Streaking
Posted February 11, 2008, 9:03 AM ET

The "streak" has now reached 53 straight, thanks to a remarkable, double-overtime game. The North Carolina Tar Heels have never lost to the Clemson Tigers in Chapel Hill. But this one will have folks talking for quite some time.

Without going into a ton of extensive research, I would gather that you saw history - in more ways than one - if you happened to catch the game. I'm not talking about UNC's 53-0 mark against Clemson (which is an NCAA record); you also witnessed the first time a team outscored its opponent 31-1 from the free throw line in a game that was competitive enough to go to double-overtime.

I'm going on record right now by stating that if North Carolina can outscore their opponents by 30 points from the line per game for the rest of the way, I love their chances to cut down the nets in San Antonio. Who needs to play defense, with that kind of support?

The Heels outshot the Tigers from the line 36 to 7....that's hard to imagine, even if Roy Williams was allowed to hired his family to referee the game. In some bizarre way, the manner in which the game was decided is a testament to the job Oliver Purnell has done at Clemson. North Carolina, the nation's supposed third-ranked team, was playing again without its leader Ty Lawson - but was pushed around all night by the upstart Tigers. When UNC fans get giddy over a comeback win, then perhaps you're on the fast track to respect.

Of course, moral victories are about the only thing Clemson basketball can enjoy after a trip to UNC and Tobacco Road. The Tigers don't get much love when they see their neighbors to the North, whether it be North Carolina or Duke. The first meeting between UNC and Clemson was a classic overtime game in Littlejohn....the second meeting in the Smith Center looked more like a classic ACC hose-job. It shouldn't come as a surprise; this stuff has been going on for decades.

As you know, for the last eleven years, I've kept a running tally of fouls and free throws in ACC games....it's better known as the "Infamous ACC Index Card". You can check out the updated Index Card stats here...but would you like to guess which teams in the conference seem to be going to the line the most, and receiving the fewest fouls?

If you selected North Carolina, Duke and N.C. State...in no particular order...you would be right. It's funny how fans think a certain school or player gets all the calls; well, now you can look for yourself. There's nothing like basketball on Tobacco Road.

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While the Tar Heels continued their streak over the weekend, one guy ended one. Dale, Jr. found Victory Lane at Daytona in the Bud Shootout. For Junior, it was a perfect way to start his association with Rick Hendrick, and it was another way to find Victory Lane for the first time in any capacity since June of 2006.

I'm sure the NASCAR suits loved seeing him smile with a win under his belt....granted, it wasn't a "points race", but the sheer fact that Junior can win a race...any race...is good news for the business of the sport. We'll see if he can continue his restrictor-plate magic this weekend, during the Daytona 500. If it turns out Junior decides to drive that new green machine on Sunday, he could make history by placing the ugliest NASCAR vehicle in history into Victory Lane.

Now speaking of NASCAR, it's interesting that the sport's officials in the off-season have suggested to the drivers to show more emotion, personality and get back to the "roots of their sport". Lately, it seems as if the drivers are nothing more than corporate-sponsor-spouting robots with zero persona.

It didn't take long for Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch to adhere to the new company agenda. After bumping, grinding and crashing during a Daytona practice session, the two driving stars were told to go to the Principal's office at the NASCAR hauler. Moments after arriving, Stewart supposedly punched Busch and left the premises.

What's not to love about Tony Stewart?

I found it pathetic that Fox Sports, which does by far the best job of covering the sport, decided to wear skirts while covering the story the following night during the Bud Shootout. While Darrell Waltrip told us he knew what happened but wasn't going to tell us...Fox decided to have a pair of their pit reporters interview both Stewart and Busch. Neither driver was asked the question if a punch was thrown?

Weak. Evidently, they had a restrictor plate on their balls.

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One group of people that has no problem stepping up would have to include Appalachian State.

The defending three-time (Football Championship Subdivision) team from Boone has been desperately looking for a team to play in 2008. It gets tough filling out schedules, after beating Michigan and wearing out the 1-AA folks.

Well, the "Boys from Boone" finally found somebody to play them....and it's the defending champs of the (Football Bowl Subdivision); the LSU Tigers.

The two champs will square off in Tiger Stadium on August 30th. When the announcement was made, it didn't take long for App State fans to call into the radio show declaring that LSU better be ready to play and that the entire world is afraid to play them, this side of Baton Rouge.

It would be nice if North Carolina, Wake Forest, East Carolina...or anybody in the Carolinas that plays 1-A football...would play these guys from the mountains. It would certainly make for a good time before, during and after the game. The Wolfpack opened the season with App State a few years ago, and the banter beforehand was terrific.

App State's win at Michigan to open the 2007 season increased the pressure and smack from Boone, but the only taker seems to be LSU. For everybody making the trip to Tiger Stadium, let me give you a a bit of advice....a night game at LSU will make a game at Michigan's "Big House" feel like going to choir practice. There's no comparison.

One more thing: if, for some unbelievable reason, App State upsets LSU on August 30th...App State AD Charlie Cobb will never get a single phone call returned, when he's looking to schedule a non-conference game.