Comments on: Conference Report Card: ACC

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:47:41 +0000

Well, certainly Zona was red hot in the second half against Duke, and then cooled off against UConn, but at least part of the credit/blame should go to the Wildcats’ opponents. Duke was awful in the second half against Zona (their effort on the glass was abysmal, they were getting beat up and down the court in transition and they were getting flustered easily – Nolan Smith in particular). UConn, on the other hand, pounded the glass, got back in transition, clogged the lane and, most importantly, got Derrick Williams in foul trouble early.

Yes, Arizona would have beaten many teams in the country with the way they played in that Sweet 16 second half, but a championship caliber team – like UConn was, and like Duke was not – would not have let that happen. Zona had a couple runs in the second half in the regional final, but UConn turned off the water when they needed to. Duke was unable to do that.

By: Nassau Nell

Nassau Nell — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:36:09 +0000

As a Duke alum (’80), it was painful to see them lose to Zona and then see Zona become human again against UCONN. But your analysis is correct: no one could have beat Zona that night; not when you go 9 for 15 from three, and score 55 points in the second half.

Duke fans are left with the cruel “what if ” about Kyrie: he never even got to suit up in a game against North Carolina!

Your analysis is also correct that Singler had a sub-par season and probably cost himself millions by coming back for his senior year.Tough to face it, but his shooting was not up to expectations.

The team will be young next year with just one senior ( Miles) so a second place finnish behind UNC-ch is realistic.

Carolina is indeed the top team in the country, but their last regular season game is in Cameron–where anything can happen !

Go Devils !

By: WakeFan

WakeFan — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:43:52 +0000

We’re going to be lousy again.

Anything else would require a miraculous off season.

Half the fan base wants Bzdelik fired yesterday. Not good for a first year coach, but when you’re 58 years old, have no track record of success, and make a bad situation worse that seems about right.

By: BOtskey

BOtskey — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:36:32 +0000

Nice job, Matt. Very informative.

I can’t give Duke an A. The defending national champions have to do better than the Sweet 16 to earn a good grade, in my estimation.

I really like Brownell at Clemson in the years to come. He’ll do a lot of good there and has already started given this year’s success. On the contrary, I think Brian Gregory is a terrible hire for Georgia Tech. This guy has been a career underachiever and while he has the Izzo pedigree, he’s not a very good coach in my opinion. Hewitt was awful too (I’ve always been a Hewitt “hater”) but Gregory is not much better. I love smart, defensive oriented coaches like Tony Bennett so I agree with you on UVA. The Cavs have a nice future ahead of them with Bennett at the helm.

Miami could make some noise but that’s the worst job in the conference and the program has zero buzz about it, never has really. Larranaga is a good coach but I’m not sure he can change the culture of mediocrity and apathy that quickly, if at all.

I think Gottfried will surprise at NC State. I thought he did a nice job at Alabama over the years. NC State is a really tough job but I think he can have some success there.