This Week in the ACC: 2/4-2/10

[pfrduke]

At the turn, and the top of the league has familiar faces - UVA, Duke, and UNC all with just one loss a piece. At least one of those three will have 2 (or more) losses by week’s end. Clemson had a big week, while NC State’s footing looks slightly less solid after its indescribably bad performance this weekend.

Monday

[8]Virginia Tech (7-2) (-6) hosts [15]Louisville (7-2) (7:00, ESPN)

Tuesday

[2]Duke (7-1) (-25) hosts [124]Boston College (2-6) (7:00, ESPN)
[187]Wake Forest (1-8) (+5) hosts [73]Pittsburgh (2-7) (7:00, ESPNU) - what a game for a national TV audience
[7]North Carolina (7-1) (-12) hosts [42]NC State (4-5) (8:00, ACCNE)
[35]Syracuse (7-2) (-2) hosts [28]Florida State (4-4) (8:00, ACCNE)

Wednesday

[93]Miami (1-8) (-2) hosts [83]Notre Dame (2-7) (7:00, ESPN2)
[81]Georgia Tech (3-6) (+1) hosts [44]Clemson (3-5) (7:00, ACCNE)

Thursday and Friday are dark

Saturday

[7]North Carolina (7-1) (-18) hosts [93]Miami (1-8) (12:00, ACCNE)
[44]Clemson (3-5) (+4) hosts [8]Virginia Tech (7-2) (12:00)
[73]Pittsburgh (2-7) (+1) hosts [42]NC State (4-5) (2:00, ACCNE)
[35]Syracuse (7-2) (-12) hosts [124]Boston College (2-6) (2:00, ACCNE)
[28]Florida State (4-4) (-1) hosts [15]Louisville (7-2) (4:00)
[1]Virginia (8-1) (-4) hosts [2]Duke (7-1) (6:00, ESPN)

Sunday

[83]Notre Dame (2-7) (-3) hosts [81]Georgia Tech (3-6) (6:00, ESPNU)

ACC Non-Conference: 149-41
ACC vs. Power 5: 30-26

Efficiency margin (unadjusted) in conference play only:

Virginia - +25.4
Louisville - +17.6
Duke - +15.7
North Carolina - +13.7
Virginia Tech - +10.2
Syracuse - +5.2
Florida State - +0.7
Clemson - -1.2
NC State - -4.1
Georgia Tech - -9.7
Boston College - -10.1
Pittsburgh - -12.3
Notre Dame - -13.0
Miami - -13.3
Wake Forest - -23

[JasonEvans]

Tuesday
[7]North Carolina (7-1) (-12) hosts [42]NC State (4-5) (8:00, ACCNE)

State has to shoot better than they did on Saturday? Could they actually bounce back and shoot lights out to make up for the weekend disaster? We can hope, can't we?

[Tripping William]

State has to shoot better than they did on Saturday? Could they actually bounce back and shoot lights out to make up for the weekend disaster? We can hope, can't we?

In classic State fashion, they are saving that lights-out display for Saturday, February 16th, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

In classic State fashion, they are saving that lights-out display for Saturday, February 16th, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

....and I'm sure I don't even need to pull a schedule to see who that game is against.....

[Bob Green]

Justin Robinson not expected to play for Virginia Tech tonight against Louisville:

https://www.richmond.com/sports/college/schools/virginia-tech/no-virginia-tech-doesn-t-expect-to-have-star-justin/article_a067c3ef-bb0a-51ff-8d09-d8689c7109e4.html

The Hokies are down to seven healthy scholarship players. They will have to score more than 47 points to beat the Cardinals.

[BD80]

Justin Robinson not expected to play for Virginia Tech tonight against Louisville:

https://www.richmond.com/sports/college/schools/virginia-tech/no-virginia-tech-doesn-t-expect-to-have-star-justin/article_a067c3ef-bb0a-51ff-8d09-d8689c7109e4.html

The Hokies are down to seven healthy scholarship players. They will have to score more than 47 points to beat the Cardinals.

We have a spare ...

[CameronDuke]

That's a big game tonight in Blacksburg. I don't think Virginia Tech is all that this year and they're missing Robinson and catching Louisville coming off a home loss to UNC. I see the line is Virginia Tech -4.5 but I like what I have seen from Louisville's guard play. I think Louisville could get it done on the road tonight and steal a win.

[Bob Green]

I think Louisville could get it done on the road tonight and steal a win.

Louisville has quickly jumped out to a 14-4 lead. VT struggling to make shots.

[CDu]

Louisville has quickly jumped out to a 14-4 lead. VT struggling to make shots.

Tech has fought back into it. But they are playing without their PG still. They are a shell of a team at the moment.

Neither team looks good right now, but Tech at least has an excuse.

[rasputin]

I'm glad that ESPN is showing our game against BC tonight, but who decided what games to carry on their network? The other game they are showing (on the Ocho, I think) is Pitt at Wake Forest. (At least I have a degenerate wager to make that interesting.)

Meanwhile, two much more compelling games are not being shown: State at the Pus Buckets, and Florida State at Syracuse. Go figure.

[BandAlum83]

Fla state has frittered away a 22 point lead and is up now by only 3 over Syracuse. Still 13:00 left in the game.

[arnie]

Is it absolutely necessary that State folds up when Roy on opposite bench? Keatts didn’t know Cheats like to run? Pack unprepared and disinterested tonight as they likely give up 110 points.

[Tripping William]

Wake needed a Whittenberg-to-Charles miracle to get to OT, and then beat Pitt in the extra session. Pitt’s ACC road losing streak reaches 17.

[dukelifer]

Is it absolutely necessary that State folds up when Roy on opposite bench? Keatts didn’t know Cheats like to run? Pack unprepared and disinterested tonight as they likely give up 110 points.

Either that or UNC is heating up. They seem to be winning very easily of late. I think they are rising to the top of the league with their shooting and balance.

[PackMan97]

Welcome to NC State basketball where in the same week we lose a game by over 20 points in which our defense hold the opponent to 47 points...and lose a game by almost 20 points in which we score 96 points.

9f those [censored] [censored] [censored] cheaters.

[proelitedota]

Welcome to NC State basketball where in the same week we lose a game by over 20 points in which our defense hold the opponent to 47 points...and lose a game by almost 20 points in which we score 96 points.

9f those [censored] [censored] [censored] cheaters.

State is just saving their energy for their annual Duke upset.

[curtis325]

State is just saving their energy for their annual Duke upset.

It might just be the only game they win for the rest of the season.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

It might just be the only game they win for the rest of the season.

I was in a Carolina Ale House in Raleigh the night State won in Cameron a couple years ago. A lot of State folks were giving me a hard time. They thought they were on the road to a big season. I told them to enjoy the NIT. Within a month Gottfried had been fired, and they didn't even make the NIT, finishing below .500. State is so predictable sometimes.

[jv001]

I was in a Carolina Ale House in Raleigh the night State won in Cameron a couple years ago. A lot of State folks were giving me a hard time. They thought they were on the road to a big season. I told them to enjoy the NIT. Within a month Gottfried had been fired, and they didn't even make the NIT, finishing below .500. State is so predictable sometimes.

Not trying to age you, but I think you and I can remember when it didn't use to be like this. State used to be right up there with Duke and the Cheats. My how times have changed. I want to see State up there again but not at the expense of our Blue Devils. :cool: GoDuke!

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Not trying to age you, but I think you and I can remember when it didn't use to be like this. State used to be right up there with Duke and the Cheats. My how times have changed. I want to see State up there again but not at the expense of our Blue Devils. :cool: GoDuke!

In a weak moment, I might admit to remembering the Pack of Norm Sloan. There's even a rumor that my dad was the doctor who fitted Monte Towe's famous face mask....

[PackMan97]

I was in a Carolina Ale House in Raleigh the night State won in Cameron a couple years ago. A lot of State folks were giving me a hard time. They thought they were on the road to a big season. I told them to enjoy the NIT. Within a month Gottfried had been fired, and they didn't even make the NIT, finishing below .500. State is so predictable sometimes.

well, it has been 30 years since State has had a coach worth anything:

* Les Robinson was the fall guy. Just get us through probation. Never a serious threat to coach his way out of a paper bag.

* Herb Sendek was the uptempto Rick Pitino protege who found the paper bag and decided to stay in that daytight compartment.

* Sidney Lowe who wasn't even qualified for the job (no, seriously he couldn't start for a few months till he completed the prereqs) and couldn't even find the paper bag.

* Mark Gottfried who sold the paper bag to a a shoe company thinking he could use that cash to sign a few highly ranked recruits all while running an offense whose time had come and gone 30 years ago.

...so predictable or not I really believe that Keatts is going to be the guy that gets it done for State. He's stuck in roster hell right now with the crap that Gottfried left us and trying to bridge through to get the team he wants. The team plays hard consistently and that's more than we've had from the previous four coaches.

[Bob Green]

Saturday

[7]North Carolina (7-1) (-18) hosts [93]Miami (1-8) (12:00, ACCNE)
[44]Clemson (3-5) (+4) hosts [8]Virginia Tech (7-2) (12:00)
[73]Pittsburgh (2-7) (+1) hosts [42]NC State (4-5) (2:00, ACCNE)
[35]Syracuse (7-2) (-12) hosts [124]Boston College (2-6) (2:00, ACCNE)
[28]Florida State (4-4) (-1) hosts [15]Louisville (7-2) (4:00)
[1]Virginia (8-1) (-4) hosts [2]Duke (7-1) (6:00, ESPN)



It's Saturday, which means lots of basketball action to enjoy. Games that interest me outside Duke at Virginia are:

1. #11 Virginia Tech at Clemson. Clemson is looking to even their conference record at 5-5 with a fourth straight victory. The key question for this match up is will VT's Justin Robinson play? The Hokies are shorthanded without him. This preview says it is unlikely.

https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2019/2/8/18216465/virginia-tech-at-clemson-basketball-preview-tigers-eye-resume-win-vt-hokies

2. N.C. State at Pittsburgh. State has lost three straight and is in a familiar place: the Bubble. A loss to Pitt would be a huge blow.

3. #16 Louisville at #22 Florida State. This is the second best match up of the day. We are at the point in the season to start seriously discussing conference standings and the ACC Tournament double bye. A Louisville win means the Cardinals will be at least tied for 3rd place in the conference standings at the end of the day. A Louisville win and a North Carolina loss will result in a three way tie for 2nd place with the loser of the Duke at UVa game.

[Indoor66]

It's Saturday, which means lots of basketball action to enjoy. Games that interest me outside Duke at Virginia are:

1. #11 Virginia Tech at Clemson. Clemson is looking to even their conference record at 5-5 with a fourth straight victory. The key question for this match up is will VT's Justin Robinson play? The Hokies are shorthanded without him. This preview says it is unlikely.

https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2019/2/8/18216465/virginia-tech-at-clemson-basketball-preview-tigers-eye-resume-win-vt-hokies

2. N.C. State at Pittsburgh. State has lost three straight and is in a familiar place: the Bubble. A loss to Pitt would be a huge blow.

3. #16 Louisville at #22 Florida State. This is the second best match up of the day. We are at the point in the season to start seriously discussing conference standings and the ACC Tournament double bye. A Louisville win means the Cardinals will be at least tied for 3rd place in the conference standings at the end of the day. A Louisville win and a North Carolina loss will result in a three way tie for 2nd place with the loser of the Duke at UVa game.

It is time for Miami to go all Ali over the cheats.

[JasonEvans]

Some crazy shooting in this Carolina-Miami game down the stretch. Anybody want to stop a three?

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Some crazy reffing too! Trying hard to help the cheaters.

[dukelifer]

Some crazy reffing too! Trying hard to help the cheaters.

Well Maye hit the shot- have to hand it to UNC on that one.

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Terrible defense by the tropical storms. You’re up three. Everyone has to be up on the three point line. You don’t give up a wide open three like that.

[JasonEvans]

Well Maye hit the shot- have to hand it to UNC on that one.

I did a bit of anecdotal research and the chance the road team wins in OT in Chapel Hill is 0.0003241%

[devildeac]

Some crazy reffing too! Trying hard to help the cheaters.

Yea, UM with 3 guys in foul "trouble." Cheats with none. Amazing.

But how the @#$% can UM give up an open 3 there :mad:?


Edit: I see Dr. R beat me to it.

[dukelifer]

I did a bit of anecdotal research and the chance the road team wins in OT in Chapel Hill is 0.0003241%

Miami with their chances

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Refs letting cheaters do whatever they want to Lykes

[loran16]

Would like to applaud the ACCNetwork/Raycom for deciding that the UNC/Miami Overtime ran over the 12-2 timeslot, and switching to commercial MID-PLAY and then to BC-Syracuse because it was 2PM.

So fans in the NY area cannot watch the rest of UNC/Miami because they are blacked out.

Genius. Imagine if I actually rooted for one of these teams.

[dukelifer]

Refs letting cheaters do whatever they want to Lykes

Coby White is going pro- kid is really good

[devildeac]

Refs letting cheaters do whatever they want to Lykes

17 to 7 FT.

Now, repeat after me: Duke gets all the calls. :mad:

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Larranaga sucks. How do you let cheaters run 10 extra seconds off the clock before fouling.

[JasonEvans]

Refs letting cheaters do whatever they want to Lykes

Well, the problem is Carolina is doubling with whoever is covering Izundu and Izundu is just standing there not even looking at the play so he is not providing any help to Lykes. It is stupid on Miami's part to not notice this stuff and figure out a way to beat it, but I suppose the problem may be that Izundu is not an instinctive/smart player to recognize the situation.

[Green Wave Dukie]

That was a CRAZY in bounds pass.

[JasonEvans]

I did a bit of anecdotal research and the chance the road team wins in OT in Chapel Hill is 0.0003241%

Least surprising overtime EVAH!

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Horrible. Horrendous. Despicable. Ludicrous. Awful awful awful coaching and execution.

[Green Wave Dukie]

Horrible. Horrendous. Despicable. Ludicrous. Awful awful awful coaching and execution.

As Bucs old coach John McKay would have clarified “Yes, the coach should be executed”

[left_hook_lacey]

I haven't watched Miami this year, but how the h-e double hockey sticks have they lost so many games?

[dukelifer]

I haven't watched Miami this year, but how the h-e double hockey sticks have they lost so many games?

Didn't the overtime tell you? They are wildly inconsistent.

[ncexnyc]

That was a well earned L by the Canes. I realize White was having a fantastic game, but when you're up 3 points you make him take a contested shot for the tie. Instead two men go to him and leave a wide open Maye for the shot that knotted the game.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

As Bucs old coach John McKay would have clarified “Yes, the coach should be executed”

Well I've never thought Larranaga was a great coach..but I think the McKay line was this:

Reporters: What do you think about the execution of your offense?
McKay: I'm in favor of it.

[Bob Green]

I love to heckle Maye as a mediocre player but he deserves credit for calmly knocking down that shot with the game on the line. I wish he had missed but he didn't.

[gofurman]

Hate to say it but if you could take one guy off UNC it would be White for me. He looks great - hopefully leaves this year.

[dukelifer]

I love to heckle Maye as a mediocre player but he deserves credit for calmly knocking down that shot with the game on the line. I wish he had missed but he didn't.

Mediocre no more. Kid can shoot the ball and in basketball- that matters as much as bounce off the floor. He may not be flashy- but he can do one thing really well at this level and maybe the next. UNC has some great shooters and that is worrisome.

[richardjackson199]

Hate to say it but if you could take one guy off UNC it would be White for me. He looks great - hopefully leaves this year.

I think their expectation is that he will go pro OAD. And that later in the year when that becomes certain they expect to replace him with Cole Anthony. But we'll see.

[Bob Green]

Mediocre no more. Kid can shoot the ball and in basketball- that matters as much as bounce off the floor. He may not be flashy- but he can do one thing really well at this level and maybe the next. UNC has some great shooters and that is worrisome.

Absolutely! I agree with you. He is the guy on Carolina I like to heckle as mediocre but he certainly is not mediocre. Maye plays hard and succeeds because he hustles and as you say he can shoot the ball.

[PackMan97]

Hate to say it but if you could take one guy off UNC it would be White for me. He looks great - hopefully leaves this year.

If I could take one person off the UNC team, it would be their "Coordinator of Cheating"...you know the position previously filled by Debbie Crowder. I bet they lose good 3-4 more games a season if they had to go to class.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Absolutely! I agree with you. He is the guy on Carolina I like to heckle as mediocre but he certainly is not mediocre. Maye plays hard and succeeds because he hustles and as you say he can shoot the ball.

So not to look ahead, but do you see Zion guarding Maye or Cam?

[cato]

So not to look ahead, but do you see Zion guarding Maye or Cam?

It is so odd to be playing Virginia a second time before playing Carolina a first time. I understand why this has happened, but I sure miss the old home and home conference schedule.

Back to the topic at hand, I think I love the idea of Cam denying passes to Maye.

[NSDukeFan]

So not to look ahead, but do you see Zion guarding Maye or Cam?

I think Zion is more likely to guard Maye than he is to guard Cam.

[MChambers]

It is so odd to be playing Virginia a second time before playing Carolina a first time. I understand why this has happened, but I sure miss the old home and home conference schedule.

You are dating yourself! I agree, however. Silly schedule.