Losing Wears huge blow to UNC's depth

We thought the throbbing pain that Carolina basketball consistently inflicted since New Year's Day ended with the loss in the NIT final. But Dave Wear had a little May surprise for all Tar Heels fans and the pain is back.

Dave is the father of twin big men Travis and David Wear who, until this week ,were members of the UNC basketball team and apparently eager to play for the Tar Heels next season. We find out today that the Wears are transferring to be closer to their California home, and rumors have UCLA as the likely landing spot for the twins.

Was this a decision made by the twins or was it made by their dad?

Tweeting UNC players seemed stunned by the news and coach Roy Williams' comments in the press release clearly indicate that the players and the coaching staff didn't see this coming. If the Wears were unhappy, one would think that players on the team or the coaches would have known about it.

It sounds like Dad was calling the shots.

I believe that what we have here is a dad who was worried about his kids' playing time. He likely wondered if playing elsewhere would improve his sons' chances of showing off their talents to NBA scouts. It also likely preferred David be closer to home since he's dealing with a hip injury that probably would have limited his play next season anyway.

What does this mean for next season?

In short, it means that this team better get strong play from its point guards because the Tar Heels will have to push the tempo even more to take advantage of their speed and quickness. And they have to shoot much better from the perimeter.

Without the Wears, the team won't be that physical inside and -- barring any late additions -- will have only two true post players. Losing one big man would hurt depth. Losing two cripples the Tar Heels' depth.

John Henson reportedly has been adding weight during the offseason, but still has a long way to go before he is a physical player. Tyler Zeller can be physical, but also is injury-prone. Players will be forced to play out of position, and it will get even worse if Zeller gets hurt.

Some recruiting experts are suggesting there could be options in the current high school senior class, but they wouldn't nearly be as polished as the Wears.

Unfortunately, the Carolina basketball offseason just got a lot more interesting.

Words have meanings, including "star"

Many media members recently are either not doing their homework or don't know what a word means.

I'm talking about the misuse of the word "star."

The most recent irritating references have come in the reporting of the sad University of Virginia lacrosse homicide case. I realize there are a lot more important facts to check, but just because it's a minor point doesn't mean that you should not be accurate.

I've heard several TV reporters refer to both the victim, women's lacrosse player Yeardley Love, and the accused, men's lacrosse player George Huguely as "stars."

A quick trip to the U.Va. athletics website offers plenty of evidence that "star" isn't an accurate description.

If these reporters would take that time, they would see that Love, who played defense, only started three of 15 games. Huguely didn't start any of the Cavaliers' 15 games games and collected only four goals and three assists this season. Neither made the All-ACC team.

I'm sure that both displayed very good lacrosse talent or they would not have earned college scholarships. But there's no way that an athlete could accurately be called a star if they rarely or never start.

My youngest son has started every one of his recreation-soccer games this season. He's playing well and has scored a goal, but honestly compels me to report that you can't call him a star.

This isn't the only story in which "star" likely is at least overused.

Whenever a woman who does work in porn movies is described, she seemingly always is called a "porn star."

I'm sure that there are porn stars, but every porn actress who makes news is called a porn star. A woman who allegedly had a relationship with Tiger Woods has been given this title in every report I've seen. I don't care to check for the accuracy of these references. She may be a "star." But I'll bet it's unlikely that every porn actress who makes news is a "star."

I just wish that if reporters working on the Virginia lacrosse story can't take the time to check if the word "star" is accurate, that they simply would call them former players.