Dein erstes Forum » Stamkos has been out since he was injured

North Carolina coach Roy Williams denied allegations of academic wrongdoing Friday by former player Rashad McCants connected to the schools long-running academic scandal. In an interview with ESPNs "Outside the Lines" to air Friday, McCants -- the second-leading scorer on Williams first NCAA championship team in 2005 -- said tutors wrote papers for him and that Williams knew about no-show classes popular with athletes. "I thought it was a part of the college experience, just like watching it on a movie from He Got Game or Blue Chips," McCants said. "... When you get to college, you dont go to class, you dont do nothing, you just show up and play. Thats exactly how it was, you know, and I think that was the tradition of college basketball, or college, period, any sport. Youre not there to get an education, though they tell you that. "Youre there to make revenue for the college. Youre there to put fans in the seats. Youre there to bring prestige to the university by winning games." McCants also said Williams told him he could swap a failing grade from one class with a passing one from another to stay eligible during the 2004-05 season, according to the report. He entered the NBA draft as a junior after that season. "I strongly disagree with what Rashad has said," Williams said in a statement Friday. "In no way did I know about or do anything close to what he says and I think the players whom I have coached over the years will agree with me. "I have spent 63 years on this earth trying to do things the right way and the picture he portrays is not fair to the University or me." McCants comments are the latest allegations levied against UNC in an academic fraud scandal that began as an offshoot of an NCAA investigation into the football program beginning in summer 2010. Those findings centred on the formerly named Department of African and Afro-American Studies, most notably with lecture classes featuring significant athlete enrollments that did not meet and were instead treated as independent study courses requiring only a research paper at semesters end. Former UNC learning specialist Mary Willingham, who has questioned the literacy of Tar Heel athletes, has said "paper classes" were designed to keep players eligible despite many reading at below-grade levels. The fraud findings also unauthorized grade changes and possibly forged signatures on grade rolls. By 2012, an investigation led by former Gov. Jim Martin found the problems in the AFAM department ran back at least to the late 1990s. That probe found no evidence of athletic department involvement, though another probe led by former U.S. Justice Department official Kenneth Wainstein is underway. Fake Vans Online .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Fake Vans SK8 . -- The Chiefs have signed seven players to reserve/future contracts, including running back Joe McKnight, a former fourth-round pick of the New York Jets. http://www.fakevans.com/fake-vans-slip-on/. The Toronto Blue Jays general manager made a series of bold moves that reshaped the club ahead of what would turn out to be a disastrous 2013 campaign. Fake Vans Old Skool . The Oilers have been shut out in three straight home games and are in last place in the Western Conference with a 4-14-2 record. "Things have obviously not gone as well as I would have thought probable. Fake Vans Toy Story . - San Diego Padres centre fielder Cameron Maybin is going to be out two to three months after rupturing his left biceps tendon during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos has taken another step forward in his comeback from a broken right shin by taking part in his first morning skate. Stamkos practiced with his teammates on Thursday as they prepared for a game Thursday night against the New York Islanders. The centre had been skating on his own, or briefly joining the team on the ice at the end of workouts. A member of Canadas Olympic team, Stamkos remains confident that he will be able to play with the Lightning and then participate in the Sochi games next month. "Its not a full practice, but to be able to get out and not haave to go off early or not have to wait until the end to go on, I wanted to go and try it," Stamkos said.dddddddddddd "Its the best its felt." Stamkos has been out since he was injured Nov. 11 at Boston and needed surgery. "A lot of this is physical and how you feel," Stamkos said. "But there is that mental element. The power of the mind is very strong and Ive really come to understand that right now. This is another step closer." Stamkos had 14 goals and 23 points in 17 games before the injury. "Every day hes getting closer," Lightning coach Jon Copper said. ' ' '