Brandon Costner to transfer?

…maybe. The rumor has started around campus. What is it based on? I don’t know yet. I’m working on getting better context and background, will update when I can confirm rumor as something at least somewhat factual.

UPDATE: Am getting closer to confirming validity of rumor and reliability of source. At least one source I’ve spoken with is in a class with Costner and overheard transfer talk. Keep in mind, we all said lots of things in college that we didn’t sincerely mean. Like, I’m never going to drink again, or I’m not looking to date anyone right now. Which means, I drank too much last night and my girlfriend just dumped me. In the same light, I’m going to transfer means I am sucking at basketball this year. All THAT said, I think we all believe there is some truth to this. More to come…

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Update: Well, this makes sense if the Gavin Grant rumors are true.  I’ve heard the GG rumor from enough sources to make me think there is some truth to it. for those of you who don’t know, GG is rumored to have slept with Costner’s girlfriend.

Tom O’Brien to coach at Michigan? (updated 12/04)

Yeah, you read that right. Rumors have started of TOB going to be the new HC at Michigan. Tom Dienhart at the Sporting News writes:

Two other interesting names recently were dropped in my lap: N.C. State’s Tom O’Brien and Missouri’s Gary Pinkel.

O’Brien has been at N.C. State just one season, but he is a perfect fit in Ann Arbor. He’s a Navy grad who has coached at high-minded academic schools such as Virginia (as an assistant) and Boston College (as head coach). Plus, O’Brien is one of the nation’s best coaches.

I’d love to just dismiss this, but let’s be objective, no one is that loyal to commitment these days. By no means am I saying this statement has any legs, but as State fans our first instinct will be to laugh in Dienhart’s face.

I personally don’t think TOB will be leaving the beautiful state of NC, near his home in SC, for the miserable winters of Michigan. Maybe a younger O’Brien woud consider it, but let’s be honest folks, he’s no spring chicken.

So get that grain of salt and swallow this report down. It’s just a billboard on TOB’s road to an ACC title someday.

Tuesday update: The Detroit News is reporting “The pool of candidates includes Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who two weeks ago was thought to have been off the list. But sources said Monday that Michigan has Ferentz among a number of candidates including Rutgers’ Greg Schiano, Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe, Missouri’s Gary Pinkel, Ball State’s Brady Hoke, Cal’s Jim Tedford and N.C. State’s Tom O’Brien.” Now they don’t list any sources, or actually state anything of much credibility on any coach. But still, it’s worth keeping our ear to the ground on this one.

Andre Brown listed as Questionable for WF game?

So, I’m getting conflicting reports on this.

GoPack lists the following for Saturday’s game:

INJURIES–NC State: DT John Bedics (concussion) –questionable; SS Javon Walker (knee)-out; FB Ced Hickman (shoulder)-probable; OT Julian Williams (knee) –probable; TB Andre Brown (fractured foot)-out; RB Toney Baker (knee)–out for season; TE Anthony Hill (knee)-out for season; FB John Kane (concussion)-out for season; TE Rashad Phillips (rehab from auto accident)-out for season. Wake Forest: OT Joe Birdsong (ankle)-doubtful; OT/OG Matt Brim (ankle)-probable.

Rivals.com states:

North Carolina State TB Andre Brown is questionable for the Wake Forest game. Brown has been sidelined since fracturing his foot Oct. 6 against Florida State.

Anyone else have insight into this? That could be huge if he’s back near 100% to come in to spell J. Eugene. I wouldn’t expect him to get more than 6-8 carries. He’s been out for a good while and may need to be slowly reintroduced to live action. He could be brought in for passing plays as he is an experienced pass blocker. Whatever the case, it would be an awesome boost to the backfield to get him back!

Update: It’s 14:30 hrs and I haven’t seen or heard anything else on the matter.

Strange B-Rack development

From Mike DeCourcy, Sporting News:

Former N.C. State PF Andrew Brackman, also a pitcher, had extra leverage in negotiations for a contract with the Yankees. Brackman, the team’s first-round pick, considered transferring home to Cincinnati to play basketball for the Bearcats while his injured elbow healed. He got a $3.35 million signing bonus from the Yankees. If that doesn’t work out, he still might have NBA-level ability. 

Ballin with the Bearcats?? NBA??

Texas coach Barnes on NCSU

From the Star-Telegram:

After saying no thanks to an opportunity to go home, which he could have done if he had accepted North Carolina State’s offer last spring, Barnes’ decision to stay at Texas caused a collective sigh of relief around the program.

“A [member of the administration] said to me one day recently that he felt the only two jobs I would ever leave for would be N.C. State and Kentucky and there is probably something to that,” Barnes said. “I don’t know if I’m any different with it now; I just know we’ve still got work to do here.”

Mario & Sims an item??

This is total speculation on my part. I noticed that someone who visited TSW used the search terms “Mario Williams” and “Abbie Sims”. I thought it odd to search a former footballer and a current softballer at the same time. Softballer, that isn’t even a word. Anyways, if it’s true, all I can think of is… they could raise one bad-ass baseball player!!!! I can see it now: “NCSU wins CWS!!” in 2029. This is the type of stuff you get from me on a Friday.

Someone sent this photo to me, I tried to contact Abbie but got no response. This could very well be, and probably is, just a friendly photo together. Looks awful cozy though…