, who opened all 15 games for the national runner-up team.

Thaddeus Dixon soaks up the moment after an Apple Cup interception.

Thaddeus Dixon soaks up the moment after an Apple Cup interception. / Skylar Lin Visuals

Moving into the lineup, Dixon started 12 of 13 games and received All-Big Ten honorable-mention honors for Jedd Fisch’s coaching staff. He had a team-best 10 pass break-ups, an Apple Cup interception and several textbook tackles in the open field. He’s easily made himself into an NFL prospect.

With three accomplished cornerbacks, the Huskies could have picked two starters and put the odd man out at nickelback.

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Dixon clearly wasn’t going to go that route at the UW, likely figuring his past performance should have provided him with more cornerback guarantees.

For the latest UW football and basketball news, go to si.com/college/washington





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Bill Belichick's girlfriend seemingly shuts down rumors coach will leave North Carolina for NFL

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Bill Belichick's girlfriend seemingly shuts down rumors coach will leave North Carolina for NFL


Bill Belichick’s girlfriend on Thursday seemingly shut down any talk of her boyfriend leaving the North Carolina Tar Heels football program for a job in the NFL.

Jordon Hudson responded to rumors that suggested Belichick had one foot out the door when it came to his Tar Heels gig. Belichick had been rumored to be interest in coaching the Dallas Cowboys, but the head coaching job wasn’t open until he had already committed to North Carolina. CBS Sports reported that Belichick didn’t sign his contract with the school.

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Oct. 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey: Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson enter the field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

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She posted a photo on her Instagram showing the two posing with a football and Belichick dressed in Carolina blue.

“Pictured: two people who are overtly committed to @uncfootball,” she wrote as the caption.

Michael Lombardi, who is the general manager of the North Carolina football program, also threw cold water on the rumors of Belichick jumping back to the pros.

EX-NFL COACH JON GRUDEN RIPS STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS

Jordon Hudson in December 2024

Dec. 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC: Jordon Hudson, the girlfriend of Bill Belichick, in attendance at Loudermilk Center for Excellence.  (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

“Bill is recruiting in DC today, and Baltimore tomorrow.  His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team. The NFL isnt a option so please stop making it one. Thank you,” he wrote on X in response to the CBS Sports report.

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“The reception towards UNC and Coach Belichick has been amazing from every school we visit. We are going to fight to keep North Carolina players here and bring the best to Chapel Hill,” he added.

Belichick was hired as the Tar Heels’ coach in December. He called the job a “dream come true.”

Bill Belichick fields questions from media

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ new head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

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“​​I’ve always wanted to coach in college football,” Belichick said in his introductory press conference. “It just never really worked out. Had some good years in the NFL, so that was OK. But this is really a dream come true.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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North Carolina man arrested for pandering – The Tribune

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North Carolina man arrested for pandering – The Tribune


North Carolina man arrested for pandering

Published 2:19 pm Friday, January 17, 2025

Met up with Scioto County juvenile 

A North Carolina man is in the Scioto County jail after he traveled by to Scioto County to meet up with a with a minor and then allegedly took videos of them participating in sexual acts.

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Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said in a press release that his office was contacted on Jan. 13 by a female wanting to report a juvenile runaway. A deputy responded and obtained information and the preliminary investigation revealed the juvenile had been in contact with Braceon Madison, 18, of Laurinburg, North Carolina.

Two days later, deputies got information that the runaway juvenile and Madison were seen at Burger King in Wheelersburg. Deputies found them and the juvenile female was taken to the Southern Ohio Medical Center for evaluation. The initial contact with Madison revealed no probable cause for an arrest.

Deputies obtained all the needed information to continue their investigation and released Madison. The investigation was then turned over to detectives.

As this was occurring, the detectives were contacted and advised that the Madison had shown up at the hospital requesting to see the juvenile. Detectives responded to the hospital and observed Madison walking away as they were nearing the hospital and he was detained.

Detectives interviewed the juvenile and her guardians and they learned that Madison and juvenile met through Facebook on Dec. 24, 2024.

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The two remained in contact and Madison traveled by bus from North Carolina to Portsmouth.

Upon his arrival, he obtained a ride to Wheelersburg and was snuck into the juvenile’s residence. The two then took off on foot and they located a building on Ohio River Road where they stayed for a few nights before being found.

Thoroughman said the detectives learned through the investigation that Madison had taken videos and pictures on his phone of a juvenile participating in sexual acts.

On Jan. 15, deputies arrested was Madison and charged him with eight counts of second-degree felony pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and is currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation that will result in more charges being presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury on a later date.

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Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.



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