It’s Friday and almost the weekend; we made it, you guys. Before you hunker in to watch a seemingly endless supply of basketball (yay!), here’s what’s going on around the ACC — starting with the legendary Julius Peppers.
Former UNC star Julius Peppers retires after 17 NFL seasons
One of the greatest to ever do it, Julius Peppers will retire from the NFL after 17 seasons. Peppers ends his career with 159.5 sacks, good for fourth all time, and 11 interceptions. Prior to the NFL — where he played with the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers — Peppers was a two-sport star of Paul Bunyan proportions at UNC.
17 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl appearance. With a career that speaks for itself, @juliuspeppers_ says goodbye in his own words. https://t.co/DHm8D9nR3r
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) February 1, 2019
He played in 34 games for the Tar Heels on the gridiron. While in a UNC uniform, Pep recorded 53 tackles for loss, 167 tackles, five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, 13 passes defensed and 42 quarterback pressures. He won the Lombardi Award in 2001, given to the nation’s top lineman, and the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best overall defensive player as a junior.
Prior to becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Peppers also played two seasons of basketball at UNC, too. He was a part of the 1999-00 team that went to the Final Four; as a sophomore, he had an expanded role for the 2000-01 team, which won 26 games: 7.1 points (64.3 FG%). Overall, he appeared in 56 games, and posted career averages of 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds.
(2001) Julius Peppers throws down the alley for UNC to tie it up against Wake Forest. Classic! pic.twitter.com/DGptioUGBy
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) November 3, 2017
No. 2 Louisville finally defeats No. 3 UConn
The Louisville women’s basketball team was in the midst of a 17-game losing streak to UConn. That, however, was snapped on Thursday — with the Cards winning on their home floor, 78-69. Once again, Asia Durr led the way 24 points.
CRAWFORD | Bucket list: After years of trying, this time Louisville is too much for UConn. Quick column https://t.co/efhuJYGH0H
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) February 1, 2019
Weekend Hoops Schedule
Saturday
St. John’s at No. 2 Duke, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Georgia Tech at No. 25 Florida State, 12 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)
No. 12 Virginia Tech at No. 23 NC State, 12 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)
Notre Dame at Boston College, 2 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)
Miami at No. 3 Virginia, 2 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)
No. 9 North Carolina at No. 15 Louisville, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Syracuse at Pitt, 6 p.m. (ESPN 2)
Sunday
Wake Forest at Clemson, 12 p.m. (ESPNU)
Former Virginia Tech WR Kumah to visit Pittsburgh
According to a report from Pittsburgh Sports Now, wide receiver Eric Kumah — a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech — will visit Pittsburgh. Along with Pitt, Kumah also plans to visit Notre Dame, Penn State and Texas Tech.
PSN has learned that Virginia Tech grad transfer WR Eric Kumah will visit @Pitt_FB. https://t.co/VI3Gt4J8k3 pic.twitter.com/Fv193ZzrdB
— Pgh Sports Now (@PghSportsNow) February 1, 2019