NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ACC Players, Coaches Wag Finger at New Taunting Rulehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/acc-players-coaches-wag-finger-at-new-taunting-rule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/acc-players-coaches-wag-finger-at-new-taunting-rule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/acc-players-coaches-wag-finger-at-new-taunting-rule/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

ACC referee Karl HessGREENSBORO, N.C. -- The talk of the Atlantic Coast Conference's basketball media day Sunday was the trouble a player could get into if he talked too much.

Or said the wrong thing, or gestured the wrong way, or celebrated excessively, or did anything else that might be considered "unsporting behavior,'' according to a new zero-tolerance policy approved for this season by the NCAA.

Many of the players and coaches gathered at Greensboro's Grandover Resort bluntly said they either did not like the change, didn't understand why it was necessary, or both. The biggest issue: there is too much room left for the wrong interpretation.

"If you dunk on someone or whatever -- that's just someone's game. They take pride in it, "insisted Virginia Tech guard Malcolm Delaney. "They don't mean to disrespect people, but that's sometimes how it comes out.

"I think they should have done a survey with the players, asked us for our input,'' he added. "We're the ones playing, and they wouldn't know how we feel about it unless they ask us. They wouldn't know how it affects how we play if they don't ask how we feel."

Said Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez -- formally voted by the media as preseason first-team all-ACC, and informally picked as the player most constrained by the new rule -- "What if you dunk on someone, and it's a crazy dunk, and you can't keep the emotions inside of you? I guess that's what they want us to do. But, that's why they have rules.''

Not even a coach's reputation as "old school'' kept him from being perplexed by the new rules, which call for a technical if an official -- at his discretion -- deems a player's actions as over the line.

"That's why college basketball is a great game, because of that exuberance,'' Maryland coach Gary Williams said, adding that there is a distinct difference between celebration and taunting. "These are 18-and-22-year-old kids who have grown up playing a certain way. It may not be the way I grew up playing it, but it's a great way to play.

"And I hope nobody gets penalized for making a great play and being penalized for it. You've seen it in football already,'' he added. "Hopefully, nobody loses a game over something like that.''

Williams was referring to the infamous "excessive celebration'' football penalty that essentially cost Georgia a victory over LSU earlier this month, a mistake the Southeastern Conference later had to admit to and for which the officiating crew was suspended. Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt also recalled that play, and laughed when asked about the new basketball rule.

"You always teach your players to respect the game, so I think it's important that you're serious about that -- but I'm smiling, because you're putting a lot on the officials,'' Hewitt said. "They're officiating the best athletes in college sports ... This is just another thing you're piling on their plates.''


The taunting rule is one of a handful of changes or areas of emphasis to be put into play this season. There now will be a specific blocking-charging area under the basket, but one that will not be marked by a line as in the NBA. Also, the use of replay will be expanded to determine whether certain fouls are called flagrant, intentional or technicals; three-seconds will be scrutinized more; excessively swinging elbows by a player with the ball will be subject to flagrant fouls; the choices coaches have in picking a replacement foul shooter when the fouled player is injured were narrowed, and distracting free-throw shooters once they are at the line was outlawed.

Even as he was explaining the new taunting rules, ACC officiating supervisor John Clougherty admitted that the Georgia-LSU situation "went too far.'' On the other hand, he said, the basketball officials would now have wide latitude on calling, for example, pointing at an opponent or standing over him after a dunk, flexing muscles, posing, speaking or gesturing to him.

The players would have to walk a fine line between celebrating with teammates and inspiring a home crowd, Clougherty said, and acting unsportsmanlike. As a guide, he said, "Act like you've been there, don't embarrass your opponent.''

Coaches and players don't mind the obvious unsportsmanlike acts being whistled, but they said there are too many that are being confused with normal expressions of excitement. With those, they said, there's no good reason to halt them anyway.

"You're not doing anything wrong, you're just showing the love of the game,'' Williams said. "It doesn't bother me. Obviously it bothers some people ... This is the 2009-2010 season. We're not playing in the 1960s, where everybody wears a crew cut.''

One of the few players who believed it would not alter how he plays was North Carolina forward Deon Thompson: "Not with our team. Our coaches don't like when our team dunks in a guy's face and taunts him -- he doesn't like that,'' meaning head coach Roy Williams.

Hewitt pointed out that with the way players grow up playing ball nowadays, traveling all over the country and building friendships in competition that continue as they move to differing college teams, what might look like trash-talk might be a completely innocent exchange between long-time acquaintances. "I don't think that was considered when they put this in,'' Hewitt said, adding that it would not have hurt for coaches as well as players to be "consulted'' on such a move.

Ironically, Thompson has such a bond with Clemson's Trevor Booker, a teammate on the United States' under-19 World University Games squad in Belgrade last summer; Booker, also a preseason all-ACC pick, boasted of what he and his team would do to Thompson's Tar Heels, and said of the rule, "That's a big one for me; I like showing my emotions ... They have to let you get your crowd into it.''

North Carolina, the defending regular-season and NCAA champs, and Duke, winners of last year's ACC tournament, tied for first in the preseason voting, the first time there has been a tie in 41 years of media voting. Duke's Kyle Singler was chosen player of the year and was joined on the all-conference first team by Vasquez, Booker, Delaney and North Carolina's Ed Davis. Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors was the overwhelming pick for rookie of the year.

The 2012 tournament, already awarded to Atlanta, will be played in Philips Arena rather than the Georgia Dome, the site the last two times the city hosted it, conference officials announced. The two preceding it and the three following it will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum.

ACC Players, Coaches Wag Finger at New Taunting Rule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Derrick FavorsEd DavisGary WilliamsKyle SinglerKyleSinglerPaul HewittDavid SteeleSun, 25 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST Virginia Upsets No. 12 Clemsonhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/15/virginia-upsets-no-12-clemson/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/15/virginia-upsets-no-12-clemson/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/15/virginia-upsets-no-12-clemson/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Virginia proved the 2008-09 adage about "winning on the road" today, beating nationally ranked Clemson in overtime. It was a big day for the Cavaliers program as a whole; they honored Sean Singletary by retiring his jersey and then notched their biggest win of the season, all in a few short hours.

Clemson, of course, was coming off a 2-1 stretch that saw them throttle Duke for arguably the biggest win in program history. Clearly, a loss to Virginia hits on the other end of the spectrum.

The Tigers didn't play poorly on the offensive end -- they shot a decent 43% from the floor and had four scorers in double digits. Terrence Oglesby scored 17 but he was only 5-12 from the floor, but the real spotlight was on freshman Cavalier guard Sylven Landensburg who played the entire 45 minutes of the contest.

He scored 23 points with four boards and three assists and was given high praise by coach Dave Leitao, who called him a "big money player."

It couldn't have been a bigger loss for the Tigers -- they were facing the theoretically easiest possible opponent with a chance to tie Duke for second overall in the ACC on the line (not to mention trying to stabilize their national ranking). For the Wahoos, on the other hand, this type of win doesn't give them much in terms of hope for the ACC season, but it did propel them away from Georgia Tech for last place and possibly give them some momentum heading into the stretch run and the ACC tournament; they are, after all, just three games back of Maryland for "fifth" place.

Virginia Upsets No. 12 Clemson originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>dave leitaoDaveLeitaosean singletarySeanSingletarysylven landensburgSylvenLandensburgterrence oglesbyTerrenceOglesbyWill BrinsonSun, 15 Feb 2009 19:30:00 EST Clemson Can Still Collapse With the Best of Themhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/07/clemson-can-still-collapse-with-the-best-of-them/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/07/clemson-can-still-collapse-with-the-best-of-them/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/07/clemson-can-still-collapse-with-the-best-of-them/#commentsFiled under: ,

Just when you think Clemson has overcome its propensity for blowing games late, just when you think the team has gotten mentally tougher and smarter, and just when you start to think that the way it not only blew out Duke, but broke its spirit, well, the Tigers find a way to revert to form and lose to Florida State 65-61.

This one took some effort from Clemson. The Tigers had a 15-point lead with under nine minutes left in the game, and they were at home. The Seminoles have generally been a genearlly incosistent offense team that turns the ball over too much. Florida State does have a very good defense, though, and that helped limit the Tigers while the 'Noles went on a 23-4 run to win the game.

Toney Douglas has often been the only offense for Florida State, and he led the Seminoles with 23 points, with 12 coming in that final 9 minutes. This time Douglas had some help on the inside from center Solomon Alabi who put in 17 and had five blocks. Just as important he was grabbing rebounds. FSU dominated Clemson on the glass.

Clemson hit just 1-for-11 in that final stretch. The Tigers completely lost their confidence as Florida State was coming back and are now back to the drawing board after what should have been a statement week.

Clemson Can Still Collapse With the Best of Them originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chas RichSat, 07 Feb 2009 23:34:00 EST Can Tigers, Hurricanes Storm the ACC?http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/06/can-tigers-hurricanes-storm-the-acc/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/06/can-tigers-hurricanes-storm-the-acc/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/06/can-tigers-hurricanes-storm-the-acc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you wanted to play a parlay on Miami and Clemson road-grading Duke and Wake Forest the kind of clubbings usually reserved for the Knicks or Andy Kennedy's cab rides, you probably would've had to look far, far down your betting slip.

Think somewhere in the area of Alex Rodriguez autographing a copy of Joe Torre's new book and Alex Rodriguez shacking up with a woman whose age is less than his homer totals.

And then keep looking down.
Back-to-back, the Hurricanes' and Tigers' 27-point wins over the Deacons and Blue Devils were about as shocking as anything on ACC-area hardwood since the seams came off the ball.

Miami had lost three straight games, including two to teams that probably spent the second half wondering just what this collegeinsider.com tournament is all about. Clemson hadn't beaten Duke in the regular season in 22 straight regular-season contests. Twenty-two.

Let's put it another way. The last time the Tigers beat Duke in the regular season, they probably celebrated by doing the Macarena.

But any big win in the ACC is never so much an exclamation point as a well-placed comma. There's always more where the last challenge came from.

And, with the celebrations of Wednesday behind them, only one of these teams is headed up.

Step forward Clemson. And don't stop until you're close enough to Ford Field to need your own bailout package.

Give the Hurricanes credit, though. Following last year's breakthrough season, 2009, thus far, seemed like a sequel so bad it must've been cooked up by George Lucas. Point guard Eddie Rios was arrested and dismissed after apparently trying to steal his way to his own Best Buy franchise in his dorm room. The Hurricanes collapsed against Ohio State after the dubious ejection of Jack McClinton and fell to the bubble-bound Buckeyes. Then they dropped four out of five in conference play in late January. Only a win at Kentucky hinted at the ability of a team ranked 25th to start the season.

So, before Wednesday's win over Wake Forest, their RPI sat at a buffet-bloated 49, squished beneath South Carolina and Temple.

And the worst still isn't over for the Hurricanes.

Credit Miami for disposing of Wake Forest, but since beating North Carolina, the Deacons' offensive philosophy seems to be pass the ball to Jeff Teague, then chat about the value of the Bun & Thigh Roller. While the former No. 1 team is still a defensive force, it's now struggling to get everyone in the same book, let alone the same page, on offense. The Deacons are still fifth in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, but have cannon-balled to 67th in offensive efficiency.

Credit the Hurricanes for a great defensive effort. Credit them for timely free throw shooting. Credit them for shooting the lights out.

And then question whether they can consistently do it again

For the season, they're an awful free throw shooting team (67.4 percent) that's terrible at producing turnovers (305th in the nation in defensive turnover percentage) and they're more dependent on the 3-pointer than any team in the ACC.

Against Wake Forest, they hit 45 percent from behind the arc and managed a near season-best 59.1 percent effective field goal percentage (The 'Canes topped 60 percent against lightweight Florida International). For the season, they're shooting just 50.1 percent, seventh in the ACC. They have just two gifted offensive performers, Jack McClinton and Dwayne Collins, and a margin for error thinner than a South Beach sunbather.

And like everyone else, they're searching for consistent play out of their point guard.

All of which may spell trouble on a road to March that couldn't be more dangerous if it took a left turn through Afghanistan. Up next the Hurricanes play at Duke and host North Carolina. Should Miami lose both, the road to .500 in the ACC will require a 4-1 finish. Its win over Wake Forest likely put Miami on the comfortable side of the bubble, and the Hurricanes should be favored to make the Big Dance.

Clemson should be favored to make a big splash.

Like Miami's upset, Clemson's victory was at least in part an indictment of its opponent.

Duke is a team in the midst of an identity crisis. New point guard Nolan Smith has a sub-1.00 assist-to-turnover ratio. Backup point guard Greg Paulus leads the nation in number of times he's been smacked in the face by an opponent's thigh while getting dunked on. Kyle Singler, after making a run at All-America honors earlier in the season, has disappeared (11 points in his last two games), and try as he might, Mike Krzyzewski hasn't yet got this team to respond to him.

But Clemson did to Duke what effectively no team has done since the Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter Tar Heels handled Duke by 20-plus in two games in 1998. No one has won by more points than the 1990 Running Rebels. And that darn sure means something.

And it means something you should've already known: these Tigers can play with anyone.

They proved it earlier in the season, beating Illinois and Temple out of conference and routed Miami on the road. Sure, Oliver Purnell's team lost to Wake Forest and was blown out by North Carolina (and struggled against Virginia Tech on the road), but at 19-2 and 5-2 in the ACC, they've got a clear shot into March with only a return against Wake Forest and games against bubble teams Florida State and Virginia Tech. As far as ACC schedules go, the second half of the year is darn near a two-foot putt.

And unlike Miami, or even Wake Forest, the Deacons rank in the top 25 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, a classic hallmark for national title competition, as each of the last eight Final Four participants have finished in the top 25 in both categories. They've got three reliable offensive weapons in low-post banger Trevor Booker, swingman K.C. Rivers and guard Terrence Oglesby, and can score inside or out.

And as Duke could tell you, the Tiger full court press could put enough pressure on to turn the basketball into a diamond.

But in the ACC, there aren't many free passes. Except, perhaps, Virginia.

Just don't be surprised if Clemson finishes with the league's best regular-season mark and in the mix at season's end.

And from there? Can the Tigers make it to the Final Four? Maybe not. But after Wednesday, that's a bet you at least won't have to search for.

Can Tigers, Hurricanes Storm the ACC? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>clemsonclemson basketballclemson tigersClemsonBasketballClemsonTigersjack mcclintonJackMcclintonmiami hurricanesMiamiHurricanesoliver purnellOliverPurnellterrence oglesbyTerrenceOglesbytrevor bookerTrevorBookerRay HollomanFri, 06 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST Trevor Booker Dunks on 2 Blue Devilshttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/05/trevor-booker-yams-on-two-devils/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/05/trevor-booker-yams-on-two-devils/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/05/trevor-booker-yams-on-two-devils/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've covered -- rather extensively, actually -- the level to which Clemson embarrassed Duke Wednesday night in Littlejohn Coliseum. But still, nothing really sums it up the game quite like Trevor Booker's monster dunk on both Kyle Singler and Brian Zoubek. Enjoy.

Trevor Booker Dunks on 2 Blue Devils originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brian zoubekBrianZoubekkyle singlerKyleSinglertrevor bookerTrevorBookerWill BrinsonThu, 05 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST Confident Clemson Annihilates Dukehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/04/clemson-annihilates-duke-in-death-valley/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/04/clemson-annihilates-duke-in-death-valley/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/04/clemson-annihilates-duke-in-death-valley/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Clemson wasn't scared of Duke tonight. Not one bit. They said it before the game, and man, oh man did they prove it for 40 minutes Wednesday night, absolutely thrashing the Blue Devils 74-47 in Littlejohn Coliseum.

And yes, thanks for asking, it's a complete and utter statement game for Clemson, the ACC and NCAA basketball in general. Question that all you want, but remember, Clemson beat exactly one top-five team in its last 36 tries and then straight-up rolled the Devils to the tune of the students chanting "over-ra-ted" with two minutes to go.

Mike Patrick, in fact, argued that "it's one of the biggest wins in the program's history." I wouldn't argue with that.

Of course, to make matters worse, the Clemson student section stormed the floor; I mean, congratulations to everyone involved and all that, but when you're a nationally-ranked team competing for an ACC title and you smoke one of the best teams in the country on your home court, play the part: Clap your hands, pump your fists and walk away.

But that aside, well, wow. Clemson showed up and they throttled the Blue Devils. Only two Dukies -- Gerald Henderson and Lance Thomas -- cracked double figures, Duke only had three hits from outside the arc (Terrence Oglesby had five himself) and it wasn't ever really close. At all.

The lesson, of course, is that Clemson is for real. The Tigers are a dangerous team in a very good ACC that features a top-heavy group with plenty of flaws. In other words, let's not have a total meltdown when they're heading down the stretch competing for the conference title in a few weeks.

Confident Clemson Annihilates Duke originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>gerald hendersonGeraldHendersonlance thomasLanceThomasmike patrickMikePatrickterrance oglesbyTerranceOglesbyterrence oglesbyTerrenceOglesbytrevor bookerTrevorBookerWill BrinsonWed, 04 Feb 2009 23:45:00 EST Clemson Not Scared of Blue Devilshttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/04/clemson-not-scared-of-blue-devils/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/04/clemson-not-scared-of-blue-devils/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/04/clemson-not-scared-of-blue-devils/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Clemson and Duke square off tonight at 9PM ET in Death Valley with, kind of surprisingly, a lot on the line. That's not an insult to the Tigers necessarily, but this game has "marquee win" potential written all over it. Duke's ranked fourth in the country (first in the ACC) and the Tigers, despite an 18-2 record and a 10th overall national ranking, still aren't getting everyone's respect.

And despite the high octane nature of the Devils' offense, the Tigers simply aren't scared. In fact, they're confident.
"My mindset has always been different -- we can play with everybody," said Clemson senior K.C. Rivers. "It's just a matter of who brings it on any given day."

[...]"It would be a delight to beat them," Clemson's Terrence Oglesby said.
Now, these aren't brash words (like the ones you hear coming out of College Park these days) but they do show the nature of a Clemson team that has a different make up than years past.

It wouldn't have been a surprise -- to anyone, really -- if Clemson had folded last week following back-to-back losses to Wake Forest and North Carolina, but the Tigers rallied and won two crucial games against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

However, they still haven't beaten a top-five ranked opponent in nineteen (/Stein'd) tries; in other words, it's probably acceptable for people to look at the Tigers in a skeptical manner, at least until they beat a big name opponent. But, hey, on the bright side, they're not scared.

Clemson Not Scared of Blue Devils originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Gerald HendersonGeraldHendersonkc riversKcRiversterrence oglesbyTerrenceOglesbyWill BrinsonWed, 04 Feb 2009 18:30:00 EST Clemson Storms Back in Second Half to Beat Virginia Techhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/29/clemson-storms-back-in-second-half-to-beat-virginia-tech/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/29/clemson-storms-back-in-second-half-to-beat-virginia-tech/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/29/clemson-storms-back-in-second-half-to-beat-virginia-tech/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Clemson didn't look horrible in the first half Thursday night, but they certainly looked like a team that could be headed for a losing streak, based solely on Virginia Tech pouring in 53 points -- 22 of them from Malcolm Delaney -- before halftime.

But the Tigers rebounded in the second half, holding the Hokies to just 29 points over that span, to pull out a four point win on the road.

Delaney was nearly unstoppable, scoring a career high 37, but 29 (including seven 3-pointers) from Clemson's Keith Rivers and a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double by Trevor Booker, combined with an 18-0 second half run by the Tigers, was too much for the sophomore to overcome by himself.

Virginia Tech had a chance to tie Duke for the overall ACC lead and become the conference's early season surprise, but the real story ended up becoming Clemson's ability to win on the road, no small feat in the ACC.

The Tigers were staring down, as noted earlier this week, a tough four-game stretch, and winning the first game, away from home no less, goes a long way towards validating their national standing, not to mention keeping them competitive in a strong ACC.

Clemson Storms Back in Second Half to Beat Virginia Tech originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>keith riversKeithRiversmalcolm delaneyMalcolmDelaneytrevor bookerTrevorBookerWill BrinsonThu, 29 Jan 2009 22:30:00 EST Ranking the Rankings: Duke's No. 1http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/26/ranking-the-rankings-and-yada-yada-yada-dukes-number-one/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/26/ranking-the-rankings-and-yada-yada-yada-dukes-number-one/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/26/ranking-the-rankings-and-yada-yada-yada-dukes-number-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ranking the rankings criticizes the critics as soon as the polls come out.

Headlining: It's obvious, right? Duke tops both polls for the first time since the end of the 2005-06 regular season and we're all depressed ecstatic! I want to say that it's hard to like this Blue Devil team, but when is it easy to like Duke? (Answer: When you're a Duke fan. Or when the Blue Devils are playing Carolina.) That being said, the 2008-09 incarnation isn't nearly as hate-able as previous teams.

Gerald Henderson is a freakish athlete who tries hard, Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer embody a certain Durham stereotype, but at least they're not Chris Collins and Wojo, and Greg Paulus has been relegated to a supporting role and has yet to play more than 24 minutes a game.

The antipodal proposition alone should be worth a slightly less odoriferous and palatable annoyance. (Yes, I'm pretending that I graduated from Duke and write for Slate.) Of course, there's still the matter of butting heads with the previous top team, Wake Forest, Wednesday, but for now: Everyone respects Duke.

Freefallin': Georgetown (12/14 to 25/23), Syracuse (8/8 to 15/15) and Notre Dame (19/19 to UR/22). In fairness to all three teams, the Big East is really good. And in fairness to the pollsters, this group of teams combined to lose five games (the Irish lost that Saturday prime timer as their only game of the week en route to three straight losses; coughing one up to Marquette Monday won't help their case either) last week, so it's not that shocking. The Big East teams are certainly going to beat up on each other all season long and they'll fluctuate; anything other than the same from the top tier ACC teams would be surprising as well.

You Gotta Rise Up: Kentucky (UR/UR to 24/UR), UCLA (17/16 to 13/11). It's never a total shock when two big name programs -- Louisville could apply here too, I suppose, just based on the relative inaction of the top 10 -- win a couple of games and start vaulting higher. In Kentucky's case, it's Jodie Meeks helping to propel the Wildcats back into the rankings for the first time since November ... 2007. It wouldn't seem that long if it wasn't Kentucky we're talking about, but the Wildcats are held to a higher standard. Presuming they can beat both Mississippi and South Carolina this week, it's safe to say you'll see them ranked in both polls next week.

Hyped: Clemson (12/11). Yes, the Tigers only have two losses, but they're still in the top 15. And while I don't necessarily know that the Tigers are en route toward a total and utter meltdown, I certainly won't vouch that they aren't, either. They've got games against Virginia Tech, Duke, Florida State and Boston College in their next four matchups. Two of those teams have beaten No. 1-ranked squads ... and they're the two inferior teams on the schedule. A win against Georgia Tech kind of righted the ship, but there's a distinct possibility that they could go 0-4 over that span.

Bunked: Arizona State (14/14). Call me a Herb Sendek homer if you want, and I won't care. I love the guy, and all he does is produce teams that go to the NCAA Tournament. His last five teams at N.C. State went to the Big Dance and It's not far-fetched to say that the Wolfpack would probably deal with an annual tourney bid right now. The Sun Devils are not a high-scoring bunch, and losses to USC and Cal aren't impressive, but James Harden is a baller and 22 points per game in Sendek's offense might be equal to 49 anywhere else.

WTF?: No one from the coaches' poll dropped. Like, literally no one. Florida is this -- makes pinching motion with index and thumb -- close to inching in, just one point shy of Gonzaga, and Utah State is right behind, but it's still really unusual to see a poll with no movement whatsoever.

People That Vote Are Smart: Ron Morris of The State in Columbia, S.C., takes the cake. He really thinks highly of Luke Harangody, so much so that he puts Notre Dame at No. 14 in his poll. Yes, the Irish are a talented team, but when he voted they had lost three straight, and they've dropped four straight now. It's kind of tough to bump a team from No. 14 to unranked in one week, but here it's arguably deserved. He also has UConn and North Carolina ahead of Duke.

Ranking the Rankings: Duke's No. 1 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chris collinsChrisCollinsgerald hendersonGeraldHendersongreg paulusGregPaulusherb sendekHerbSendekjames hardenJamesHardenjodie meeksJodieMeeksjon scheyerJonScheyerkyle singlerKyleSinglerluke harangodyLukeHarangodyRankingtheRankingsron morrisRonMorrisWill BrinsonMon, 26 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST Clemson Travels to Chapel Hill, Loses ... Just Like Previous 53 Timeshttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/21/clemson-travels-to-chapel-hill-loses-just-like-previous-53/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/21/clemson-travels-to-chapel-hill-loses-just-like-previous-53/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/21/clemson-travels-to-chapel-hill-loses-just-like-previous-53/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The undefeated season went out the window when the Tar Heels dropped a "no way they lose that" game to Boston College. The national championship talk then took a hit when North Carolina was outclassed at Wake Forest.

So folks were understandably concerned about Wednesday night's matchup with 10th-ranked Clemson, even though the Tigers have never, ever beaten the Heels in the Dean Dome, Carmichael Auditorium, Woollen Gymnasium or anywhere else in Orange County., N.C.

No need to worry, apparently; Clemson's 0-53 record in Chapel Hill coupled with Wayne Ellington's 29-points-per-game average against the Tigers virtually guaranteed the outcome before tip-off.

Fate aside, Clemson played extremely well early. The combination of pressure defense and red-hot shooting (thanks, largely, to Terrence Oglesby's 17 first-half points) put the Tigers up five midway through the first 20 minutes. But a "yep, here it comes" late first-half UNC run gave them a 45-40 lead at the break.

In retrospect, it would've been completely reasonable for Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell to put his kids on the bus and head back to South Carolina instead of playing the second half. And in a sense, that's exactly what happened.

The Tigers managed just 30 points in the final 20 minutes; the Heels, led by Ellington (25 points, seven rebounds), would hang 94 on a very good Clemson team that, under no circumstances, can beat UNC on its home court. It's almost impossible to fathom, actually. I mean, even the Washington Generals accidentally eke out a win against the Globetrotters every once in awhile. Yet here we are, 83 years after the two teams first met, and the Tigers are still looking for their first win.

On the upside, neither the ACC nor NCAA tournaments are in Chapel Hill, so there's that.

Oh, and in case you're wondering what else was going on in 1926, the year Clemson first lost to the Heels in Chapel Hill, ESPN provided these fun facts: Calvin Coolidge was president, the Frankford Yellow Jackets were NFL champions, and God saw fit to give us Joe Paterno.

Clemson Travels to Chapel Hill, Loses ... Just Like Previous 53 Times originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Oliver PurnellOliverPurnellTerrence OglesbyTerrenceOglesbyWayne EllingtonWayneEllingtonRyan WilsonWed, 21 Jan 2009 23:15:00 EST Clemson Suffering From One Heel of a Ridiculous Streakhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/21/a-heel-of-a-ridiculous-streak/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/21/a-heel-of-a-ridiculous-streak/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/21/a-heel-of-a-ridiculous-streak/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Long ago, this stopped being merely a streak.

Streaks are what happens when you defy the odds long enough to become noticeable. A NFL team wins seven in a row. That's a streak. You flip a coin and get heads half a dozen times consecutively. That's a streak. Alex Rodriguez dates a woman whose age is lower than a Tiger Woods golf score? Even once, that too is a streak.

But long ago, this became less skid and more law of nature, something Newton scribbled about between the bit about apples and equal and opposition reactions.

You could even call it downright biblical, but even the Israelites only had to wander the desert 40 years and they got a little bread for their trouble.

But when it comes to games in Chapel Hill, Clemson has never so much as won a Papa Johns pizza. In 83 years.

So call it what it is. The most ridiculous run in sports.

It's bad luck, bad timing, bad basketball or just the worst case of procrastination in college basketball history. It's another loss in a skid so long it makes the Cubs' 100-year World Series drought seem like a temporary slump.

After all, Chicago's lovable losers have at least won the Series twice and have won seven NL pennants since their last Series victory, but in a rivalry that dates back to a time when basketball jerseys had belt loops and Tyler Hansbrough was but a high school freshman, the Tigers haven't won once.

They're zero-for-53, just in case you're sadistically scoring at home. A few more losses and NASA, or whomever keeps track of Pacman Jones' arrests, might have to calculate the differential.

And there's nothing like it in sports.

Fifty-six consecutive games with a hit? Seven Tour de Frances? 2,632 games played? Please, the Tigers were stinking up the joint in North Carolina long before any of them started and have kept up that tradition. You went 0-16, Detroit? Boo hoo. Get back to us in 2011.

In the time that the Tar Heels first beat the Tigers in 1926 (a 30-point drubbing and a sign of things to come), we've put men on the moon, bravely survived a clear soda craze, and all added "Bootylicious" to our vocabulary. But Clemson hasn't once knocked off the Tar Heels.

How bad is it for the Tigers? Even Matt Doherty, the short lived Heels coach between Bill Guthridge and Roy Williams, who cratered the Tar Heel legacy with an 8-20 record in 2002, didn't lose to Clemson. During his four-win, couldn't-buy-a-victory-even-in-this-economy collapse in 2002, he hammered the Tigers by 18. With its 53rd straight loss in Chapel Hill in 2008, Clemson's woeful streak topped Brown's 52-game road losing streak to Princeton, a streak that mercifully ended in 2003.

There have been close calls, but before last year's double-overtime escape by the Tar Heels, there were so few that you can count them on two hands and still have a finger left to wag in disappointment at the Tigers. Nine times before last year, Clemson has come within 10 points of the Tar Heels and three times they've come within a bucket. In 2003, Doherty's last season, Clemson coughed up a late lead, missed a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds and lost 68-66. In 1982, they came within five points of the eventual national champion and then-No. 2 Tar Heels. Even Skip Wise, who would become the first freshman to lead the ACC in scoring, and Tree Rollins, who averaged a double-double at Clemson all four years before spending 18 seasons in the NBA, took Phil Ford's Tar Heels to the wire. The Tigers led by 14 and Wise scored 25 points, but Ford's team took home yet another win, 74-72.

Even when they're the favorite, the Tigers find a way to find defeat in spectacular fashion. In 1990, Clemson finished with the ACC's best regular-season record ... and lost to North Carolina by 23. In 1997, the Tigers were No. 2 in the nation ... and lost by 13 to a Tar Heels team that was 2-4 in the conference at the time.

Meanwhile, that monkey on Clemson's back has grown so large even King Kong couldn't box him out.

And last year was a heck of a growth spurt. The Tigers led by 11 points with three minutes left in regulation, but the Heels, who were playing without point guard Ty Lawson, rallied to force overtime after Clemson missed a layup with two seconds left. Hansbrough took it from there, scoring 13 of his 39 points in two overtimes to drop the Tigers 103-93.

So is this the year the losing ends?

The Tigers have a little momentum on their side, if not a chip on their shoulder the size of the Smith Center. Three times last year they extended the Tar Heels to the wire only to mix in a different sort of hurt into a cocktail of woulda-coulda-shoulda. In Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson lost by a point in overtime when Wayne Ellington hit a 3-pointer in the final second. In Chapel Hill, they went to double overtime. And in the ACC tournament championships game, they again led at halftime, but lost by five.

And they have a slew of talented offensive weapons, including Trevor Booker, who also helped hold Hansbrough to 12 points a season ago at Clemson, K.C. Rivers and marksman Terrence Oglesby.

They've even got motivation, coming off a loss to Wake Forest and desperate to prove their early season start isn't yet another mirage before a late season slide.

Given North Carolina's vulnerability early this season, they have plenty on their side.

Plenty, that is, except history.

Clemson Suffering From One Heel of a Ridiculous Streak originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>clemsonclemson basketballclemson tigersclemson universityClemsonBasketballClemsonTigersClemsonUniversityDean Smith CenterDeanSmithCenterkc riversKcRiversnorth carolinanorth carolina tarheelsNorthCarolinaNorthCarolinaTarheelstar heelsTarHeelsterrence oglesbyTerrenceOglesbytrevor bookerTrevorBookertyler hansbroughTylerHansbroughRay HollomanWed, 21 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST Ranking the Rankings: Wake Forest Claims the Top Spot; ACC, Big East Rulehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/19/rankings-ranking-wake-forest-claims-the-top-spot-acc-big-east/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/19/rankings-ranking-wake-forest-claims-the-top-spot-acc-big-east/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/19/rankings-ranking-wake-forest-claims-the-top-spot-acc-big-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ranking the rankings criticizes the critics as soon as the polls come out.

It shouldn't come as a tremendous surprise that the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, the nation's only remaining undefeated team, are the consensus number one team in the nation. Oh wait, what's that? They're not the consensus team? Interesting.

They are close though -- Duke garnered four AP first place votes and six votes in the coaches poll to lock up the second overall ranking in both polls, while Connecticut and Pittsburgh rounded out the top four. Perhaps Coach K's media scathing resonated with more than just the News & Observer.

This is, the first time that Wake has been No. 1 since Chris Paul graced the hardwood of Lawrence Joel, but it's an interesting change because this is a completely different Deacon team, and one that's dominated by a youthful demeanor.

But, yes, in other words, when it comes to college basketball this year, there is the ACC, there is the Big East, and then there is everyone else. That's not to say that the ACC is necessarily better overall than the Big East; it's probably telling that the latter's two "best" (by record) teams are ranked lower (Louisville is 9 in the AP, 12 in the coaches', while Marquette is 11 and 10, respectively) than the two teams everyone else considers to be the favorites: UConn and Pitt.

North Carolina and Oklahoma round out the top five and while, yes, I may be known for piling on the Tar Heels ... well, I'm going to do it again. They whipped up on two bad teams in Virginia and Miami, they've lost both their tests and they're just not as tough on defense without Marcus Ginyard, who won't be around for the Clemson game. I understand that people have a really, really, really hard time not putting them in the top 10, and that's somewhat understandable, but putting them above Oklahoma, who recently pummeled Texas, seems like a bit of a stretch.

Ranking the Rankings: Wake Forest Claims the Top Spot; ACC, Big East Rule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chris paulChrisPaulmarcus ginyardMarcusGinyardRankingtheRankingsWill BrinsonMon, 19 Jan 2009 20:30:00 EST Clemson Fan Thinks the Best Way to Help Fallen Wake Player Is Via Piledriverhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/17/clemson-fan-thinks-the-best-way-to-help-fallen-wake-player-is-vi/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/17/clemson-fan-thinks-the-best-way-to-help-fallen-wake-player-is-vi/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/17/clemson-fan-thinks-the-best-way-to-help-fallen-wake-player-is-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wake Forest and Clemson had an up-and-down defensive battle today that left the Deacons unbeaten. And probably left Clemson a little bitter. At least that's what I have to think after watching this random Tiger fan take Chas McFarland and piledrive him into the ground when he fell into the stands. I'm not even sure what to say other than: "Really?"



Via the Dagger

Clemson Fan Thinks the Best Way to Help Fallen Wake Player Is Via Piledriver originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chas mcfarlandChasMcfarlandWill BrinsonSat, 17 Jan 2009 20:10:00 EST Wake Forest Wins Battle of Unbeatens, Taking Out Clemson in Littlejohnhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/17/wake-forest-wins-battle-of-unbeatens-taking-out-clemson-in-litt/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/17/wake-forest-wins-battle-of-unbeatens-taking-out-clemson-in-litt/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/17/wake-forest-wins-battle-of-unbeatens-taking-out-clemson-in-litt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wake Forest, depending on the outcome of the Pittsburgh-Louisville game, has a legitimate right to argue it deserves to be the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. The Demon Deacons have now taken out North Carolina and unbeaten Clemson, knocking off the Tigers 78-68 in Littlejohn on Saturday afternoon.

Jeff Teague led the way (again) with 24 points, while Al-Farouq Aminu posted a double-double (12/10); he and Chas McFarland, who posted 12 boards, kept anyone most of Clemson's roster off the glass all afternoon.

The game was a back-and-forth affair until the Deacs amped up the defense and held Clemson scoreless to close out the first half with an eight-point lead. Wake held close to a double-digit margin for most of the second half, but Clemson was able to ratchet down and bring the game within a single point with just under few minutes to go.

Despite nearly having all five starters in double figures though, the Tigers were never able to take the lead back and Wake, which shot nearly 80 percent from the stripe as a team, was able to close out the home team.

Four things really stood out from this game. First of all, Clemson is legit. The Tigers didn't play their best basketball today, particularly in the second half, but there's a pretty good chance that they can break their 0-for-50,000-53 record against North Carolina in Chapel Hill next Wednesday. (Aside: that game is going to be reasonably crucial to the Tigers' schedule; a win and they can get on a serious ACC roll, but a loss just reeks of a six-game losing streak.)

Secondly, this is the all-time best start by any Wake Forest team in the prestigious, albeit undervalued, history of the school's basketball program, toppling the previous all time best start of 15-0 by the 1926-27 team.

Additionally, have you heard that Wake Forest is good? Because most people, geniuses aside, didn't realize just how talented they were before the season.

Oh, and finally, Clemson fans are, unsurprisingly classy. How do I know? Because we have video proof of a Clemson fan piledriving McFarland after he falls into the stands chasing after a loose ball. But at least they're not bitter.

Wake Forest Wins Battle of Unbeatens, Taking Out Clemson in Littlejohn originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Al-Farouq AminuAl-farouqAminuchas mcfarlandChasMcfarlandJeff TeagueJeffTeagueWill BrinsonSat, 17 Jan 2009 19:41:00 EST Atlantic Coast Conference Season Set to Begin: A Quick Once-Overhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/03/atlantic-coast-conference-season-set-to-begin-a-quick-once-ove/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/03/atlantic-coast-conference-season-set-to-begin-a-quick-once-ove/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/01/03/atlantic-coast-conference-season-set-to-begin-a-quick-once-ove/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The ACC has had an interesting start to the season. You have top-ranked North Carolina just rolling over everyone and flexing their muscle. Duke has looked very impressive for most of the year. Wake Forest and Clemson are still undefeated and climbing the polls.

Still, there have been some bad moments. Miami hasn't looked as good as advertised, Maryland followed up one impressive win by getting blown out twice. Virginia Tech has lost on two buzzer beaters. Then there is the glut of also-rans that litter the bottom half of the league.

Conference season doesn't get into full swing for another week or so and there has already been two league games played. There are some big non-conference game this week (Ga Tech at Alabama, Xavier at Virginia, NC State at Florida, Wake Forest at BYU) but the highlight will be the ACC's top two teams starting conference play.

The big game will be North Carolina opening up conference play against Boston College. Sure, they are on other ends of the spectrum, but the game boasts the two favorites for ACC Player of the Year. We know all about UNC's Tyler Hansbrough, but BC's Tyrese Rice was right behind Psycho T all last year. In their last meeting, Rice dumped 46 points on the Heels and nearly pulled off a late season upset (Sunday, 5:30 PM ET).

Other big games this week: Virginia Tech at Duke (Sunday, 7:45 PM ET)

Player to watch: Other than Rice and Hansbrough, all eyes at the Dean Dome should be on Ty Lawson. Lawson is having an All-American season thus far but hasn't faced anyone like Rice, yet. Like I said, Rice popped 46 points on the Heels. That was also Lawson's first game back from an ankle injury so he was at a disadvantage. Let's see if his new defensive intensity will be effective against one of the ACC's best.

Pre-Conference Power Rankings

1. North Carolina -- The No. 1 ranked team in the nation has won all 12 of their games by double-digits, a school record.

2. Duke -- When on, they are one of the best teams in the country. But we all saw in Michigan what they look like when they aren't.

3. Wake Forest -- Still undefeated and could be a top four team next week. One of the deepest teams filled with guys you've never heard of.

4. Clemson -- The Tigers have shown that toughness that Oliver Purnell has injected into the program. Their blasting of Miami proved that.

5. Miami -- There is no question that Jack McClinton and the Canes are a tournament-calibar team. However, they don't seem to be on the same page at times, the offense bogs down and the defense isn't focused.

6. Florida State -- The Seminoles may actually be putting together the kind of season we've been waiting for. The loss to Northwestern was puzzling but they gave good effort in a loss to Pitt. Let's see how they do against Duke in ten days.

7. Maryland -- They followed a blowout of Michigan State by getting ran out of the gym by Gonzaga and Georgetown. Still, they've beaten Michigan and all the teams they are supposed to.

7. NC State -- Injuries and inconsistent play has hit the Wolfpack yet again.

9. Virginia Tech -- Well, they've beaten the teams they are supposed to and have been close in their four losses. Remember that Xavier needed a miracle shot to beat them and Wisconsin beat them at the buzzer.

10. Boston College -- They have a few nice wins on the resume, but nothing overly shocking. Let's see how they handle a January stretch at UNC and then hosting Miami and Wake Forest.

11. Virginia -- Three of their four losses aren't horrible. Losing at home to Liberty is.

12. Georgia Tech -- Their home loss to Virginia knocks them down here. Their upcoming schedule looks daunting as well so they may stick here for a while.

Atlantic Coast Conference Season Set to Begin: A Quick Once-Over originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jack mcclintonJackMcclintonty lawsonTyLawsontyler hansbroughTylerHansbroughtyrese riceTyreseRiceShiloh CarderSat, 03 Jan 2009 01:16:00 EST ACC/Big Ten Challenge Heads Into Final Day as Even as It Can Gethttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/03/acc-big-ten-challenge-heads-into-final-day-as-even-as-it-can-get/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/03/acc-big-ten-challenge-heads-into-final-day-as-even-as-it-can-get/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/03/acc-big-ten-challenge-heads-into-final-day-as-even-as-it-can-get/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is entering its final day of action. Both conferences have won three games. The ACC has a slim lead in points, 405 to 402.

One interesting note is that the ACC was 33-4 at home during the first nine years of the Challenge. They've already lost two home games this year.

Let's take a look back at what has happened:

Wisconsin 74, Virginia Tech 72: The Badgers avoided an upset with a Trevon Hughes jumper with 0.7 seconds remaining. The Tech loss was the first for an ACC team at home in the Challenge in 11 games. Big Ten leads 1-0

Ohio State 73, Miami-FL 68: How about another road win for the Big Ten? Miami's Jack McClinton was ejected after taking a swipe at a Buckeye player. After an agressive run by the Canes, Ohio State mounted a second half comeback and pulled out the win. Big Ten leads 2-0.

Clemson 76, Illinois 74: Clemson puts the ACC on the board with their own road win. The Tigers' Demontez Stitt led the Tigers with 18 points and they used their defensive pressure to force 17 Illini turnovers. Big Ten leads 2-1.

Boston College 57, Iowa 55: Iowa's Andrew Brommer missed the front end of a one-and-one with 0.4 seconds left as the Hawkeyes fell to BC. Boston College held on despite scoring just one point in the final 4:45. Challenge tied 2-2.

Duke 76, Purdue 60: Jon Scheyer came back to his home turf and scored 20 points for the Blue Devils. Kyle Singer was scorching hot late to put the game away. The win helped flex the ACC's muscle. ACC leads 3-2.

Minnesota 66, Virginia 56: The Cavs shot a horrid 31% from the field and the Gophers tied up the Challenge again. Freshman Colton Iverson led Minnesota with 14 points. Series tied 3-3.

That means that tonight's games will determine the winner of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Big Ten has never won this thing but has a decent chance to get it done tonight. There are at four winnable games, even though the ACC is the oddmaker's favorites in each contest. Here are the Big Ten's best bets tonight:

1-Florida State at Northwestern: The Noles are the better team in this one, but they are by no means locks to win on the road.

2-Michigan at Maryland: Can you really trust the Terps? They did beat Michigan State last week, but Michigan has a win over UCLA under their hat.

3-Penn State at Georgia Tech: Tech is usually tough at home and it will be interesting to see how the Nittany Lions fare on the road. Still, it is hard to trust the Yellow Jackets who nearly lost to Jacksonville State.

4-North Carolina vs Michigan State: UNC is the unanimous No. 1 team, but the Spartans are scared of no one.

5-Indiana at Wake Forest: The ACC can already chalk this one up.

ACC/Big Ten Challenge Heads Into Final Day as Even as It Can Get originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>accbigtenchallengeShiloh CarderWed, 03 Dec 2008 01:37:00 EST Clemson Presses Illinois For the ACC's First Win in the ACC/Big Ten Challengehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/02/clemson-presses-illinois-for-the-accs-first-win-in-the-acc-big/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/02/clemson-presses-illinois-for-the-accs-first-win-in-the-acc-big/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/02/clemson-presses-illinois-for-the-accs-first-win-in-the-acc-big/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Clemson turned on the offensive and defensive pressure in the second half, forcing 17 Illinois turnovers and squeaking out a 76-74 win in Champaign.

In one of the best games of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Clemson shot an amazing 58% from the field (Illinois shot a darn good 51.7% themselves). It was a fun, physical game to watch and had just 21 combined free throws attempted.

Clemson had a balanced attack. Demontez Stitt scored 18 points, Trevor Booker added 16 while K.C. Rivers and Raymond Sykes chipped in 14 points apiece.

Illinois was less balanced. Mike Davis scored a career-high 28 points and Demetri McCamey added 20. The rest of the team combined for just 26 points.

This is the first win for the ACC in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge after the Big Ten took the first two games. It was also the third straight road win to open the series.

Amazingly, this is Clemson's fifth straight win in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Even though Illinois is down a bit, winning in Champaign isn't easy for anybody. The Tigers are now 8-0. They should be 11-0 when the enter ACC play with a showdown at Miami on Dec. 21.

Clemson Presses Illinois For the ACC's First Win in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>accbigtenchallengedemetri mccameyDemetriMccameydemontez stittDemontezStittkc riversKcRiversmike davisMikeDavistrevor bookerTrevorBookerShiloh CarderTue, 02 Dec 2008 22:48:00 EST ACC/Big Ten Challenge Begins Tonighthttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/01/acc-big-ten-challenge-begins-tonight/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/01/acc-big-ten-challenge-begins-tonight/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/12/01/acc-big-ten-challenge-begins-tonight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is back once again. This is the 10th edition of the Challenge with the ACC winning it in each of the first nine seasons.

The ACC has won 16 of the last 22 games in this series.

Already we've seen a few games between ACC and Big Ten teams: Duke beat Michigan in the 2K Sports Championship game; Maryland beat Michigan State in the Old Spice Classic. Purdue beat Boston College in the Preseason N.I.T.

So let's take a look at what the next three days have in store.

Wisconsin at Virginia Tech (Mon. 7 pm ET): The Badgers are 0-5 as the road team in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Tech is coming off a tough showing in the Puerto Rico Tip Off. They lost two games by a total of five points and barely beat Elon in the 7th-place game at home. Both could find themselves in the NCAA Tournament in March. Watchability: It is a decent appetizer to get ready for the Challenge.

Ohio State at Miami (Tue. 7 pm ET): This would have made on heck of a football game several years ago. Now it's a darn good hoops game. It will be interesting to see Ohio State deal with the Miami guards and Miami deal with Ohio State's size. Miami is the only school on either side to not have won a game in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Watchability: One of the darkhorses to be the best game this week.

Iowa at Boston College (Tue. 7 pm ET): Neither team has big plans this year but both have the ability for a few upsets. The Eagles have won both their previous ACC/Big Ten Challenge games. Watchability: The best part of this game is seeing BC's Tyrese Rice tear it up. The fact that it's relegated to ESPNU says it all.

Clemson at Illinois (Tue. 7:30 pm ET): This is potentially a great game. Neither team is of elite status, but both are solid. The Illini just beat Vanderbilt while Clemson is already 7-0. Watchability: It's definitely good for a flip during the Ohio State-Miami game. Don't watch if you are allergic to the color orange.

Virginia at Minnesota (Tue. 8:30 pm ET): Two teams that no one expects anything from. These are the games, however, that prove the ACC's superiority as the ACC's bottom is usually better than the Big Ten's. Watchability: You probably won't be able to see the game anyways.

Duke at Purdue (Tue. 9 pm ET): Seeing Duke play an actual road game is a rarity. So is seeing the Blue Devils lose in the Challenge (they are 9-0). Both teams have high hopes for the season and the atmosphere in West Lafayette will be outstanding. Watchability: The best game of the day.

Indiana at Wake Forest (Wed. 7 pm ET): This has the potential to be the biggest mismatch of the Challenge. This game was set up according to last year's standings. Wake is extremely talented and extremely deep. Indiana is neither. Watchability: Use this as a chance to see the Demon Deacons' talented squad. Nothing more.

Penn State at Georgia Tech (Wed. 7:30 pm ET): This is the best chance for a Big Ten upset. As usual, Tech is struggling against weak opponents. Penn State has looked pretty good to start the season. Watchability: Only if you are a big, big fan.

Michigan at Maryland (Wed. 7:30 pm ET): Both the Wolverines and Terps have pulled off two of the biggest upsets thus far against UCLA and Michigan State, respectively. Both are as hit-and-miss as you can get from each conference. The Terps, for example, followed up an 18-point win over the Spartans with a 22-point loss to Gonzaga and a 27-point loss to Georgetown. Watchability: This should be a good game with a ton of runs. Worth a look if you have ESPNU.

North Carolina vs Michigan State (Wed. 9 pm ET): This is the biggest game of the Challenge. So big that they are playing it at Ford Field. Interesting note: Michigan State is the only Big Ten team with a winning record in the Challenge. North Carolina is just 4-5 in the Challenge ... tied for worst among schools who have been in all nine of them. Watchability: This game is the best chance for the Heels to lose a game before ACC play. See them get beat or see them continue their dominating season.

Florida State at Northwestern (Wed. 9:30 pm ET): This should be an easy Noles win (again, the ACC's bad is better than the Big Ten's). Watchability: With it going on at the same time as UNC-Michigan State, why watch?

ACC/Big Ten Challenge Begins Tonight originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Shiloh CarderMon, 01 Dec 2008 06:10:00 EST ACC Power Poll: Does Anyone Have a Chance to Top North Carolina?http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/11/14/acc-power-poll-does-anyone-have-a-chance-to-top-north-carolina/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/11/14/acc-power-poll-does-anyone-have-a-chance-to-top-north-carolina/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/11/14/acc-power-poll-does-anyone-have-a-chance-to-top-north-carolina/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

College basketball is back, ladies and gentlemen! That means it is time for the first ACC Power Poll of the season. Most of this is based on projections, theories and guess-work.

There is always one team that surprises us each year (Miami was that team last year) and one that disappoints us (NC State). Let's begin!

1-North Carolina: There hasn't been a favorite this heavy in a long, long time.

2-Duke: Remember that the Blue Devils were a game from winning the ACC last year. Gerald Henderson is my darkhorse for ACC Player of the Year.

3-Miami-FL: The Canes have a great shot at the ACC Championship and a deep run in the NCAAs.4-Wake Forest: The young Deacs surprised many last year. This year, they get that great recruiting class Skip Prosser put together right before he passed away.

5-Virginia Tech: The Hokies' bubble burst last season, but much of that team remains. Can a team be a darkhorse three straight seasons?

6-Clemson: The Tigers go back to mediocrity. There is talent here but no James Mays or Cliff Hammonds to be the soul of the team.

7-Maryland: Greivis Vasquez is an outstanding leader but the Terps lack any inside presence to contend in the ACC.

8-Florida State: If freshman Chris Singleton can live up to all his hype, maybe the Noles could contend for a postseason berth.

9-Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets have had a tough offseason that has gutted the roster. Some talent remains, just not enough.

10-NC State: Will it really be addition by subtracting J.J. Hickson? Let's see which Brandon Costner will show up this year.

11-Boston College: Tyrese Rice is the first, second and third options for the Eagles this season.

12-Virginia: Sean Singletary did everything for the Cavs last year. He's gone now.

ACC Power Poll: Does Anyone Have a Chance to Top North Carolina? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brandon costnerBrandonCostnerchris singletonChrisSingletoncliff hammondsCliffHammondsgerald hendersonGeraldHendersongreivis vasquezGreivisVasquezjames maysJamesMaysjj hicksonJjHicksonsean singletarySeanSingletarytyrese riceTyreseRiceShiloh CarderFri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST How I Spent My Summer Vacation: ACChttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/09/30/how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation-acc/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/09/30/how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation-acc/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/09/30/how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation-acc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

With the fall beginning and college basketball just around the corner, it's time to look back at what our favorite teams did during their summer vacations. Some did some good things; some had a bad time. So let's look back at who did what in our How I Spent My Summer Vacation series.

Today's look is the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Roy Williams Hits Jackpot When All His Guys Return

The Tar Heels were at quite the crossroads. After a great season ended with a disappointing loss to Kansas, Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green all decided to take a look at the NBA Draft. Hansbrough decided to come back, but the other three entered the draft with the opportunity to come back to school if they didn't like their draft status.

If any or all left, the Heels were facing some uncertainty heading into the season. Yes, they'd still be a good team but they'd have a few holes.

In a somewhat surprising move, all three Heels decided to come back for one last hurrah. That means Ol' Roy gets everyone back from that Final Four team (sans a transferred Alex Stepheson and a graduating Quentin Thomas -- both role players). They also bring in three McDonald's All Americans.

Now the Heels are scary deep, scary talented and very experienced. They will enter the season as probably a clear-cut No. 1 ranked team with a NCAA Tournament Championship as the goal. Anything less will be a huge disappointment.

Coach K Turns Golden

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski spent his summer vacation in China coaching the USA Olympic basketball team. Team USA won the gold in a thrilling victory over Spain and reasserted America as the best hoops country in the world.

Now Coach K heads back to his day job, coaching a Duke program that sees themselves as the kings of college hoops. The Blue Devils are experienced, talented and primed for a run back to the Final Four.

What people are interested to see is how Krzyzewski's time with the NBA guys will affect Duke. I don't think that the team will suffer from not having him while he was with the Redeem Team, but what nuances may K add into his already lethal arsenal? Remember that last season he brought Mike D'Antoni's (former Suns, now Knicks head coach who served as an assistant for Team USA) offensive system to Duke with some great success.

Maryland's Revolving Door

Gary Williams has been on a hot seat of sorts. That's unfair to a man that took the Terps to a National Championship earlier this decade. However, NIT appearances and questionable recruiting have taken him out of favor from the Maryland faithful.

During this offseason, Williams watched several players bolt. Bobby Maze couldn't get his grades up to university standards so he moved on to Tennessee. Gus Gilchrist was put off by the ACC's intraconference transfering rules and left for South Florida. Stud recruit Tyree Evans was run out of College Park once his police record and jail time were made public.

J.J. Hickson Leaves N.C. State

Despite all the commotion about what the UNC players might do, there was still just one underclassman that left an ACC program for the NBA. Freshman forward J.J. Hickson decided one year at N.C. State was enough and entered the NBA Draft. He was selected with the 19th pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

There have been one-and-dones in the ACC and players have left early for a long time. But this was really the first offseason where we saw premiere guys "testing the waters".

Hickson leaving N.C. State also creates an interesting void. After the 2007 season, the Wolfpack were being buzzed about as a sleeper team. Hickson was the best player on the 2007-2008 team but they stumbled in the standings. With no Hickson, will the Pack go back to its better days? We'll have to see.

Psycho T's Leap

While Tyler Hansbrough didn't leap into the NBA Draft, he did find time to leap into a pool. From a balcony. Hansbrough received some flak for pulling off the stunt, but continues to feed his "Psycho T" persona.

Waiving Good-bye!

Sean Singletary (Virginia), DeMarcus Nelson (Duke), James Gist (Maryland), J.J. Hickson (NC State), James Mays (Clemson), Jason Rich (Florida State), Anthony Morrow (Ga Tech) and Deron Washington (Va Tech).

Welcoming in

Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest), Tony Woods (Wake Forest), Tyler Zeller (North Carolina), Miles Plumlee (Duke), Ed Davis (North Carolina), Elliot Williams (Duke), Olek Czyz (Duke), Iman Shumpert (Ga Tech), Andre Jones (Clemson) and DeQuan Jones (Miami).

How I Spent My Summer Vacation: ACC originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>alex stephesonAlexStephesonandre jonesAndreJonesanthony morrowAnthonyMorrowbobby mazeBobbyMazedanny greenDannyGreendemarcus nelsonDemarcusNelsondequan jonesDequanJonesderon washingtonDeronWashingtoned davisEdDaviselliot williamsElliotWilliamsgary williamsGaryWilliamsgus gilchristGusGilchristhowispentmysummervacationiman shumpertImanShumpertjames gistjames maysJamesGistJamesMaysjason richJasonRichjj hicksonJjHicksonmike krzyzewskiMikeKrzyzewskimiles plumleeMilesPlumleequentin thomasQuentinThomasroy williamsRoyWilliamssean singletarySeanSingletarytony woodsTonyWoodsty lawsonTyLawsontyler hansbroughtyler zellerTylerHansbroughTylerZellertyree evansTyreeEvanswayne ellingtonWayneEllingtonShiloh CarderTue, 30 Sep 2008 22:48:00 EST