The ACC for better or worse has always revolved around tobacco road. The Tournament never even thought about leaving the state until the mid-70's... and from the conference's inception it was all about North Carolina, Duke and NC State. There was "one brief shining moment" when it appeared as if anybody could win-- from 1984 to 96 six schools won postseason tournaments and even Clemson was able to win the regular season title once. But since 1997 a Blue Curtain has fallen over the ACC-- even sending Wake Forest and NC State back to business class. Duke and North Carolina have won 14 of the last 15 ACC Tournaments (Maryland 2004 the exception) and one of the two schools has had the top seed every year since 2003 (thank you Wake Forest). This year it appeared as though Florida State might make its way to the grownups' table with victories in Chapel Hill and at Cameron-- but back to back losses have the Seminoles safely in the second-tier. Miami won in Durham only to fall in College Park the same month. NC State was once 7-3 in the league and had a 20 point lead at Duke-- before a four game losing streak punctuated by a loss to Clemson. Virginia and Virginia Tech came oh-so-close to beating North Carolina and Duke last Saturday-- only to remind us that close isn't an operative word come March. Pax Duke-Heel-ica.
#11 Georgetown (22-6, 12-5) solidified its status as a #3 seed in both CBS and ESPN's bracket models... although a loss at #8 Marquette plus a quick exit from the Big East Tournament may pull them back one line. The Hoyas' 59-41 thumping of Notre Dame was the team's sixth Big East win where they held their opponent in the 40's... and Coach John Thompson III's team also held Rutgers to 50. If they can keep the defensive intensity... this is a team that will be very dangerous in the coming weeks. Likely Big East Seed: after a loss at Marquette and a Notre Dame victory over Providence... the Hoyas are a #4... with potential quarterfinal opponents ranging from South Florida to Louisville-- or if there's an upset; Rutgers or Pitt. Take the under in all circumstances.
Alma Mater Update-- another game where the Orange looked great in stretches and head-scratching in others. Another game that looked like a potential blowout but wound up being a one-possession nailbiter. For a team that's ranked #2 in the nation, the Orange haven't had back to back double digit wins since mid-January... and while that's largely a byproduct of a tough Big East schedule, it's not reassuring when you're looking for a Tournament team on a roll. A number one seed is all but assured-- the 2010 team lost its regular season finale and Big East Quarterfinal game and stayed a #1-- West Virginia and UConn appear to be the dangerous first opponent in Madison Square Garden. Double down on the Sign of the Whale Wings-- it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Maryland (16-12, 6-8) had their dreams of a .500 ACC season take a major hit with a 63-61 loss at Georgia Tech. While the second half fade wasn't as bad as it was the previous weekend in Charlottesville... shooting 7 for 30 is no way to win -- even against a Yellowjacket team that scored 37 points against Clemson the previous week. It isn't helpful when you rank 324th in assists and point guard PeShon Howard's done for the year. Can they upset North Carolina in Chapel Hill and stun Virginia to wrap up the season? Reality says a split is the best case scenario and a #8 seed in the ACCs-- with Virginia Tech or Wake Forest the likely first round opponent.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Two chances to put the dominion on the map... two tough losses for Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers' 54-51 loss to North Carolina puts a winning league mark in doubt-- with Florida State coming to Charlottesville and a trip to College Park wrapping up the regular season. Still- ESPN and CBS have the Cavaliers as a #8 seed in the NCAAs. In Mike Scott we trust. The Hokies' 70-65 overtime loss to Duke was the perfect snapshot of a disappointing season: 12 of Virginia Tech's 14 league games have been decided by five points or less, and unfortunately VT is 4-8 in those games.
George Mason (23-8, 14-4) moved itself off the at-large bubble with an 89-77 loss at VCU. The Patriots actually shot 53 percent from the field but 20 turnovers proved costly. As the #3 seed in the CAA coach Paul Hewitt's team will play the winner of Georgia State and Hofstra in the quarterfinals. They beat Georgia State by 3 at home and swept Hofstra (10 point win at home, 5 point win away). Even if they beat VCU in the semifinals, it appears as though GMU needs to win the conference tournament to make the big dance.
George Washington (10-18, 5-9) inched closer to an Atlantic Ten tournament berth with a 56-51 win over Duquesne... David Pellom continuing his February frenzy with a third straight double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds). In order to lock up the #12 seed, the Colonials need a victory over 18 game winners LaSalle or Dayton... or the winner of Rhode Island-Fordham to lose their regular season finale. Backing in never seemed so good.
Maryland Womens' Window-- the Terps head to Greensboro and the ACC Tournament as the #3 seed thanks to a 65-50 thumping of North Carolina State. Alyssa Thomas takes first team all ACC honors... Tianna Hawkins is named second team while Laurin Mincy and Lynetta Kizer receive honorable mention. They'll face #6 Virginia or 11th seed Boston College in Friday's Quarterfinals-- with a couple of keys in order to be successful this weekend: 1-Hawkins and Alicia DeVaughn need to stay out of foul trouble... the Terrapin bigs can't be productive on the pine-- and the seven player rotation is easily exposed when they are. 2-possessions must be productive... the offense can't be turning the ball over or taking bad shots against the ACC's elite. That might fly against BC or Virginia, but not against Miami or Duke.
American (19-10, 10-4) wrapped up the regular season with a 76-69 win over Lafayette. A nice bounceback game from Charles Hinkle (25 points after being held to 3 by Bucknell) secures the #3 seed and a Patriot League Quarterfinal meeting with Army. The Eagles swept the Black Knights, taking the most recent meeting 74-50 at West Point (shooting 60% from the field).
Howard (9-20, 6-10) saw their regular season wrap up with a 63-46 loss at Delaware State... a rough offensive effort where the Bison hit 33% of their shots and 1-of-12 three pointers while turning the ball over 16 times. Pending Florida A&M's final game, the Bison enter next week's MEAC Tournament as either the 9th or 10th seed. While a first round win wouldn't be out of the question, competing with #1 Savannah State or 2nd seed Norfolk State (both 20 game winners this winter) appears to be a much taller task.
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