Monday, February 22, 2010

Weekend in Review: February 21st

This weekend, one team showed it was head and shoulders above the rest, one won on a buzzer beater, while the same buzzer beater reflected one team's major flaws. Let's get the weekly review rolling.

Duke 67-Virginia Tech 55

In a game much closer than the final score, the Devils hit two late three pointers to put the game on ice Sunday night at Cameron Indoor. Throughout the game, Duke's ability to crash the offensive glass doomed the Hokies. The home team got offensive rebounds on half of their misses, mostly in part to senior Brian Zoubek, who is great at one thing: being really tall, and using his size. The ensuing result was a whopping 16 rebounds for the 7'1 Zoubek. Although the Devils shot 29% from the field, they hit ten threes, compared to two by the Hokies. Many came off second chance opportunities. The game was a competitive one to say the least, with Tech's Dorenzo Hudson and Duke's Nolan Smith getting into it with intense verbal jawing late in the game. Both are unquestioned leaders of their respective teams, and are not the type of players who will back down from an opposing player's verbal challenge. With their 12 point victory, Duke showed they are the class of the ACC. Tech is in solid position for a first round ACC Tournament bye, as long as they win two of their final four conference games. Winning one more game might even do the job, but losing to either NC State or Boston College (ACC doormats) would look terrible on an NCAA Tournament resume.

NC State 68-Wake Forest 54

In an awful week for Wake, NC State outplayed the Deacons in yet another shocking win for the Wolfpack. State now has a win over Duke, the best team in the ACC, as well as wins over Marquette and Wake Forest, two probable NCAA Tournament teams. Yet they carry a 3-10 ACC record, good enough for worst in the conference. Go figure. After blowing an 11 point second half lead at Virginia Tech on Tuesday, the Deacons turned the ball over an astounding 23 times in Raleigh to practically hand the game to the 'Pack. Wake did not make a three pointer. When State shoots the ball well from the perimeter, they can compete with anyone. On this afternoon, they shot 6-12 from downtown, and Farnold Degand and Javier Gonzalez both had quality performances in the same game for the first time since their win against Duke (the last ACC game they won before this matchup). Wake's NCAA tournament chances take a huge hit, although their RPI is still in the top 25. Dino Gaudio's club takes a week off before they face a must-win Saturday at home against North Carolina. NC State improved their NIT resume with the big home win, as well as silencing the growing number of Sidney Lowe critics for the time being.

Maryland 76-Georgia Tech 74
In one of the country's most dramatic games this season, Cliff Tucker sank a three as time expired, and consequently, may have locked up an NCAA Tournament berth for his Terrapins. It was more of the same for Georgia Tech away from Atlanta, as they are 1-7 in their past eight road games. If Tech fails to qualify for the NCAA's after being ranked all year, it could signal the end of the Paul Hewitt may be coming. Hewitt has always struggled on the road, and this season is no exception. They boast an NBA-ready frontline, as well as a deep backcourt. As for the Terrapins, the win showed the Terps are one of the most resilient teams in the conference, and, despite a lack of marquee wins, are a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. One more conference win, and the Terps can be considered a lock an ACC Tournament first round bye, as well as a spot in the NCAA's.

Clemson 72-Virginia 49
Continuing their late-season downfall, the Cavaliers were smoked in every aspect of the game Saturday afternoon at Clemson. Only six players scored for UVA, three of them with four points or less. The 'Hoos are NIT bound, thanks to their inability to develop a third scoring option behind Mike Scott and Sylven Landesberg. Look for Virginia to be much more competitive next year, with more depth coming with a quality recruiting class. As for the Tigers, they are quietly creeping back into the ACC picture. They have won four of their past five games and now carry a 7-5 ACC record. Their final four games are against teams from the top half of the ACC standings and will be tough. The first is a date at Maryland, in a game with ACC Tournament seeding implications. A win would do wonders for the Tigers' resume, and would give them their 20th win.

Boston College 71-North Carolina 67
More of the same for the Tar Heels, who received their sixth defeat in the past seven games. The Heels missed 8 of their 24 free throw attempts, Larry Drew, Will Graves and Dexter Strickland combined for only 18 points and 5 assists, and the team made only one three pointer. All equated to terrible production from Carolina's backcourt, a problem that has been persistent throughout the season. The 13 losses this season by the Heels is the most a Roy Williams-coached team has ever had in a single season. Al Skinner started star combo guard Reggie Jackson for the first time this season, and the move paid off. Jackson finished with 17 points, 7 assists, and only 1 turnover. The Eagles have been tough at home this season, and will try to upset Virginia Tech Wednesday in Boston. BC and UNC will be trying to avoid the ACC cellar for the rest of the season, while both will aim for NIT bids.

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