This Week in the ACC: 2/18-2/24

[HereBeforeCoachK]

And I think he's a difficult player to hate. He plays clean, doesn't talk trash or showboat (and least not overtly), and he's almost always smiling and seems to be having a genuinely good time out there. His play is completely different than Zion, obviously, but they seem to have those traits in common.

I agree...very pleasant demeanor from what we can tell on TV. Impossible to hate...well, with the man-bun it was easier to hate him...

[DukieInBrasil]

Fortunate to beat VT last night. Blackshear played his butt off for them but they couldn't hit from 3. Maybe they should turn the lights on in their own gym.

Crazy stat I heard today - UVA has three players (Jerome, Guy, and Hunter) that are averaging at least 42% from 3 with 4 rebounds per game and 2 assists per game. That is more than the entire Big 10, Big 12, and SEC have combined.

although i'm hesitant to get too excited about stats that have that many caveats, that one does demonstrate a certain amount of versatility. To wit, Duke doesn't have any players that can match that stat.

[NSDukeFan]

although i'm hesitant to get too excited about stats that have that many caveats, that one does demonstrate a certain amount of versatility. To wit, Duke doesn't have any players that can match that stat.

Duke would first need to have a player shooting 40% from 3.

[OldPhiKap]

And I think he's a difficult player to hate. He plays clean, doesn't talk trash or showboat (and least not overtly), and he's almost always smiling and seems to be having a genuinely good time out there. His play is completely different than Zion, obviously, but they seem to have those traits in common.

I don’t think I’ve hated a UVA player since atom Sheehey.

But my dislike for him can last a generation, so that seems about right.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

I don’t think I’ve hated a UVA player since atom Sheehey.

But my dislike for him can last a generation, so that seems about right.

have you considered Ty Jerome?

[ElliottHoo]

As a fan of an opposing team, Zion is really frustrating. Not only is he insanely talented, but you also can’t even hate him properly because he seems like a really good guy.

I can’t recall who first said it, but someone a while back observed that if Ty Jerome played for Duke he’d be the most hated player in the game. Its not that he plays dirty, its just his whole attitude would grate on people if not for the residual aura of saintliness projected over the team by Bennett.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

As a fan of an opposing team, Zion is really frustrating. Not only is he insanely talented, but you also can’t even hate him properly because he seems like a really good guy.

I can’t recall who first said it, but someone a while back observed that if Ty Jerome played for Duke he’d be the most hated player in the game. Its not that he plays dirty, its just his whole attitude would grate on people if not for the residual aura of saintliness projected over the team by Bennett.

I think there were at least two of us who chimed in with the "if Jerome played for Duke" theory....and the hatred of some Duke player is really more perception than anything else. I mean perception on the part of the haters...who think they "know" a kid from watching them play on TV. The hatred is real.

As for Zion, I told a Gamecock buddy of mine before the season (and he is a Duke hater for reasons he cannot put into words) that he needed to get over it, that Zion was going to be a big problem for Duke haters....because he's awesome, he's must see TV, and IMPOSSIBLE to hate. I said it would drive the haters crazy....

Sounds like you have that love Zion/hate Duke frustration...

[AGDukesky]

N.C. State has blown its lead on BC and now trails at home with 6 minutes left. That would be a terrible loss...

[HereBeforeCoachK]

N.C. State has blown its lead on BC and now trails at home with 6 minutes left. That would be a terrible loss...

...yep, meanwhile L'ville laying a total egg at Cuse - getting killed - in an arena where GT won easily.

[Bob Green]

Saturday

[14]Louisville (9-4) (+4) hosts [2]Virginia (10-2) (12:00, ACCNE)
[30]Clemson (5-7) (-11) hosts [112]Boston College (4-8) (12:00, ACCNE)
[74]Miami (3-10) (-6) hosts [109]Georgia Tech (3-10) (2:00, ACCNE)
[8]North Carolina (10-2) (-8) hosts [20]Florida State (8-4) (3:45)
[79]Notre Dame (3-9) (+6) hosts [12]Virginia Tech (9-4) (4:00)
[43]Syracuse (8-4) (+12) hosts [1]Duke (11-1) (6:00, ESPN)

Bump back to the top to facilitate discussions on another action packed Saturday.

[left_hook_lacey]

I think UNC comes into the FSU game a little emotionally fatigued and maybe a tinge overconfident. FSU is huge, as we saw earlier in the year. Maye and Brooks will struggle. If the outside shots aren't falling, they could be on upset alert.

I have no idea what kind of energy Syracuse will come out with. That's a sad story all the way around. Just hope we come ready to play, get a solid win and get out of there.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

I think UNC comes into the FSU game a little emotionally fatigued and maybe a tinge overconfident. FSU is huge, as we saw earlier in the year. Maye and Brooks will struggle. If the outside shots aren't falling, they could be on upset alert.

I have no idea what kind of energy Syracuse will come out with. That's a sad story all the way around. Just hope we come ready to play, get a solid win and get out of there.

I'm trying to convince myself that you're right about UNC FSU today...I had that idea, but I hadn't separated the "want" and the "really think" brain cells yet.

As for Duke Cuse...who knows? Duke had the trauma of the Cam/Tre losses in the first game...the trauma of 9 for 43....the trauma of 0-10....the 85 foot shot for Cuse....then of course, Duke had the trauma of losing Z and worrying about how long....and then the biggest trauma of all, the tragic car accident. This is the all time bad karma game. The X's and O's of how Duke plays without Zion would be the big factor in almost any other game....but in this one there's so much emotional baggage to navigate.

[Rich]

I'm trying to convince myself that you're right about UNC FSU today...I had that idea, but I hadn't separated the "want" and the "really think" brain cells yet.

As for Duke Cuse...who knows? Duke had the trauma of the Cam/Tre losses in the first game...the trauma of 9 for 43...the trauma of 0-10...the 85 foot shot for Cuse...then of course, Duke had the trauma of losing Z and worrying about how long...and then the biggest trauma of all, the tragic car accident. This is the all time bad karma game. The X's and O's of how Duke plays without Zion would be the big factor in almost any other game...but in this one there's so much emotional baggage to navigate.

Driving up to Syracuse today to go to the game with a buddy (Syracuse alum), brother-in-law (Syracuse law alum), nephew (Syracuse student), and my sister (wife and mother of Syracuse people). I went two years ago when we lost on a buzzer beater. Oh, and there may be a few other Orange fans in the Carrier Dome today. Damn, do I want redemption...wish me luck!

[SavDukeGrad]

Louisville looking good so far against UVA. Hope that doesn’t jinx them.

[robed deity]

The 'ville with 10 3's in the half. UVA 0-10. Gotta think that will even out at least a bit. I'm predicting a Cav victory.

[SavDukeGrad]

The 'ville with 10 3's in the half. UVA 0-10. Gotta think that will even out at least a bit. I'm predicting a Cav victory.

Unfortunately I think you’re probably right about an eventual UVa victory, since I think we broke Louisville. But one can hope... Go Cards (and I rarely ever say that!)

Edit to add: Louisville with a 10 point halftime lead.

[richardjackson199]

Go UVA! They are a class program with a class coach. Cheats can wear their no class T-shirts while their players go to no class.

But I'm not cheering for a historic cheat program Louisville against UVA regardless. To each their own.

[mapei]

Agree. Go 'hoos.

[devildeac]

Go UVA! They are a class program with a class coach. Cheats can wear their no class T-shirts while their players go to no class.

But I'm not cheering for a historic cheat program Louisville against UVA regardless. To each their own.

Yea, this is a tough one. A loovil win helps us (I think), but, it also helps the cheats and another dishonest program, so my leaning is "Go Cavs," too.

[richardjackson199]

UVA is a machine. Good guys win.