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RALEIGH -- While you wait for the tip-off, here's a video of columnist Scott Fowler discussing the impact that Mark Gottfried has had in his first season as N.C. State head basketball coach. Get the biggest news in your email or cellphone as it's happening. Sign up for breaking news alerts.

We at the Atlantic Coast Conference realize that there's tremendous anticipation for the release of the 2012 ACC Football schedule. The conference office and member institutions are equally in anticipation and are taking steps to expedite finding appropriate solutions.

As N.C. State wrapped up yet another win over Wake Forest on Saturday, a number of fans started chanting "Not our rival!" - the same chant North Carolina fans had used against the Wolfpack 10 days ago.

Travis Long - [email protected] CARY -- By any sporting standard, it was an unbelievable finish. By the standards of table tennis, it was nothing short of amazing. Two of the best U.S. players, 17-year-old Michael Landers and 33-year-old Yi Yong Fan, were locked in a sudden-death battle in the seventh game of the best-of-7 match.

Daryl Marshke - Photo courtesy of the Univ. of Michigan He wears No. 3. Of course he does. He couldn't wear anything else. No one has worn No. 3 for the Carolina Hurricanes since Steve Chiasson died on his way home from a season-ending party in 1999.

BY LUKE DECOCK - staff columnist - [email protected] CHAPEL HILL -- Right about the time the Smith Center crowd was mouthing “O’er the ramparts we watched,” 700 miles away, Jordan Daniels was sinking the free throw that changed what the game would mean entirely.

DURHAM -- For a team struggling with consistency, Duke certainly didn't have a problem with inconsistency Monday. To a man, coach and players alike, the Blue Devils were remarkably consistent when it came to identifying their biggest problem. "A loss like yesterday is frustrating, because it's not a good performance," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

On the few occasions someone accuses me of being overly harsh on Wake basketball-which I hasten to add are getting fewer with every passing fiasco-my response is standard. Let them give me something else to write and I'd be glad, overjoyed even, to write it.

Jan 31 2012 02:40 PM ET Paula Abdul tells it straight up: She's exiting Fox's X Factor. The reality show star released a statement confirming her departure from the singing competition series. Within minutes, supportive statements from Fox and X Factor‘s near-last-man-standing Simon Cowell were released too.

Raleigh chef Danny Cerqueda (shown above, photo credit: Bonjwing Lee) cooked for five hours Sunday, serving up platters of intricate cod and chicken dishes, for a chance to represent the United States at the equivalent of the culinary Olympics.

T. Ortega Gaines - [email protected] BY KATHLEEN PURVIS - [email protected] My, how far Buffalo has roamed. Not the city. It's right where it always was, frozen in place on the shore of Lake Erie in upstate New York. Sure, Buffalo wings are hot.

Here is a list of upcoming cooking classes, wine dinners and food tours: Chase the Grape Join runners and walkers for exercise and then end around 7 p.m.for a short wine tastings. A great way to celebrate your effort and to socialize. 6 p.m. first Wednesday of the month.

Several folks have asked N&O restaurant critic Greg Cox and myself for a printable version of his annual best restaurant list. So here it is: The first question I'm invariably asked when I'm introduced as a restaurant critic is some variation on "What's your favorite restaurant?"

Here are two upcoming events for those who follow a gluten-free diet:

ETHAN HYMAN - [email protected] RALEIGH -- If it weren't for that little home stumble against Georgia Tech, N.C. State might be very much on track for the 11 ACC wins their coach - astutely - thinks it will take to make the NCAA tournament.

Columnist Luke DeCock and Duke beat writer Jack Daly discussed last night's Duke-UNC game, tonight’s N.C. State-Georgia Tech matchup and other league action. See the transcript here.

For Kristen Bell's 31st birthday, fiancé Dax Shepard decided to surprise her with a visit from her favorite animal, the sloth. The excitement of the introduction was too much for Kristen to handle and ended up sending her into a complete emotional breakdown. The whole thing caught on tape is truly something to behold.

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, post links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.

You start with the graves. You have to start with the graves. You stand in the middle of the arid African landscape on a warm afternoon, surrounded by the 30 mounds of earth, not knowing where to look first. The dust blows into your face. The sun beats onto your head.

An Independent Lens documentary on Civil Rights leader Daisy Bates begins airing on UNC-TV this week. In "Daisy Bates: First Lady of Arkansas," filmmaker Sharon La Cruise presents an unflinching look at the strong but complicated woman who led the integration of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.