For the UVa Fans

Sometimes we're a little North Carolina-centric. I admit I am. What with my ongoing quixotic pursuit Captain Ahab impersonation of a certain Vermont school that stole WCU's mascot name, my love of Duke, my growing up in Winston-Salem and probably a few more things, who can blame me?

But I've seen the error of my ways. Or something.

So here's a little piece about University Hall. (H/T ACCNation)

University Hall in Charlottesville will be remembered - but will it be remembered fondly?
I'm not so sure that it will.
"I'm trying to think back as a recruit. I'm sure they probably took me by there, but it wasn't necessarily the Taj Mahal of college basketball, so I think they probably tried to avoid it, if at all possible," said former University of Virginia player and head coach Jeff Jones of U Hall, which is closing this spring after four decades of hosting UVa. basketball games.
(snip)
"I was blessed with a team that was bigger really than The Beatles at the time. Ralph Sampson was a sophomore. We had Jeff Lamp, Lee Raker, Jeff Jones, Terry Gates, all these guys. I just remember the crowds and how big every game was, no matter who we played. It didn't matter who it was. Because Ralph Sampson was there, it was one of the bigger events that was attended by anybody," McDonald recalled.

I remember those teams fondly. Ralph Sampson was one of the most dominant big men in college but he never won the big one. It always seemed like he was the most talented guy on the floor but didn't know how to be the leader of a team; so Sampson looked like a choker 'til he paired up with "Phi Slamma Jamma" alum Akeem (He added the 'H' later.) Olajuwon in Houston to form "The Twin Towers".

Meanwhile Carolina had a couple of good players during that period, won a championship and pretty much overshadowed Sampson and UVa. Which could have gone a lot differently. But didn't.

As a kid I spent a lot of time in Charlottesville and always thought UVa quite pretty. Here's hoping the new building will enjoy new success...

The Daily Roundup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO Recap

Omar Kelley's excellent Blog in the Sun-sentinel presents an educated guess on who will be running the Hurricane's offense in football next season. Whoever it is, they better get it right, or else. Get over there!

The Headlines:

The AP and USA Today Top 25

Deacons grounded by giveaways: "Last-place Wake Forest 1st in turnover margin." That's impressive b/c I thought Carolina turned the ball over more than any club I've seen in the ACC. Wow....

Could a road trip help? Deacons heading to Miami to reverse slide to ACC cellar. Considering the Deac's season, that would be a very bad loss for the Hurricanes.

Trying to develop a support system: "UM wants more consistent production from its bench to complement its terrific trio of guards."

UM combo draws raves around ACC: "Nicknames aren't always flattering. But Lethal Weapon 3, as Miami guards Rob Hite, Anthony Harris and Guillermo Diaz have been dubbed, seems a badge of honor."

UNC women throw own party for No. 1: "With no welcoming crowd on Franklin Street, coach leads toilet-paper toss after win at Duke." I guess since this is the first time in the history of the school you have been #1 in the Nation during the regular season, I'll give you a pass. However.......going forward, please act like you've beaten Duke before.

Dascenzo: Tar Heels' freshman dominates: "Sometimes statistics get in the way of a good story. They can cloud a charge taken or a sensational pass before the one that is rewarded with an assist."

Vassallo seizes moment: I understand that the kid had a great game against Wake, but there is no way that guy should have won the ACC Rookie of the week award over Hansbrough. He had a great game at Wake (29 pts and 10 rbs) and an awful game at dook (5 minutes, 1 rb, 0 pts) last week. Hansborough had 26pts and 8 rebs. against BC and 21 pts and 11 rbs against Arizona. I guess they were just tired of giving it to Tyler. Averages for the week:

Vassalo - 14.5pts and 5.5rbs
Hansbrough - 23.5 pts and 9.5 rbs

You be the judge of which Rookie had the better week. Don't agree? Take it to the comments section.

Bob Lipper of the Richmond TimesDispatch: "Tech finds tonic in win over Wake"

"Decimated Hokies Are Still Missing Some Key Players."

Misery from the free throw line beginning to take its toll on Tigers: "It was the first double overtime loss of the season for Clemson University, but the defeat had a familiar feel, all the same."

The Buzz on Clemson.

Georgia Tech men at Virginia Tech, Tonight! These two Techs can relate!

ACC guards expose FSU defense vs. 3: "Robert Hite and Guillermo Diaz deserved the credit Florida State was quick to heap on them Sunday night."

ACC NOTES from the TimesDispatch


ACC Football News from the Footblog:

"Signed, sealed... uh...Until a letter arrives, it's not a commitment."

Stars tough to keep: "Wednesday's National Signing Day marks the end of a long evaluation and recruiting process for Florida State."

News from the League:

Playoffs '06

12th Man has place in Seattle: "Yo, Texas A&M, one word for you — chill! Cease and desist with your whining. Get a life. Get 12 of them. Surely there are things..."

Old Man and the Seahawks

Worth His Weight in Gold: "Pittsburgh's super-sized running back Jerome Bettis may well be the most durable and one of the largest backs ever. "

Wilbon: Detroit Embraces Pittsburgh

Why We Watch

Guest Editorialist Chip McNamara offers the following for your reading pleasure:

I remember it so vividly. The Fine Young Cannibals “drove people crazy,” Michael Keaton portrayed the ultra cool Batman, and my only “official” nerdy school picture graced the pages of the Byrd Middle School yearbook. (This was the only school picture for which I actually wore my glasses.)

The year was 1989. I walked the green and yellow halls of seventh grade, and I watched Dusty Rhodes use the dreaded brass knuckles on another wrestler and noticed that he never actually made contact with the guy’s head. Wrestling was fake! I could not believe it. How had I not noticed this before? The strange thing was that after I got over my initial shock, I did not care that wrestling was fake. I mean, after all, you still had two guys in a ring where the stronger, smarter, or quicker guy won. So a few of the punches never reached their intended target, I could still watch pile drivers and full nelsons and jumps from the top rope. I could still yell at the TV screen as my favorite wrestler’s attempts at title belts were thwarted at the last second by cheating bad guys who illegally entered the ring just before the third slap of the referee’s hand.

You see, I still maintained my enjoyment of professional wrestling even after finding out it was fake. Then about a year later during an interview, I picked up on the fact that the winner of that particular match was pre-determined. That interview also revealed that the popularity and ratings drove who would win. I never watched professional wrestling regularly again. I could handle the fakeness. I couldn’t handle the pre-determined outcome. What was the point of watching, the storyline had been set for weeks.

I thought about this last night, as I skipped a trip to Chuck E. Cheese and some quality family time to sit in front of my living room television at 7:00 sharp. UVA played at Cameron where the Devils (I refuse to put the blue in front of that, because they are the Devil) lose about once every other year. Not only that, but Duke, the number 2 team in the country, seriously outmatched UVA’s undersized squad. Duke had two All-Americans and numerous McDonald’s All-Americans to Virginia’s none. Duke had Coach K, considered by many to be the best coach in college basketball; UVA had Dave Leitao with exactly six ACC games under his belt. Still, I watched.

UVA scored exactly two points in the first eight minutes of the game, and still I watched.

UVA fell behind by 17 in the first half, and still I watched.

Then, UVA went on an 8-0 run to get it under double digits right before the half. They still had a chance. Well, no they didn’t. Duke went back up by 15 right away in the second half and the Cavs never really threatened. I knew in my heart that the Wahoos would not win last night. I knew it would be an accomplishment for them to stay within single digits. Yet, I watched.

I watched because of the unknown. Last Saturday, North Dakota State beat a Wisconsin team that never loses at home. Earlier this month, the Longhorns beat a Trojan team that seemed destined to win a third straight national championship. 11 years ago, UVA went into Cameron, fell behind by 22 in the second half, and came back to beat the Devils in double overtime. That UVA team won the regular season ACC title, and made the Elite Eight. Duke had their only losing season in the last 20+ years.

That is the beauty of sports. No one knows the outcome. In April, someone who can’t stand golf will sit and watch the final few holes of a tight Masters. Next Sunday, millions of non-football fans will watch the Super Bowl. Someone like me, who couldn’t care less about hockey, will sit and watch a third period in the playoffs. There is inherent drama in watching something and not knowing the outcome. Should Duke and UVA play again this season in the ACC tournament, I’ll watch.

I’ll watch, because unlike wrestling, you never know.

The Daily Roundup - Monday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap.

From the Sports Economist: The Economic Impact of SuperBowls. Get over there!

The Headlines:

The biggest game in the ACC happened on the ladies side at Cameron Indoor last night: The Heels stand alone in victory over #1 Duke, 74-70. Folks, if you haven't seen Ivory Latta play, you are missing a real treat. Those two teams are brilliant and could play for it all in late March!

Ned Barnett of the Raleigh News and Observer- Devils can't stomach Tar Heels' hunger: "Duke lost more than the game. Duke gave up its undefeated season, squandered a chance at the best start in school history and surrendered an all-but-certain No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press poll."

Pack refuses to wilt: "N.C. State outlasts Clemson 94-85 in double overtime. The Pack led most of the way Sunday, but with time running short in regulation, the Tigers had the lead, Littlejohn Coliseum was in bedlam and a gut-wrenching loss so close at hand for State."

Eagles create a buzz: "About 13 seconds remained in Boston College's 66-64 victory over Georgia Tech last night at Conte Forum when the gold-clad students seated behind the Eagles' basket began chanting, ''We want Duke!" in anticipation of Wednesday night's Atlantic Coast Conference home showdown with the second-ranked Blue Devils." These Eagles are shaping up into the team I thought they would be the whole season. Now, they get to take on the daddy of shutting people up, hard, who call them out. Eagles, you don't really "want" Duke! Remember my slogan about the Devils: They beat down all suckas' and wanna be kings. You see how the Hoyas got Duke: quietly!!!! I would suggest you take the same approach.

Jackets not ready to bail just yet

School days for BC: "Each game brings new faces, new video to study. ''It's a learning experience for all of us," said Boston College coach Al Skinner. ''We're learning 11 new teams.""

Diaz, Hite are extra special in 84-78 win over 'Noles. "The Canes got a key ACC road win as Guillermo Diaz hit the key basket and Robert Hite scored eight of his 31 points in OT."

FSU battles, loses in OT: "Florida State was dominated on the glass and power forward Al Thornton wasn't able to provide any points or rebounds."

Heels get back up to speed, pick up tempo to blow past Arizona 86-69. Saw this one live from the Smith Center. This was the most complete effort by the Heels this season against a well coached and athletic (if not especially powerful) Arizona team. This was a must win for a young team looking for confidence. The Heels are now 2-2 in the midseason 5 game stretch that I said could make or break them. Because they lost to UVa., they now have to pick up that pivotal third win in the hostile confines of the Comcast Center. That, my friends, is no easy task for the best of teams.

Frasor ices Adams, keeps Heels flowing: "UNC freshman helps hold Arizona's top gun to 12 points, impresses both coaches with floor savvy..."

Blue Devils Shut Down Cavs, 82 -63. Is there any question left who the best player in college basketball is. JJ....40.....again!!! Wow.....

"In Scrum, Terps Get Worn Down by Temple, 91-85." Temple is no slouch and this was on the road. The ACC needed this game for RPI purposes!!!!!

Rick Maese of the Baltimore Sun: "In end, separate directions suit Maryland, Gilchrist." That's too bad for both parties....it really is. Unfortunately, that's the way it has to be sometimes.

More done with less by Hokies in win over Deacs: "Despite missing players, Tech ends slide by beating Wake Forest 76-70." I think it is now safe to say that baring a miracle, the Deacon's goose appears to be cooked.

Lenox Rawlings of the Winston-Salem Journal - "Going: Another day, another defeat for Deacs."

Remember Will Bynum of Georgia Tech? He's getting it done for Richmond in the D-League.

ACC Football News from the Footblog:

John Markon of the Richmond TimesDispatch: "Quality doesn't count on ACC football slates"

As signing day nears, in-state edge is Heels'

Former Cavalier now face of Arena football: "Darryl Hammond is in 16th season in the indoor league."

Canes skipping over backyard riches? : "Today, high school football players across the nation conclude their final weekend of college recruiting visits. And at the University of Miami, known for molding those recruits into NFL draft picks with factory-line efficiency, national signing day on Wednesday could be as significant as it has been in years."

Seminoles pick up speed before big day: "By all accounts, Florida State made the most of its last chance to impress 12 recruits over the weekend."

News from the League:

Playoffs '06

Seahawks Notebook: Countdown to kickoff starts as team arrives
The Seahawks are here. Let the show begin. The countdown to the Super Bowl XL kickoff began when one half of the show's star tandem, the...

Steelers have faith in sure-footed kicker Reed: "Steelers want to win big in the Super Bowl, but say they wouldn't be worried if the victory came down to a field goal from clutch kicker Jeff Reed."

More to come.....

FTF - Suffering a Bit (With Apologies for Being Late)

How Do Spell Fatigue? L-O-S-S

I was going to ask how Duke could be dismantled by a Big East also-ran one game after Duke ultimately dismantled NC State’s seemingly identical offense to that also-ran, Georgetown. But then NC State went and lost to a Big East also-ran as well Wednesday night, Seton Hall.

P.J. Carlesimo and John Morton were nowhere to be found in the RBC Center, but Louis Orr and Donald Copeland were, leading the Pirates to a convincing upset of our alleged ACC upstarts. And collective groans reverberated across the Internet message boards and talk radio. NC State was back to its old tricks.

Last week I wrote how the days of five- to seven-minute scoring droughts were over for the Pack, how this year’s edition had a collective firepower not seen in red since most current NC State students were in elementary school. Then they go and open the first 15 minutes of the game with a 28-11 deficit, including… Guess what? A seven-minute scoring drought.

Well, lost in that “we always lose the same way” aftermath of grumbling, were a few interesting facts. NC State conjured 18 points in the last five minutes of the first-half. Herb Sendek actually broke out a full-court press in the second half. And, most important to State fans, Herb Sendek earned a technical for yelling at the officials. It was his first in three years. See, there is fire in his belly! This team is still special, and still has more potential than any squad in a long time. Besides, Seton Hall played a great game. They did! Sometimes the other team plays pretty good, despite otherwise sucking the rest of the season.

What happened Wednesday night? Was this a redux of the horrendous 45-42 loss to Iowa earlier? Not hardly. NC State is a program still learning how to win. That includes the players, and yes, coach Sendek. After finding a winning rhythm, the team encountered two losses to Duke and UNC, who outhustled and outschemed the Pack in the closing minutes. NC State showed it learned from those losses by fighting off Wake Forest Sunday. But in this loss, the Pack looked even more tired and uninspired in the first half than it did early on against Wake. Heretics might even suggest that the team was fatigued.

Coach Sendek’s seven-player rotation earned the team several pleasantly steady low-turnover, low-mistake victories against tough competition this year. But after five games of physical, enervating basketball in three-and-a-half weeks, the safe rotation is already looking tired. And as Sendek will tell you, it’s a long season. Signs of fatigue showed first this Sunday against Wake Forest when the Pack opened sluggishly and quickly saw the Demon Deacons take control of the game, before mustering enough home crowd-infused adrenaline to ultimately overtake them.

Now, I know Duke pretty much only brings two other players off the bench, and both probably play fewer minutes than NC State’s bench, but they wore down finally, too. And besides, Coach K clearly keeps his starting five energized with a nourishing diet of emotional manipulation that Coach sendeK would never stoop to force-feeding to his players.

So, instead, he’s going to have to give some freshmen some critical minutes. That much was evident once the Pack went to full-court pressure in the second-half. At one point Sendek sent in a line of four players, including the occasionally used center Ben McCauley and the never-used-since-the-UNC-Greensboro game, guard and former Mississippi high school Player of the Year Courtney Fells. Sendek was instantly rewarded for extending this opportunity to Fells by witnessing the young guard snatch a rebound off a missed free throw then unwittingly let a Pirate steal his boarded booty, effectively giving Seton Hall another of its seemingly endless offensive rebounds. And out came Fells. But, to the shock of many in attendance, back he came later on when the Pack was struggling to scrap together a final rally and closed within 15. And this time he made a definite impact, racing back after another Pirates steal to elevate and viciously swat an apparently open layup against the glass, much to the crowd’s delight.

If NC State is going to have anything left by March Madness, Sendek may have to live with a few more turnovers at the benefit of a more energized corps. Given the style of defense this team plays, the core rotation can benefit from all the extra energy it can gain. And a little bit more Courtney Fells and Ben McCauley now might mean a few more wins later.

The Daily Roundup: FreeThrowFriday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap

Blodget Joins Google Chorus

The Sports Prof: The Pat Devlin Sweepstakes (and Why Miami Shouldn't Be Mad). Get over there!

The Headlines:

Blue Devils aggravate Hokies: "Shelden Williams, scored 24 points with 15 rebounds, and senior teammate J.J. Redick also scored 24 in a 80-67 ACC basketball victory over Virginia Tech on Thursday night. Fresh off a four-point performance in a loss at Georgetown on Saturday, Williams didn't want a repeat."

Hokies' Many Tragedies Put Basketball in Perspective

Ned Barnett of the Raleigh News and Observer - Devils add to Hokies' misfortune: "Duke wore its black uniforms for Thursday's appointment in Blacksburg."

To Terps, team is sum of all parts: "Win minus McCray seen proving point." I aqgree....that was a very big victory for the Terps. Could it be another case of addition by substraction?

What's up with the ACC? "What a bummer of a Wednesday night for the N.C. State and North Carolina men's basketball teams, as both fell behind at home and eventually lost." That's haow the ball bounces in the ACC, friends.

Heels kicked aside: "So, what did it all mean? What impact did Boston College's 81-74 victory at North Carolina Wednesday night have on the 20th-ranked Eagles?"

Lenox Rawlings of the Winston-Salem Journal - A Big Question: Tar Heels suffering from weariness at midpoint of season?

Take a look ACC Fans, but I warn you, it could be painful - Big East living up to its name! "Suddenly, the Big East is getting and feeling the love, with the No. 1 team in the country in the latest polls, for the first time seven teams ranked in the Top 25, and speculation the conference will get a record seven and perhaps eight NCAA Tournament bids. The feeling of warmth has even spread to football, where a league ... "

Bob Lipper of the Times Dispatch: "Again, Tech is guilty of a foot fault"

A junior gets a jump: "Norcross hoops standout Gani Lawal verbals to Jackets a year early."

ACC Football News from the Footblog:

Lincoln's Holloway commits to Seminoles: The streak continues.....6th straight year that a player from this school attends FSU."

News from the League:

Playoffs '06

Alexander's dance fever on display in the end-zone

Dan Rooney: This team like '74 squad

Duke v. VaTech

Tonight's matchup will say an awful lot about the character of each team. VaTech is mired in a mediocre season the cause(s) of which I do not comprehend. Duke is once again challenging for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as well as regular season and ACC Tournament championships. So for VaTech this is a chance for a good coach, Seth Greenberg, to get his young men focused toward a post season invitation. And for Coach K it's a chance to put the latest Johnny-Come-Lately back in their place.

I'm prepared for the worst. But don't really have the heart to write much more.

Instead, I offer panda porn.

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap.

Study: NCAA lacking leadership diversity: "85 percent of ADs in Div. I-A are white males; football coaches reflect dearth of black leaders." What to do, what to do? David Steele of the Baltimore Sun has more on the matter.

The Headlines:

NC State drops a stunner to Seton Hall in Raleigh, 83-65. That, I believe, would count as a very bad loss. Herb, you don't get the fans off your back taking a s@#%kicking like that from a marginal, at best, team.

Tar Heels no match for Eagles: "This wasn't quite The Road to Glory. But it wasn't quite the Road to Perdition, either." Carolina is now 1-2 in the important five game stretch with two games to go at home against Arizona and at Maryland. Last night was the same story: too many turnovers, too much Craig Smith, too many defensive breakdowns and, for really the first time this season, a very bad coaching mistake from Roy Williams. You can't let your best player sit at the scorers table for 2 1/2 minutes in the last 4:45 of a five point game. Not when you have Quintin "Turnover" Thomas & Byron "I'm improved, but still a liability" Sanders on the floor at a crucial time. Burn the timeout. Having said that, Carolina is not as good as BC and it showed. Unfortunate that the loss was at home, but not unexpected.

Dascenzo: BC proved itself vs. the Tar Heels: "Just remember, Boston College was picked No. 2 in the ACC preseason poll. In the marathon of college basketball, it's not how you start that counts but how you finish -- and the Eagles appear on their way to closing strong. If Wednesday night's 81-74 victory over North Carolina at the Smith Center wasn't an indication, then maybe it should be. "

Terps Grab Win on the Road - "In Absence of McCray, Caner-Medley Scores 33, Williams Ties Driesell for Victories : Maryland 86, Georgia Tech 74." That was a nice effort by my man, Gary Williams, and his troops. They had every reason to fold and, instead, they stood up and raised their collective game. Terp fans, be happy that you have a Champion on your bench!

Va. Tech readying for Duke

Devils wary of Hokies: "Duke remembers difficult matchups." 'Ya think?

Stoking a rivalry: "Duke needed a miracle shot last month to avoid a two-game losing streak against the Hokies." Truth be told, all of their games thus far have been quite hard faught. It seems like a strange relationship, but that's what conference play is all about. Let's hope we get another great one tonight.

ACC Notebook: "Duke is the team to beat, says Greenberg."

UVa. Freshman develops appetite for points: "After going scoreless in a win at Virginia Tech, UVa's Lauris Mikalauskas has become more aggressive on offense."

U.VA. NOTES from the Times Dispatch

VA. TECH NOTES from the Times Dispatch

Paulus still adjusting to next level: "Greg Paulus had been in this situation countless times before -- the final seconds ticking down, the game on the line, and the ball in his hands. "

Deacons' offense is grasping at straws: "FSU, not exactly gifted defensively, limited WFUto just 68 points."

Fatality shakes Eagles: "The Boston College men's basketball team was hoping its first trek from Chestnut Hill to Chapel Hill would not have been so eventful, but that changed Tuesday night when the charter bus carrying the team to a 7 p.m. practice struck and killed a bicyclist on Highway 54 just inside the city limits."

ACC Football News from the Footblog:

Vick defends his brother: "Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick believes Virginia Tech overreacted when the school dismissed his brother, Marcus, from the football team after he stomped on an opposing player during the Gator Bowl." Mike.....please, be very, very quiet on this one.

Recruiting: Yellow Jackets work within limitations

ACC sets football schedule: "All 12 teams will play 12 games in 2006."

Jackets open against Irish: Tech: Sept. 2 clash with Notre Dame is first of four at Bobby Dodd to start '06 slate.

Tech, U.Va. save best for last: "2006 ACC football slate released; state rivals meet in season finale."

Tigers face grueling schedule in 2006: "Road tests at BC, Florida State and Virginia Tech make or break season."

Canes play on Thanksgiving: "The University of Miami released its 2006 football schedule Wednesday, and it begins and ends in the Orange Bowl with nationally televised holiday games."

Top UM recruit backs out; 5 others commit: "The University of Miami might have lost its top recruit, Pennsylvania quarterback Pat Devlin, but the Hurricanes are in the process of putting together a hard push to fill their signing class with some of their top targets during the final week of recruiting."

State, UNC receive football commitments :"Pack gets speedster from Ahoskie; Heels get Texas lineman"

Coveted running back says he'll enroll at Wake Forest. That doesn't seem like such a bad destination for good running backs!

News from the League:

'06 Playoffs

Bettis finds himself in demand!

Suicide ruling in Long's death hasn't ended controversy: "Toxicology tests and other evidence have revealed that former Steelers lineman Terry Long committed suicide by drinking antifreeze, but the Allegheny County medical examiner's office also found that head trauma suffered......"

Hawks boast lots in reserve: "The question was asked at the start of the regular season, about all these new Seahawks and where they would fit into the team's lineup..."

Long hike to Hawaii: "The Seahawks were on the clock when center Robbie Tobeck turned on his television on 2005 NFL draft day. His 10-year-old son Mason was watching..."

More to come.....

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACCBasketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap:

Opportunities in Oil

The Headlines:

Bench play sparks FSU over Wake Forest 75 -68. Nice win by 'Noles. Very, Very bad loss by the Deacs. I didn't think that losing Paul would create what is looking like might turn into a big mess this season at Wake.

Singletery helps Cavs knock off Hurricanes, 71-51. Don't look now, but Virginia is playing some pretty good basketball.

FSU not just a two man show.

A league of it's own?: ACC expansion may have weakened the Big East in football, but the revitalized basketball league could be the best in the nation after Georgetown's big win over then-No. 1 Duke

Ned Barnett of the Raleigh News and Observer - Expansion shrinks ACC hoops: "The Big East dominates the Top 25 basketball rankings and one of its previously unranked schools, Georgetown, knocked ACC leader Duke from No. 1." And, by the way......Duke losing the # 1 ranking is a load of bull! I'm no Duke fan, but facts are facts: there is no team in the top 5 that I would put money on (straight up) to beat these Devils during the regular season. Duke hating is at an all time high!!!! Congratulations, Devils. When they hate you, they're just mad that they can't be like you!

NCAA Tournament comparison: "The ACC and Big East conferences have been playing "king of the mountain" in men's basketball since the Big East's genesis in 1979. But the competition has been especially fierce since 1999, when Connecticut defeated Duke in the NCAA title game."

Michael Wilbon: McCray Deserves Blame!

Williams Takes Blame For McCray's Ineligibility: Mighty big of you, Coach. You didn't (nor should you) have to do that. All Terp fans need to relax just a bit and let Gary do his thing. The man brought you a National Championship and an ACC title very recently. Just....relax.

John Eisenburg of the Baltimore Sun: "Even with support system, McCray couldn't pull weight. Sad, but true."

Paulus learns lesson in Duke's defeat :"One turnover, one big lesson: The next time, Greg Paulus is going right, not left, and finding J.J. Redick wherever he may be."

Redick gives Morrison props: There are two reasons Morrison should be a better pro: Six, and Eight. For my money, on the college level, I'll take the GREAT JJ Redick!

UNC's Sanders takes turn in spotlight: "Byron Sanders usually can sneak out of North Carolina's locker room quickly. But on Sunday night, when Sanders really wanted a quick exit into the hallway at Florida State's Tucker Center, he was trapped. He had just scored a career-high 10 points, playing a big role in UNC's 81-80 win over Florida State, and reporters wanted to interview him. " BC takes streak to Tobacco Road: "The Boston College men's basketball team is making its first trek from Chestnut Hill to Chapel Hill in search of equilibrium." On a very sad note: Bus with BC team kills cyclist in N. Carolina - A charter bus carrying the Boston College men's basketball team last night struck and killed an unidentified 39-year-old male bicyclist from Carrboro, N.C., according to Chapel Hill police." Dascenzo: It's no secret, the Wolfpack is good:"If it's true that a team is as good as its last game, then Herb Sendek should be feeling very good today." Hang in there, Pack fans. I have a feeling that 'Ol Herb is going to be making some very meaningful noise when it counts.

Jackets welcome return of Mario West

News from the Association:

Kobe's 81 better than Wilt's 100: Ehhhhh, I don't know about that. 100 pts, at any time on the pro level, is better than 81, especially when you have the three point play involved. Considering that Wilt couldn't shoot free throws well, he couldn't even rely up "three" the old fashioned way. While the Kobe hating needs to stop, and while what he did is pretty danged impressive.....it's not Wilt's 100.

ACC Football News from the Footblog:

New Tech AD may fit new Trends

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: UM recruiting a study in guesswork.

Wide receiver Bond commits to Wolfpack

News from the League:

Playoffs '06

Home School: Panthers should learn lesson from Seattle.

Cower wants focus on victory.

Super Bowl memories proud, painful : "Matt Hasselbeck stood up and cheered. Shaun Alexander watched in tears. We all have Super Bowl memories. Some are happy, some sad, depending..."

More to come.....

BBlogging

Let's see. The big stories of the week are the Steelers make the Super Bowl which starts an interminable two weeks from Sunday. Oh yeah, and a team that plays in Seattle (Who knew?) will also be there. Jerome Bettis will be interviewed 734 times, by my count. And Big Ben will not shave 'til the game's over. Shaun Alexander is good and so is Tatupu.

So why don't I really care, somehow? I'm just not sure. I'll watch the game, of course. And the next day I'm sure I'll discuss the commercials and how cool/not cool they were. But somehow I expect every Super Bowl, even an Extra Large one, to be anticlimatic. Hopefully this one will be close to the bitter end and somebody will replace Scott Norwood in the American lexicon.

Oh, and did you see that Kobe Bryant, who is fast becoming a one-name-only kind of star, scored 81 points. That was amazing. But it was against the Raptors, iirc, so who cares? Give me MJ dropping 63 against the Celtics in the playoffs with Larry Bird defending him. And yeah, I know Bird wasn't a great defender but he was a star and Jordan simply torched him and the rest of the team. And don't forget that Dennis Johnson who was a good defender also checked Jordan that night. And the game mattered.

I'm not dissing the 81 points. And I'm no Kobe hater. But he needs to excel on his own in a meaningful game. He needs to lead his team of also rans to the playoffs and put 50+ up against the Pistons or the Spurs to really get my juices flowing. And no! Scoring 50+ against the Suns will not count because the score could be in the 140s like it was against the Seahawks SuperSonics the other night.

So what did attract and hold my attention over the weekend? Tennis.

I know. I know. It's the Australian Open and it's half way around the world. But I admire the true greatness of Federer on the men's side. And I'm going to go ahead and say it:

Women's tennis these days is athlete porn!

And don't get me wrong. I appreciate the skill of the women playing. They're fantastic and I love the pure sport. Without the athletic prowess of the women playing it would be like watching the Victoria's Secret models. But that's not a problem because Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clisters and Maria Sharapova and many, many more are great athletes.

But gone are the days of the conservative tennis skirt. These are the days of form-fitting Lycra shorts. So watching a match between Sharapova and Hantuchova has everything American advertisers love: beautiful women. As Tony Kornheiser would say "That's it. That's the list."

And you know what? The other thing that captured my attention was the Tennessee Lady Vols battling the Duke Lady Blue Devils in a packed and rocking Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke looked much better than UT from start to finish and now we've got a #1 Duke team ready to battle a #2 UNC-CH team for Tobacco Road and national superiority. That is how it should be. (Now if the UNC men could just regain their form.

And I'm glad the ladies have taken their rightful place alongside the men in the best basketball conference in America: The ACC.

Top to bottom. Men and women. And the ACC BasketBlog is where it gets covered. Sweet!

The Daily Roundup: Tuesday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap.

The Headlines:

Maryland has it's second recipient of the Basketblog's Fred G. Sanford award for stupidity: Terrapins Lose McCray for Rest of Season. McCray.....you big dummy! It's really quite simple guys: GO...TO...CLASS!

Rick Mase of the Baltimore Sun: Once praised, Terp's recruiting class fails to hit mark.

Terps Q&A with Heather A. Dinich: Baltimore Sun reporter discusses Maryland football and basketball.

Duke's gap in its game -Defense: 3-point Georgetown loss exposes weak links. Some weak link.....you expose it and still almost lose the game. Duke is fine!

We don't do this much, but their was a lady's game in Durham that warrents the attention of our loyal readers: Devils dominate top-ranked Lady Vols: "After Duke finished laying waste to Tennessee on Monday night, Blue Devils coach Gail Goestenkors tried to put the dazzling 75-53 victory in perspective by saying that it was one result in a long season."

Ned Barnett of the Raleigh News and Observer: Blue Devils reach new heights.

Coaches drawing a line in the hardwood: "Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt listened to a pack of North Carolina State students heckle player Theodis Tarver for 39 minutes."

Terry, with his starting position in jeopardy, came through for UNC in win over FSU. His starting position should always be up for grabs until he can stay focused for more than 10 seconds. He is quite often the best athlete on the court by just makes tons of mental errors. Let's get it together, Winston!

Miller makes most of first career start: "Wes Miller got his big shot, and he made the most of it. He also made a bunch of other ones. Miller was instrumental in North Carolina's 81-80 victory over Florida State at the Tucker Center on Sunday night, making 6 of 10 3-point attempts as he scored a career-high 18 points."

Dan Collins of the Winston-Salem Journal: Wake Forest has been hampered by lack of offensive balance early in ACC season

Melchionni should play against Hokies; Nelson doubtful: "It's a good thing for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski that his Blue Devils don't play again until Thursday. Krzyzewski said Monday that he didn't expect to have sophomore DeMarcus Nelson available for Thursday night's game at Virginia Tech but did hope to have senior Lee Melchionni in the lineup -- something that wouldn't be possible if the Blue Devils played today."

FSU's close games must become wins:"With Florida State having lost two in a row and Wake Forest sitting in 11th place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, we should see double the desperation tonight in Winston-Salem, N.C."

3-point defense worries 'Noles: "Justin Gray's eyes are probably lighting up already...."

Cavs host 'Canes tonight

Canes thriving in the zone: "In the ACC world of man-to-man defenses, UM is throwing its opponents out of sync with an effective 2-3 zone. In the Atlantic Coast Conference, most men's basketball teams are known for playing primarily man-to-man defense. Then there's the University of Miami and its bread-and-butter stopper: the 2-3 zone."

ACC NOTES from the Times Dispatch

News from the Association:

Bryant gives us 81 reasons to pay attention: "The next time somebody asks why you're hunkering down in front of game No. Whatever of 82 or 162, you have an easy answer: ``81.''"

ACC Football news from the Footblog:

Family, 'Noles revere Nugent: "Football fans knew Tom Nugent as a great innovator - the father of the I-formation. His players - the Nugent Boys - came together on Monday to remember an outstanding motivator and a father figure."

FSU's Willis had it easy in recruiting: "Peter Tom Willis was a highly regarded quarterback back in the day. "

Maxwell rewards the faith of a true believer - After undergoing knee surgery in May, standout DB plans to sign with Clemson: " The pop sent a jolt through Byron Maxwell’s mind. Heading for a layup during a pickup basketball game, one of the nation’s top high school defensive backs found himself on the ground with a throbbing left knee and instant doubts."

News from the League:

Playoffs '06

Steelers' Super Bowl tone was set in March: " months ago, a continent and an ocean from Pittsburgh, on Palm Sunday, Art Rooney II issued words every Steelers fan yearned to hear. It's time, the team's president said. Time to win a Super Bowl."

Hawks game plan: Business as usual: "It's a normal week of practice for the Seahawks, the last one they'll have until the week of the first regular-season game of 2006, in September."

Lenox Rawlings of the Winston-Salem Journal: Disappointed Panthers still seeking to join NFL elite.

For all of you gear heads:

What's so foreign about Toyota?: Kentucky-built Camrys bound for top series. "Much of the rest of the NASCAR Nextel Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway this week will be about getting reaction to the expected announcement Monday that Toyota will race in the Nextel Cup and Busch series in 2007."

More to come.....

ACC Men's Basketball Players of the Week for January 23

Duke's Redick and Boston College's Smith share honors; Hansbrough earns sixth rookie award. That is pretty rare company for Mr. Hansbrough. The only other Tar Heel to do it is Sam Perkins. Only 5 freshman players in the history of the ACC have been so honored. Can you name them? Take it to the comments section!

The Daily Roundup: Monday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap

Dykstra: Buying Volatility

The Headlines:

Heels find their balance: "Trailing Florida State by as many as 13 points in the first half Sunday -- and on the brink of losing three straight games for the first time in the Roy Williams era -- UNC finally got the scoring balance it needed." It seems that I owe Wes Miller and apology, and will deliver it this week. Big win for the young Heels.

Next level tough for FSU to reach.

FSU gets tough inside, so UNC goes outside: "Tyler Hansbrough's presence inside was enough to give Florida State fits on the perimeter."

Princeton offense works for Georgetown in victory over Duke.

Tony Kornheiser: After Georgetown Springs an Upset, A Winning Son Maketh a Glad Father.

Mike Wise of the Washington Post: A Revival Meeting That Was a Long Time Coming

Ned Barnette of the Raleigh News And Observer: "Heavenly outcome for Hoyas"

Georgetown's penetrating offense leaves Duke's defense feeling exposed: "Devils put blame on themselves."

Dascenzo: Give N.C. State credit

Terps Take Charge in 2nd Half, Top Hokies: "U-Md. Sends Va. Tech To 0-5 in Conference: Maryland 81, Virginia Tech 72."

Reaching The Point Of Recovery: "Discipline Was Key For Terps' Strawberry."

No need to be upset: "Eagles take care of Hurricanes."

After surviving Miami, Eagles eyeing Carolina: "Craig Smith stood in a hallway outside the visitors' locker room at the University of Miami's Convocation Center."

Miami misses out on trend: "The shot clock was about to expire as University of Miami's most energetic basketball crowd of the season was on its feet, making enough noise to be heard perhaps as far as South Beach."

New look helps Tigers themselves: "Uncharacteristic move to zone defense turns tide in win against Georgia Tech."

Coach K proud that Duke had a chance: "Wearing "Hoya Hoop Club" T-shirts and their hearts on their short sleeves, Georgetown's fired-up fans believed that their Hoyas could knock off top-ranked Duke on Saturday, but few folks not wearing Georgetown gear seemed to think it possible. "

North Carolina's Wes Miller introduces himself to 'Noles:"There’s a lesson or two that Florida State’s basketball players can take from Sunday’s 81-80 loss to North Carolina."

ACC Football News from the Footblog:

Virginia Tech to Review Way School Handled Vick: With kid gloves for his entire career! End of story!

What has happened to the 2004 recruits?: "The recruiting class of ’04 is proving to be the best of Tommy Bowden’s tenure, which helps the Tigers forget about the one who got away."

Fewer visits, but more subplots: "With few scholarships left to give, the official visits were few over the weekend at USC and Clemson. The Gamecocks had four prospects on campus, the Tigers three."

Recruiting: Yellow Jackets work within limitations: "This is Chan Gailey's time to shine. Since the Georgia Tech coach arrived in Atlanta five years ago, he's had a penchant for getting commitments out of elite players just before National Signing Day."

Curry awaiting word from Tech

Cavaliers add pair of big guys: "Virginia given verbal commitments by a tight end and a defensive tackle."

Virginia Tech football program gets family commitment

QB contingency plan for UM: "University of Miami recruit Pat Devlin, a quarterback from Downington East High in Exton, Pa., apparently has loosened his grip on an oral commitment to the Hurricanes, so UM is positioning itself to recruit at least one other quarterback should Devlin choose Penn State."

News from the League

Playoffs '06

Panthers hit end of the road: "Seahawks make Carolina's offense, defense stall, sputter."

Georgetown's Big Victory

Kudos to the Hoyas
Any discussion of the Duke game against Georgetown must start first with a compliment to the Georgetown coaching staff. GTown executed a great game plan against a game Duke team with the best player in the country. And while they withered the expected comeback GTown hit big FTs, was careful not to foul and give up old-fashioned 3pt plays and genuinely played smart down the stretch.
I was impressed with GTown's height, length and overall hustle. It seemed the height and length kept Duke honest in the half court game because Duke simply couldn't beat their man one-on-one consistently enough to force help defense. That applies to everybody on the Duke team except JJ who was brilliant and could beat his man at will in large part due to GTown's decision to play him with SFs instead of SGs. And yes, it applies equally on the inside where Shelden was once again exposed as a bit slow of foot speed. (That's why he's a mid-first rounder instead of a guaranteed lottery pick in my mind. Your results may vary.)
Add to what I've just written the heart and determination -- and I'll say it again -- hustle of a team with upset clearly on its mind and Duke was playing from behind for the entire game. Well played GTown. Well played indeed. Any team with post season aspirations must protect the home court and your fans had every reason to storm the court. (Although I do get nervous whenever it happens. Eventually something bad's gonna happen and colleges will start having to put plexiglass around the court a la hockey.)

Duke Concerns
Paulus looked like an over-eager freshman a number of times today. I'm not sure why Sean Dockery wasn't handling the offense a bit more during the last five minutes. Meanwhile McRoberts seems to display a surprising lack of true basketball moves, lowpost or perimeter. He's very athletic and can finish around the hoop but doesn't rebound as well as he should. That strikes me as verging on a lack of heart but may be a simple unwillingness to expend the energy necessary to average 10 and 6. And it may explain why he only got 14 minutes against the Hoyas.
Lee Melchionni is a great spot-up shooter but should not be averaging more than 18-22 minutes a game. It's bothersome to me that Coach K thinks Melchionni gives Duke a better chance to win than McRoberts but that may just be a result of DeMarcus Nelson's absence. And Nelson better get healthy in a hurry if Duke is going to make a run for a title.
Finally JJ Redick was simply great. He took whatever the Hoya defense allowed him and a couple of things it didn't. He was unselfish almost to a fault down the stretch so I do wonder about how gassed he was against a physical defense. But the biggest thing I saw today was the heart of a champion who seemed to will his team away from what could have become a blowout into a one possession game. All you haters out there are on notice that as annoying as he may be JJ is a baller who deserves mad props for his dedication to the game.

Sadly, Shelden, you get nothing from me until you dunk in somebody's grill early in a game and snatch the heart out of your opponent Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom style. You're officially underperforming against other solid big men.

What this game did not show:
This game did not provide a blue print for how to beat the Blue Devils. I haven't seen another team that provides as many bad matchups for Duke than did GTown. And there's not a team in the ACC with as much long, tall athletic talent on their roster as the Hoyas. Not this year.

Yet, what this game might show is that if you can keep everybody else in check while scoring against Duke's pressure defense then you can still win even if JJ goes off. Cause 41 points on 24 shots is going off. But Georgetown still won a convincing victory.

FTF: NC State is not Duke

Don't forget the Daily Roundup
By Brett

NC State is not Duke, but for 38 minutes Wednesday night the Wolfpack sure looked every bit as good as the top-ranked team in the nation. Sure, during the last two minutes of the game, the Wolfpack failed to find anymore fight in themselves, but after the loss, even the most cynical NC State fans couldn't deny a strangely foreign and sincere feeling within themselves. Not quite pride, but certainly some type of appreciation of their team's overall effort and performance, DESPITE LOSING.

Stereotypes created from past Herb Sendek-coached Wolfpack teams have been notably absent in games this year. Since the 42-point Iowa episode, things have been very different. The customary five-to-seven-minute scoring droughts fans traditionally lament are very unlamented thus far. The "pass around the top of the key and then chuck a shot up before the shot clock" offense has been replaced by... fast breaks!

What is a cautiously suspicious State fan to do?

We were all ready to return to our habits of grumbling about Herbie, grumbling about the refs, and grumbling about the media's anti-NC State conspiracy after the Pack melted down at the end of the UNC game in Chapel Hill. But then we witnessed State trounce Boston College on the road, and play exciting near-perfect basketball in outlasting Georgia Tech at home. At slowly it's clicked... we State fans are learning to objectively recognize good play, despite the game's outcome. And NC State is playing very, very good. Yeah, I could say "very well," but that's not how we roll at the ACC Basketblog. Embrace the vernacular!

JJ Redick Pisses Me Off

Enough feel good vibes after a frustrating loss. I'm growing weary of seeing NC State get lit up by JJ Redick each year. You know, every season Duke competes with UNC to be more hated. UNC will always have the edge based on its uniquely irritating fans, and true, Roy Williams "spirited" gyrations on the sideline invite a great deal of disgust, but nothing will ever compete with the ire stirred by watching a Dookie slap the floor with both hands after making a shot and pressing on defense. Redick tends to make lots of shots.

There hasn't been a player like Redick in college basketball since Rodney Monroe. And that hurts to say. Very rarely does a great shooter become a scorer as well. And yes, there's a difference. UVA's Curtis Staples was a great shooter. UNC's Donald Williams was a great shooter. But great shooters don't collapse defenses and foul out half the team trying to guard them, and scorers don't drill timely, undefensible jumpers with hands in their face and ice in their veins. Both Redick and Monroe have done both, and I'm afraid Redick might be a more complete player now than Monroe was by his senior year. Redick also has a better shot at the NBA, if only because he's a little taller, but also because he has become a very good passer. Those pinpoint lobs over Cedric Simmons to Shelden Williams down low were quite aggravating.

A player like Redick can completely change a game, because he can score from anywhere and needs nothing more than the ball in his hands to get a shot off. As Cameron Bennerman, Engin Atsur, and Tony Bethel chased him all over the floor, Sean Dockery and Lee Melchioni found themselves wide open, and Redick or Shelden Williams found them every time. I hate Duke.

By the way Stuart Scott, it's Bennerman, not Benjamin. Don't think we don't know how you UNC journalists are trying to marginalize us!

Brett is our NC State guru and in his second season with the Basketblog.

The Daily Roundup: FreeThrowFriday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap.

The Headlines:

Heels have no answers: "With center Tyler Hansbrough getting bruised inside the lane and the Tar Heels' outside shots going everywhere but through the net, No. 24 UNC (10-4, 2-2 ACC) couldn't generate enough offense to recover from a nine-point, second-half deficit against Virginia (9-6, 3-2). " Unfortunately for these Heels, the cat is out of the bag and blood is in the water. Miami has undone them and all the league is aware: stay disciplined in your defensive and offensive principals, sag on Hansbrough, and force UNC's guards to beat you from the perimeter. Surprisingly, two typically undisciplined teams have been able to do that against the well schooled Heels. Will FSU be able to overcome their tendency toward frenetic play and execute this agenda? We shall see. Tar Heels are now officially in trouble.

Jeff White of the TimesDispatch: Benchmark for Cavs

Dascenzo: ACC has no clear second best: "It's common knowledge that unbeaten and top-ranked Duke is the best basketball team in the ACC. Common sense won't help you a bit determining which team is second best. Take your pick....."

Fun and games carried Duke to win: "When Duke coughed up the final eight points of the first half Wednesday night to fall behind N.C. State, the Blue Devils knew what to expect from Coach Mike Krzyzewski in the locker room. "

Wake's Hale making most of second chance as floor leader.

Heir apparent: "Deron Washington's talents can be traced to his athletic lineage."

FSU ready for big tests on boards: "After tangling with Boston College wide-bodies Craig Smith and Jared Dudley, Florida State's improved rebounding is about to get tested again."

Maryland Posts A Record Rate For Graduation. Good job, Terps!

Tech, Dogs degree laggers . Not so good, 'Jackets


News from the Association:

May undergoes 2nd knee surgery : Out for the rest of the season. Not good.....

John Eisenburg of the Baltimore Sun: Hard to fault Davis, but move still no-no.


ACC Football News from the Footblog:

FSU recruits jump into college life: "The realization that this isn't high school came quickly for Myron Rolle and Christian Ponder."

Boatman capitalizes on FSU spring entry: "Shannon Boatman arrived in Tallahassee confident that he can be a good fit for a Florida State team needing to build its offensive line. He is big and athletic."

He has climbed the rookie Hill to success: Clemson's Leroy Hill's transition from college to professional life was almost seamless in at least one respect.


News from the League:

Playoffs '06

Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer - Buckner provides lively interviews: "Brentson Buckner can talk. And talk. And talk. Buckner, 34, a Carolina Panthers defensive tackle, is well-known for issuing honest, colorful quotes by the bushel. He knows the entire NFL -- not just his own team -- better than any active player I've met in 16 years of covering the league."

Big Ben: The evolution of a quarterback: "A look at the rise of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger starts up a comprehensive preview of Sunday's AFC showdown with the Denver Broncos on Sunday."

Concussions a tough call for doctors: "Shaun Alexander was helped off the field after suffering a concussion in the first quarter of last Saturday's game against Washington. After careful monitoring, doctors have decided Alexander can play in Sunday's game. But was it the right call?"

Pittsaargh! Broncos fans there defiant - Faithful must steel selves against neighbors.

Duke - NCSU Reax

I hate to do it to them, but I gotta. I'm gonna pull some of the quotes from the State Fans Nation Blog and give a comment or two. From the first comment

We played straight up with the #1 team in the country for 34 minutes. You can’t be dissappointed with that. But if we had had average performances by Atsur, Evtimov, and Bethel we would’ve won.

State fans have to be proud of their squad's performance last night. They went into a hostile environment, answered the bell when Duke ran out to an early lead, matched Duke's intensity and gave a great showing in a nationally televised game. But the "woulda, shoulda, coulda" mantra is the mating call of a team that doesn't expect to win. Come on State Fans! Don't go there!

Second comment:

Thank God JJ Redneck will be gone after this year. I am so sick of him. Despite the ton of attention we paid to him, he still scored a ton.
The only real downside (besides losing) is that I’m afriad NBA scouts are going to take serious notice of Ced now. Please, we can’t afford another Josh Powell!

I'm a fan of snark but that's a pretty lame attempt at making fun of Redick's name. Don't worry though, he's killed everybody so far. You've got company. And yeah, you should be worried about the NBA scouts given the way Cedric Simmons played against the reigning National Defensive POY.

Speaking of which, I think Coach K has told Shelden to allow opposing big men more space to operate than in years past because of the lack of depth on Duke's roster. He has given up several big games against players who are talented but certainly not out of Shelden's league. Do you guys agree that there is a concrete strategy to protect Shelden?

Duke caught some lucky breaks in the 2nd half and it was just the way the ball bounced literally.

This, again, represents the mantra of a team that doesn't expect to win. Duke hit shots and played solid defense down the stretch. NC State looked rattled down the stretch once Duke started out to a 6-7 point lead. And it showed in their lack of offensive production in the closing minutes. State is really good but doesn't believe in itself the way it should. JJ and Co., however, believe in themselves to the point of nausea, and that's why they haven't lost yet.

Word is now out and Duke is vulnerable.

There's always a bit of schaedenfraude involved when you watch people make these sorts of comments. If the word is out perhaps you'd like to tell opposing coaches so they can implement the strategy you suggest; so far it ain't happened.

And finally, I would like to be critical, yet again, of the decision not to play Brackman more. It's a long season and that guy has proved he can play against top-tier competition. So I just can't understand what he's doing on Herbie's bench. He nearly got a charge on a Duke drive (but was a quarter step slow when I watched the slo-mo replay on my DVR), grabbed a few rebounds, iirc, and had a few open looks at the basket that just didn't seem to fall but usually will. And on top of that he seems to be comfortable handling the ball if he's called upon to help break a press. Given State's PG situation (there's no star to be sure) having a big who can handle and make good decisions is a real bonus.

Come on Herb. Get Brackman onto the court more often.

And State Fans, you and your team --which is very good -- should expect to win.

P.S. Good job not blaming the refs as you seemed wont to do in your pre-game analysis.

The Daily Roundup: Thursday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap.

Terence Moore: Wildcat Wackos making Tubby blue

The Headlines:

Duke's veterans pave way to victory: "J.J. Redick stepped in the passing lane, came up with a steal, then dribbled out as much of the clock as his legs and N.C. State's defenders would allow."

Dascenzo: Dockery makes the difference: "What gave it away -- the play of plays and the shot of shots and, oh heck, the seal-the-deal shot of the game -- were the eyes of Duke's senior guard Sean Dockery. "

Ned Barnett of the News and Observer - Strength shows in struggle: "Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's team knocked off No. 14-ranked N.C. State on Wednesday to advance to 17-0 and tie for the best start in Duke men's basketball history, but the coach is still playing down."

Full throttle: "Miami produced its best defensive effort in 57 years with their 62-38 demolition of Clemson." They've won their fourth in a row, and rolled into second place in the ACC behind Duke.

HYDE: Haith guarded about March:"So this is what progress looks like..."

Deacs hold off Jackets 86-71: "Wake Forest squanders a big lead but gets its first ACC victory of the season."

Heels, Miller know hard work pays off: "When he catches the ball and squares up, North Carolina fans raise their arms. Opponents cringe. Everyone in the building expects him to make the shot."

Williams wants to see how team responds to loss

Hansbrough handy for Heels: "UNC hopes to get him the ball more."

Future is bright for young Cavs, Tar Heels

Tech's Morrow getting special attention

Bob Lipper of the Times Dispatch: Beating Duke will take devil of an effort

Lenox Rawlings of the Winston-Salem Journal - " Raucous Night: Pack gave No. 1 Blue Devils fits."

Williams takes charge: "Senior outplays Simmons late."

Tar Heels young, but don't lack talent

Va.Tech Notes from the Times Dispatch

ACC Football News from the Footblog:

FSU expects Lee will be ready to practice in spring:"Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden is a bit more optimistic that backup quarterback Xavier Lee can be worked into some of his plans for spring practice."

Canes recruit keeping his options open: " Top University of Miami recruit Pat Devlin, a quarterback from Downington East High School in Pennsylvania, called Hurricanes coach Larry Coker last week to tell him he was keeping his options open for other schools."

U.Va. hires Borbely to coach offensive line

News from the League:

Playoff's '06

Bettis' mom sought divine help after the fumble: "Jerome Bettis ran into the line and lost the football; his mother ran to the ladies' room."

Steelers Notebook: No penalty flag thrown on Porter:"Perhaps the NFL agreed with what Joey Porter had to say after the game Sunday, because the league has decided not to fine him."

Sweetness in Seattle for Lucas:"Panthers corner in position to sting his old team in NFC title game."

Smith a Small Wonder: "Carolina's diminutive receiver Steve Smith leads all wideouts with 22 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns in two playoff games."

Hawks must stop the unstoppable Steve Smith: "Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme has already taken the stage in the Bank of America Stadium interview room when the door swings..."

For now, Locklear guilty only of being a bad teammate: Former NC State star "Sean Locklear is lucky. Lucky he has a job today. Lucky he has been given the chance to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against Carolina..."

Denver - Will work for tickets: "Fans barterDesperation for seats hatches oddball offers. A doctor is offering a free vasectomy for tickets to Sunday's AFC title game. Another man will give up the Valentine's Day diamond ring he bought for his wife."

More to come.....

Hump Day Blogging

From Dave Sez:

01/18/06 Georgia Tech @ Wake Forest Winston-Salem, N.C. RJ 9:00 PMIf Wake doesn't win this one, their season will officially be in the toilet. I'd bet the mortgage that the Deacons pull this one out.

I'm not so certain but I'd like to see them go down swinging, if at all. Dave's got more, including a bit of snark for the Clemson-Miami tilt. If you're into that sort of thing. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Plus, Dave has a piece that details some of the changes Matt Doherty has made. In case you missed it, there are some things that haven't changed, apparently.

Georgia Tech signed a guy who didn't exactly pan out and GT SportsBlog has the details. It's an interesting follow-up on a guy, Michael Southall, who got into legal trouble. I'm kinda rooting for the guy to keep together.

Tonight's Big Game
You know, I was always kinda sure that NCState fans weren't that bright. And now, as if to confirm that opinion State Fans Nation posts the Five Reasons State Can Beat Duke.

Me, I'm going with Bobby Cremins on this one.

I'll let the State guys have their fun, but I've got one reason Duke will beat State. Duke will score more points than State.

Beat. That. State Fans!

The Daily Roundup: Wednesday

The BEST ACC Basketball Coverage!!!

Because we care:

Jim Cramer's MAD MONEY and RADIO recap.

The Headlines:

Smith, BC get it done: "Just when it appeared he would never score his 2001st career point, Craig Smith rebounded from a frustrating first half to score 17 of his team-high 19 points and grab 12 of his career-high 17 rebounds in Boston College's 63-53 nonconference victory over Holy Cross last night before 5,524 at the DCU Center."

Duke a long way from perfect, but ...: "Who will be the next NCAA men's basketball team to go undefeated during a season? No NCAA Division I squad has done it since Indiana in 1976, and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski isn't nominating his top-ranked 16-0 Blue Devils, who play N.C. State at 7 tonight."

Caulton Tudor of the News and Observer: Will Duke go undefeated? No.

Ned Barnett of the News and Observer: Will Duke go undefeated? Yes.

NC State welcomes the return to Cameron.

Deacs facing uphill battle: "WFU will try for its first ACC win tonight." If there were ever a must win, this is it for Wake Forest.

Harris, 'Canes raising game: "Return from injury bolsters Miami's three-guard attack."

Big Dance steps start in January for Tigers: "Next two road games could be crucial to postseason."

Clemson's Hamilton finds his zone as a leader in backcourt: "Perhaps it took a blow to the forehead to really light Vernon Hamilton's fire."

Cavs guards worry Tar Heels: Alas, a must win game for these young Heels. This begins the five game stretch that I predicted in my season preview would make or break these Heels. Anything less than 3-2 and the boys in baby blue are going to be in a bit of trouble making the dance, much less winning 20 games on the year.

Former UNC Coach Matt Doherty's passion remains as he returned to the Tar Heel state last night and got a win down in Buies Creek.

The pressure to win now, however, is virtually all self-imposed. That desire hasn't lessened for Doherty, but the external elements are less burdensome than when he was coaching the Tar Heels.

Dean Smith: A reluctant namesake - "When UNC began raising money for the Smith Center, officials hadn't decided the building's name. It started out as the Student Activities Center, but officials moved forward with the idea that the arena might carry a donor's name if anyone stepped forward with a huge contribution. The single gift of several million dollars never came, so the name of the building was open for discussion. "

U.VA. NOTES from the Times Dispatch

Tradition, change continue to blend in Tar Heels' arena: "During his coaching days, Dean Smith had a simple philosophy when it came to firing up the home crowd. "I was never one for telling our players to stand up and wave their hands," Smith said. "You see that in football games."

Dascenzo: Opening night at 'Dome' was something special- "The first time I wandered into the Dean E. Smith Center, 20 years ago today, to watch top-ranked North Carolina play No. 3 Duke, Keith Drum asked me a question."

Every Night, Something New: Blue Devils constantly coming upwith schemes to get Redick loose

If history repeats, Devils can't lose: "The majority of N.C. State's players haven't played at Cameron Indoor Stadium but say they are looking forward to tonight's trip."

Inside the ACC from the Baltimore Sun

News from the Association:

Former Maryland star Steve Francis apologizes, but it's gotten goofy in Orlando as the
troubled franchise endures a roller-coaster season

ACC Football news from the Footblog:

Harold 'Mickey' Connolly; part of legendary BC team became athletic director: "Harry W. ''Mickey" Connolly was a Boston College fullback who played under Frank Leahy and was best remembered for scoring the first touchdown of BC's famous 1941 Sugar Bowl victory over Tennessee, which brought a national championship to Chestnut Hill. But he was also a Navy World War II veteran, a high school and college football coach, and later in ..."

Former Virginia Tech's Cornell Brown is now switching gears: "The former Tech All-American is done playing and will be an NFL Europe assistant.

Allegations involving Clemson player reviewed: "Florida hotel incident during Champs Sports Bowl trip is under investigation."

Terps Q&A with Heather A. Dinich

Duke lands three defensive backs

South African native commits to UVa. football

Virginia Tech lands wide receiver

Gators ready to snap up top football class: "Florida recruits 'unreal group'; USC has quality over quantity."

News from the League:

NFL Playoffs '06

True southern grit: "Jake Delhomme is better in the playoffs than he is during the regular season for the same reason he is better on the final drive of a close game than on the 11 drives that precede it. "

Man recovering after heart attack during Steelers game after Bettis fumble. Are we getting a bit carried away, my friend.

Eyes must be on Denver not Detroit: "Bill Cowher has been here many times, on the stoop of the Super Bowl, so close he could see his image gleaming from the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Four out of five times he was rudely turned away as if he were an encyclopedia salesman."

Substitute Seahawks are on a role: "Even as he dodged defenders on the longest run in the Seahawks' postseason history, Mack Strong couldn't juke the jokes by his teammates..."

Pueblo fan goes the distance : "Lisa Sisneros believed her husband's obsession with the Denver Broncos was innocent enough - until she left him home alone years ago with a brush and orange and blue paint. While she knew the orange shutters would be a harbinger of things to come, she never expected her north- side Pueblo home at 2810 High St. would become a tourist attraction."

More to come........