It's not gooooodbye (Insert Vitamin C tune)

It pains me to come to this decision.

After running for almost a year, it's time for me to move on from TarEye or BuckHeel. I Started this blog as an inexperienced writer, looking for an "in" into the sportswriting world.

It's amazing to look back over my work, beginning with my first post in which I showed zero aptitude for writing like a journalist.

I consider this blog a success and have decided to focus on professional writing instead of carrying the banner of a "UNC sports blogger," which carries a connotation unfit for my career and despite my attempts to present unbiased columns and accounts based on UNC athletics, this cannot be the case under this blog.

Fortunately, this is nowhere near the end of my writing career. For the past few months, I've dual published much of my serious work on here and on the Indy Weekly's sports blog. This coming fall, I will serve as the UNC football beat writer for the Weekly, covering mid-week news and analyzing the games from the press box.

There is definitely a good chance I'll post every once in a while still. I know I will continue to visit my site in order to follow the mass of excellent links that I've compiled on the left side of the blog.

Thank you to all who have followed me and offered advice. Again, visit the Indy Weekly if you'd like to continue to see my work.

What if Hansbrough keeps rocking?

Here's a novel idea: What if Tyler Hansbrough, the leading scorer in the illustrious history of the ACC, actually succeeds in the NBA?

The bar has been set so low by the countless talking heads on ESPN and also by those who try to diminish the career of one of the ACC's best players of all time by claiming he will fail in the NBA.

At best Hansbrough can come off the bench and provide hustle minutes, so they say.

So what would be considered success? Even Carolina fans would be thankful if he at least contributes to a team so they can dangle it over the heads of their rival Blue Devils.

Critics point to J.J. Redick and Adam Morrison who both have had quiet beginnings to their careers. Still, it's even too early to label both of these college stars as NBA busts. Redick has had a few decent games in the playoffs and Morrison will get a chance with the Lakers next season after struggling with injuries in Charlotte.

Hansbrough has a unique ability to get to the free throw line -- and he can even knock them down at a high rate for a big man, 84.1 percent. Insert Shaq jab here....

The problem is his athleticism. When matched up against freak forwards like Blake Griffin or athletes such as Florida State's front court, Hansbrough's production dropped off significantly.

But not necessarily his defense.

In a league where most teams desperately need a Griffin, I think many could use a Hansbrough to grab a few rebounds and show his durability in an 82-game season.

What then is success for Carolina's most decorated player?

Maybe not putting up 20 points per game as he did in college... but the guy has a feel for the game and has shown the ability to knock down jumpers. I wouldn't put it past him to get his shots off.

If Hansbrough can adapt and score around the rim against longer teams, don't be surprised to see him contributing in a Glen Davis-esque fashion, coming off the bench and providing a lift for a winning team's front line.

Plus, he's played in a system that translates to the NBA -- an up-tempo offense that pushes the ball and values inside-outside play.

He might not ever be an all star ... very few ever achieve that status. But to write this guy off before he has even played a minute in the league is foolish.

Hansbrough's game wasn't supposed to translate to college either. Duke's hyped recruit, Josh McRoberts, was easily thought to be the superior forward prospect.

How did that turn out, again?

Considering Hansbrough most likely will be drafted in the late first round/early second round means he will join a playoff team needing a supporting cast instead of a franchise player. Morrison was pressured to carry the scoring load as a Bobcat and Redick is buried behind talented guards for the Magic.

No. 50 will get a chance somewhere. Are you sure you want to write him off before he even takes a shot?

Most college basketball fans have grown to hate Hansbrough -- for whatever reason -- like his predecessor, Redick. But I've never understood the lack of respect for a guy who did what all college basketball fans secretly want from their teams' star players: He stayed for all four years and was a model student-athlete.

What could be better for the game of college basketball, a game slowly becoming overrun with agents, shoe companies and fraudulent SAT scores?

Wall to Kentucky: Remember the empty feeling when Frodo drops the ring?

It's finally over.

Several news organizations are reporting the 2009 top point guard recruit John Wall will commit to Kentucky after a crazy recruitment period, ending a tale worthy of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Just when it seemed likely that John Wall could end up at Miami or Duke, the reigning champion Tar Heels avoided competing against the likely 2010 No. 1 NBA Draft pick ... for an ACC crown at least.

The Tar Heels and coach Roy Williams, who made a late push in the Wall saga by calling him at the Final Four, will travel to Lexington to face a revamped Kentucky squad next season that has assuredly replaced UNC with the No. 1 recruiting class.

Wall said that John Calipari's grooming of past guards such as Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans ultimately led to this decision.

"It was a great job he did the last two years with his guards,” Wall told Scout.com. "The other coaches did a great job but that relationship got them over."

Other finalists for Wall included Duke, Miami, N.C. State, Baylor and Florida. UNC had some contact but never officially offered a scholarship.

Kentucky is loaded for a Final Four run after several disappointing seasons; much like UNC in the past few years it will be interesting to see how Calipari organizes the wealth of talent.

Not to be lost in the significance of this story, Duke's miss on another big time recruit is not a good sign for a program with an image crisis. Heck, the athletic department is even beginning to spit out propaganda.

Duke really needed Wall to juice up a program that has predictably faded in the NCAA tournament despite compiling nearly 30 wins a season. High-profile recruits are simply beginning to look elsewhere.

The Blue Devils are now left thin at the guard position -- and much their rival eight miles down the road -- will employ tall lineups to compensate for a lack of backcourt depth.

Miami became the sexy pick for recruiting gurus probably because the idea of Wall sliding in where Jack McClinton left off would be fun to watch in the ACC. Plus, who doesn't like South Beach?

Wall even gave an informal commitment to Miami last week but told coach Frank Haith Tuesday of his decision to play for Kentucky, according to ESPN's Andy Katz.

Although Wall never listed Carolina as a favorite, something seemed fishy about UNC's interest in Wall following the NCAA title run. Wall speaks of Carolina like a long-lost love that got away, but something didn't click between the two.

Williams' call to Wall really sent the Wall sweepstakes into a frenzy, but from what it appears the call was the extent of the contact as no scholarship was offered, despite Wall claiming Ty Lawson is his favorite player and UNC his favorite school -- seen on his MySpace.

Walls' adviser Brian Clifton has what some would call a personal vendetta against Williams, which might have been one hurdle that prevented UNC from becoming a real player.

"I don’t have any respect for Roy Williams," Clifton told 850 the Buzz. "I encourage [my players] to play for guys that will inspire them to be good people."

That and the presence of scholarship sophomore point guard Larry Drew II might have given Williams enough of a reason to steer clear. But last season Drew did not appear ready to step in for Lawson, who declared for the NBA draft, which makes it even more bizarre that Williams wouldn't at least offer Wall.

Katz also reported that if the decision was up to Clifton, Wall would've committed to Duke.

Now all that's left is to see what this guy can do in college. No pressure, Wall, but now Kentucky -- along with Kansas -- is a likely preseason title contender.

Well, this is all assuming Wall qualifies for Kentucky. He is waiting on his SAT scores, which means the saga might still be young....

Video diary of White House visit

Bobby Frasor was kind enough to document behind the scenes of the White House visit.

Most humorous is Frasor picking on Tyler Hansbrough for being the 2008 National Player of the Year as well as Frasor popping the ice in front of the camera.

Paulus transfers to Syracuse

Like many college graduates this year Greg Paulus is headed back home, but it's doubtful he'll be living in his parents' basement in Syracuse, N.Y.

After playing point guard in the ACC for four years, Paulus announced today in a teleconference that he will suit up for Syracuse and study either business or communications.

"Syracuse has a lot of great things about it," Paulus said. "My gut and my heart told me Syracuse was the best place for me."

The Orange have two seniors -- Cameron Dantley and Andrew Robinson -- at the quarterback position but freshman Ryan Nassib won the starting job in spring practice.

Dantley started for the Orange last year and compiled 1,298 yards passing and 11 touchdowns. He was sacked 24 times and completed only 48 percent of pass attempts.

Syracuse went 3-9 in 2008 and finished 113th out of the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in passing yards.

Insert Paulus, who likely based much of this decision on the fact that he can step in and start immediately. His workout with the Green Bay Packers indicates an interest in the NFL since a career in the NBA is doubtful after a somewhat disappointing career at Duke.

"This is kind of a course that is unexpected," Paulus said. "I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to do it."

Paulus led his high school team to a 42-3 record and set several state passing records but turned down football for an opportunity to play for Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

"I do not have any guarantees," Paulus said about starting for coach Doug Marrone and the Orange. "I'm going to have to learn along the way."

After starting for three seasons as Duke's point guard, Paulus was benched in favor of Jon Scheyer and freshman Elliot Williams more than halfway through last season.

Once the season was over, Paulus explored the option of playing football professionally before officially visiting Michigan, Syracuse and Nebraska.