Preview of ACC Tourney (Updated 3/10)

First of all, you guys have had some great banter going on in the threads below. I very much enjoy reading your perspectives, inputs, and recollections. I am indeed very honoured to know that such well informed fans visit my humble little blog.

Second, we had a medical emergency at my house yesterday, thus my absence from the blog this weekend. Last I heard we sucked it up against WF and the baseball team split with UVa (not sure how they faired today).

Here’s a breakdown of the ACCT teams, times, and tv availability. I hate to say UNC looks like the favorite. I have Clemson and Miami as my dark horses. Well, Clemson isn’t really a dark horse this year statistically, but don’t tell me you wouldn’t be surprised to see them playing next Sunday.

And let’s not forget about our Pack. Honestly, they have a pretty easy road considering they are the 12 seed! I mean, finish last and have to play Miami and then VaTech to reach the semi’s? I would say this year it’s better to be the 12 seed than the 8 or 9.

UPDATE: This from Canes Rising

This is a tough draw for the Canes. Not only does NC State have a history of deep runs in the ACC Tournament when little is expected of them (like last season for example, and who can forget 1997?) but they also have recent history working in their favor: Since the ACC expanded in 2004-05 the last place team HAS ALWAYS upset the highest seeded team playing on the opening day. Miami was twice part of this scenario: being upset by Virginia in 2005 and upsetting Maryland last year.

First Round – Thursday, March 13

Game 1- No. 8 Wake Forest vs. No. 9 Florida State, noon, Raycom

Game 2 – No. 5 Miami vs. No. 12 N.C. State, 2:30 p.m., Raycom

Game 3 – No. 7 Georgia Tech vs. No. 10 Virginia, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Game 4 – No. 6 Maryland vs. No. 11 Boston College, 9:30 p.m., Raycom

Lady Wolfpack need two, get none

Unfortunately, our women’s basketball team lost a first round ACC Tourney game against Clemson in overtime. (Last week we crushed the tigers at their house by 32!)

As CSTV reports, “It looks like it will be the WNIT or nothing for Kay Yow and NC State.”

Still, Wolfpack Nation takes great pride in the example Kay Yow sets each season she continues to take the court sidelines and lead a team of exemplary young women.

So Coach Yow, we don’t care what tournament you go to, you’re a true Champion every season.

Looking ahead by looking back

Do we have a chance? History shows a hot point guard, a strong athletic big, and a slashing 2/3 can give us a chance.

Rewind to 1997… (I mean, the current team has more talent right? Let’s compare.)
Damon Thornton = JJ Hickson
CC Harrison = Courtney Fells
Oshua Benjamin = Gavin Grant
Justin Gainey = Javier Gonzalez

Plus, we have Big Ben, Fergie, MJ, Costner, Tracy Smith.

I’m sure some of you older guys can help with my analysis and comparisons (I was a Sophomore at Garnder-Webb Univ that season, and didn’t have cable!). Of course this does not measure the intangibles. I seem to remember Gainey being cool as a cucumber. Thornton played aggressively and intimidated opposing players with his physical style. Plus he was a good rebounder. Osh was more like Juluis Hodge than GG, a slashing creator who took care of the ball. CC brought the dagger, I just seem to remember him making big shots.

In 97 we were eighth-seeded (out of nine teams) and won the play-in game vs FSU. From there, the Pack upset regular season champion (and #1) Duke and 4th seed (#5) Maryland to make the final. Unfortunately we run out of gas and lose to #3 Carolina.Justin Gainey played well during N.C. State’s 1997 run — so well that Herb never took him off the floor. Gainey played all 160 minutes of State’s four games.

The increased media exposure in college basketball has given the players more breaks. There are eight scheduled timeouts for television and/or radio commercials. Throw in five timeouts for each team and there can be — and often are — 18 stoppages during a 40-minute game. Not to mention a 15-minute halftime.

Anyways, I’m just saying, it’s possible for a run in the ACCT. Especially with the stepped up play of JG. But like then, it would only get us to the NIT.

Idiot Watch

I can’t believe I found another moron posing as a sports writer. This one goes by the moniker Sportz Assassin. In his post titled “Tar Heels Looking At Easy Road To Final Four“, SA gives reasons why UNC will cake walk to the Final Four. Let me lay them out for you briefly:
1) Schedule is “travel-friendly as the season winds down”
2) The ACC tournament will be held in Charlotte
3) One of the ‘pod sites’ for the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament is Raleigh, NC
4) The East Regional semifinals and finals of the NCAA tournament will be played in Charlotte

OK, let’s rebut these points.

1) What makes the schedule “travel friendly” according to this guy? He says, “roadies to both Raleigh and Durham to face NC State and Duke, respectively.” HUH? At DUKE and at STATE? Travel friendly? What a misinformed rationale this guy has. He thinks games at UNC’s 2biggest rivals are benefits due to proximity? Wrong.

2) SA argues, “UNC will have played at Bobcats Arena before as they open their regular season there against Davidson. That trip is just two hours down the road driving and much less than an hour flying.” I don’t even feel I should respond to this. It’ll be about the same drive for NCSU, Duke, Wake Forest, and Clemson. And only about, what, 5 hours for GT? This is one of the great advantages that will lead the Tarholes to the Final Four? Survey says, XX.

3) Just b/c the Holes might play in Raleigh, doesn’t mean it will be a favorable environment.

4) This is actually the most legit point, but could apply to any number of teams in our area.

All in all, I  am suspect of this person’s knowledge of ACC hoops, especially in the state of North Carolina.

Pack hanging with Jackets

It’s the 9th inning and NC State is hanging in there. Corona and Pond have struck out twice each, not good. It seems Marcus Jones is hitting in the 4 position??? Strange, but seems to be working! He’s 3-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

Brackman did not pitch. Did I miss something while I was gone? Why is Andrew Brackman not pitching in the ACC Tournament? Not a single out! I haven’t heard that he’s injured or anything.

12:58: Jones singles to right, now 4-5 on the day.

Wow, some good small ball by State. Jones singles to start the inning. He gets sac bunted to 2B. Ferg advances Jones to 3rd on a fly ball. Then Caleb Mangum come through with a single to score Jones from 3rd.

Now for the bullpen…

1:12  Just as expected, GT has runners at the corners, 2 outs…

State wins! Ok, now we get to go home and watch the rest of the games from there.   …where is Brackman??

“May I have my ASS please?”

That’s what the NC State baseball squad asked Virginia and UNC this week in Florida. The Holes and Wahoos kindly obliged. Granted, the Pack faced two of the top pitchers in the ACC.

I’m no mathematician, but State has ZERO chance of advancing past this Saturday morning’s game against GT. There is some consolation in the fact that all 8 teams in the ACC Tournament have locked up a NCAAT spot. Still, just as in basketball, you want to be as high a seed as possible. Especially in baseball, though, where a mediocre team with a dominant pitcher can end your season.

So, I am assuming Brackman will pitch tomorrow morning in the meaningless 10am game. Hopefully he gets some mojo going into the NCAAs. If he and Surkamp can pitch well, we can win some games. That is, unless our suspect bullpen blows again.