First before talking basketball, let me welcome Louisville to the ACC. I was calling calling for Lousivlle the moment Maryland departed for the Big 10. Is it a game-changer? No… Is it a good fit. Yes, Louisville has made commitment to improved athletics and it shows on the field. I’m not sure you can say that about every ACC team out there. The rest of the conference will quickly realize that Louisville is serious about about winning, and that’s a good thing.
Now some basketball… The Big 10 is largely considered the deepest basketball conference in America this season. Most predictions had the ACC losing the challenge 7-5 or 8-4. I even saw a couple of 9-3 predictions. It didn’t happen as the ACC more than held their own go 6-6 in the challenge. That will be good for the ACC come March as it proves the ACC is little deeper than many thought.
How is the stock of each ACC team after the challenge?
Duke : Stock Up
What else can you say about Duke after knocking off number 4 Ohio State? Considered the 3rd or 4th best team in the ACC by some, this is already an NCAA tournament #1 seed. Stock up? How about Stock Soaring.
Clemson : Stock Down
Ouch.. Clemson was down 20 at the half to Purdue, and starter Milton Jennings was arrested on drug charges. Jennings has had a mixed Clemson career. I think his career is done for the Tigers.
North Carolina: Stock Down
UNC played well for about 15 minutes against Indiana, and then the Hoosiers ran then out of the gym. Butler did the same to the Heels in the 1st of their game in Maui. There’s talent in Chapel Hill, but the Heels are struggling right now.
Miami: Stock Up
Beating a Tom Izzo coached Michigan St. is good anytime you do it. Miami with the return of Durand Scott looked like a sweet 16 quality team after knocking off the number 13 Spartans. Miami fans get criticized for lack of passion, but kudos to them for creating a nice environment for the Canes basketball team.
Florida State: Stock Down
I know they lost plenty off last year’s team, but that was an uninspired effort in getting blown out by Minnesota at home. Which team is FSU? The one that lost to Minnesota and South Alabama or the one that beat BYU and St. Joes. Ask me again when FSU plays Florida in December 5th.
Virginia Tech: Stock Up
Quietly the Hokies are the ACC’s nicest surprise. The Hokies are off to a fast 6-0 start with a win over Iowa. The stock is up, but just how good is this team? We’ll find out on Dec 1 when the Hokies get Oklahoma St. at home.
Georgia Tech: Stock Up
The Yellow Jackets didn’t win at Illinois, but they were in it until the final minutes, when the Illini went unconscoius from 3. Is this an NCAA team, NO, but are they better than last year. Definatly. Brian Gregory is builing something in Atlanta.
Wake Forest: Penny Stock
There is no reason Wake Forest shouldn’t have a decent basketball program. It’s a train wreck in Winston Salem… They got blown out at home by traditional basketball power Nebraska. Jeff Bzdelik has reached Frank Spaziani territory. The way this ends is inevitable.
Virginia: Stock Up
This might have been the most surprising win for the ACC. The Cavs went to Wisconsin had left with a 60-54 win. That’s a tidy 4 game winning streak for Virginia, after a couple of early season losses. Joe Harris is the best player you’ve never heard of.
NC State: Hold
I was ready to drop the NC State after they got blew out by Oklahoma St. recently, but they played pretty well against a very good Michigan team in a . Maybe the expectations were a little too high, but this is still a top 25 caliber team.
Boston College: Hold
Lose to whatever a Bryant is at home, then go on the road and beat Penn State. It’s hard to tell where the Eagles are at exactly, so let’s hold this stock for now.
Maryland: Stock Up
The Terps are dead to me… just kidding. Tough for me to be mad them, because I know their fanbase was largely not behind their move to the Big 10. The basketball team is making a case for being the ACC’s second best team. A 20 point win at previously undefeated Northwestern is pretty impressive.
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