Stepheson starts over

Alex Stepheson cheered on his former North Carolina teammates as they were beating Michigan State for the national title last April. Although he watched it on television from his California home, he said he knew he was still a part of that team, in spirit.

"I felt like, after talking to the guys the day before, we were still brothers and we still had that connection, that bond," said the 6-foot-9 forward, who averaged 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in his two seasons with the Tar Heels. "And even though I wasn't on their team anymore, I could feel their struggles, their determination, and I was still with them, in a way."

Stepheson, who transferred to Southern California after the 2007-08 season, said he has no regrets that he wasn't on the court with the Heels when they cut down the nets -- even though he had to sit out last season as required by the NCAA's transfer rules. In addition, scandal and a mass exodus has significantly changed the Trojans' program, which begins practice Friday.

Stepheson said his father Art, whose heart problems motivated the transfer, is faring much better. With his campus a mere 10-minute drive from his parents' house, Stepheson noted that "I'm able to get a home-cooked meal about every other day.

"It's been exciting to be back home, and although it's been hard sitting out all year, it gave me the opportunity to work on my whole game. I've been working hard on post moves, my 15-foot jump shot, I've gained about 15 pounds. ... This year, I should have more of an offensive game, as well as playing better on defense."

In that way, having to sit out a season was probably good for Stepheson. He said he was never given an explanation as to why he wasn't granted an NCAA waiver to play immediately -- unlike former Duke guard Elliot Williams, who was granted permission to play at Memphis this season after transferring this summer to be closer to his ailing mother.

"But I wasn't bummed, I wasn't upset. I knew it was a possibility," Stepheson said.

He is upbeat despite watching three of last year's USC starters -- forward DeMar DeRozan, center Taj Gibson and guard Daniel Hackett -- leave the program early to turn pro. In addition, coach Tim Floyd resigned in the wake of a report that he had paid handlers of former guard O.J. Mayo, who played one season for the Trojans before heading to the NBA.

Kevin O'Neill has since been hired to coach what's left of the team that lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. The Trojans likely will be predicted to finish in the bottom half of the Pac-10.

"Through all of it, I've known that I can only control what I do," Stepheson said. "I know everyone here is still working hard, trying to take advantage of opportunities ... and we'll try to prove that we're still a really good team. We're not that experienced, and we'll go through some challenges, but I'm excited about the possibilities."

He's got a good shot at a starting role -- something he didn't have when he left UNC. And seeing his old team grab the national title has only whetted his appetite for competition.

"Watching them win that game just makes me more hungry," said Stepheson, adding that what he misses most about Carolina is the barbecue, as well as the fans. "I can't wait to get back on the court, back in games, and win again, too."

More than just Barnes

If Harrison Barnes, the top-ranked wing forward recruit for 2010, chooses Duke or North Carolina, there's little doubt that the program that lands him could make a national title push. That's why Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams both traveled to Ames, Iowa, on Monday night for in-home visits.

But if the 6-6 phenom chooses Kansas, Oklahoma, UCLA or Iowa State, it doesn't mean either Triangle school necessarily will be out of the hunt for a championship. Both Duke and UNC are still recruiting other major prospects.

The Blue Devils are looking to officially land Kyrie Irving, a point guard from New Jersey who is rated the No. 6 overall prospect by Scout.com.

They're also trying to woo class of 2011 guard Austin Rivers. Duke has commitments from Virginia's Josh Hairston, ranked the No. 10 power forward prospect by Scout.com, and Washington's Tyler Thornton, the No. 20 point guard, for 2010.

UNC, which welcomes one of the top incoming freshman classes this season, also has commitments from Kinston's Reggie Bullock, who is considered by Scout.com the second-best wing guard prospect, and Virginia's Kendall Marshall, ranked the fifth-best point guard in the 2010 class.

So while Barnes isn't the be-all and end-all for either program -- especially if he stays in school only a year or two -- he could become a "win-it-all" puzzle piece. That's especially true at Duke, which has struggled to sign its top recruiting targets in recent years and hasn't made it to the Final Four since 2004.

"You put Irving -- who is maybe another Jason Williams, and an awfully good scoring point guard -- you put him out there with Barnes and the other Duke guys, and it's easy to see how they could win national championships," said PrepStars recruiting analyst Brick Oettinger, who called Barnes the best high school forward prospect since LeBron James. "If you only have Irving and you don't have Barnes -- especially if Barnes goes to Carolina, with what Carolina has, then you'd have to say Carolina has a better shot. It makes a huge difference where he goes between those two schools."

More jerseys in the rafters

North Carolina's four-time All-America Tyler Hansbrough was already scheduled to have his jersey retired, and former teammate Ty Lawson, a first-team All-America, was already qualified to have his jersey honored.

Two additional jerseys -- those of Wayne Ellington and Donald Williams -- will be hung in the Smith Center rafters, as well.

UNC officials recently decided to add Final Four Most Outstanding Player and ACC Player of the Year to the qualifications that allow numbers to be honored. Formerly, a player had to be a first- or second-team All-America, an Olympic gold medalist or the MVP of a national championship team (as voted on by the squad).

Ellington was the MOP of UNC's national title team last April. Williams was MOP in 1993.

Another tipoff

Duke's Krzyzewski, N.C. State's Sidney Lowe, UNC's Williams and N.C. Central's LeVelle Moton will take part in the inaugural Triangle Tip-Off Luncheon, sponsored by the Triangle Sports Commission on Oct. 29.

The coaches will speak from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Durham's Sheraton Imperial Hotel.

Proceeds from the luncheon will go to local charities, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Emily Krzyzewski Center, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the N.C. Amateur Sports Foundation and the Triangle Sports Commission.

Staff writer Ken Tysiac contributed to this report.

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