Even in Wheelchair, Aubry Boyd's Spirit Still Runs Strong originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Florida State's Ryan Reid Decks Wake Forest's Chas McFarland, Gets Ejected originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who are the main men? Toney Douglas will inherit "da man" role in Tallahassee. Douglas missed a chunk of last season and was really missed. He partners up with Isiah Swann, who along with Jason Rich and Ralph Mims, form an extremely experienced backcourt.

What are the team's strengths? They are one of the few teams in the league that bring back their backcourt. Guard play is huge in college hoops and the fact that they already have that puts them at an advantage. They can use those guys to speed up the game against teams that are bigger than them.

When will we see them struggle? Anytime they realize that Al Thornton is no longer on the floor. Thornton was the ACC's leading scorer and so valuable to the Noles last year that they have no one person [or possible combination] that can take his place.

Why should anyone care? Florida State is great for an upset or two [eh, Duke?]. They are also good for a rotten egg of a game here and there. Also, with a new AD coming in the future, Hamilton is fighting for his job.

How stable is the program? It has been a decade since Florida State went to the NCAA tournament, and Leonard Hamilton has yet to get them there. It doesn't help that fellow football power, Florida, has rolled out two straight championships.

Where will they finish in the ACC? With Thornton, this was a middle of the road team. What do you think they'll be without him?

Name you didn't know, but will: Solomon Alabi will be a force on the defensive end in this league. The 7-1 freshman will be plugged right into the mix and will allow those Seminole guards to take a few chances on some steals, knowing that they have a wall back there.

ACC Hoops Preview: #10-Florida State originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Florida State Seminoles' 2007-2008 Hoops Schedule Released originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This will be a transition year for most of the ACC. Pretty much everyone took a hit this offseason, with only four teams really looking like locks for the NCAA tournament. There is little doubt that North Carolina will be the favorite ... but remember that this was the case last year ... and UNC was nearly the #5 seed in the ACC tournament. NC State, Duke and Clemson have the best shot at giving the Heels trouble for the title

1-North Carolina: Sometimes subtraction isn't a bad thing. The Heels lose Brandan Wright and Reyshawn Terry, but the rotation should be tighter and everyone more understanding of their roles. If UNC is going to make its title run, they better do it now before Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough bolt.

2-NC State: Brandon Costner is my pick for ACC Player of the Year. With JJ Hickson running alongside him in the paint, Costner is free to show his entire game [similar to how Wright helped Hansbrough last year in Chapel Hill]. This team is ready to break out and get back into the ACC's elite. At issue is finding Engin Atsur's replacement ... since he was so key in the success of the Pack last year.

3-Duke: With Kyle Singler and Taylor King coming in, expect Duke to go back to its gun-slinging ways. Last year's team wasn't normal Duke: they struggled to find their offense and were very inconsistent shooting. The big issue this year is ... well, what happens if they keep missing those threes? Josh McRoberts is gone and there really isn't anyone reliable in the paint to score or rebound.

4-Clemson: Can the Tigers get back that team that was scorching the early part of the season? Well, they have four returning starters and has one of the better frontcourts in the conference. They just need to get their minds right. This team has the talent ... they just need to tighten the bolts and clean the sawdust.

5-Virginia: Dave Leitao better thank God that Sean Singletary came back. The ACC player of the year candidate will be asked to do even more with JR Reynolds and Jason Cain gone.

6-Maryland: Gotta love those Terps! The head-scratchers are gone, with their understudies ready to take their place. The team will rely on James Gist and Greivis Vasquez to become leaders on and off the floor. However, this streaky team must find someone who can hit a shot.

Premature Preseason ACC 2007-2008 Hoops Rankings originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN.com labeled Florida State and Virginia among their most underachieving programs of the past decade. The list is topped by Michigan, but FSU and Virginia file right behind at #2 and #3, respectively.

Most ACC fans have been waiting for Florida State to emerge to top half of the ACC standings, yet it hasn't happened. They've not made the NCAAs since 1998, despite having a very good coach [Leonard Hamilton] who has NBA ties. The article does point out:

FSU hasn't made the dance since 1998, but at least it unquestionably is a football school in football country and is trying to gain traction in a tougher basketball conference top-to-bottom than the Wolverines with less historical success to lean on. The Seminoles have a smaller working budget than Michigan, as well.

True, but what irks everyone is that the Noles have shown the ability to beat the Dukes and Carolinas at home, but cannot climb their way out of the group of Clemsons of the league. ACC fans know that Florida State is a football school in a basketball conference, but the good are there for them to compete. Remember, their first league game was a win at North Carolina.

As for Virginia, things should look up in the long term. The new John Paul Jones Arena was a nightmare stop for ACC foes this season and joins the Smith Center, Comcast Center, RBC Center and Lawrence Joel as NBA-sized arenas that can suffocate you with it's home court advantage [of course, one of the ACC's smallest venues, Cameron Indoor, claims the ultimate advantage]. The nice facilities, great coach and academic history should lure more top recruits to the school.

Other schools to make the list include St. John's, Arizona State, Missouri, Oregon State, Georgia, Rutgers and South Carolina.

UVa, FSU on Underachievers List originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 14 May 2007 12:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Bobby Huggins headed to West Virginia, the status of Kansas State's great recruiting class has come into doubt. Namely top dog Michael Beasley. Beasley, who has already shunned Charlotte to go to K-State, may be looking elsewhere to start his college career. There was word earlier today that Beasley was to honor his commitment to K-State. Now, it seems, that was just his mom talking and he hasn't made up his mind. After all, if not for Huggins [or Wildcat assistant Delonte Hill], there would have been a snowball's chance in Hades that Beasley would have even considered Kansas State.

"I haven't [asked to be released from Kansas State] yet," Beasley said after the Nike Hoop Summit game in Memphis, Tenn. However, it appeared he was unaware of the Wildcats' promotion of Martin, as he said, "I'm waiting to see who gets the job first. "I haven't talked to [Huggins] yet. He had to do what was best for him, but he still didn't look out for his recruits. He supposedly had the best recruiting class in the nation, but he didn't look out for us."

So, the door is still open in the Beasley sweepstakes. A door that could open up to the ACC. Out of Beasley's mouth came this:

"I'm really thinking about Memphis right now. NC State and Florida State, too"

Wow! I understand Memphis because John Calapari is a wizard at recruiting. But NC State or Florida State? That would be a coup for either program. NC State is trying to quickly rebuild it's nest and has one of their best recruiting classes in recent years coming. Florida State loses Al Thornton and is trying to take the next step to being relevant in hoops. After all, rival Florida is now winning basketball championships. Memphis, NC State and FSU have coaches who has been head coaches at the NBA level.

Beasley is no stranger to moving around. Dude has been to six high schools in five states ... including schools in both Florida and North Carolina.

Could Michael Beasley Really End Up at NC State or FSU? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When you are a bubble team that saw your dreams crushed on Selection Sunday, that usually means that you are in the running for a top seed in the National Invitational Tournament. Yeah, it isn't the same as being in the NCAA tournament and you may laugh and spit all over it, but some of these kids will be playing for the final time organized hoops ... so back off!

The NIT [which is now owned by the NCAA] is scaled down to 32 teams and is organized somewhat similar to the NCAA's tournament. There are North, South, East and West regions. I probably won't speak much of this tournament after this, so you ACC fans of these teams take notice now. Three ACC schools made this tournament, meaning 10 of the 12 members will play in the postseason.

Clemson is the #1 seed in the South Region and will host East Tennessee State this Wednesday [6pm on ESPNU]. If they win, they'll take on the Ole Miss-Appalachian State winner on Monday. The Tigers were 17-0 to start the season, becoming the final team to lose their first game. After that, they kept losing - to the tune of 10 of their last 14. As coach Oliver Purnell is telling you in the picture above, the Tigers need just 5 wins to claim this title.

Florida State is the #2 seed in the North Region and will host Toledo this Tuesday [6pm on ESPU]. A win pits them against the Michigan-Utah State winner this Thursday [sure, we'll all watch that one]. NC State, who made an amazing run to the ACC Championship game, is a #6 seed in the East Region and will travel to Drexel for their game this Tuesday [8pm, ESPNU]. Drexel was one of the most controversial ommissions from the NCAA's field of 65 teams.

There are some good teams in the NIT. Besides the ACC schools and Drexel, Syracuse, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Air Force and Kansas State are just a few teams that could've made a dent in the NCAAs.

Clemson Gets a #1 Seed!!!! Well, In The N.I.T. originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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6:25 -- [expletive deleted]! Arkansas makes it? Based on what? Getting killed by Florida? Six ACC teams so far, it doesn't look good.

6:35 -- And with the final matchups announced, FSU is headed back to the NIT again. So much for beefing up the schedule and playing tough competition.

Well, FSU fans, I hate to say that I think the committee was right on this one, but I do agree that Noles fans have a case. Florida State had a better RPI than Purdue, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech and, Virginia ... who all received at large bids. They had the 20th toughest schedule as all 12 losses came from teams in the top 55 of the RPI. I also think FSU got shafted when the committee seemingly didn't take into account Toney Douglas' injury, in which FSU was 1-4 without him.

I also just don't think FSU did anything to set themselves apart from the other bubble teams. Yes, they did beat Florida, but that was eons ago. I think where FSU can blame themselves was in ACC play where they were 7-9. Sure, not having Douglas refects in that record but for an 8th ACC team to get in, they really have to wow you with the numbers. FSU does have great ones, but Arkansas has a higher RPI, tougher strength of schedule and made it to their conference tournament championship game.

And for the second straight year, Florida State wonders what is the next step to get them in.

Florida State Fans Don't Like Being Excluded originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Okay, the ACC tournament is done with UNC's 89-80 win over a very impressive NC State team today. One this we are certain of is that North Carolina will be in the dance. After that, there are teams pretty much in, but who knows how the committee views them or views this conference.

NORTH CAROLINA: IN. [RPI: 3, SOS: 5] They are in by winning the ACC tournament and will be, at worst, a #2 seed and will most likely play in the Winston-Salem pod next weekend. With UCLA losing two in a row [both to unranked teams] and depending on the outcome of the Big Ten tournament [UNC probably needs Ohio State to win that one] the Tar Heels could be looking at a #1 seed.

MARYLAND: IN. [RPI: 16, SOS: 10] The Terps have been very impressive over the 2nd half of the ACC season, and they probably won't get caught up by their loss to Miami on Thursday due to the overall weirdness of the ACC tournament. Right now, they are probably a #5 seed, but hopes to be a #4 that can get to that Winston-Salem pod.

DUKE: IN. [RPI: 15, SOS: 3]. Despite what people may hope, Duke is definitely in. I mean, their computer numbers are outstanding and it isn't like they've been losing to horrid teams. Still, there will be much debate about where Duke should be placed in the NCAA tournament. I feel either the #8 or #9 seed ... which, of course, should peeve off whomever the #1 seed in their bracket is.

BOSTON COLLEGE: IN. [RPI: 33, SOS: 12]. BC has pretty good computer numbers but has really fallen on hard times of late. Is their physical style getting them worn out? This should be around a #7 or #8 seed.

VIRGINIA TECH: IN [RPI: 32, SOS: 22]. Tech's biggest moments have come in their two wins over UNC and a big win at Duke. However, they've lost 3 of 4 and 4 of 6 which should drop them down in the same #7-#8 range that BC is in.

VIRGINIA: IN. [RPI: 54, SOS: 50]. If this team wasn't co-ACC champions, they'd be a marked team on the bubble. They played the weakest ACC schedule, were clipped in their first ACC tournament game and lost a huge game against Wake Forest to end their season. Their record says a #5 seed, but their numbers say a #7-#9 seed.

GEORGIA TECH: IN. [RPI: 52, SOS: 47]. To be honest, I don't see how this team is such a lock as people seem to think. They can't win on the road, they really only have three good wins [and two of them were at home when their opponent was drowning] and their numbers really aren't stellar. But, they have put it together at the right time and just the above average nature of the middle of the ACC pushes them in. They should be around a #9 or #10 seed, and could fall to a #11.

FLORIDA STATE: OUT. [RPI: 41, SOS: 18]: The odd thing is that if you just looked at the computer numbers, FSU would be in over Ga Tech and Virginia. However, they had a losing ACC record and just haven't done enough to warrant inclusion. They may have had a shot if teams like Butler, Xavier and Nevada didn't lose their conference tournaments.

CLEMSON: OUT. [RPI: 44, SOS: 54]. Hard to believe that an ACC team can be 17-0 at one point and still miss the tournament. But Clemson went 4-10 the rest of the season, lost to fellow bubble team Florida State in the first round of the ACC tournament and has just become the poster-child for a cupcake non-con season. If coach Oliver Purnell can figure out how to schedule some better teams in the pre-ACC season, they'll have a better shot.

NC STATE: OUT. [RPI: 89, SOS: 49]. Right now, NC State could be one of the best 65 teams in the nation. They beat ranked foes Duke, Virginia and Virgina Tech in three straight days, and nearly upset ranked North Carolina in the ACC Championship. Sidney Lowe has the Wolfpack on the right path and they could do some damage in the NIT. This is just a one year vacation from the dance for the boys in Raleigh.

Final Br-ACC-etology: Can the ACC Get 8 Teams In? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Entering the 54th ACC Tournament, there were some around the league and various bracketology sites that felt the ACC had a shot at getting 8 teams in. Quite the remarkable feat since only once has a conference gotten that many teams in, and that was last season's 16-team Big East.

There are three teams squarely on the bubble: Georgia Tech, Florida State and Clemson. Right now, there are plenty of factors working against them:

• Ga Tech and Clemson lost their first round ACC games by folding down the stretch. Not something the selection committee likes.
• Florida State has lost 6 of 9. Clemson has lost 10 of 14. Ga Tech is 3-10 away from home.
• Florida State has the better computer numbers of the bunch ... but Georgia Tech and Clemson swept the Noles in regular season play.
• Now, it looks like only 6 teams get in, and of those six schools, really none are showing us any kind of greatness. Virginia, Maryland and Duke all lost their first games; North Carolina looked patently flippant against FSU; and Boston College needed overtime to beat the 12th seeded Miami Hurricanes. And who really believes in Virginia Tech? All that could kill perception that the ACC is a mesh of pretty good teams and nothing more.
• Right now, it looks like just one ACC school [North Carolina] will be seeded better than 5th.
• Xavier lost in the Atlantic 10 Tournament ... Nevada lost in the WAC Tournament ... Butler lost in the Horizon Tournament. There goes three at large bids out the window. Plus, the SEC tournament will have either Arkansas or Mississippi State in the finals with Florida facing Ole Miss in the other bracket. Every bubble team needs Florida to win the SEC title.
• What's also killing them is bubble teams like Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Purdue and Illinois moving along in their conference tournaments.

If push came to shove, I think Ga Tech may be the final team in, Florida State just misses out and Clemson not in the final conversation. Amazing since Ga Tech is such a deep and talented team, FSU has one of the nation's best players and Clemson was once 17-0. However, the Yellow Jackets will be the biggest Memphis and Florida fans this weekend.

ACC Bubble Teams Are in Trouble. Big Trouble! originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Florida State will be one of many teams who will be sweating it out come Sunday night as the NCAA Tournament bids are being read. They are 20-12, their RPI before this game was at #38, and they have wins over Florida, Maryland and Duke. Also, they've played 17 games against the RPI's Top 50 ... more than anyone in the nation. They also have one of the nation's best players, Al Thornton, who could be the kind of guy that may help them get in.

They haven't really lost to a bad team - all 12 of their losses are to RPI Top 50 teams. But they've been blown completely out by North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin and also had a very damaging 5-game losing streak near the end of the season, where they lost to bubble teams Clemson and Georgia Tech. Their non-con schedule is the 112th in the land.

Right now, I just don't see it. This team could make a bit of noise if in the tournament, but I just don't see how the committee can justify letting them in over, say, Clemson who beat them twice this season, tied with them in the ACC standings, has a similar record and a somewhat similar RPI. Also, I don't see an 8th ACC team into the tournament ... even if Florida State really is one of the best 65 teams in the country.

I think my main problem with them being in is the fact that they really didn't fare that well against tournament teams. Yes, they did beat Florida back on December 3rd and they have those wins over Duke and Maryland. But that Duke win really doesn't look that great anymore [the Devils were 4-4 at home and 8-9 against ACC foes] and Maryland was at their worst when they met. They were just 3-11 against likely NCAA tourny teams which, to me, just shows that they shouldn't belong.

Did The Blowout Loss to UNC Kill Florida State's Tournament Mojo? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wow. What a day in the Tampa Bay area today. The ACC sent it's beloved tournament down to the Sunshine State for some good ol' fashioned fun. And, boy, was there some fun.

Four games. Four upsets.

• Game one wasn't that big of an upset as the #9 Florida State Seminoles beat the #8 Clemson Tigers, 67-66. Probably the most talked about moment was from this game, as an iffy foul call with 1.5 seconds remaining gave Al Thornton a free throw to win the game for the Noles ... and most likely send Clemson packing for the NIT. Also, where else but college sports could you see the most dominant player in a game being interviewed, smile, and all you see are braces?
• Next, the biggest of all the upsets. Miami, the last place team in the ACC, beat Maryland, 67-62, who entered the game as the hottest team in the nation. The Terps can beat Duke and UNC, but not Miami?
• On to the Duke-NC State game, where the 10th seeded Wolfpack beat the Blue Devils, meaning this will be the first ACC finals in a decade that won't have Duke in it.
• Finally, #11 Wake Forest beats Georgia Tech in double overtime, 114-112. Wake's Harvey Hale scored 1 point in regulation then 21 points in the two overtimes. This game also set ACC tournament records for most points scored by a team and most points scored in a game.

So we had Maryland, Duke, Clemson and Georgia Tech clocking out and going home today. All those teams have been ranked at some point and all were looking at getting into the NCAA tournament. Now, there could be some doubt about all of those teams. Entering the day, Florida State, NC State, Miami and Wake Forest were on the outside looking in. Really, only FSU has a look at it ... but if any of the others get on a nice roll, they could take the ACC title and an automatic bid. You just don't know this year.

Meanwhile, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Boston College sat in hotel rooms thinking to themselves that the road to an ACC championship just got a lot easier. Or that the first day of action proves that anything can happen.

Was This The Greatest Day of ACC Tournament Action Ever? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, it's pretty much the way it was supposed to be. Clemson and Florida State, two teams in the NCAA Tournament bubble danger zone, fought it out as if it was an actual tournament tilt. As the end would down, the lead changed several times

And just like bubble teams, mistakes ruined the end. Clemson's KC Rivers [in an attempt to take the lead] committed an offensive foul. On the other end, Florida State nearly had a shot clock violation as a shot attempt was blocked and recovered by the Tigers. Back over to Clemson with less than :10 left, and they didn't even get a shot off ... instead committing a backcourt violation. Then Clemson committs a foul on a falling-down Al Thornton with less than :02 on the clock. Then, an 82% foul shooter, Al Thornton missed one of two free throws.

But Thornton did his thing again. He scored 18 first half points, 25 for the game, and flew in for a dunk that tied the game at 66-66 ... then hit the game winning free throw to give FSU the 67-66 win and move the Noles into the next round.

Now, Florida State goes on to face North Carolina ... which is a huge contest for them. For one reason, it's a great lift in their RPI ranking. Win or lose, this game looks good on their schedule. If they beat the Heels, they have an outstanding shot at getting into the tournament. If they lose in a close one, it could be enough. Getting spanked, and it could knock them back a bit.

As for Clemson, this loss may cost them an NCAA bid. They did start 17-0 to begin the season, but have limped to the finish, just 7-10 in ACC games. The selection committee won't be impressed with this slide nor the relatively easy non-conference schedule. It may be NIT time for the Tigers.

Also, if anyone watched this game on the Lincoln Financial feed, you heard Billy Packer drone on about the foul call on Thornton's shot at the end of the game.

Florida State Beats Clemson, Stays Alive on Bubble originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WHEN: Thursday, 12:00pm

ABOUT CLEMSON: The Tigers [21-9/7-9] began the season 17-0 and were the final team to suffer a loss. Then, they lost 9 of their next 11 games to nearly fall off the bubble map. They did close the season with two wins, including a very impressive performance at Virginia Tech this past Sunday.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE: The Seminoles [19-11/7-9] will be the defacto home team for this one, since the ACC tournament is in Tampa. After losing five in a row, they've won their last two to end the season....the last one with Toney Douglas back after missing five games with an injury. Al Thornton is an All-ACC performer that dumped 45 points on Miami last weekend.

WHAT THIS GAME MEANS: The loser of this game most likely has no shot at getting an at-large berth for the NCAA tournament. With things happening around the mid-major scene [like Butler losing in the Horizon tournament], just winning this game won't guarantee a bid either. However, this game will have the intensity of an actual NCAA tournament game because, essentially, it is. Whomever comes out on top will face top seeded North Carolina on Friday.

OUTLOOK: Clemson won both meetings with FSU, including a blowout win a month ago...the game that the Noles' Douglas was hurt. One reason Clemson has done so well is that they've defended Al Thornton well. In the two meetings, Thornton shot a combined 11-of-28 from the field. However, over the last two weeks, Thornton has averaged nearly 29 ppg and has shot 57% from the field.

PICK: Florida State. I don't think that Clemson can beat them a third time. Al Thornton seems to be on a mission, and Toney Douglas' return from injury makes all the difference.

Also see other ACC Tournament previews:

• Maryland-Miami preview
• Duke-NC State preview
• Georgia Tech-Wake Forest preview

ACC Tournament Preview: Clemson v Florida State originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In my personal ACC awards, I pretty much nailed what would ultimately be what the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association voters named for their awards.

Like me, they named Boston College forward Jared Dudley the Player of the Year. Dudley had a stranglehold of this honor for most of the ACC season. There was some late sentiment for Virginia's Sean Singletary [who had a great season as well] due to the Cavs' run for a share of the ACC title.

Both Dudley and Singletary did end up on the All-ACC team. They are joined by North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, Florida State's Al Thornton [who did end up 2nd in POY voting] and Virginia Tech's Zabian Dowdell. Again, no surprises at all here. In fact, I nailed that one with my mid-season awards I made in January. The 2nd team was made up of Virginia's J.R. Reynolds, Maryland's D.J. Strawberry, Boston College's Tyrese Rice, Duke's Josh McRoberts and North Carolina's Brandan Wright. The 3rd team is Wake Forest's Kyle Visser, Georgia Tech's Javaris Crittenton, NC State's Brandon Costner, Virginia Tech's Jamon Gordon and Miami's Jack McClinton.

Wright won the rookie of the year award, much to no one's surprise. This is the third straight season a Tar Heel has won this award. In 2005, Marvin Williams won it, while Tyler Hansbrough won it last season. Joining Wright on the All-Freshman team is teammate Ty Lawson, Georgia Tech's Crittenden, NC State's Costner and Duke's Jon Scheyer.

And...ho-hum...Virginia's Dave Leitao ended up as the Coach of the Year. Leitao took a team that many picked in the bottom half of the ACC and made them into co-champions.

No Surprises With the ACC's Award Season originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are three games left in the ACC season, and all three have ramifications to how next week's ACC tournament will be seeded. The games are Boston College at Georgia Tech, Clemson at Virginia Tech and Duke at North Carolina.

We know that:

• NC State is the #10 seed
• Wake Forest is the #11 seed
• Miami is the #12 seed
• Clemson and Florida State will be the #8 and #9 seeds and face each other Thursday in the ACC tournament. If Clemson wins today, they'll be the #8 seed. If not, they'll be the #9 seed.
• If Ga Tech beats BC, then Tech is the #6 seed and Duke is the #7 seed. If Tech loses, the seeds switch

After that, it's a bit dicey. Using the ACC tiebreaker procedures, here is what's at stake today:

VIRGINIA

• If UNC, BC and Va Tech all lose....Virginia is the top seed
• If all those three win....Virginia is the #4 seed
• If two of the three win....Virginia is the #3 seed
• If one of the three win...Virginia is the #2 seed

NORTH CAROLINA

• TO BE THE #1 SEED...UNC beats Duke and Virginia Tech loses to Clemson.
• TO BE THE #2 SEED...UNC beats Duke and Virginia Tech beats Clemson.
• TO BE THE #3 SEED...UNC loses to Duke and Boston College loses to Ga Tech.
• TO BE THE #5 SEED...UNC loses to Duke and Boston College beats Ga Tech.

BOSTON COLLEGE

• TO BE THE #1 SEED...BC beats Ga Tech and UNC loses to Duke
• TO BE THE #2 SEED...BC beats Ga Tech and Virginia Tech loses to Clemson
• TO BE THE #3 SEED...BC beats Ga Tech and Virginia Tech beats Clemson
• TO BE THE #4 SEED...BC loses to Ga Tech

VIRGINIA TECH

• TO BE THE #1 SEED...Va Tech beats Clemson and UNC beats Duke OR Va Tech beats Clemson and UNC and Boston College both lose
• TO BE THE #2 SEED...Va Tech beats Clemson, UNC loses to Duke and Boston College beats Ga Tech OR Va Tech loses to Clemson, and both UNC and Boston College loses.
• TO BE THE #3 SEED...Va Tech loses to Clemson and either UNC or Boston College loses
• TO BE THE #4 SEED...Va Tech loses to Clemson, plus UNC and Boston College both win

MARYLAND

• TO BE A #4 SEED....North Carolina must lose to Duke and Boston College must beat Georgia Tech
• TO BE A #5 SEED....Anything else happens.

Excuse me if you wake up tomorrow and someone tells you different - I did not copy any of this from any web site. I actually worked out the tiebreakers with a good ol' pen and paper.

Here Is What Your ACC Teams Needs To Do Today originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 22 finalists for the Wooden Award were announced, and the ACC placed four players on the list. Most likely none have a legit shot at winning the award [if I had a vote, it would be for Texas' Kevin Durant]. Here are the ACC nominees:

• Jared Dudley, Boston College. Probably the frontrunner for the ACC player of the year.
• Sean Singletary, Virginia. Could be a darkhorse for the ACC player of the year award and one of the reasons the Cavs have won at least a share of the ACC title.
• Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina: The most known of the candidates and could end up with more votes than any ACC player.
• Al Thornton, Florida State: Has had a fantastic year, but will be lost because of Florida State's struggles.

Ten former ACC players have won 11 of the previous 30 awards: Phil Ford [UNC], Ralph Sampson twice [Virginia], Michael Jordan [UNC], Christian Laettner [Duke], Tim Duncan [Wake Forest], Antawn Jamison [UNC], Elton Brand [Duke], Shane Battier [Duke], Jay Williams [Duke] and JJ Redick [Duke].

Four ACC Players Become Finalists For Wooden Award originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For the 2nd time in a week, Miami has taken a bubble team to overtime...only to falter. Earlier in the week, Miami went to Clemson and took the Tigers to overtime, losing by just just four. This time, the Canes fall at home to FSU, 98-90 in OT.

For Florida State, this was a must. Not the most convincing of wins, but winning on the road is a tough task in the ACC and keeps the Seminoles alive for a possible NCAA tournament bid. And everyone wearing Noles gear should thank god for Al Thornton, who dumped 45 points on the Hurricanes.

The Seminoles will be either the #8 or #9 seed in the upcoming ACC tournament and face Clemson [if Clemson beats Va Tech, FSU will be the #9 seed. If the Tigers lose, FSU is #8] this weekend. That could be a 'bracket buster' type game with the loser, most likely, out of the NCAAs. From there, the winner faces the #1 seed that will knock up their RPI ranking a bit and offer a last ditch effort to pull an upset.

I also want to give props to Miami. This team has been the worst team in the ACC all year long and has been just murdered with injuries and suspensions. However, they have beaten Maryland in College Park and beat probable ACC champion Virginia two weeks ago. Now their final days of the season saw them nearly upset Clemson and rival Florida State. That should bode well for Miami coach Frank Haith, who kept this team together despite all of the difficulties.

Florida State (Barely) Gets a Key Win originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is it. Come Thursday, the ACC tournament begins which will be the last time we'll see a few of these teams. It also means that there are minimal chances to play your way off the NCAA bubble and a couple of chances to improve/blow your seeding. So here is the lineup:

Saturday

• Florida State at Miami [RSN, noon]: This is a huge game for Florida State. Rumors are that Toney Douglas will be back, and if FSU can show that they can pop off this game, plus a run in the ACC tournament, they may be able to play their way in. The Selection Committee does take into account injuries. Of course, a loss to Miami would just kill off any shot. Pick: Florida State
• Virginia at Wake Forest [Raycom, 1pm]: A win here for the Cavs and they'll be only the 2nd team from outside the state of North Carolina to get a #1 seed in the ACC tournament since 1997 [Maryland was the top seed in their 2002 National title season]....and their first title since 1981. Wake Forest needs a win here and a run in the ACC tournament to reach the postseason [either NIT or NCAA] for the 17th straight season. Pick: Virginia
• NC State at Maryland [ABC, 3:30p]: Maryland has an outside shot at getting a bye in the ACC tournament, if they win and some other things happen around the league. Right now, the Terps are just playing for NCAA tournament seeding, and finishing off a magical run to end the season would be icing on the cake. Pick: Maryland

Sunday

• Clemson at Virginia Tech [Raycom, 1pm]: Clemson needs this win. They are 6-9 in the ACC and it's hard to believe they could make the dance with 10 Ls, especially with the second half of the season they've had. Va Tech is in the tournament, still fighting for a bye in the ACC dance and trying to build up a better seed. Pick: Va Tech
• Boston College at Georgia Tech [Fox Sports Net, 3pm]: Huge game here. Tech is in the middle of a wonderful week, after demolishing North Carolina and trying to build an NCAA tournament resume. They are about as on the fence as you can get. BC is in the tournament, but hard to figure out right now. Pick: Ga Tech
• Duke at North Carolina [CBS, 4pm]: The two bitter rivals meet again to end an ACC season. UNC will know what it can do before this game, but as the weekend began, they could finish in 1st or could fall all the way down to 5th. UNC has been very average lately, going just 4-4 in the last month and pretty much shutting themselves out of a #1 seed [and working on screwing up their #2 seed]. Duke can't get an ACC bye, and could fall as far as 7th in the conference. Upset Pick: Duke

Last Weekend of ACC Regular Season Hoops Action originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 03 Mar 2007 11:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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