Louisville
No Inspector Renault moments around Izzo
Tom Shanahan May 1 2019Sportswriters are both romantics and cynics. That’s why Inspector Renault, a cynical character in Casablanca, a romantic movie, so often appears in sports stories.The latest example of Inspector Renault declaring he’s “shocked, shocked,” results from Christian Dawkins testifying...
Coach K recruiting afterthought turns golden
Tom Shanahan Feb 13 2019Where did Jordan Goldwire come from? Besides the end of Duke’s bench, that is. Usually, guys like Goldwire, Duke’s lightly recruited sophomore guard, only play during blowouts. With the Blue Devils' NBA combine roster, that means mop-up duty of an overmatched opponent. But on...
The education of a Tar Heels point guard
Tom Shanahan Feb 3 2019Watch Coby White now that the ACC basketball logjam at the top has been halved to three one-loss teams, Virginia, Duke and North Carolina. In the past week, North Carolina’s maturing freshman has moved ahead a couple chapters in the education of a point guard. You can hear it in...
Julius Peppers surprised Williams long ago
Tom Shanahan Feb 1 2019CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The first time Roy Williams saw Julius Pepers in a summer basketball tournament he was still coaching at Kansas. Upon hearing Peppers was committed to North Carolina he thought the kid was in over his then-6-foot-5 height. “The Peach Jam is my favorite...
Clemson plays like a defending champion
Tom Shanahan Sep 17 2017Much of the college football universe on Saturday was focused on a place called Papa John’s Stadium in a southern city better known for horse racing. Defending national champion Clemson‘s first road test was holding off Louisville, a challenger to the Tigers in the...
Why young QBs are defying Heisman odds
Tom Shanahan Jul 28 2017CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anyone who’s grown up on football believes quarterback is the most difficult position to play in the most complicated team game. Hall of Fame coaches have maintained over the years that it takes time for QBs to mature.So explain how three of the last...
Lamar Jackson changes look but not style
Tom Shanahan Jul 28 2017CHARLOTTE, N.C. — He dressed in a conservative black business suit rather than the stylish light grey outfit he wore to the 2016 ACC Kickoff. His hair was cut close to the scalp compared to his former high-hair fluffy flair.And Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson’s new...
College World Series feels a draft
Tom Shanahan Jun 16 2017The Tampa Bay Rays are the winners of the College World Series – at least until play begins. The American League franchise selected three high-round draft picks competing in the eight-team championship stage of the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.Louisville first baseman...
Guide for following NCAA baseball
Tom Shanahan Jun 9 2017The NCAA baseball tournament doesn’t dominate the public consciousness like the College Football Playoff or March Madness. So you could be forgiven for not knowing the difference between the contenders and pretenders now that it’s down to a sweet 16.With that in mind, here’s...
Lamar Jackson and more return for Cardinals
Tom Shanahan Apr 5 2017Here are two quotes from Louisville’s first day of spring football on March 21 that should raise the hackles on the back of every ACC defensive coordinator. They’re both from Cardinal head coach Bobby Petrino.On Heisman Trophy quarterback Lamar Jackson entering his junior year:...