By A.J. CARR, Raleigh News & Observer

There's an easier path to football success than the one East Carolina has chosen.The Pirates could schedule four inferior non-conference opponents and pad their win-loss record.But that's not the preferred course of coach Skip Holtz or athletic director Terry Holland, who has lined up brand-name regional opponents for the next eight seasons.

WAKE FOREST, N.C. -- When 9-year-old Nicky Graf connected with the ball, hitting it off a tee toward shortstop, the small crowd at Tyler Run Park in Wake Forest, N.C., broke into cheers.

DURHAM, N.C. -- During his first spring practices, Duke coach David Cutcliffe has seen flashes of a "really good" football team.But really, that's not good enough. He says the Blue Devils must become more consistent to end a string of 13 straight losing seasons.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Danny Green's best moment of the basketball season hasn't been during his now-famous pre-game dances. And it hasn't been on the court, where he has excelled as North Carolina's sixth man.His best moment came on Jan. 28 when he learned his father was released from prison. That was a day the 6-foot-6 junior also gained newfound freedom.

DURHAM, N.C. -- After a rewarding career at once storied Banks High School in Birmingham, Ala., David Cutcliffe pondered his football future.He could accept a scholarship from one of several small colleges or go to Alabama and work as a student assistant on legendary coach Bear Bryant's staff.