Happy Friday – bunch of random thoughts about Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) basketball – here we go:
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You watched the North Carolina – Duke game – we sure all did!! Coach Roy Williams inexplicably decides to give his post player (the guy who will be the ACC player of the year), Brice Johnson, who had 27 points at the 30 minute mark of the game – only one field goal attempt in the last twelve minutes of the game. When you inexplicably decide to go away from the best player in the ACC for the last twelve minutes, you don’t deserve to win. You don’t deserve to defeat Duke if you’re making awful coaching moves like that. Duke got some help on Wednesday night – but did close the deal when they had to. But you didn’t watch this game if you missed this part in the game – Brice Johnson is far too good a player for Roy to forget about him (but you #FireRoy and #FireRoyWilliams types are idiots)…
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… which leaves the door completely open for Miami (all of their players are 26 years old for heaven’s sake!!) – they have the capability, the talent, and the coaching in Jimmy Larranaga – to win at UNC on this upcoming Saturday and take possession of 1st place in the ACC. Whoever would have thought that Miami could have have a chance at two ACC basketball titles before even sniffing an appearance in the ACC football Championship Game. It’s really crazy when you think about it – the exact opposite of what John Swofford would have thought was going to happen with Miami in the ACC (who was supposed to be the football power). However…
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Virginia is playing the best basketball in the league now – their defense has been sizzling over the last seven games – and they have an offense to go with that defense now. The Cavaliers have a very chance to win the ACC.
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It is my prediction that Virginia Tech will have a first-day bye in the ACC tournament (Virginia Tech already has more ACC wins that it did in the last two years combined). At 5-7 in the ACC and upcoming games vs. Boston College, Wake Forest, and Florida State, the Hokies even have a mathematical shot (although not a great shot) to finish with a .500 ACC record. Three more wins would give Virginia Tech a .500 overall record – with much to look forward to next year (every major contributor coming back under Buzz year #3)…
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… Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is clearly not going anywhere. Under Brian Gregory, the Yellow Jackets have an ACC record of 22-60 (stats courtesy of my buddy Jeffrey Fann at @TalkinACCSports). Jeff and I have provided several suggested hires over the past two seasons.
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Florida State is in deep trouble – the Seminoles NCAA tournament hopes are on life support right now. Florida State can’t lose more than once this year in the regular season – and must probably win at least two ACC tournament games.
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Everyone thought the sky was falling for Duke – and the Devils are one game out of first place. And Duke is going to face a Cardinals team this week…
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… who is not eligible for postseason play and this Louisville squad will be amped for the Devils coming to town (this is game vs. Duke is #CardNation’s postseason).
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Wake Forest came into ACC play with wins vs. UCLA, Indiana, and Arkansas – but in ACC play, “the iron has been unkind” at 1-13 in conference. We give Danny Manning a pass this year – but we will be watching his performance next year.
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Will Boston College go winless in league play? Best chance for a W is vs. Virginia Tech – and that’s not a gimme this year.
That’s all for this Friday!!
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